Buying Bus Tickets In Austria: A Simple Guide

Austria has an extensive and reliable public transport system, which includes trains, trams, and buses. Buses are an important part of the transport system, often operating night services and routes to small towns. Tickets can be purchased online, via apps, or on the bus itself. In this article, we will explore the different ways to buy bus tickets in Austria, the various operators, and the costs involved. We will also provide information on the wider transport network, including trains and trams, to help you navigate the country with ease.

Where to buy bus tickets

There are several options for buying bus tickets in Austria. The first is to purchase them directly from the bus driver, although this is more expensive than buying in advance. You can also buy bus tickets online, via apps, or from ticket machines, booking offices, and travel agents.

Online

You can buy bus tickets online through websites such as Omio, which allows you to compare routes and schedules, and book tickets at the touch of a button.

Apps

The ÖBB Tickets app shows you connections and allows you to plan trips and buy tickets directly from the ÖBB rail operator. You can also buy bicycle tickets and make seat reservations through the app. However, the app does not show Westbahn train connections; you will need to download the separate Westbahn app for this.

Ticket machines and booking offices

You can buy bus tickets from blue ticket validation machines at the entrances to subway and S-Bahn stations. You can also buy them from any booking office, such as the Wiener Linien online store.

Travel agents

Travel agents, such as Omio, can help you find different travel options and book tickets.

Buying bus tickets online

There are several options for buying bus tickets online in Austria. FlixBus is the main bus provider in Austria and offers the largest network of bus routes and destinations in the country. You can search and book FlixBus tickets online through Wanderu, which also allows you to purchase tickets for 57 destinations in Austria. Omio is another online platform that allows you to compare routes and schedules and purchase bus tickets for travel within Austria.

If you are looking for regional bus tickets, you can book these online through the ÖBB Ticketshop or by using the ÖBB App. This includes tickets for all Austrian regional public transport networks, and you can easily purchase weekly and monthly tickets online or through the app.

For travel within Vienna, you can purchase bus tickets online through the Wiener Linien online store. The Vienna City Card, which includes travel by bus, streetcar, and subway in the Vienna city area, can also be purchased online at www.viennacitycard.at.

It is important to note that tickets for most public transportation in Austria, including buses, must be validated before boarding. Validation can be done at blue ticket machines located at the entrances to stations or on the vehicles themselves.

Buying bus tickets on the day

If you're buying bus tickets on the day of travel in Austria, there are a few options available to you. The first is to purchase your ticket online. This can be done through the website of the company operating the bus service, or via a third-party travel booking site. For example, FlixBus tickets can be purchased on Wanderu, and tickets for buses in Vienna can be purchased on the Wiener Linien online store.

Another option is to buy your ticket in person at a ticket office or from a machine at the bus station. These machines are usually multilingual and accept a range of payment methods, including cash and card. You can also sometimes buy basic tickets from Trafik newsagents or tobacconists in Austria.

It's important to note that some tickets, such as those purchased from a machine, may need to be validated before you board the bus. Validation can usually be done by inserting the ticket into a small box on the bus, or at the station. Keep your validated ticket safe, as ticket inspections may be carried out during your journey.

If you're travelling in Vienna, there are a few additional options for buying bus tickets on the day. The Vienna City Card is a 24, 48, or 72-hour, or 7-day network travel card that also offers discounts across the city. The Vienna Welcome Card is similar and also includes discounts on additional transport options like taxis and scooters.

Validating bus tickets

Most tickets for public transport in Vienna, Austria, must be validated before boarding. Tickets can be validated at blue or yellow machines located at the entrance of underground stations, as well as on buses and trams. Tickets for buses and trams can also be validated in the vehicle itself. To validate your ticket, insert it into the machine with the text side facing up until you hear a beep.

Single tickets are valid for one journey in one direction and can be used on all forms of public transport, including buses, trams, subways, and commuter trains. They are valid for 80 minutes from the moment of validation, and you can change lines as often as you like, but you cannot interrupt your journey with a break. Single tickets cost €2.40 for adults and €1.20 for children.

Vienna also offers flexible 7-day tickets, which are valid from validation for seven consecutive calendar days. These tickets can be purchased as either a paper ticket, which is transferable, or a non-transferable digital ticket. The paper ticket costs €22.60, while the digital ticket costs €19.70.

In addition to single tickets and 7-day tickets, Vienna offers various network passes, such as the 24/48/72-hour network card and the 7- and 31-day network passes, which provide unlimited travel within the city limits for the specified time period. These passes are transferable and can be purchased online or at ticket machines, booking offices, or the Wiener Linien online store.

Buying bus tickets in Vienna

Vienna has a well-developed public transport network, with buses, trains, trams, and underground lines connecting the city. Single tickets cost €2.40 and can be purchased from ticket offices or machines in subway stations, tobacconists, or by app via cellphone. Tickets can also be purchased on board buses and trams from the driver, but these are more expensive. Single tickets are valid for one-way travel in one zone and can be used on any form of public transport (bus, tram, underground, train, etc.) without interruption.

There are also passes available for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, or as weekly, monthly, or annual passes. The 24/48/72-hour network card costs €15.10, €16.50, and €17.30, respectively, and is valid from the moment of first validation for the chosen duration. The 7-day and 31-day network passes are also available for city-wide travel for the chosen duration. The Vienna City Card includes unlimited travel for one adult and one child under 15, along with discounts at various attractions and is another option for visitors.

Tickets must be validated before boarding. Validation can be done at blue machines located at the entrance of stations and on buses and trams. Some tickets need to be stamped in a stamping machine before boarding, and the method of validation should be clear on the ticket. To stamp the ticket, place it face-up into the yellow or orange slot on small boxes found in trams and buses and at the entrances to stations and platforms.

Tickets can also be purchased online through the ÖBB Ticket Shop or the WienMobil app, which brings together all of Vienna's transport systems, including buses, and allows for trip planning and booking tickets, taxis, and car-shares. The ÖBB Ticket Shop offers weekly and monthly tickets for all regional public transport networks in Austria, which can also be purchased through the ÖBB App.

Frequently asked questions