Semmeringbahn / Semmering Railway, Austria

Semmering Railway (Semmeringbahn) is a historic mountain railway in eastern Austria that connects Gloggnitz in Lower Austria with Mürzzuschlag in Styria. Built by the engineer Carl von Ghega and opened in 1854, it was the first standard-gauge mountain railway in Europe. Over 41 km it climbs to 898 meters at the Semmering Pass through 14 tunnels and across 16 large viaducts, with tight curves built into the alpine terrain. The line is still in daily use and offers one of the most scenic train journeys in Austria.

UNESCO World Heritage status
In 1998, the Semmering Railway became the first railway in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because it represents a major achievement in early railway engineering and had a strong influence on railway construction around the world. Its integration into the mountain landscape is considered a key part of its value.

How to ride the Semmering Railway
To travel along the historic section, you should take a train between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag. These two stations mark the beginning and end of the classic Semmering route. Long-distance Railjets between Vienna and Graz as well as regional trains run regularly on the original line, passing through Semmering station, the highest point on the route. You can board the train in either direction; many visitors start from Vienna, travel to Gloggnitz or Payerbach-Reichenau, then continue over the Semmering to Mürzzuschlag. When the Semmering Base Tunnel opens, expected around 2030, long-distance trains will move into the tunnel, while regional trains will keep using the historic line.

Tickets
There is no special entrance ticket for the Semmering Railway. You simply need a standard ÖBB train ticket for your chosen route (for example, Gloggnitz–Mürzzuschlag), and the Austrian KlimaTicket is valid too. Prices depend on distance, train type, and discounts, but this makes the experience accessible without additional fees.

How to see the viaducts and bridges
The most famous structures, such as the two-tier Kalte Rinne Viaduct, can be admired in two main ways. From the train, many viaducts and tunnels are clearly visible as the railway curves along the mountainsides. For closer views, visitors can use the Semmering Railway Hiking Trail (Bahnwanderweg), a well-marked walking path of about 20 km between Semmering and Payerbach that runs alongside the railway. It passes the famous “20-Schilling view” of the Kalte Rinne Viaduct and the Polleroswand cliffs, once printed on the Austrian 20-schilling note, and leads past several viaducts and tunnels. The trail is divided into sections, so you can choose short walks rather than the full route.