Vienna Tram Guide: Best Routes & Scenic Rides (2026)

Vienna’s tram network is one of the largest in the world and one of the most useful tourist resources in the city — 29 lines covering areas the U-Bahn doesn’t reach, including the Ringstrasse (Trams 1 and 2 run along sections of it, past most major monuments), the scenic Grinzing wine villages route (Tram 38), and the Schönbrunn-area Hietzing routes. Trams use the same ticket as the U-Bahn: a single trip costs €3.20 on paper or €3.00 in the WienMobil app, and 24 hours costs €10.20 or €9.70. This guide covers the best scenic routes, how to use the trams, and the historical context that makes them part of Vienna’s identity.

Vienna Tram Basics

The Vienna tram (Straßenbahn) is operated by Wiener Linien and shares ticket infrastructure with U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and buses. Quick facts:

• Lines: 29 in total, most numbered and a few lettered (such as the D)
• Vehicles: Mostly modern low-floor Bombardier and Siemens vehicles; some vintage cars on heritage routes
• Service: From early morning until around midnight; check each line’s timetable for first and last departures. Trams don’t run through the night: on Friday and Saturday nights and before public holidays the U-Bahn runs all night, and Nightline buses also operate
• Frequency: Varies by line and time of day; the displays at each stop show the next departures
• Tickets: Same as U-Bahn — single €3.20 paper or €3.00 digital, 24 hours €10.20 or €9.70, 7 days €28.90 or €25.20

The Best Scenic Tram Routes

Trams 1 and 2 — Along the Ringstrasse

The most useful tourist trams. Each runs along sections of the Ringstrasse (Vienna’s grand boulevard built on the medieval city walls), in both directions, before heading out to other districts. Neither makes a full loop, so to see the whole boulevard you change trams along the way; the destination on the front tells you which way a tram is going. Major sights you pass:

• State Opera
• Künstlerhaus and Musikverein
• Karlskirche
• Belvedere area
• Stadtpark (Strauss statue)
• Postsparkasse (Otto Wagner)
• Donaukanal
• Schottenring
• Universität and Rathaus
• Burgtheater
• Hofburg
• Maria-Theresien-Platz (KHM and NHM museums)

Recommended approach: Board Tram 1 at Schwedenplatz (also on U1 and U4) with a 24-hour ticket (€10.20 on paper, €9.70 in the app) and watch the Ring go by from the window. When your tram turns off the Ring, check the line map at the stop and change to continue. Travelling clockwise, sit on the right side for the best views of the Ringstrasse buildings. The day ticket lets you hop off at any major sight and re-board as often as you like.

Tram 38 — To the Grinzing Wine Villages

Vienna’s most famous scenic tram trip. Starts at Schottentor (U2) and runs north through residential districts to the historic wine villages of Grinzing and Heiligenstadt. The end of the line drops you near multiple Heuriger (traditional wine taverns) where Vienna locals drink the year’s young wine. Check the timetable on Wiener Linien’s site or the WienMobil app for journey times, and leave the evening free: a Heuriger visit is not something to rush.

Tram D — The Belvedere Route

Runs from the city center to the Belvedere Palace through the residential Wieden district. The 1st and 4th district sections show off the classical Belvedere-area architecture. Tram D is also useful for the Hauptbahnhof area.

Tram 49 — West to the Outer Districts

Runs west through the 7th and 14th districts; check the Wiener Linien app for its current route. Useful for visitors staying in Neubau (creative quarter), the Westbahnhof area, or the outer western districts.

Tram 71 — To the Central Cemetery

The “Cemetery Tram” passes Schwarzenbergplatz and Rennweg on its way southeast to the Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof). Useful for visitors wanting to see the composers’ graves and the city’s most important historic cemetery.

Tram 18 — Burggasse-Stadthalle to Stadion

Cross-town route useful for connecting between several U-Bahn lines and reaching the Stadthalle events venue. Less of a tourist route but useful for specific itineraries.

Tram 5 — Starting at Praterstern

Runs through Leopoldstadt past the Karmelitermarkt. Useful for visitors interested in the 2nd district neighborhoods.

How to Use the Vienna Tram

Boarding

• Stop signage: Yellow signs at each stop list which trams stop there. Each tram displays its line number on the front and side.
• Door operation: Press the button on the door to open it. Doors don’t open automatically.
• Boarding direction: Trams in central Vienna can be boarded through any door. Some longer trams have specific “entry” and “exit” doors.
• Real-time info: Most stops have electronic displays showing next-tram arrival times. The WienMobil app provides the same data on your phone.

