Disruption of the Arlberg Railway due to scheduled repairs
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is bringing rail traffic back to Tullnerfeld and Atzenbrugg tunnel, three months after the century flood, in what they are calling the "Christmas miracle." However, another significant disruption is on the horizon for rail passengers in Austria and Switzerland.
From April 23rd to April 29th, the Arlberg railway line in Tyrol will be closed for maintenance and repair works. This closure will affect long-distance traffic to and from Zurich and Bregenz, with all trains on this line cancelled. RJX trains to and from Zurich between Ötztal and Zurich will also be cancelled during this period.
In a bid to ensure a safe and reliable rail connection in the future, various maintenance measures will be carried out on the Arlberg line. These include a point exchange in Flirsch and Schönwies, the replacement of around 600 sleepers, and other necessary repairs.
Passengers travelling long-distance to and from Bregenz can avail of a replacement bus service between Ötztal and Bludenz. Similarly, a replacement bus service from Ötztal to Sargans has been arranged for passengers to continue their journey with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
Trains between Bludenz and Bregenz will run regularly, albeit with minor timetable adjustments in the early morning and evening. Night trains between Bregenz and Vienna will also be rerouted.
First, mainly track-side measures for the modernization of Schönwies station will be tackled during the works. The Arlberg railway line disruption will also provide an opportunity to begin these improvements.
It is worth noting that there may be cancellations and replacement bus services in the SBB area between Sargans and Zurich on certain days during the Arlberg line closure. However, no replacement bus service details for the Arlberg railway line between Ötztal in Tyrol and Bludenz in Vorarlberg from April 23rd to April 29th have been announced yet. The only listed replacement bus service for this section is scheduled from October 6, 2025, to November 3, 2025, due to construction works.
Replacement bus services (SEV) will operate during the Arlberg line closure to minimise inconvenience for passengers. Passengers are advised to check the ÖBB and SBB websites for the latest updates and to plan their journeys accordingly.
[1] Source: ÖBB and SBB websites (as of March 2023)
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