Vienna’s transit is internationally considered a model: dense network, reliable, cheap. The Wiener Linien run five subway lines, many tram and bus routes, plus the ÖBB suburban S-Bahn. The practical bits.
The network at a glance
- U-Bahn (subway): U1 (red), U2 (purple), U3 (orange), U4 (green), U6 (brown). The U5 is under construction, first stretch expected late 2020s.
- Tram: around 30 lines, some shape the city (trams 1 and 2 run along the Ringstraße, great for sightseeing).
- Bus: dense network inside and outside the rings, night buses (N-lines) from midnight.
- S-Bahn: mainly for airport connection, the suburbs, and Lower Austria.
Plan routes with the WienMobil app or Google Maps. Both work reliably.
Tickets
Vienna prices by time, not distance. One ticket lets you use all modes and lines as long as you travel in one direction.
- Single ride: around €2.40 (2024/25 pricing, may update). At kiosks, machines or via app.
- 24h pass: roughly €8, worth it from three rides.
- 48h and 72h passes cheaper per day.
- Weekly pass: ca. €17, worth it from five days.
- Vienna City Card (Now or Easy): bundles 24/48/72h transit with discounts on sights. Worth doing the maths: yes from 4-5 entries.
Important: validate tickets before passing subway barriers or boarding the tram. Inspections are rare but expensive (€100 fine plus the fare).
Which tram to take
Trams 1 and 2 run along the Ringstraße, effectively a sightseeing tour: Opera, Burgtheater, City Hall, Parliament, University, stock exchange. An hour, a single ticket.
Tram D runs from the main station along the ring to Beethoven-Gang, perfect for Belvedere and reaching the wine taverns in Döbling.
Tram 38 from Schottentor to Grinzing, the classic Heuriger tram.
To the airport
- CAT (City Airport Train): 16 minutes, every 30 minutes, from Wien Mitte. More expensive (around €15 one-way) but direct.
- S7: 25 minutes, every 15 minutes, same route. With a regular ÖBB ticket or VOR Vienna + Schwechat fare. Much cheaper.
- Vienna AirportLines (bus): 20-25 minutes to Schwedenplatz, Westbahnhof or UNO-City. €11 one-way.
- Taxi/Uber: €35-50 depending on time and destination. Makes sense with luggage or late at night.
With kids and disabilities
Kids under six always ride free. Ages 6-15 ride free on Vienna school holidays, Sundays and public holidays. All subway stations are step-free, trams have low-floor cars (symbol on the display), buses have ramps.
What tourists often get wrong
- Blocking the left side of the escalator: walk on the left, stand on the right.
- Standing by the doors in the tram instead of moving inside: costs everyone room.
- Not validating the ticket: “I have one” doesn’t count.
- U-Bahn at Stephansplatz at rush hour: two stops further on foot can be quicker.