Ticket Validation

• Single tickets: Validate in the small blue machine onboard or on the platform before boarding. Failure to validate means traveling without a ticket: the surcharge is €135 if you pay on the spot, or €145 by payment slip.
• Day/weekly passes: Already validated; just keep them in your pocket.
• Phone tickets: Show the QR code in the WienMobil app if requested.

During the Ride

• Standing: Most short rides involve standing. Hold onto the bars firmly — trams jolt and brake suddenly.
• Stops: Stops are announced and displayed on overhead screens. Vienna stops are clearly named in German.
• Exiting: Press the door button before the tram stops to confirm you’re exiting; the door will open automatically when the tram comes to rest.

The Ring Tram — Ride Trams 1 and 2 Instead

The yellow “Vienna Ring Tram”, the dedicated sightseeing tram with audio commentary, has been withdrawn, so there is no Ring Tram ticket to buy. Regular Trams 1 and 2 cover sections of the Ring at the normal fare, though neither runs a full loop.

For commentary, bring your own: the self-guided tour below names the buildings along the way, and the regular trams were always the more authentic ride anyway.

The History of Vienna’s Trams

Vienna’s first tram line opened in 1865 (horse-drawn). Electric service began in 1897. The system grew explosively in the early 20th century, reaching its greatest extent in 1930 with 318 km of route. Post-WWII restructuring closed some lines and shifted commuter traffic to the U-Bahn, but Vienna maintained more tram trackage than most other European cities.

Today’s network is smaller than it was at its 1930 peak, but with 29 lines it is still one of the largest tram networks in the world, and it is growing again: Tram 18 was extended through the Prater to Stadion in September 2026.

Vintage Trams and Special Services

Several heritage tram services operate occasionally:

• Oldtimer Tram tours: Vintage trams from the 1920s through 1960s run special tourist tours during summer months. Departs from Otto-Wagner-Platz; book at the Vienna Transport Museum.
• Vienna Transport Museum: Erdberg, U-Bahn Erdberg. Houses Vienna’s historic tram, bus, and U-Bahn collection.
• Special holiday services: During Christmas and other events, illuminated vintage trams sometimes run special routes.

Practical Tips

• Right-side seating on the Ringstrasse trams (clockwise direction) gives the best photo opportunities of major buildings.
• Avoid the weekday rush hours, morning and late afternoon, for relaxed tram sightseeing.
• Tram + walking is often more efficient than transferring multiple U-Bahn lines for central Vienna trips.
• Don’t expect speed. The U-Bahn averages about 32.5 km/h, and trams sharing the streets with traffic are slower. For long distances U-Bahn is faster; for short distances and sightseeing, trams win.
• Trams stop at every signed stop. No requesting stops; the tram halts at all listed stops.
• No bicycles on trams or buses. Take them on the U-Bahn instead: weekdays 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. and after 6:30 p.m., and all day at weekends and on holidays.

A Self-Guided Ringstrasse Tram Tour

Here’s a turn-by-turn narration to enjoy while riding the Ring clockwise from Schwedenplatz, starting on Tram 1 and changing trams where your line leaves the Ring. Sit on the right side for the best views:

• Schwedenplatz to Karlsplatz (south): Pass the Stadtpark on the right (look for the golden Johann Strauss statue), then the Musikverein and Karlskirche as you approach Karlsplatz.
• Karlsplatz to Burgring: Pass the State Opera on your left (one of Vienna’s defining landmarks), then the Goethe statue and the Burggarten with the Mozart statue.
• Burgring to Universitätsring: The Maria-Theresien-Platz is on your left between the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Naturhistorisches Museum (twin neo-Renaissance buildings facing each other). Behind them is the MuseumsQuartier. Then the Volksgarten (look for the rose garden in summer).
• Burgtheater area: The Burgtheater is on the right; the Rathaus (Vienna City Hall) is on the left (Gothic style with three pointed spires).
• Universitätsring: The University of Vienna main building on the left (where Freud studied medicine); the Votivkirche just north on the right.
• Schottenring: The Börse (Stock Exchange) on the right; the Schottenkirche just to the south.
• Schwedenplatz (back to start): The Donaukanal on the right; the Bermuda Triangle nightlife district just inland.

You’ve now seen most of Vienna’s defining Habsburg architecture on one 24-hour ticket. Hop off at any major sight and re-board later in the day.

