Vienna has a highly developed public transport infrastructure, including bus and tram lines, metro and high-speed trains. The total length of the passenger road network in the Austrian capital is about 940 km. You can get by public transport to any area of the city. There are also numerous taxis in Vienna, but this method of transportation is not profitable. In total, there are 90 bus lines and 28 tram tracks in the capital. Vienna Metro is represented by 5 branches, the total length of which is 83 km. Using the subway in the capital is quite easy and convenient, so most local residents, and tourists, prefer to travel on this particular type of transport.
Underground Overview
The official opening date of the modern Vienna underground (U-Bahn) is 1976. But in fact, the metro in the city originated much earlier (late 19th century). Even today, some sections of the railway, which appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, are used by the Moscow metro to transport passengers. If you look at the laughter of the Vienna metro, you will notice one distinguishing feature: almost all lines are connected to high-speed train tracks. Thus, passengers have an excellent opportunity to go to the suburbs without leaving the subway.
Currently, the bus and tram lines, as well as the Vienna Underground, are served by Austria’s largest transport network, Wiener Linien. According to the company, its daily passenger flow is more than 2.6 million people. In total, there are more than 100 stations in the Vienna Underground. 150 trains are involved on 5 metro lines, providing all the conditions for comfortable travel. Subway lines have no names and are indicated on the diagram by the letter U: each branch has its own serial number (U1, U2, etc.).
A characteristic feature of the Vienna metro is that its stations are rarely located near stops of other public transport. And while in the center of Vienna one can still observe a partial duplication of bus and tram stops with metro stations, then in remote areas it is almost impossible to immediately transfer from one mode of transport to another.
Inside, the Vienna metro looks rather concise: it is distinguished by well-lit, bright platforms, darkened paths and the practical absence of any decor (only advertising posters). Numerous ballot boxes are placed around the perimeter of the subway, there are paths for the blind. The metro is also equipped with a large number of elevators that take passengers to other stations or to the surface to the exit.
Metro map
On the Vienna metro map, there are 5 lines – U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6. The project for the construction of branch number 5 has long been ready, but at this stage its implementation has been postponed, so do not look for U5 in the subway scheme. A few months ago, work began on the reconstruction of the U2 branch, so that soon it should acquire a modern look.
On the Vienna metro map in Austria, each line is indicated by its own color. Some branches are quite long and connect the opposite ends of the city, others are quite small and more suitable for trips in the center. Let’s look at each of them in more detail:
U1. The diagram is indicated in bright red. Travel is carried out at 19 stations. The line connects the terminus of Reumannplatz and Leopoldau. U1 intersects twice with U4 and once with U3. Vetka is famous for its Kaisermühlen VIC station, where a memorial plaque is installed for Soviet soldiers who saved Vienna from the Nazis in 1945.
U2. The scheme is highlighted in purple. This is the shortest branch with 17 stations. U2 connects the terminals Karlsplatz and Aspernstraße and is used to travel in the center and northeast of Vienna. The path was built on the basis of an existing tram tunnel.
U3. The diagram is indicated in orange. The path consists of 21 stations and intersects with all metro lines. U3 connects the endpoints of Ottakring and Simmering. It can be used to travel to the center, to the southeast and northwest of Vienna.
U4. The scheme is highlighted in green. The metro in Vienna on this line is carried out at 20 stations. U4 connects the southwestern district of Hütteldorf with the northern quarter of Heiligenstadt, intersecting twice with all metro lines (with the exception of U3). Most stops on this branch are above ground.
U6. In the diagram, the metro is indicated in brown. This is the longest line, following 24 stations and intersecting with U3 and U4. Route U6 is mainly used for traveling along the western part of Vienna and cannot be reached in the center. The branch connects the end points of Siebenhirten and Floridsdorf.
Hours and Intervals
From this point you can find out how long the metro operates in Vienna and how often trains run. On weekdays, the metro starts at 05:00 and closes at 00:00. Sometimes the schedule of one line may differ slightly from the schedule of another, so check this information in advance on the official website of the Vienna metro. In the daytime, trains approach the platforms every 5 minutes, but towards the evening this interval increases to 7 minutes.
