Getting Around Vienna – Metro, Trams and Buses Made Easy
Vienna’s metro, suburban trains, trams, buses, and night buses are tightly interconnected and allow fast, uncomplicated travel across the city, as well as smooth transfers between lines. To use public transport, you need a valid ticket.
Tickets & Prices
Single Ride
- €3.20, $3.50*
Time-Based Tickets
- 24-hour ticket: €10.20, $11.10*
- 7-day ticket: €28.90, $31.50* – already worth it from your third day in Vienna
*All prices are based on January 2026 rates.
Good to know: Digital tickets are five percent cheaper than paper tickets. Using the official online ticket shop https://shop.wienmobil.at/en/products of Vienna’s public transport operator or downloading the WienMobil app to your smartphone helps you save money and simplifies the entire process.
Smartphone App – The Most Convenient Option
WienMobil, the official app of Vienna’s public transport system, is available for Android and iPhone. Through the app, you can purchase tickets at reduced prices, access real-time information for all modes of transport, and plan routes quickly and easily. There is no need to validate digital tickets before boarding. This also applies to tickets purchased through the official online shop.
Buying and Validating Paper Tickets
If you prefer not to use a smartphone and do not like online purchases, you can still buy printed tickets, although this option is slightly less convenient and more expensive. Paper tickets must be validated before your first ride. The small blue machines with a yellow slot are located at the entrances of metro and suburban train stations, as well as inside trams and buses.
Paper tickets can be purchased at the following locations:
> Multilingual ticket machines
- Red machines located at almost all metro stations
- Payment by credit or debit card, mobile payment, or cash in euros
> Vienna Public Transport information and ticket offices at Hauptbahnhof (central station), Westbahnhof, Karlsplatz, Landstraße (ÖBB railway station Wien Mitte), Praterstern, Floridsdorf.
Good to know: The ticket office at Westbahnhof is open every day. All other locations operate Monday to Friday, with the Central Station office also open on Saturdays.
> Most tobacconists and newsstands
> Ticket machines inside trams – not a reliable option
Onboard tram machines sell single tickets only and charge a small surcharge. Payment is possible in cash, and on upgraded machines also contactless. However, many machines lack sufficient change, and not all support cashless payment. Carrying exact coins is essential, otherwise you may not be able to buy a ticket.
Transport Modes at a Glance
Vienna offers a clear and logically structured public transport network in which each mode has a defined role. Services usually run from around 5:00 a.m. until midnight. On Fridays and Saturdays, the metro operates throughout the night, as do night buses. During peak hours, vehicles run every few minutes, with slightly longer intervals outside rush periods. This ensures reliable mobility at all times of day and night, at least close to your destination.
- U-Bahn (subway) - The backbone of Vienna’s public transport system is the U-Bahn net, with five lines covering long distances across the city. Major interchange stations include Karlsplatz, Stephansplatz, Praterstern, and Westbahnhof.
- Trams - Shorter journeys within the city centre and the inner districts are best covered by the tram network. Vienna operates one of the largest tram systems in the world, with stops often located directly next to major sights and everyday destinations.
- Buses - To complement rail-based transport, buses connect areas that are not directly served by metro or tram lines. Their main role is serving residential neighbourhoods in the outer districts and ensuring seamless coverage across the city.
- Night Buses - After daytime services end, night buses take over, usually running every thirty minutes, with more frequent service on busy routes and weekends. Standard tickets apply, with no surcharge.
- S-Bahn (suburban trains) - Travel between Vienna Airport and the city centre is handled by the S-Bahn system, making it a key part of regional and commuter transport. Services typically run every fifteen to thirty minutes during the day and provide a reliable public transport link beyond the metro network.
Important note: All options for travelling between the airport and the city centre are explained separately in the guide Vienna Airport – Getting to the City Center.
Whether you are covering short distances, crossing the city, or returning late at night, Vienna’s public transport system gets you where you need to go. Clear structures, frequent services, and well-coordinated connections make orientation easy and planning stress-free. Once you understand the system, moving around the city feels just as natural as it does for locals.
Maps for Download
