Trains between Salzburg and Carinthia: Modernized Tauern line is back!

Trains between Salzburg and Carinthia: Modernized Tauern line is back!

On July 14, 2025, the Tauern route between Schwarzach/St. Veit and Mallnitz went back into operation after extensive modernization. How Dolomite town reported, passenger traffic is now available every hour and both passenger and freight traffic is running as planned. This measure will particularly benefit commuters between Salzburg and Carinthia, as they can benefit from shorter travel times.

The reopening of rail traffic through the Gastein Valley represents significant progress. Judith Engel, CEO of ÖBB-Infrastructure AG, describes the modernization as an important milestone for the region. On large parts of the route, railway systems, viaducts, tracks and overhead lines were renewed in order to create a modern and customer-friendly infrastructure. This was also done by MyDistrict highlighted.

Infrastructure advances

The three train stations in Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein and Dorfgastein have also returned to service, although the complete renovation of the stations, including new electronic signal boxes and improved accessibility, is due to be completed by the end of 2027. Improvements such as new park-and-ride and bike-and-ride facilities as well as bus reversals are also planned until the timetable change at the end of 2025.

Carinthia's regional councilor Sebastian Schuschnig also emphasizes the importance of the north-south connection for commuter traffic. The restoration of direct connections between Salzburg and Germany is another positive development. These measures not only supported the mobility of locals, but also economic exchange and tourism in the region.

Next steps and possible impacts

With the modernization of the Tauern line, a look is also being taken at the planned commissioning of the Koralmbahn, which promises to further improve the railway network in Austria in the future. These developments are part of ÖBB's comprehensive framework plan, which envisages investments of 19.7 billion euros from 2025 to 2030. ÖBB relies on more stable, high-quality and capacity-increasing measures in rail transport in order to ensure an environmentally friendly mobility offer in the future.

Overall, the reopening of the Tauern line shows how important ongoing investments in rail infrastructure are for the safety and punctuality of traffic. Until the route and its stations are fully modernized, the renewed connections will offer significant benefits for commuters, travelers and the local economy.