What is a through ticket and what rights are associated with it?
Tickets for journeys with connections that are purchased with a single booking from the railroad company are considered through tickets. (Example: Vienna - Köttmannsdorf/Lambichl via Klagenfurt)
This also includes tickets booked with subsidiaries of the railroad company, unless the company explicitly states that the ticket is not a through ticket.
If at least one connection is missed due to a delay or train cancellation, passengers are entitled to
Purchase from a railroad company (e.g. ÖBB-Personenverkehr, WESTbahn, RegioJet)
- Reimbursement of the fare or re-routing (Article 18)
- if applicable, compensation for delay (Article 19)
- care-services (meals, drinks, hotels, transfer costs)
Purchase from a travel provider or tour operator (e.g. Omio, travel agency)
- Reimbursement of the total amount paid for the ticket(s),
- Compensation amounting to 75% of the total amount paid for the ticket(s),
In this case, it should be noted that tour operators can combine the tickets of several railroad companies in one booking.
(e.g. the Linz-Zell am See route: WESTbahn ticket from Linz to Salzburg + ÖBB ticket from Salzburg to Zell am See)
No claim for advance information:
The claim against the railroad company, ticket vendor or tour operator does not apply if the passenger was informed prior to purchase that these are separate contracts of carriage and this information is also available at a later date (e.g. printed on the ticket).
The burden of proof that the passengers were informed lies with the company that sold the ticket(s).
The reimbursement and compensation must be paid within 30 days or one month of receipt of the (complete) application.
The legal bases are Art. 12, 18, 19 and 20 of Regulation (EU) 2021/782.