First of all, let me tell you what I am talking about. Rail transport in Austria is mainly owned by the railway company ÖBB. While the tickets can be expensive, ÖBB offers the so-called Vorteilscard. Well, in general, it is a yearly card that you purchase and ensure you a discount within every ticket you buy, and you can travel on ÖBB trains as well as many private railways.
There are a lot of Vorteilscard options: Classic, Family, Senior, and the one that most likely fits us, Jugend. The Vorteilscard Jugend is destined for people under 26 years old and costs 19 euros (for 1 year of validity). Moving on to the benefits, despite your “category”, the Vorteilscard ensure you the following:
- 50 percent discount on ÖBB standard single tickets at the ÖBB ticket machine, on their online ticket shop or via the ÖBB App;*
- 45 percent discount on ÖBB standard single tickets at ÖBB ticket counters and customer service, from sales partners (e.g. travel agencies) and from ÖBB employees on the trains and buses;*
- 15 percent discount on cross-border rail travel with railplus.
*These discount rates are valid until 11/12/2021. From 12/12/2021 on it will be 50 percent discount on both cases
Some “additional” benefits include: special rates for ÖBB Rail Tours, discounted fare to go to Vienna-Schwechat Airport, or rental bicycles at 59 ÖBB train stations.
“Ok, but how do I get this card?” - It’s very simple! The two main ways to get it are via the ÖBB App or online ticket shop, or at an ÖBB ticket counter.
