Vienna

Local Transport

Although it's easy to walk around central Vienna, public transport is essential for exploring areas away from the centre. The Viennese public transport system is made up of trains, trams, buses and an S-Bahn and U-Bahn network.

Interactive timetables can be found at www.wienplan.com.

BUS

Buses generally fill in the gaps where there are no trams or U-Bahn services such as some outer suburbs and the central Innere Stadt.

TRAM

Vienna's extensive tram network (called strassenbahn or bim) has more than 30 routes. Trams are generally an efficient way of getting around with trams on most routes departing every five to ten minutes. Trams run underground in some parts of the city centre.

U-BAHN

Vienna's five U-Bahn lines are the easiest way to get around the city, with frequent trains running from around 5am till just after midnight. Trains generally run every five minutes during peak periods and every seven to eight minutes off-peak. Most travellers find the U-Bahn the easiest way to get around Vienna.

S-BAHN & BADNER BAHN

These two suburban rail networks compliment the other public transport systems. The S-Bahn is like an overground version of the U-Bahn and is the best way to get to and from the airport while also handy for day-trips to Krems.

The Badner Bahn, run by Wiener Lokalbahnnen (website www.wlb.at) is a light rail system that runs through the underground tram line in the city centre and on its own tracks through the suburbs.

FARES

Tickets are valid on all public transport in Vienna. Tickets bought on trams and buses must be validated, however tickets bought from the machines in U-Bahn stations are already validated and must be used immediately.

Individual tickets cost €1.50 if you buy your ticket in advance or €2 if you buy it on a bus or tram. In addition to single tickets, it is possible to buy strip tickets valid for four trips as well as 24-hour, 72-hour and 8 day passes. The 8-day pass is valid for any 8 days, not necessarily in succession.

Two different types of day passes are available. Regular day passes are valid for a 24-hour period while the cheaper Wiener Einkaufskarte, or shopping ticket, is essentially an off-peak day pass and is good for unlimited travel from 8am to 8pm.