On Saturday, Sunday and on holidays, the Moscow metro operates around the clock. At night, trains arrive at the platforms at intervals of 15 minutes. To navigate the subway, you can refer to the electronic display that every path has. It displays accurate information about the arrival time of the desired train. So, with this question everything is very clear, and now it’s time to find out how much the metro ride in Vienna costs.
Fare
Passenger transport infrastructure in Vienna is organized quite rationally and as convenient as possible for travel. It is immediately worth noting that the city uses uniform travel cards for all types of public transport. It is also important to know that the fare on the Vienna metro can vary depending on the number of tariff zones you cross. You can familiarize yourself with them using a special scheme.
For example, if you plan to travel in only one zone, then you need a ticket for a single trip. But in the case when your path lies through 2 tariff areas (say, you get from the center to the airport), you have to buy two tickets, that is, one trip for each zone. But there is good news: the main historical sites of Vienna and hotels are located in the same area No. 100. In addition, the subway offers various types of travel cards that will help you save a lot. Consider travel options in more detail.
For adults
This ticket is designed for a single fare within the same tariff zone (see diagram). With a preliminary purchase, its value will be equal to 2.40 €. If you pay the fare directly in the car to the controller, the price will be 2.60 €.
For kids
This is a discount ticket that can be used by children under 15 years old. Price – 1.20 € (if paid to the controller – 1.40 €). Children under 6 years old can travel for free on the Vienna Underground.
For the elderly
Assumes reduced fare for people over 63 years old. The cost is 1,50 €.
If you expect a rather eventful day in Vienna, when you need to travel by public transport several times, then a 1-day ticket will be a profitable option. Its action starts from the moment of acquisition and ends at 01.00 the next day. The ticket price is 5.80 €. Ordering is only possible online on the official metro website.
The cost of the metro in Vienna can be significantly reduced when buying unlimited travel. So, a ticket with a 24-hour validity period will cost 8 €, with a 48-hour ticket – 14.10 €, with a 72-hour ticket – 17.10 €.
If you plan to stay in Vienna for one week, exactly from Monday to Sunday, then this type of pass will suit you perfectly. Its cost is 17.10 €, and the action starts on Monday from 00:00 and ends a week later on Monday at 09:00. Of course, if you arrive in Vienna in the middle or at the end of the week, then this option is unlikely to save.
Which travel card is the most profitable? It all depends on how many days you will live in Vienna and how active your movements in the capital will be. If you plan to spend 1 day in the historical part of the city, then it is enough for you to purchase a one-time ticket. If your visit to the capital lasts 3 days or more, it is logical to order a 72-hour or weekly unlimited travel card.
How to use the subway
How much is the metro in Vienna, we found out. Now let’s figure out how to actually use the subway. Everything is pretty simple here. After you enter the subway, you need to go to the ticket vending machines or find a ticket office. You can buy a ticket in advance on the official website of Wiener Linien or through its special application. As noted earlier, it is possible to pay for travel directly in the subway car, but then the ticket price will be 20 cents higher.
After buying a ticket, you definitely need to stamp it before entering the line in a special machine. If this is not done on time, then you can run into a fine of 105 €. Then go to the branch you need, following the corresponding signs. On each platform, you will find signs with a diagram of the stations along which the oncoming train follows. During the trip, the names of the next stops are loudly and clearly announced in the carriage, as well as the points where you can transfer.
It should be borne in mind that in new trains in the Vienna underground, all doors close automatically and open only when you press a separate button at the exit. Each carriage has several seats, the passage promises to be convenient, but if your trip begins in the center of Vienna, then you can’t count on empty seats. Although checking tickets in the subway is a rare occurrence, we recommend that you keep tickets until you exit the subway. That’s probably all you need to know about how to use the metro in Vienna.
Output
Vienna Metro clearly performs its function, providing the most convenient conditions for passengers. Before using the subway, it is worth exploring its scheme, as well as familiarizing yourself with the map of tariff zones. It is also important to decide in advance which pass will suit you the most, which will save time and money.
