The Austrian Federal Railways’ ÖBB Congress Account is proving to be a successful tool for promoting sustainable travel to meetings and congresses. In the first half of 2025, the solution was used by 22 events held in Vienna, enabling more than 2,500 participants to travel by train. The resulting CO₂ savings totalled 152 tons – an amount equivalent to the annual absorption of around 6,000 trees.
Launched in 2023, the ÖBB Congress Account offers event organisers a simple and cost-effective way to encourage environmentally friendly travel. For a one-time fee of €250, organisers receive a personalised booking link and TAN code, which they can share with participants. Attendees then use the link to book discounted train tickets directly with ÖBB.
The tool has already been adopted by several major international events, including the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Annual Meeting, the 62nd Congress of the European Renal Association (ERA), ESA’s Living Planet Symposium (LPS), and the startup festival ViennaUP.
Congress participants arrived in Vienna from across Europe, with travellers originating from countries such as Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Denmark. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to position Austria – and Vienna in particular – as a leading destination for sustainable, accessible and high-quality events.
