Bicycle
Vienna is a fabulous place to get around by bike. Bicycles can be carried free of charge on carriages marked with a bike symbol on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn from 9am to 3pm and after 6.30pm Monday to Friday, after 9am Saturday and all day Sunday. It’s not possible to take bikes on trams or buses. The city also runs the Citybike Wien shared-bike program, with bike stands scattered throughout the city.
Bus
Bus connections can be useful for outlying parts of town or for travellers with limited physical mobility. Regular buses 13A runs north–south through the Vorstädte between Hauptbahnhof and Alser Strasse. 2A connects Schwarzenbergplatz, Stephansplatz, Schwedenplatz and Michaelerplatz. 3A connects Börsenplatz and Schottentor with Stephansplatz and Stubentor. Most lines run from 5am to midnight, with fewer (sometimes nonexistent) services on weekends.
Night buses Nightline routes cover much of the city and run every half-hour from 12.30am to 5am. Note that on early Saturday and Sunday mornings (ie after midnight Friday and Saturday) the U-Bahn runs all night. Schwedenplatz, Schottentor and Kärntner Ring/Oper are stopping points for many night bus services; look for buses and bus stops marked with an ‘N’. All transport tickets are valid for Nightline services. N25 runs around the Ringstrasse then via Schwedenplatz, Leopoldstadt to Kagraner Platz and beyond on weekdays.
Car & Motorcycle
You may consider hiring a car to see some of the outer sights but in Vienna itself it’s best to stick with the excellent public transport system.
Hire
All the big car-hire names have desks in the Hauptbahnhof and Vienna International Airport; some also have branches in the city.
Austrian car-hire company Megadrive is situated adjacent to the Eurolines bus terminal.
Train
Vienna’s network of S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains is efficient and inexpensive.
S-Bahn
S-Bahn trains, designated by a number preceded by an ‘S’, operate 10 lines from train stations and service the suburbs or satellite towns. Trains run from 4.30am to 1.10am. If you’re travelling outside of Vienna, and outside of the ticket zone, you’ll probably have to purchase an extension on your standard Vienna transport ticket or buy a ticket from a machine at the station; check on maps posted in train stations.
U-Bahn
The U-Bahn is a quick, efficient and inexpensive way of getting around the city. There are five lines: U1 to U4 and U6 (there is currently no U5; construction started in 2018 and is scheduled for completion in 2023). Stations have lifts as well as escalators. Platforms have timetable information and signs showing the exits and nearby facilities. The U-Bahn runs from 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and continuously from Friday through to Sunday night.
Tram
There’s something romantic about travelling by tram, even though they’re slower than the U-Bahn. Vienna’s tram network is extensive, with 29 lines, and it’s the perfect way to view the city on the cheap. Trams are either numbered or lettered (eg 1, 2, D) and cover the city centre and some suburbs. Services run from 5.15am to 11.45pm.
Public Transport
Vienna’s comprehensive and unified public transport network is one of the most efficient in Europe. Flat-fare tickets are valid for trains, trams, buses, the underground (U-Bahn) and the S-Bahn regional trains. Services are frequent and you rarely have to wait more than 10 minutes.
Transport maps are posted in all U-Bahn stations and at many bus and tram stops. Free maps are available from Wiener Linien, located in U-Bahn stations. The Karlsplatz, Stephansplatz and Westbahnhof information offices are open 6.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. Those at Schottentor, Praterstern, Floridsdorf, Philadelphiabrücke and Erdberg are closed at weekends.
Taxi
Taxis are reliable and relatively cheap by Western European standards. City journeys are metered; the minimum charge is roughly €3.80 from 6am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and €4.30 any other time, plus a per kilometre fee of €1.42. A telephone reservation costs an additional €2.80. A tip of 10% is expected. Taxis are easily found at train stations and taxi stands all over the city. To order one, contact Taxi 40100 or Willkommen Taxi. These accept common credit and debit cards (check before hopping in, though).
