Why the Einfach-Raus Ticket Is One of Europe’s Best Train Deals
The Einfach-Raus-Ticket is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to save money on train travel in Europe. While most travellers focus on expensive high-speed tickets or broad rail passes, this ticket offers something far more practical. It allows you to travel across Austria for a full day at a fixed price, often working out at under €10 per person when shared between a group.
What makes it so effective is its focus on regional travel. Instead of paying high prices for fast trains, you use Austria’s extensive network of slower services, which still connect major cities, towns, and scenic areas. This opens up a completely different way of travelling, where you can stop multiple times, explore freely, and avoid the pressure of booking specific trains.
Most travellers never even see this ticket. It is not heavily promoted on booking platforms, and it does not appear as a standard option when you search for routes. As a result, many people end up paying far more than they need to. The Einfach-Raus-Ticket flips that completely, turning what looks like an expensive rail network into one of the cheapest ways to travel in Europe.
What the Einfach-Raus Ticket Is and How It Works
At its core, the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is a group day ticket that allows unlimited travel on regional trains across Austria. It is designed for 2 to 5 people travelling together, and the more people you include, the cheaper it becomes per person. It is important to note that this is a group ticket, not a flexible pool of journeys. The full group must travel together at all times, and the ticket cannot be divided between individuals.
The ticket is valid for an entire day, meaning you can take as many trains as you like within the validity period. You are not tied to a specific route or departure time, which gives you complete flexibility to plan your journey as you go. This is particularly useful if you want to explore multiple destinations or make spontaneous stops along the way.
However, there is an important limitation. The ticket is only valid on regional trains, such as R, REX, and S-Bahn services. It cannot be used on faster long-distance trains like Railjet, ICE, or InterCity services. This means journeys take longer, but in return, you gain access to significantly lower costs.
Understanding this trade-off is key. You are exchanging speed for flexibility and price, and in many cases, that exchange is well worth it.
Einfach-Raus Ticket Prices and Group Savings
The pricing of the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is what makes it one of the best-value train tickets in Europe. Instead of paying per journey, you pay a fixed price for the whole group, and the cost per person drops as more people travel together.
Here is the current pricing structure:
| Group Size | Total Price | Price Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €38 | €19.00 each |
| 3 people | €42 | €14.00 each |
| 4 people | €46 | €11.50 each |
| 5 people | €50 | €10.00 each |
What this shows very clearly is how the value improves as you add more people. At two travellers, the ticket is still useful, but not exceptional. By the time you reach four or five people, the cost drops to around €10 per person for unlimited travel, which is extremely difficult to beat anywhere in Europe.
This is where the Einfach-Raus-Ticket becomes so powerful. A single standard train ticket between cities in Austria can easily cost more than this on its own. With this ticket, you are covering an entire day of travel, not just one journey, and you can make as many stops as you like without increasing the price.
There is also an additional consideration if you are travelling with bikes. A bike surcharge applies, which needs to be added separately for each bicycle. This is important for travellers planning cycling trips, as it slightly increases the total cost, although it can still represent good value depending on your route.
The key takeaway is simple. The more people you have and the more you travel in a day, the better this ticket becomes.
When You Can Use the Einfach-Raus Ticket
Timing is an important part of how the Einfach-Raus-Ticket works, and understanding the rules helps you avoid any surprises.
On weekdays, the ticket is valid from 09:00 in the morning until 03:00 the following day. This means you cannot use it for early morning commuter trains, but you still have a long window to travel, especially if you are planning a full day of exploration. For most travellers, this timing works well, as it aligns with typical sightseeing plans.
At weekends and on public holidays, the ticket becomes even more flexible. It is valid from midnight, allowing you to start your journey earlier and make full use of the day. This makes it particularly useful for weekend trips, when you can travel longer distances or fit in more stops.
The long validity period is one of the ticket’s strengths. You are not restricted to a short time window, and you can spread your journeys across the day without worrying about additional costs. As long as you stay within the regional network and the time limits, you have complete freedom to travel as much as you like.
