Rail traffic paralyzed: massive closures expected in summer 2025!

Rail traffic paralyzed: massive closures expected in summer 2025!

The summer of 2025 will be a real test of patience for many Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) passengers. Due to extensive construction work, ÖBB is planning to completely stop train traffic on several routes between June 28th and 30th. This affects the connections between Vienna Airport and Wolfsthal as well as between Mistelbach and Laa an der Thaya. The closures are part of a larger construction project that also includes the S7 airport expressway and the Laaer Ostbahn until September 1st. This news is reported by exxpress.at.

In addition, single-track operation will be necessary in several regions of Lower Austria during the summer, including between Deutsch Wagram and Marchegg and in the Mödling – Leobersdorf and Wiener Neustadt sections. In order to mitigate the effects of this construction work, ÖBB is planning a rail replacement service with buses for the affected routes.

Impact on the timetable

Passengers have to prepare for far-reaching changes on numerous lines. The following connections are affected, among others:

• S1
• R1
• REX1
• S2
• REX2
• S3
• REX3
• S4
• S7
• REX7
• CJX9

There are also restrictions on the S40 regional train line, where the rail connection between Klosterneuburg-Weidling and St. Andrä-Wördern is not served, while buses take over this service. All journeys on the R40 line between Vienna Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof and St. Andrä-Wördern will also be cancelled.

February to summer timetable

The construction work will not only affect regional trains, but will also have an impact on the S-Bahn in Vienna. During the summer there will be no S-Bahn services between Praterstern and Floridsdorf, and a rail replacement service with two bus lines will also be set up here. ÖBB tickets are also valid on subway and tram lines in the affected areas.

From June 28th to August 31st, the U4 will be divided into two sections due to construction work. Track renewals on the Wiener Ring between June 16th and August 31st will lead to cuts and diversions on lines D, 1, 2 and 71, and line 43 will also be affected. Another change affects line 6, which will only run on an alternative route between July 7th and August 22nd, while line 18 will be paused during this period. The operation of line 37 will also be temporarily suspended between July 28th and August 14th.

Information for passengers

Passengers are encouraged to visit the ÖBB website for up-to-date information about construction sites and changes to the timetable. They use a platform that also collects personal data, such as the IP address and device information, in accordance with the regulations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The planned construction work is part of a large-scale project to improve infrastructure and driving safety. The implementation period extends over the summer months, meaning travelers will be negatively affected by restrictions lasting until August. Further details about the construction work and the associated traffic changes can also be found on the S-Bahn Berlin website, which has some similar restrictions due to construction work.