Wondering how to get to Carinthia without the stress? Rail is the simplest start: since the Koralmbahn opened in December 2025, fast trains link Graz and Klagenfurt in 41 minutes. Driving and flying also work.
If you are still choosing a destination, the carinthia travel guide gives the wider picture.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Koralmbahn (Graz–Klagenfurt) opened | December 2025 |
| Daily train services, Vienna to Klagenfurt | 26 services |
| RJX journey time, Graz to Klagenfurt | 41 minutes |
| Tauern car shuttle journey time | 11 minutes |
| Tauern car shuttle departures | Every 60 minutes |
| Freizeit-Ticket Kärnten, adult | €14.90 |
The figures come from ÖBB’s long-distance travel page and the ÖBB Tauern car shuttle folder, whose tariff and timetable date from February 2026. Timetables and prices can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
Getting to Carinthia by train
For many visitors the Koralmbahn is the biggest change in rail travel to the region. According to ÖBB, its opening between Graz and Klagenfurt in December 2025 was the first time in decades that a completely new railway line in Austria had been put into operation. It forms part of the Southern Line, which runs Vienna – Graz – Klagenfurt – Villach – Salzburg.
ÖBB’s long-distance page lists these Southern Line services after the December 2025 change:
- 26 daily services from Vienna to Klagenfurt.
- An almost half-hourly service from Vienna to Graz.
- An hourly service between Graz and Klagenfurt, with a 41-minute RJX (Railjet Xpress) journey time.
- 7 daily services from Graz to Salzburg via Klagenfurt.
- An hourly service from Villach to Salzburg.
ÖBB also says travel times from Salzburg via Carinthia and Styria to Vienna are noticeably reduced. If you are coming from the north or east of Austria, that makes the rail route worth checking first in the ÖBB timetable.
Once you arrive, the Klagenfurt tourism office says the city centre is just a few minutes’ walk from the main railway station. It adds that ÖBB and DB (German Railways) trains run almost to the city centre, that sleeper cars are available, and that tickets can be bought online or at any railway station. Timetables and prices are on oebb.at and bahn.de.
Flying in: Klagenfurt, Ljubljana and Vienna
Three airports are worth comparing, and the Klagenfurt tourism office describes the first two:
- Klagenfurt Airport is just a few kilometres from the city centre. You can reach your accommodation by taxi, Stadtwerke buses or hire car.
- Ljubljana Airport offers connections to most European capitals, and a shuttle run by GoOpti goes directly from the airport to Klagenfurt.
- Vienna Airport is a rail journey away, as described below.
The shuttle detail comes from a travel page that also mentions Covid-era bus suspensions, so confirm that the service still runs before you plan around it.
For Vienna, ÖBB says there are two departures per hour from Klagenfurt to Vienna Airport. The fastest Klagenfurt journey takes 3 hours 31 minutes, so this suits you better as part of a longer trip than as a quick hop.
The same ÖBB page says the Klagenfurt–Vienna route can be booked together with a flight operated by Austrian Airlines or a participating Star Alliance airline using the AIRail service, new from 14 December 2025. It also mentions Rail&Fly Austria, which lets you book a flight including the return rail journey to Vienna Airport through the participating airlines’ sales channels.
Driving to Carinthia: motorway routes
Klagenfurt lies on the eastern shore of Lake Wörthersee and is the capital of Carinthia, so many drivers use it as a reference point. The Klagenfurt tourism office lists three main approaches:
- From the north: via Salzburg, the A10 Tauern motorway and the A2 motorway.
- From the east: via Vienna and Graz on the A2 Südautobahn motorway.
- From the south: via Ljubljana and the B91 Loiblpass road, or via Udine and the A2 Südautobahn motorway.
The same page says you have to pay tolls for all motorways and trunk roads in Austria, so you require a toll sticker. Rules and prices can change, so check the current toll information before you leave.
Can you take your car on the train through the Tauern?
If you are crossing between Salzburg and Carinthia by road, the Tauern car shuttle is an alternative to the motorway. According to the ÖBB folder, it connects the Möll valley with the Gastein valley through the Tauern tunnel, with loading points at Mallnitz and Böckstein.
Trains depart every 60 minutes and the journey time is 11 minutes. ÖBB says more than 400,000 passengers and 180,000 vehicles use the Tauern motorail every year.
The folder, with a tariff and timetable dated February 2026, sets out how boarding works:
- Arrive in time, because loading ends 5 minutes before the train departs.
- Passengers get out of the vehicle and board the passenger carriage waiting at platform 1; only the driver stays in the car to drive it onto the train.
- Park off-centre as the loading staff direct, apply the handbrake and remove the ignition key.
- Make sure side windows and the sunroof are closed and locked, then join the passengers in the coach.
Space is limited and reservation is not possible for ordinary cars, and carriage on a specific train cannot be guaranteed. Buses and motorcycle groups do require advance reservation, and prices are subject to change, so read the folder before you go.
Getting around once you arrive
Regional public transport is the easy way to keep moving after you land or park. The Freizeit-Ticket Kärnten lets you travel throughout Carinthia for a whole day, and ÖBB’s folder gives the price as €14.90 for adults and €7.90 for children, with a tariff date of February 2026.
It is valid on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, on all local trains and on all scheduled buses operated by Kärntner Linien. It excludes Railjet, Eurocity, Intercity, D and Nightjet/Euronight trains, so it does not replace your long-distance ticket.
Choosing your route and planning the next step
Which way suits you depends on where you start and how much luggage you carry. These rules of thumb follow from the sources above:
- Coming from Vienna or Graz: start with the Southern Line train times.
- Coming from Salzburg by road: compare the Tauern motorway with the car shuttle.
- Coming from abroad by air: compare Klagenfurt, Ljubljana and Vienna on connections, not only on fares.
Once you know your route, read the best time to visit carinthia page to choose your dates. Then use the carinthia 3 day itinerary page to plan your first days.
This site is an independent editorial guide. It is not connected to any rail operator, airport or shuttle service named here, and it does not sell tickets or take bookings.
Frequently asked questions
How many trains run from Vienna to Klagenfurt?
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ÖBB counts 26 trains a day on that run since the Koralmbahn opened. Search the timetable for your own travel date, because schedules can change.
How long does the train from Graz to Klagenfurt take?
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Expect 41 minutes on the RJX, ÖBB’s fast Railjet Xpress, which runs every hour. Slower train types take longer, so check the one you book.
Can I combine a flight and a train to Klagenfurt?
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Yes, in some cases. Since 14 December 2025, ÖBB’s AIRail booking has covered the rail leg between Klagenfurt and Vienna when paired with Austrian Airlines or a participating Star Alliance carrier. Ask your airline which fares include it.
Do I need a toll sticker to drive to Carinthia?
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Yes, according to the Klagenfurt tourism office, which says Austrian motorways and trunk roads are all toll roads that need a sticker. Confirm current rules and prices before you set off.
Can I reserve a place on the Tauern car shuttle?
Show answer
Not for an ordinary car, says ÖBB’s February 2026 folder, which describes space as limited. Buses and motorcycle groups are the exceptions and must book ahead.