Which Trains You Can and Cannot Use
Understanding where the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is valid is critical, because this is where most travellers go wrong.
The ticket is valid on regional trains only, which includes R, REX, and S-Bahn services across Austria. These trains form a dense network that connects not just small towns, but also major cities. In many cases, you can still travel between key destinations using only regional services, although journeys may take longer.
The ticket is not valid on high-speed or long-distance trains. This includes Railjet, Railjet Express, InterCity, and international high-speed services. These trains are faster and more direct, but they operate on a completely different pricing system, which is why they are excluded.
The important point is that this is not a limitation as much as a trade-off. Regional trains run frequently, cover most of the country, and allow for far more flexibility. You can stop along the way, change your route, and explore places that high-speed trains simply pass through.
If you plan your journey around regional routes, the Einfach-Raus-Ticket gives you access to a huge part of Austria at a very low cost.
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Best Routes to Use the Einfach-Raus Ticket
The Einfach-Raus-Ticket works best on routes where flexibility and scenery matter more than speed. Austria is ideal for this kind of travel, as many of its most interesting destinations are well connected by regional trains.
One of the strongest routes is from Salzburg to Hallstatt. This journey is already popular for its scenery, and using regional trains allows you to travel at a much lower cost while still enjoying the same landscapes. You can also break the journey along the way, visiting smaller towns or lakeside stops without increasing your ticket price.
From Vienna, the ticket opens up a range of day trip options. The Wachau Valley, known for its vineyards and riverside villages, is easily accessible using regional services. You can travel out, explore multiple stops, and return without needing separate tickets for each leg of the journey.
In western Austria, Innsbruck is an excellent base. Regional trains connect the city to surrounding valleys and mountain towns, making it easy to explore the region without relying on expensive transport. This is where the flexibility of the ticket becomes particularly valuable, as you can adapt your plans depending on weather or time.
These routes all share the same advantage. They allow you to take full advantage of unlimited travel, make multiple stops, and enjoy the journey itself. The more you move and explore, the better value the ticket becomes.
How Much You Can Actually Save
The real strength of the Einfach-Raus-Ticket becomes clear when you compare it to standard fares.
Take a typical day trip between two cities. A return ticket on a standard train can easily cost more than €20 to €30 per person, depending on the route and timing. For a group, this quickly adds up, especially if you are making more than one journey.
With the Einfach-Raus-Ticket, a group of five pays €50 total, which works out at €10 per person for unlimited travel. Even if you only make two journeys in a day, you are likely to save money. If you make multiple stops or explore different areas, the savings increase further.
The difference becomes even more noticeable on scenic routes or tourist-heavy areas, where individual ticket prices tend to be higher. Instead of paying for each leg of the journey, you can travel freely without worrying about additional costs.
This is why the ticket works so well. It changes the way you think about travel. Instead of limiting your movements to control costs, you are encouraged to explore more because every extra journey effectively becomes free.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy the Einfach-Raus Ticket
Buying the Einfach-Raus-Ticket is straightforward once you know where to look, but it is not always highlighted as a default option.
You can purchase the ticket through the ÖBB website, the ÖBB mobile app, or directly at train stations using ticket machines or counters. When searching online, you may need to select it specifically rather than relying on standard route searches, which often default to individual tickets.
When buying the ticket, you will need to choose the number of people travelling, as this determines the price. It is important that all travellers are present and travelling together, as the ticket is issued for the group as a whole.
Before travelling, the names of all passengers must be written on the ticket. This confirms the group and prevents the ticket from being used by different people.
Once purchased, the ticket is valid for the chosen day, and you can begin using it within the allowed time window. There is no need to reserve seats or select specific trains, which is part of what makes it so flexible.
The key is to select the ticket deliberately rather than relying on default search results, as this is where most travellers miss it.
When the Einfach-Raus Ticket Is NOT Worth It
While the Einfach-Raus-Ticket offers excellent value in the right situations, it is not always the best choice. Understanding when it does not work is just as important as knowing when it does.
