vortelscard

Hi, I%26#39;m studying abroad this summer in Salzburg, Austria. I%26#39;m hoping to travel to neighboring countries while there. I saw some information on the VORTELScard, but I don%26#39;t understand how it works exactly? Is it available to US citizens? And if so, can I purchase it before arriving in Austria? Also, is it only applicable to travel within Austria or can it be applied to train tickets that are from Austria to other places? And, can it only be used with certain Train companies?

I know that%26#39;s lots of questions but I%26#39;d appreciate any information. Thank you!

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Hi aliann!

I tried to figure out a bit of Information for you on the ÖBB-Homepage about the Vorteilscard...

I would suggest, that you directly contact ÖBB via e-mail: vorteilscard@is.oebb.at

There is also a phone number for information but I think it may be too expensive to call from the USA ;-)

Nicole

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My sister was visiting from Canada last summer, and purchased a Vortelscard at the train station in Austria. She was given a tempoary paper card, and then the actual card was later mailed. Generally I think you just need a mailing address in Austria.

I know within Austria she received large discounts and for travel outside of Austria 25% off.

Check out this link:

oebb.at/pv/…index.jsp

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All people younger than 26 can buy the VorteilsCard at any ticket window. Just don%26#39;t fortget a passport-size foto and a valid ID-card/passport. Valid for one year.

You have to fill in a form, pay the € 19,90 (cash, credit card, bank card) and you will get a paper ticket which is valid with ID/passport for some weeks.

The real plastic card will be sent to you by mail.

Discounts:

50% off all tickets inside of Austria if you buy them at the ticket machine, online-selfprint-ticket or on your austrian mobile phone.

45% off all tickets that you buy from manned ticket offices (ticket windows, conductor)

25% off if you travel from Austria to another country for all the journey after the border point, in Austria you get the 45 or 50% off

You will also receive 25% off if you travel from one to another country, even if you do not travel in Austria.

So 25% off from Switzerland to France, from Slovenia to Hungary...

Mind: tickets in Austria are flexible, valid on any train within the validity... so allmost all people just buy before they go. If you travel abroad there are sometimes really cheap discount tickets which have to be bought well (weeks or months) in advance.

Every country in Europe has it%26#39;s own state railways which do most services. There are only very few local private lines.

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Thank you all! I didn%26#39;t expect so many quick responses. I don%26#39;t really have a set itinerary so it sounds like this might be a good thing for me to get. Thanks so much again! Any great places I should be sure and visit this summer?

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