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Hack4Rail 2026

Hack4Rail is an employee hackathon held since 2018 by the three German-speaking railways ÖBB, SBB, and DB. It was formerly known as the “Dreiländerhack” and is organized in partnership with the OpenRail Association, whose member railways also receive tickets to the hackathon.

Hack4Rail focuses on topics of international rail transport, the exchange of knowledge and digital solutions across railway companies. In just two and a half days of hacking, teams work on cross-railway challenges and develop digital and data-driven prototypes. 

Join us in Vienna from 22–24 June!

This year’s motto, Connected Railways for Open Solutions, invites participants to collaborate across organizations and develop open, interoperable solutions. Contribute your skills and be part of Hack4Rail 2026.

Logo von Hack4Rail 2026

Key facts

Date: June 22 – 24, 2026

Location: ÖBB Open Innovation Factory, Lassallestraße 5, 1020 Vienna, Austria

Official Website: Hack4Rail (for all rail companies participating in Hack4Rail 2026)

Event language: English

 

How can I participate?

Would you like to work on real‑world railway challenges within just 48 hours and develop innovative solutions together with experts from across Europe? Then apply now as a hacker for Hack4Rail 2026!

All important information at a glance

  • 🧩 Challenges: Challenges could be submitted until March 19, 2026. A total of 18 final challenges were selected and published on April 1, 2026
  • 📆 Registration period: April 1–30, 2026
  • 🎟️ Each railway company (ÖBB, DB, SBB, ORA) has 30 hacking seats available.
  • 🎯When registering, please select at least one preferred challenge.
    (The final team and challenge assignment will take place during the hackathon.)
  • ✅ After registering, you will receive a confirmation.
  • 🔍 A selection process will follow.
  • 📩 You will receive an acceptance or rejection by May 5, 2026 at the latest.
  • ⚠️ Important: Please discuss your potential participation with your manager before registering.
Explore the challenges
Register now

Hack4Rail 2026 Program

Monday 22.6.

Tuesday 23.6.

Wednesday24.6.

3:00–5:00 PM
Arrival & registration

5:00 PM

  • Opening & challenge pitches
  • Team building
  • Wrap-up & networking

Hacking Time

11:00 AM
Deadline & submission of solutions

1:00 PM
Solution pitches

3:00 PM
Jury voting

3:30 PM
Closing of the hackathon

 

FAQ

  • What is a hackathon?

    A hackathon (a combination of the words “hack” and ‘marathon’) is an event in which interdisciplinary teams work together over a short period of time - usually 24 or 48 hours - to develop solutions to specific problems (“challenges”).

  • Do I need prior hackathon experience to participate?

    No, previous participation or special experience is not required. 

  • Do I need to be able to program or have IT expertise to participate?

    No programming skills are required to participate. An IT background and an interest in open source solutions are advantageous. In addition, Hack4Rail requires many other skills, such as railway-specific knowledge, analytical thinking, and structured working methods.

  • Who can participate in Hack4Rail?

    There are two ways to take part in Hack4Rail:

    As a Challenge Owner
    You submit a railway-related challenge, which will be worked on during the hackathon.

    As a Participant
    You join a team and work on one of the submitted challenges.

    ⚠️ Important:
    Please make sure to coordinate your participation with your manager before registering – regardless of whether you are joining as a challenge owner or as a participant.

  • How can I participate in Hack4Rail?

    There are two ways to take part in Hack4Rail: 

    Either submit your own challenge and participate if it is selected. You will then be automatically registered. 
     
    Or you can apply as a participant and work in a team on one of the selected challenges. It is important that you inform your team leader before registering, whether as a challenge owner or as a participant.

  • Can participation in Hack4Rail be counted as working time?

    There is no company-wide regulation regarding working hours during the hackathon. The regulations depend on the framework conditions of your respective business unit and should be clarified with your team leader before registering.

  • Does participation in Hack4Rail cost anything?

    Participation in Hack4Rail is free of charge. Depending on the host location, costs for accommodation, catering, and travel to and from the event may apply. Therefore, please check with your team leader before registering.

  • Who can I contact if I have questions about Hack4Rail?

    Send an email to the ÖBB organization team at openinnovation@oebb.at with the subject “Hack4Rail.”

Contact

If you have any questions about Hack4Rail, please send us an email at openinnovation@oebb.at with the subject ‘Hack4Rail’.

Official Website: Hack4Rail