Starting this autumn, Austria’s busiest train stations could see a complete ban on alcohol consumption. The move follows growing concerns over passenger safety and rising incidents of aggression linked to drinking. According to reports from the Kronen Zeitung, Mobility Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) is pushing for a nationwide prohibition at all major railway hubs to protect both travelers and railway staff.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has long grappled with conflicts and assaults involving intoxicated passengers. Statistics show that roughly one in six security-related reports at Austrian stations involves alcohol. While current house rules only forbid “excessive” drinking, authorities argue this leaves too much room for interpretation. A stricter ban aims to close these legal gray areas and empower security teams to act more decisively.
At present, a full alcohol ban is in effect at nine stations, including Vienna’s Westbahnhof, which was added in May. Under the new plan, the restriction will be rolled out to additional high-traffic locations. Targeted sites include Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof, Meidling, and Wien Mitte, as well as stations in St. Pölten, Baden, Linz, Graz, and Wels. The Vienna-Schwechat Airport station is also on the list.
The goal is simple: eliminate excuses and ensure swift intervention when incidents occur. By standardizing the rules across major hubs, security personnel will have clearer authority to enforce bans and remove violators. The expanded prohibition could take effect as early as this fall, aligning Austria with neighboring Germany, which recently introduced a nationwide station ban.
Affected stations span multiple regions. In Vienna, the ban will cover Hauptbahnhof, Meidling, Wien Mitte, Handelskai, Heiligenstadt, Hütteldorf, Liesing, Matzleinsdorfer Platz, Rennweg, and Traisengasse. Lower Austria will see restrictions at Baden, Mödling, St. Pölten Hbf, and Vienna-Schwechat Airport. Upper Austria’s Linz Hbf and Wels Hbf, along with Styria’s Graz Hbf, are also included.
