Vienna's Public Transport: Exploring Austria's Capital Efficiently

Vienna, Austria, has an extensive public transport system, which includes roads, railways, trams, a metro, and buses. The city's subway, bus, and streetcar routes can take you to and from the more remote districts, while walking is a great option for those wanting to explore the compact Innere Stadt, where many of Vienna's historic attractions are located.

The Wiener Linien, or Vienna Lines, is the municipal company that operates the U-Bahn (subway), Vienna's tramway network, and most bus routes. The city also has an extensive train network, operated by ÖBB, Austria's national railway company.

Public transport in Vienna is extensive, including roads, railways, trams, metro, and buses

Vienna has an extensive public transport system, with a large network of roads, railways, trams, metro, and buses. The city's subway, bus, and streetcar routes make it easy to get around, and with 53% of Viennese workers commuting by public transport, it's a popular choice.

Tickets

Public transport tickets in Vienna are affordable, and there are various options depending on your needs. Single tickets can be purchased for €2.40, while a day ticket costs €5.80. There are also 24, 48, and 72-hour tickets available, as well as weekly, monthly, and annual passes. Tickets can be bought at main stations, from ticket machines, online, or via apps. It's worth noting that tickets must be validated before boarding, except on buses and trams, where they can be validated on board.

Apps

There are several apps available to help you navigate Vienna's public transport system, providing real-time information on schedules and routes. These include the official Wiener Linien app, as well as third-party apps like Moveit and Wegfinder, which offer additional features such as route planning and navigation.

Metro

The U-Bahn is Vienna's efficient and dependable subway system, with five lines covering the city centre and surrounding areas. Trains depart frequently, and the network allows for easy transfers to other lines, buses, or trams.

Trains

The S-Bahn is Vienna's suburban railway network, connecting the city with its surrounding regions. It consists of 10 lines that extend beyond the city limits, reaching neighbouring towns and regions. The S-Bahn is operated by Austria's national railway company, ÖBB, and you can use your Vienna tickets or passes for travel within the city.

Trams

Vienna has a robust tram network, with 28 lines spanning the city and its surroundings, making it the world's 6th longest tram system. Trams run frequently throughout the day, making it a convenient option for commuting.

Buses

Vienna's bus network consists of over 130 lines, running from the city centre to residential areas. Buses are easy to spot and come at regular intervals, with higher frequency during the day. There are also night buses marked with an 'N', which operate from 12:30 am to 5 am.

Tickets can be bought in advance or onboard

Vienna's public transport system is extensive and includes roads, railways, trams, metros, and buses. The city has a uniform fare system, meaning you can use the same ticket for all modes of transport.

If you are travelling by bus, you can buy your ticket from the driver. For trams, there are ticket machines onboard, but these require coins.

For longer stays, you can buy weekly, monthly, or annual passes. These are available as physical tickets or on apps such as WienMobil, Moveit, and Wegfinder. The weekly pass costs €17.10 and allows unlimited travel for seven days. The monthly pass costs €51 and is valid for a calendar month. The annual pass costs €365 upfront or €396 if paid in monthly instalments.

There are also day tickets available for €5.80, which grant unlimited travel within the city for a day. You can also buy 24, 48, and 72-hour tickets, which provide unlimited travel for a specified period from the moment of validation. These cost €8, €15, and €5.80 respectively.

Students can take advantage of discounted semester tickets during term time and a separate summer holidays monthly pass for the non-academic period. The semester ticket costs €75, and the summer holidays pass is €29 and is valid for July and August.

There are various travel passes available, including weekly, monthly, and annual

Vienna has a large public transport network, with an extensive system that includes roads, railways, trams, metros, and buses. The city offers various travel passes, providing flexibility for both locals and tourists.

For those who commute daily, weekly, monthly, or annual passes offer convenience and savings. The weekly pass, valid for seven days, costs €17.10 and can be purchased either online or offline. The offline pass is valid from Monday to the following Monday at 9 am, whereas the online pass is valid for seven days from the chosen start date. The monthly pass, costing €51, is valid for a calendar month, from the first to the second day of the following month. Students can benefit from a semester ticket for €75, covering their academic months, and a separate summer holidays monthly pass for €29, valid in July and August.

