Vienna’s public transport system is one of the most efficient in Europe—reliable, safe, and easy to navigate. It’s managed mainly by Wiener Linien, with trains run by ÖBB (Austrian Railways). Here’s how it works:
🚇 U-Bahn (Underground Metro) #
-
5 lines: U1 (red), U2 (purple), U3 (orange), U4 (green), U6 (brown).
-
Runs daily from about 5:00 am – midnight.
-
Night service: On Fridays, Saturdays, and nights before public holidays, the U-Bahn runs 24 hours.
-
Trains every 2–5 minutes during the day.
-
Covers most tourist hotspots (Stephansplatz, Karlsplatz, Schönbrunn, MuseumsQuartier, etc.).
🚋 Trams #
-
Vienna has one of the largest tram networks in the world (over 30 lines).
-
Great for short distances and sightseeing—trams run along the Ringstraße, giving views of the Opera, Parliament, Rathaus, and museums.
-
Operate roughly 5:00 am – midnight, with some night trams.
🚌 Buses #
-
Fill in gaps where U-Bahn and trams don’t go.
-
Run within districts and to residential areas.
-
Night buses (N-lines) operate when U-Bahn is closed (usually 12:30 am – 5:00 am).
🚆 S-Bahn (Suburban Rail) #
-
Operated by ÖBB.
-
Serves outer districts and connects Vienna with the airport (S7 line), suburbs, and nearby cities (like Bratislava).
-
Useful for day trips and longer distances within the metro area.
🎟️ Tickets & Fares #
-
Unified system → one ticket works for U-Bahn, trams, buses, and S-Bahn (within Vienna zone).
-
Must validate your ticket at a blue machine (on platforms or inside trams/buses) if not already time-stamped.
-
Popular options:
-
Single ticket: €2.40 (valid until end of journey, incl. transfers).
-
24h pass: €8.00
-
48h pass: €14.10
-
72h pass: €17.10
-
Weekly pass: €17.10 (valid Mon–Sun, great value if you stay a week).
-
Vienna City Card or Vienna Pass includes transport + tourist perks.
-
-
Kids under 6: free; under 15: free on Sundays & holidays.
✅ Tips for Tourists #
-
Best for sightseeing: U-Bahn for speed, trams for views.
-
Cheap airport option: S7 train (€4.30) instead of CAT (€14.90).
-
Apps to use: WienMobil (official) or Google Maps—both reliable for route planning.
-
Always carry a valid ticket; fines for fare-dodging are €105 on the spot.