Overview
Vienna's public transport system is one of Europe's most efficient and comprehensive. The Wiener Linien operator runs an integrated network of five U-Bahn (subway) lines, 29 tram lines, and over 130 bus routes serving the entire city. As a visitor, you can purchase a single ticket or a multi-day pass at machines, tobacconists, or online, validate it at a blue machine before boarding, and transfer freely within the central zone during the ticket's validity period. The system runs from around 05:00 until 01:00 daily, with 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights plus evenings before public holidays.
The network
U-Bahn (subway)
Vienna's U-Bahn is a five-line rapid transit network spanning 83.1 kilometres with 109 stations. The system opened in its modern form on 25 February 1978, though parts of the U4 and U6 lines date back to the 1898 Stadtbahn ("city railway") network, and sections of U2 and U6 were built as underground tram tunnels. Only the U1 and U3 were constructed wholly as new subway lines. U-Bahn services run between 05:00 and around 01:00 at intervals of two to five minutes during the day, extending to eight minutes after 20:00. Since 4 September 2010, Friday and Saturday nights and evenings before public holidays have featured 24-hour service at 15-minute intervals, supplemented by the Vienna NightLine bus service.
- U1: One of the two entirely new lines; a September 2017 extension added 4.6 kilometres and five stations to the network.
- U2: Partly built as an underground tram tunnel between Karlsplatz and Schottenring.
- U3: One of the two entirely new lines.
- U4: The section between Heiligenstadt and Hütteldorf originated as part of the 1898 Stadtbahn metropolitan railway.
- U6: The section between Längenfeldgasse and Spittelau originated as part of the 1898 Stadtbahn; partly also built as an underground tram tunnel.
A new U5 line is under construction and scheduled for completion between 2026 and 2032; upon its opening, the network will expand to 90 kilometres with 116 stations. Stations are typically named after streets, public spaces, or districts.
S-Bahn suburban rail
The Wiener S-Bahn ("Schnellbahn") suburban rail system connects Vienna to surrounding regions. Public transport tickets issued by Wiener Linien are valid on S-Bahn services within Vienna's public transport zone.
Trams (Straßenbahn)
Vienna operates 29 tram lines running on street level, a historic and efficient mode of transport. Trams are frequent, reliable, and often faster than buses for longer city journeys. All trams require ticket validation before boarding.
Buses
Over 130 bus lines, including 20 or more night bus routes (0:30–05:00), serve Vienna. Night buses supplement weekend and holiday 24-hour U-Bahn service.
Ferries
Seasonal ferry services operate on the Danube, though these are primarily recreational rather than commuter transport.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and prices
- Single ticket: €3.20 (children €1.60); valid for 80 minutes from validation with unlimited transfers within Vienna's core zone. Single tram tickets cost €3.40 (children €1.80).
- 24-hour Vienna network ticket: €10.20.
- 7-day VIENNA Ticket (paper, transferable): €28.90.
- 7-day VIENNA Ticket (digital, non-transferable): €25.20.
- Vienna City Card (tourist pass): €19–€72 depending on duration (24/48/72 hours or 7 days); includes all public transport plus discounts at over 200 museums, theatres, restaurants, and shops.
These fares are approximate and subject to change.
Free and discounted travel
- Children under 6 travel free until the end of the school year in which they turn 6.
- Children and youth under 15 travel free on Sundays, public holidays, during Vienna's school holidays, and on 2 and 15 November.
- Dogs travel on a discounted ticket (€1.60) if muzzled and leashed.
Where and how to buy tickets
- Multilingual ticket machines at most U-Bahn stations (cash and card payment accepted).
- Wiener Linien booking offices.
- Most tobacconists.
- On trams (with a surcharge).
- Wiener Linien Online Shop and WienMobil smartphone app (iOS/Android).
- Online purchase via the WienMobil app may offer slightly reduced fares.
Validation and coverage
All timed tickets must be validated before your journey at blue machines located at U-Bahn and S-Bahn station entrances, or onboard buses and trams. Tickets are valid on all streetcars, buses, night buses, the U-Bahn, and S-Bahn services within Vienna's core zone (Zone 100). An additional one-way ticket is required to or from the airport.
From the airport
Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, VIE) sits just outside the city limits. Three public transport options connect the airport to central Vienna:
- S7 S-Bahn line: The cheaper but slower option, taking 24 minutes to Wien-Mitte/Landstraße station. A ticket costs approximately €4.60. If you hold a valid Vienna public transport ticket, you need only purchase a ticket from the airport to Schwechat; all onward stations are covered by the Zone 100 ticket.
- City Airport Train (CAT): A dedicated express service taking 15 minutes to Wien-Mitte/Landstraße, with fares from approximately €11.
- Long-distance trains: Frequent departures (every 30 minutes) to Wien Hauptbahnhof (central station) take approximately 15 minutes and cost around €4.20.
Buses and taxis are also available. Tickets purchased at the airport to travel on the S7 must be added to your zone ticket to cover the entire journey into the city.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing and boarding: Queue in an orderly fashion when boarding, especially during rush hours.
- Escalators: Although not universally enforced, the convention on escalators in many European cities is to stand on the right and leave the left side clear for those who wish to walk; follow local passengers' behaviour.
- Priority and reserved seating: Seats marked with special symbols are reserved for elderly passengers, pregnant women, disabled travellers, and parents with small children; vacate these seats if needed.
- Quiet zones: Some trams and U-Bahn cars have quieter sections; respect these areas and avoid loud conversation or music.
- Eating and drinking: Eating and drinking are permitted on Vienna's public transport, though it is courteous to avoid messy foods during busy periods.
- Ticket validation: Always validate your ticket at the blue machines before boarding; inspectors regularly check tickets and impose fines for invalid or missing tickets.
Official links
- Vienna City Administration – Public Transport (English)
- Wien.info – Public Transport Tickets & Information (English)
Survival terms
- U-Bahn: Subway/metro (from "Untergrundbahn", literally "underground railway").
- Fahrkarte: Ticket.
- Linie: Line.
- Eingang: Entrance.
- Ausgang: Exit.
- Umstieg: Transfer.
- Einzelfahrt: Single fare.
- Tageskarte: Day pass.
Always carry your validated ticket with you throughout your journey, as transport inspectors conduct regular checks and issue substantial fines to passengers without valid documentation.