From December 2025, ÖBB and Czech Railways (ČD) will be expanding their joint services. The introduction of the new ČD ComfortJet in Austria will also offer a new direct connection between Prague and Villach. This will greatly enhance international long-distance travel between Austria and the Czech Republic. Passengers will benefit from significantly faster travel times, additional connections and improved seating capacity.
Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB-Holding AG, said: "Together with ČD, we are creating new, comfortable services for our passengers – from Prague via Vienna and Graz to Villach. With the new ComfortJet and the direct connection to Carinthia, we are sending a strong signal in favour of international rail transport."
This means that direct connections between Carinthia and Prague will be reinstated: from December 2025, three daily Railjet-Xpress trains (RJX) will connect the Czech capital with Villach via Vienna and Graz. This will seamlessly integrate Carinthia into the international long-distance transport network. At the same time, the journey time between Vienna and Klagenfurt will be reduced by 45 minutes to around three hours and ten minutes thanks to the new Koralmbahn railway line.
Michal Krapinec, CEO of České dráhy (ČD): "Last year, we celebrated the 10^(th) anniversary of our connection between Prague, Vienna, and Graz together with ÖBB. Today, this has resulted in our ongoing cooperation: the modern ComfortJet and a direct connection between Carinthia and the Czech Republic. This is a win-win for our passengers and for economic cooperation between the two countries."
The service on the existing route between Vienna and Prague will also be expanded. From December, there will be nine Railjet connections a day, six of which will be operated by the new ComfortJets. Railway operators added that a new early departure from Vienna at 05:10 to Prague and a late return journey arriving in Vienna at 23:49 will be introduced, making it ideal for day trips or business travel, railway operators added.
