A premium STAR-Blue train launched in Austria from Vienna to the Alps
Austria is preparing to launch a new premium railway route that will connect Vienna with one of the most picturesque regions of the country. The STAR-Blue train will travel through famous alpine towns and lakeside resorts, with Bad Aussee being the final stop - a lesser-known town often compared to the popular Hallstatt. This is reported by Travel Off Path.
STAR-Blue will connect Vienna with the Austrian Alps region
The new route is launched by the private operator Silverstar Railways, which was founded in 2024. The first STAR-Blue train is scheduled for May 2027.
The train will depart from Vienna's main train station twice a week - every Tuesday and Thursday. The route will operate until September, after which it will be adapted for the winter tourist season.
Passengers will be offered a premium travel format with the option to purchase an all-inclusive service package.
The route includes seven stops:
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Vienna
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St. Pölten
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Linz
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Gmunden
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Bad Ischl
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Hallstatt
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Bad Aussee.
Bad Aussee is considered an alternative to the overcrowded Hallstatt
The final station will be Bad Aussee - a small town in the Salzkammergut region, known for its lakes and mountain landscapes.
Tourism experts point out that the town has a similar architectural style and alpine atmosphere to Hallstatt, which has been suffering from excessive tourist flows in recent years.
Unlike its famous neighbor, Bad Aussee remains less known among foreign tourists, even though it is only one stop away from Hallstatt.
Nearby are the popular Altaussee, Grundlsee, and Toplitzsee lakes, which attract lovers of outdoor activities and mountain views.
Silverstar Railways plans new international routes
The company states that the launch of the Bad Aussee route will be just the first stage in the development of the network.
The carrier has already received permission for the launch of a connection to Venice. New routes to other Central European countries, including Slovenia and Croatia, are also being considered.
Thus, Austria continues to develop railway tourism, offering travelers an alternative to overcrowded tourist destinations and new ways to explore the Alpine region.
It is worth noting that the European Union has returned the train from Prague to Copenhagen.
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