OBB Austrian Reservations

[wellhouse]

When OBB are showing no seat reservations are available in First Class, is First Class completely full. or are some seats kept available for walk-up passengers?

 

[Austriantrain]

When OBB are showing no seat reservations are available in First Class, is First Class completely full. or are some seats kept available for walk-up passengers?

Almost all ÖBB long-distance trains are 100% reservable and there are no seats dedicated for walk-up passengers.

So, if it’s not an IT problem, it means the train is fully reserved (which outside very few peak trains is unusual in 1st class; when and where will you be traveling?).

There are, however, always reserved seats which end being not taken up.

 

[wellhouse]

We have reservations this Saturday on The Bodensee from Innsbruck to Ulm. When I made them, I did not realise there are Business Class 4 seat compartments. When I tried to change online, it said reservations available only in 2nd Class, and this afternoon at Innsbruck Hbf, I was told I could upgrade on the train if there is availability.

At least we do have seats, but it would be good if we had a little more space for the journey.

 

[rvdborgt]

For questions like this one, it's always best to mention route, date and departure time. There are many reasons why a reservation can fail but without any details, the cause is anyone's guess.

 

[wellhouse]

IC118 Bodensee
Saturday 1st April
0854 Innsbruck
1346 Ulm

 

[rvdborgt]

It looks like there's some kind of problem north of Friedrichshafen. I can book Innsbruck-Friedrichshafen via ÖBB but no further. DB say they can't book any reservations when I select first class and ÖBB indeed say reservations are only available in 2nd. Maybe there's a group booking, who knows. No seat plan unfortunately to check, neither on DB nor on ÖBB.

 

[XAM2175]

No seat plan unfortunately to check, neither on DB nor on ÖBB.

This should be reasonably accurate:

vagonWEB » Řazení vlaků » 2023 » ÖBB IC » IC 118 Bodensee

There are a handful of four-seat compartments shown in wagon 22.

I had understood that business class was only specifically offered on Railjet services, and OBB's website does nothing to disabuse me of that notion.

 

[duesselmartin]

It is the beginning of the Easter holidays but that should have more of an effect on 2nd class.

 

[Austriantrain]

It is the beginning of the Easter holidays but that should have more of an effect on 2nd class.

First class be will fully booked on this route as well at the beginning of a holiday. Found out myself not long ago…

 

[Ringo2112]

I hope the OP doesn't mind me piggy backing on this thread. I put in dates for the night train from Vienna to Kiev. I didn't see any open dates for a sleeper. Is this a computer glitch or is because that train basically sold out since no airlines fly in to Kiev now?

 

[Mainline421]

I hope the OP doesn't mind me piggy backing on this thread. I put in dates for the night train from Vienna to Kiev. I didn't see any open dates for a sleeper. Is this a computer glitch or is because that train basically sold out since no airlines fly in to Kiev now?

Probably a glitch but you could try calling, I think Ukrainian Railways may have a separate quota so may be worth seeing if they can send tickets as well https://www.uz.gov.ua/en/passengers/reservation_purchase_travel_documents/

 

[wellhouse]

"I had understood that business class was only specifically offered on Railjet services, and OBB's website does nothing to disabuse me of that notion."

That had been my understanding, but now, halfway through a month's Interrail travel, I have observed 4-seat compartments on other OBB non-Railjet services. A couple of days ago, I found it on one of the Italy-Munich via Brenner EC services, which I understand are to become Railjet in the next year or so

 

[rvdborgt]

I hope the OP doesn't mind me piggy backing on this thread. I put in dates for the night train from Vienna to Kiev. I didn't see any open dates for a sleeper. Is this a computer glitch or is because that train basically sold out since no airlines fly in to Kiev now?

Call ÖBB to ask them: +43 5 1717.

 

[superalbs]

The four seater compartments were sold as business class until the Railjet begun. Nowadays they are just first class with more room.

As for the Kyiv sleeper, it is an extremely popular service, and sells out many many weeks ahead.

 

[Ringo2112]

Thanks Superalbs, you the same guy who does those You Tube Videos? Their really good

 

[superalbs]

Thanks Superalbs, you the same guy who does those You Tube Videos? Their really good

Yes, and thank you!

 

[dutchflyer]

First class be will fully booked on this route as well at the beginning of a holiday. Found out myself not long ago…

Most common reason for this is a tourgroup that has claimed/taken all such seats-so probably a luxury one. Perhaps even some railfan group? There simple also are not that many 1st cl seats. That you will be refused in will not hold-reserv, is only as always (except nighttrains) optional-it simply means you may have to stand -for some part. Train makes many stops and at all people will get on+off. But standing in 1st is of course very much same-same as standing in 2nd.......
In fact I was quite surprised to read the routing of this train-had never thought this to exist directly. Is only possible since the electrification of the part in Germany. Normal route is via Kufstein-München , this will be much faster too.

 

[30907]

In fact I was quite surprised to read the routing of this train-had never thought this to exist directly. Is only possible since the electrification of the part in Germany. Normal route is via Kufstein-München , this will be much faster too.

It has run for decades, primarily for intermediate traffic.

 

[wellhouse]

It has run for decades, primarily for intermediate traffic.

Thanks everyone. As I mentioned above, we do have seats reserved in a 6-seat compartment, so we won't be standing. Fully aware it's not the fast route (we actually end up in Nuremberg tomorrow evening) but we should enjoy some great scenery.

I'll give feedback on how busy the service actually is.

 

[Austriantrain]

Most common reason for this is a tourgroup that has claimed/taken all such seats-so probably a luxury one.

No. On heavily traveled days (such as today and tomorrow, beginning of Easter holidays), 1st class will often be completely full, simply because people know that 2nd class can become unbearable. It is not that expensive if you have a half-price card.

 

[XAM2175]

The four seater compartments were sold as business class until the Railjet begun. Nowadays they are just first class with more room.

Ah, that explains it. Cheers.