The most important limitation is that the ticket is not valid for solo travellers. It requires a minimum of two people travelling together, so if you are travelling alone, you cannot use it at all. In this case, standard tickets or regional fares are the only option, and in many situations they can still offer reasonable value.
The ticket is also not suitable if you need to travel quickly. It is valid only on regional trains, which are slower and may require more changes than high-speed services like Railjet or InterCity trains. For longer journeys, especially between major cities, paying more for a faster train can save significant time and may be the better overall choice.
Another limitation is flexibility within the group. The ticket is issued for a specific group of 2 to 5 people, and all travellers must remain together for the entire journey. It cannot be split, and individuals cannot travel separately. If your plans involve people going in different directions or travelling at different times, this ticket will not work.
It is also less effective if you are only making one simple journey. The value of the ticket comes from unlimited travel across a full day. If you are travelling from one place to another without stopping, a standard ticket is often cheaper and more direct.
Finally, the weekday start time can be restrictive. The ticket is valid only from 09:00 on weekdays, which means it cannot be used for early morning departures. If you need to travel earlier, you will need to buy a different ticket.
The Einfach-Raus-Ticket delivers its best value when you are travelling as a group, making multiple journeys, and prioritising cost over speed. Outside of those conditions, other ticket options are usually more effective.
Freizeit Tickets: A More Flexible Alternative in Some Regions
If the Einfach-Raus-Ticket does not fit your plans, Austria offers a range of Freizeit tickets that can be a better option depending on where and how you are travelling.
These are regional day tickets, issued by local transport authorities such as Salzburg (SVV) or Upper Austria (OÖVV). Unlike the Einfach-Raus-Ticket, they are usually designed around specific regions, rather than the entire country, and they often include a wider range of transport.
A typical Freizeit ticket allows unlimited travel for a full day within the covered area. This includes S-Bahn, regional trains, buses, and trams, making them particularly useful in areas where local transport plays a big role. In some regions, they can also include additional services such as mountain railways or tourist routes.
Pricing is straightforward and often competitive. For example, tickets such as the Freizeitticket Salzburg are typically around €25, while regional tickets like the OÖVV Freizeit-Ticket are around €26.50. These are usually valid for two adults, often with additional allowances for children, making them a practical option for small groups or families.
There are a few key differences compared to the Einfach-Raus-Ticket. These tickets are usually valid for a fixed group structure, such as two adults rather than a flexible group of up to five. They are also limited to a specific region, so they do not offer the same nationwide coverage. However, they often provide greater flexibility within that region, including access to local transport that the Einfach-Raus-Ticket does not cover.
They also follow similar train restrictions. Like the Einfach-Raus-Ticket, they are not valid on high-speed services such as Railjet, InterCity, or Nightjet trains, and are designed primarily for regional travel.
The biggest advantage is flexibility. If you are travelling as a couple, staying within one region, or planning to use a mix of trains, buses, and local transport, a Freizeit ticket can be a better fit than the Einfach-Raus-Ticket.
The simplest way to think about it is this. The Einfach-Raus-Ticket is the cheapest option for larger groups travelling across Austria, while Freizeit tickets are often the better choice for smaller groups or region-focused travel.
Pro Tips for Using the Einfach-Raus Ticket
To get the most value from the Einfach-Raus-Ticket, a few simple strategies make a big difference.
Travelling as a group of four or five people maximises the savings, as the cost per person drops significantly. This is where the ticket delivers its best value.
Planning routes that use regional trains between multiple destinations helps you take full advantage of the unlimited travel. The more journeys you make in a day, the better the value becomes.
Using the ticket for day trips rather than point-to-point travel also improves its effectiveness. It is designed for exploration, not just getting from one place to another.
Finally, checking routes in advance using journey planners ensures that you stay on valid regional services and avoid accidentally boarding trains that are not covered.
Used correctly, the Einfach-Raus-Ticket turns a full day of travel into one of the cheapest experiences on the European rail network.
How to Know Exactly Where Your Ticket Works
Freizeit tickets in Austria are not based on distance, but on transport network zones. In Upper Austria, this means the OÖVV network, which covers the entire region and is divided into multiple zones, including core zones such as Linz, Wels, and Steyr.
