The Metro in Vienna is the fastest way to get from A to B. Imagine stepping onto the platform just as a train glides in—thanks to the extensive network, you rarely have to wait more than five minutes for the next metro (or ten minutes in the evening). The stations are well-connected, making it incredibly easy to navigate the city without stress. Whether you’re heading to a historic site, a cozy café, or back to your hotel after a long day of exploring, the U-Bahn is your best friend in Vienna.
Locals often refer to the U-Bahn simply as “U” (short for Untergrundbahn), and when combined with a number—like U1, U2, or U3—they mean the specific metro line.
Interesting facts about the Metro in Vienna
The entire metro network spans over 83.1 kilometers and consists of 98 stations. Every day, the Vienna U-Bahn transports more than 1.5 million passengers, with Wiener Linien recording over 770 million passengers in 2022. More than 1.2 million people in Vienna have an annual public transport pass, highlighting the city’s strong commitment to efficient and sustainable urban mobility.
To make the most of the metro system, it’s best to use a day pass or the Vienna Card, which allows unlimited travel and provides discounts on many attractions and landmarks.
By 2026, the U5 line will be fully autonomous, with driverless metro trains operating on the route. In preparation for this, platform screen doors will be installed along the U5 stations by 2025 to ensure smooth and safe operation.
Five Metro Lines
The Vienna Metro was first introduced in 1976 and now consists of five lines, each distinguished by a different color. At major stations, you can pick up a free network map from Wiener Linien service points, helping you plan your routes with ease.
U1 – Red – Reumannplatz – Leopoldau
This metro line connects the northern and southern parts of the city. For tourists, some important stops include Stephansplatz, where the Stephansdom is located, Karlsplatz, where you can visit the Karlskirche, and Prater, a well-known stop. The line also includes the Central Station, where the train to and from the airport departs.
U2 – Purple – Seestadt – Karlsplatz
The purple metro line runs from the city center towards the west and makes several important stops along the way, including Karlsplatz, the museum quarter, the city hall, and Prater.
U3 – Orange – Ottakring – Simmering
This metro line stretches from the northwest to the southeast of the city, stopping at major stations such as Stephansplatz, LandstraĂźe (where Stadtpark is located), and the Hofburg Palace.
U4 – Green – Hütteldorf – Heiligenstadt
The green metro line runs from the west to the north of Vienna, passing through the city center. Notable stops include Karlsplatz and Stadtpark.
U6 – Brown – Siebenhirten – Floridsdorf
As a tourist, you will probably use this line the least. This is because the brown line does not pass through Vienna’s city center and does not have major tourist attractions along its route.
How to Buy a Ticket for the Metro in Vienna?
There are several ways to purchase public transport tickets, including metro tickets, both in the city and online.
Here is an overview of the available ticket options:
- Single Ticket: This ticket allows travel for a single journey.
- 24/48/72-Hour Ticket: With this ticket, you can enjoy unlimited travel for the selected duration.
- Vienna Card: This card offers free use of public transportation and discounts on various attractions. [More information and purchase >>]
- Weekly Pass: As the name suggests, this pass provides unlimited public transport for a full week. It is transferable and valid for multiple people. However, you cannot choose the start date yourself—the validity begins on Monday at 00:00 and lasts until the following Monday at 09:00.
- 8-Day Flexible Ticket: This ticket is valid for 8 days of your choice. It can also be used by multiple travelers.
Almost all tickets must be validated before use. You can read how this works here, where we also provide information on where to purchase tickets both online and in person.
Important: You cannot buy tickets from ticket inspectors.
Major Hubs in the Vienna Metro Network
- Karlsplatz – U1, U2, and U4
- Landstraße – U3 and U4
- Längenfeldstraße – U4 and U6
- Praterstern – U1 and U2
- Schottenring – U2 and U4
- Schwedenplatz – U1 and U4
- Spittelau – U4 and U6
- Stephansplatz – U1 and U3
- Volkstheater – U2 and U3
- Westbahnhof – U3 and U6
Metro Stations for Vienna’s Attractions
The following attractions are best reached via these metro stations and lines:
- Schloss Schönbrunn
- Prater (Giant Ferris Wheel)
- City Center/Stephansdom
- MuseumQuartier (MQ)
- Hofburg
- Rathaus (City Hall)
- Kunsthistorisches Museum
- Naturhistorisches Museum
- Hundertwasserhaus
- Naschmarkt