Koralmbahn takes off: Faster trains connect Graz and Klagenfurt!

Koralmbahn takes off: Faster trains connect Graz and Klagenfurt!

On December 14, 2025, a new chapter in Austrian railway history will open: Regular operations on the Koralm line will begin and promise a revolution in rail traffic between Graz and Klagenfurt. The anticipation of this milestone is already palpable, as celebratory events will take place in Graz and Klagenfurt on December 12th at 10 a.m. There are also celebrations on the trains between these cities. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker travel from Vienna by special train to attend the opening. The big celebrations will also be broadcast via live stream, so no one has to miss the highlights.

Less than 24 hours before the official starting signal, 14 special trips for December 12th were quickly booked out with around 5,500 tickets. A strong sign of how popular the new Koralm route is. From December 14th, the timetable will be comprehensively changed so that journey times will be noticeably shorter. The connection between Graz and Klagenfurt will be shortened to just 41 minutes – a real benefit for all commuters.

Impressive facts about the Koralm route

The overall Koralm route project includes an impressive 130 kilometers of new route, 50 kilometers of tunnels, more than 100 bridges and 23 train stations and stops. The Koralm Tunnel, 33 kilometers long, is one of the six longest railway tunnels in the world. To ensure the highest safety standards, intensive tests were carried out with a total of 280 trips up to 250 km/h.

• Fahrzeit von Wien nach Triest: 6 Stunden und 38 Minuten (Reduzierung um mehr als 2,5 Stunden).
• Tägliche Verbindungen zwischen Wien und Klagenfurt: 26.
• Fahrzeit von Graz nach Klagenfurt: 41 Minuten.
• Stündliche Verbindungen zwischen Graz und Klagenfurt: 29.
• Ab März 2026 werden auch die Westbahnzüge auf der Südstrecke mit fünf täglichen Verbindungen von Wien über Graz und Klagenfurt bis Villach fahren.

With these new connections, the RailjetXpress (RJX) will now run faster than ever between Graz, Villach, Salzburg and even Munich. The new route could prove to be the proverbial trailblazer for a massive improvement in mobility in southern Austria, which will be a relief for commuters and travelers alike.

What's left to say? The timetable change in connection with the opening of the Koralm line is a clear signal for progress and modern and efficient rail operations in Austria. The anticipation of December 14th is clearly noticeable and well-founded among travelers and those responsible. If you want to experience the speed and convenience of the new connections, you should definitely note the dates for the opening ceremonies!

For more information about the southern route and its benefits, visit the official ÖBB website at ouroebb.at.