Austrian rail travel at half the prices

The Austrians have an exciting offer for you this summer vacation, thanks to their federal railways. Launching an international pilot project in India, the railways have come up with a “never-before” offer that includes rides along Europe’s most popular and scenic train routes at nearly half the rates.

Starting April 1, all passengers who purchase a second class rail ticket from any office of Austrian Tours, the official representative of the Austrian Federal Railways (AFR), will get a free upgrade to first class travel. The AFR is the national railways of Austria and has a network of 5,702km, with 4,300 trains operating daily.

“It’s a never-before offer and will be valid on all sector point-to-point tickets within Austria,” said Robert Buchner, head of international pricing and revenue management, AFR.

Buchner, who is on his first visit to India, said that the tickets should be purchased from any Austrian Tours office between April 1and April 30 and that the tickets will be valid for travel between April 1 and June 30. “It is an offer to celebrate our launch in India,” he said.

The general manager of Austrian Tours, Toovey Abraham, said that this is the first-of-its-kind offer and more such offers will keep coming. “Austria and its hi-speed trains have been a popular tourist attraction among Indians. The day is not far when you shall also see Bollywood shoots in these trains.”