Best way to get around Vienna: What you need to know

Once you know the city's public transportation options, getting around in Vienna is simple and highly convenient. Getting to must-see spots like the Spanish Riding School or Hofburg Palace will be stress-free and enjoyable.

Vienna’s excellent public transportation includes a world-class metro system, many scenic tram routes, and an extensive bus network. You will also find it very enjoyable to explore the city on foot or by bike. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have been to Vienna, this guide will keep you updated on the best ways of getting around in Vienna.

Getting around Vienna: tips and tricks

• Take the S7 express train to get from the Vienna Airport into the city: A quick and most affordable way of getting from the airport to Vienna’s city center is with the rapid transit railway line, the S7, which departs at the airport every 30 minutes and reaches Wien Mitte and Wien Praterstern. There, you can transfer to the city’s subway network.
• Get a travel card for unlimited travel: Wiener Linien operates public transportation in Vienna. They offer single-ride or multi-day tickets, including 24, 48, or 72-hour tickets or a 7-day travel ticket, which grants purchasers unlimited travel on the network.
• Get a Vienna City Card for unlimited travel and other perks: Travelers may elect to purchase a Vienna City Card, which grants unlimited access to public transit for 24, 48, 72 hours, or 7 days and more than 210 discounts on museums, sights, theatres, shops, cafés, and restaurants.
• Bike-share with the WienMobil Rad app: Wiener Linien offers a bike-sharing service throughout the city. Download the mobile app, find a rental bike nearby, book it, and cycle away!
• Get around at night by train: Vienna offers public transportation for convenient commuting at night. The metro runs until midnight from Monday to Thursday, Sunday, and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
• Avoid rush hour: Public transportation can get crowded during peak hours, typically between 7:30 AM–9:00 AM, and between 4:30 PM–7:00 PM. It is best to avoid the busy streets during these times or expect longer transportation times.
• Explore on foot: Vienna is a very walkable city, and you’ll get the most out of wandering the cobblestone streets of Innere Stadt. Many of the city’s central areas are pedestrian-only, so there is often no need to worry about traffic when visiting iconic sites like the Prater, Schönbrunn, and Vienna’s unique parks and gardens.

Useful apps

• Google Maps: Plan your routes and find real-time walking or biking directions. It provides public transportation schedules and updates for Vienna’s metro, buses, and trams.
• Citymapper: An excellent app for mapping out Vienna’s best public transportation routes. It includes live departure times, disruption alerts, and cycling and walking route options.
• WienMobile Rad App: The official app for Vienna’s bike-sharing service allows you to find the nearest bike stations, check bike availability, start your journey, and manage your account.
• WienMobile Auto: Wiener Linien’s carsharing app allows users to unlock one of the company’s 100 vehicles around the city. The hourly rate is 2.60 euros.
• Bolt and Uber: Bolt and Uber are available ridesharing options in Vienna. Check both to compare prices and get to your destination directly.

1. Getting around by train in Vienna

Vienna’s metro is the fastest way to get around the city, with five metro lines in the U-Bahn (underground subway), which gets you to most landmarks and the city center, and ten lines on the S-Bahn, which services the Vienna suburbs and satellite towns. Vienna’s metro is punctual and frequent, arriving every five minutes. The train also operates late into the night, especially on weekends when the train runs for 24 hours, so you do not need to worry about getting home if you’re having a night out in town exploring bars and the city’s nightlife.

For sightseeing, the Viennese trams are an excellent way to get around. Though slower, the ride is more scenic, covering most of the city center and even some suburban parts outside the city. Ride the Ringtrasse route for a lovely way to see Vienna’s monuments and how locals enjoy everyday life.

How to buy and use train tickets in Vienna

Tickets are sold at kiosks with instructions in multiple languages or at station windows. It is easier to buy tickets in person than online or through their app. Always validate your ticket by slotting it into one of the blue machines before hopping aboard (listen for the click). If you have purchased a single-day or multi-day pass, you only need to validate once.

2. Taking the bus in Vienna

Vienna has a comprehensive bus network that’s best used to reach the outer parts of the city. Buses in Vienna are punctual and reliable. Many visitors elect to take the bus for a more scenic route than the underground trains, including using the 2A line, which covers most of the Innere Stradt.

How to buy and use bus tickets in Vienna

Buses, trains, and trams share the same payment system. Using the blue machine, you can buy tickets directly from the driver and validate them upon entering the bus.

3. Getting around Vienna by bike

Vienna is a cycle-friendly city with over 1400 kilometers of designated bike paths and lanes that make traveling on wheels safe. Some paths even go through areas with less foot traffic, so you’ll feel a sense of adventure and excitement in exploring the city. Cyclists love taking the Danube Cycle Path, a long-distance ride from Germany to Budapest.

Renting Bikes in Vienna

WienMobil Rad is Vienna’s bike-sharing app. It allows users to rent city bikes parked in stations around the city. Download the app, register your number, pick up a bike, and start your journey! You will pay as you go, as little as 35 cents every 30 minutes.

4. Using taxis and ride-sharing services in Vienna

You can find official taxis at taxi stands scattered throughout Vienna or order a cab through the Taxi 31300 app. Travelers should ensure drivers have a printed copy of their most important obligations, including payment information, selecting routes, and helping with loading and unloading luggage since they are required by law. QR codes should also be visible from every passenger seat, allowing customers to provide instant feedback about their journey when scanned. Otherwise, you can order a vehicle using Bolt or Uber, which can give you a ride within minutes. Be sure to compare prices and select the option that works best for you.

5. Hourly car rental services in Vienna

Wiener Linien operates WienMobil Auto, a carsharing service that allows you to hire a WienMobil Car through your smartphone. Download the app, register, book a vehicle, and get driving. The hourly rates start from 2.60 euros.

FAQs

What’s the best way to get from Vienna airport to the city center?

A quick and most affordable way of getting from the airport to Vienna’s city center or to any of Vienna’s neighborhoods is with the rapid transit railway line, the S7, which departs at the airport every 30 minutes and reaches Wien Mitte and Wien Praterstern. There, you can transfer to the city’s subway network.

How accessible is public transportation in Vienna?

Vienna is considered a very accessible city in terms of public transportation, and the city is constantly making changes to be increasingly barrier-free. Ramps are very common and a universal standard. You will find that most U-Bahn stations have wheelchair lifts and guiding strips for the blind. All of Vienna’s buses are equipped with ramps, and the driver will assist wheelchair users in getting into the vehicle. Similarly, the vast majority of trams have low-floor access for wheelchairs.

Does public transportation run all night in Vienna?

Vienna offers public transportation for convenient nighttime commuting. The metro runs until midnight Monday through Thursday, Sunday, and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. Night buses run from after midnight until 5:00 AM.

Is it safe to use public transportation late at night?

Using public transportation in Vienna at night is generally safe. However, take standard safety precautions: be aware of your surroundings, know your route, keep valuables secure, and avoid isolated areas when possible.

Are there any transportation passes in Vienna?

Wiener Linien offers single-ride or multi-day tickets, including 24, 48, or 72-hour tickets or a 7-day travel ticket, which grants purchasers unlimited travel on the network, including metro, trams, and buses.

What’s the best mode of transportation for travelers in Vienna?

The best mode depends on your preference for exploring the city and your itinerary. Walking is a lovely way to discover hidden gems and experience life in Vienna as the locals do. However, for quick and efficient travel, the metro is the best option since it is punctual, simple to navigate, and frequent.