For those planning longer stays or frequent travel, an annual pass is available for €365 upfront or €396 in monthly instalments. This pass is valid from the first day of the month following the purchase. All these passes provide unlimited travel within Vienna's core zone, known as Zone 100 or Kernzone, and include suburban trains and WLB-operated services.

For tourists or infrequent travellers, Vienna also offers single tickets and short-term passes. Single tickets cost €2.40 for a single journey, while a day ticket costs €5.80 for unlimited travel within the core zone for 24 hours. Additionally, 24-, 48-, and 72-hour tickets are available, providing unlimited travel from the moment of validation.

The city's efficient and budget-friendly public transport system seamlessly connects you to every corner of the capital, making it easy to explore all that Vienna has to offer.

The U-Bahn is Vienna's subway system, with five lines covering the city centre and surrounding areas

Vienna's subway system, the U-Bahn, is a fast, reliable, and convenient way to get around the city. The U-Bahn has five lines covering the entire city area, including the city centre and surrounding areas, making it a vital mode of transport for discovering Vienna's attractions.

The five main lines of the U-Bahn are identified by colours and numbers: U1 (red), U2 (purple), U3 (orange), U4 (green), and U6 (brown). These lines serve 109 stations across 83.1 kilometres of routes, with 459.8 million passengers riding the U-Bahn in 2019. The U-Bahn network runs daily from approximately 5:00 am to around midnight, with trains arriving every 15 minutes on Friday, Saturday, and public holiday evenings. During the day, trains arrive every two to five minutes, ensuring minimal waiting times.

The U1 line connects the north (Leopoldau) and the south (Oberlaa) of the city, passing through important junctions such as Stephansplatz and the Hauptbahnhof (Central Station). The U2 line runs from Schottentor in the city centre to Seestadt in the east, with stops at the Prater and the Stadion. The U3 line runs from west to east, connecting Ottakring and Simmering, with main stops in the city centre, including Westbahnhof and Stephansplatz. The U4 line connects Hütteldorf in the west with Heiligenstadt in the north, running parallel to the Danube Canal and stopping at Karlsplatz and Schönbrunn. Finally, the U6 line runs from Siebenhirten in the south to Floridsdorf in the north, connecting important junctions such as Westbahnhof Station and Längenfeldgasse.

The U-Bahn is accessible for all, with every station fitted with elevators and escalators to ensure easy access for wheelchair users and families with prams. The trains and stations are also equipped with tactile guidance systems for visually impaired individuals. Eating is not permitted on the trains, and dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead. Bicycles are only allowed at certain times, usually off-peak hours.

The S-Bahn is a suburban railway network, consisting of 10 lines that extend beyond the city limits

Vienna has an extensive public transport system, including roads, railways, trams, metros, and buses. The S-Bahn is a suburban commuter rail network, consisting of 9 or 10 lines that extend beyond the city limits.

The S-Bahn is short for Schnellbahn, which translates to "rapid railway". It is operated by the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), and is integrated with the national railway system. This means that S-Bahn trains share tracks with regional trains and other rail traffic, including freight trains. The S-Bahn trains run at half-hourly or hourly intervals, with combined frequencies of just a few minutes along the Stammstrecke ("trunk line"), the central route segment where most lines converge.

The S-Bahn offers a cost-effective way to commute between Vienna and Vienna Airport. The ÖBB-Railjet, for example, connects Vienna Central Station to St. Pölten, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Bregenz, and Graz directly. The S-Bahn is also useful for getting around the city, with lines extending into the suburbs.

• Line S1: Wiener Neustadt Hauptbahnhof ↔ Gänserndorf
• Line S2: Wiener Neustadt Hauptbahnhof ↔ Laa an der Thaya
• Line S3: Wiener Neustadt Hauptbahnhof ↔ Hollabrunn / Absdorf-Hippersdorf
• Line S5: Floridsdorf ↔ Wolfsthal
• Line S40: Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof ↔ St. Pölten Hauptbahnhof
• Line S45: Hütteldorf ↔ Handelskai
• Line S50: Westbahnhof ↔ Rekawinkel
• Line S60: Rekawinkel ↔ Bruck an der Leitha
• Line S75: Airport ↔ Vienna Central Station
• Line S80: Hirschstetten ↔ Wiener Neustadt Hauptbahnhof

The S-Bahn network in Vienna has been in operation since 1962 and has been a convenient and popular mode of transportation for both locals and tourists.

Frequently asked questions