If you are starting in Linz, your ticket is valid anywhere within the OÖVV network area, not just within a certain number of kilometres. This includes routes across Upper Austria and even some border stations outside the region, as long as they are part of the network.
The easiest way to check is by using the official zoning plan. Routes and stops that are part of the network are clearly marked, while areas outside it are shown separately. If your entire journey stays within the network, your ticket is valid. Once your route leaves the network area, you will need an additional ticket.
The key rule is simple. It is not about how far you travel, but whether your journey stays inside the transport network.
Best Apps for Planning Your Journey
Using the right tools makes it much easier to plan routes that work with the Einfach-Raus-Ticket.
Apps like ÖBB Scotty, the official journey planner for Austria, are particularly useful because they clearly show which trains are regional services and therefore valid with the ticket. This helps you avoid accidentally selecting faster trains that are not included.
For broader planning across Europe, platforms such as Trainline and Omio can still be useful for comparing routes and understanding journey times. However, it is important to remember that they may not always highlight tickets like the Einfach-Raus-Ticket directly.
Combining official tools with broader journey planners gives you the best chance of finding valid routes while keeping costs low.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Thinking about using the Einfach-Raus Ticket? Here are a few tips that can help you get the best possible value from one of Austria’s most useful rail passes:
- Travel as a larger group if possible: The ticket becomes significantly better value when shared between four or five travellers, often reducing costs to around €10 per person.
- Stick to regional trains: The Einfach-Raus Ticket is valid on regional services such as R, REX, and S-Bahn trains, but not on Railjet, InterCity, Nightjet, or ICE services.
- Make multiple stops: The more journeys you make during the day, the better value the ticket becomes. Consider visiting several towns rather than travelling directly from A to B.
- Watch the weekday start time: On weekdays the ticket is generally valid from 09:00, making it less suitable for very early departures.
- Check regional Freizeit tickets as well: In some parts of Austria, local day tickets can offer better value for couples or travellers staying within a single region.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Einfach-Raus Ticket
Can tourists use the Einfach-Raus Ticket?
Yes. The ticket is available to anyone and does not require residency in Austria.
Can I travel alone with the Einfach-Raus Ticket?
No. The ticket is designed for 2 to 5 people travelling together, so it is not valid for solo travellers.
Do I need to reserve seats?
No. Regional trains do not require reservations, and you can board freely.
Can I use the ticket on high-speed trains?
No. It is only valid on regional services, not on Railjet, ICE, or InterCity trains.
Can I cross into other countries with this ticket?
In some cases, regional trains cross borders, but the ticket is primarily designed for travel within Austria. You should check specific routes before travelling.
Further Reading & Related Guides
The Einfach Raus Ticket is one of the best-value rail products in Austria and works particularly well for travellers looking to explore multiple destinations in a single trip. If you’re planning a wider rail itinerary, our Interrail Austria Pass Guide explains another popular way to travel around the country and can help you decide which option offers the best value for your journey.
Many visitors use regional trains to connect Austria’s most popular cities. Our Vienna Travel Guide introduces the country’s elegant capital, while Best Things to Do in Vienna highlights the city’s leading attractions, museums, palaces, and cultural landmarks. Combining Vienna with Salzburg and Innsbruck creates one of Europe’s most rewarding rail itineraries.
Travellers interested in extending their journey beyond Austria should also read our Vienna to Bratislava Guide, which explains one of Central Europe’s easiest international rail trips. For longer overnight journeys, our comprehensive European Sleeper Trains Guide covers sleeper routes connecting Austria with destinations across the continent.
Modern rail travel is much easier when you’re connected. Our eSIM Guide for Travellers compares the best mobile data solutions for Austria and Europe, helping you access timetables, tickets, accommodation bookings, maps, and live transport information wherever your journey takes you.
Austria’s efficient rail network makes it possible to see historic cities, Alpine landscapes, lakes, and mountain regions without needing a car, making the Einfach Raus Ticket one of the country’s most useful travel products.
Last Updated
April 2026
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