The Grinzing Wine Tavern Excursion

The Tram 38 trip to Grinzing is the classic Vienna escape from the historic center. Steps:

1. Take U2 to Schottentor.
2. Walk to the Tram 38 stop at the same intersection.
3. Ride Tram 38 north through residential Vienna to the end of the line.
4. Exit at the Grinzing terminus.
5. Walk from the terminus into the village center.
6. Choose a Heuriger (wine tavern). Major venues: Mayer am Pfarrplatz, Heuriger Wien, Schreiberhaus, Reinprecht. Each has gardens, traditional Austrian food, and Vienna’s young wines.
7. Eat dinner of Wiener Schnitzel or buffet-style Austrian dishes paired with local Gemischter Satz wine.
8. Return on Tram 38 to Schottentor; transfer to U2 for the city center.

Total time: 4–5 hours. Cost: €6.40 transport (two paper single tickets, or €6 in the app) plus €25–40 for dinner and wine. This is one of Vienna’s signature evening experiences. See our wine and food content for details.

Vintage Tram Tours

The Vienna Transport Museum (Wiener Linien-Museum) operates seasonal vintage tram tours using vehicles from the 1920s through 1980s. Schedule:

• Summer months (typically May–September)
• Weekend departures from Otto-Wagner-Platz
• Routes vary by date; usually scenic loops through historic Vienna
• Cost: €18–28 adult depending on tour
• Booking: Through the Vienna Transport Museum website

For tram enthusiasts these are special experiences. For casual visitors, the regular Trams 1 and 2 already provide the Vienna tram experience at a fraction of the cost.

Tram Routes by Tourist Need

For shopping

• Tram 1 or 2: Along the Ringstrasse; the high-end shops of Kärntner Straße and Graben lie a short walk inside the Ring.
• U3 (an underground line, not a tram): Connects to Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s main shopping street.

For palaces

• Tram D: To the Belvedere from central Vienna.
• Tram 71: South to the Central Cemetery.
• Tram 60 or U4: West to Schönbrunn.

For museums

• Tram 1, 2, or U2: The KHM, NHM and MQ sit just off the Ringstrasse, which Trams 1 and 2 run along in sections; the U2 stops at Museumsquartier.
• Tram D or 71: To the Belvedere art museum.

For nightlife

• Tram 1, U1 or U4: Schwedenplatz, on the Danube Canal at the northern edge of the old town.

Vienna Trams vs Other European Cities

Vienna’s tram network is one of Europe’s most extensive. Comparison:

• Vienna: 29 lines, one of the largest tram networks in the world
• Berlin: about 193 km of route, 22 lines, mostly in former East Berlin
• Prague: 36 lines, counting night services
• Budapest: 174 km of route, 37 lines counting supplementary services and the cogwheel railway (very dense)
• Munich: 82 km, more limited
• Paris: Has trams but only outer suburbs; not central
• London: Single tram line in Croydon; no central network

Vienna’s tram system is genuinely a defining feature of the city — integrated with daily life rather than a tourist attraction. Visitors who use the trams extensively will see Vienna in a way that U-Bahn-only travelers miss.

Tram Stops You Should Know

Key tram interchange and tourist stops:

• Schwedenplatz: Junction of Tram 1, U1 and U4; Donaukanal access.
• Oper / Karlsplatz: State Opera, Musikverein, U1, U2, U4 interchange.
• Schottentor: Starting point for Tram 38 to Grinzing; U2 interchange.
• Schwarzenbergplatz: Stop on Tram 71 to the Central Cemetery.
• Volkstheater: U2 and U3 interchange.
• Burgring: Tram 1, 2, D, and 71 all stop here.
• Stadtpark: U4, with the Ring trams close by.

Most tourist itineraries can be done by memorizing these key junctions and knowing one or two specific tram lines.

Tram Service Disruptions

Building work, from track renewals to the new U5 metro line, can divert or shorten tram routes for a while.

Check the Wiener Linien website or WienMobil app for current service information. Most disruptions are signposted at affected stops.

FAQ

What’s the best Vienna tram for sightseeing?

Trams 1 and 2, which run in both directions along sections of the Ringstrasse lined with Habsburg buildings such as the State Opera, Hofburg, Burgtheater, Rathaus, university, Parliament, and the major museums. Neither makes a full loop, so change trams to see the whole Ring. A single ticket costs €3.20 on paper or €3.00 in the WienMobil app.

Does the Vienna Ring Tram still run?

No. The dedicated Ring Tram sightseeing service has been withdrawn. Regular Trams 1 and 2 run along sections of the Ring at the normal fare, and they are just as scenic; use the self-guided tour above for the commentary.

How do I get to the Grinzing wine taverns by tram?

Take Tram 38 from Schottentor (U2) to the end of the line in Grinzing, then walk on into the village, where the Heurigen are. Give the evening plenty of time rather than squeezing in a quick glass.

What’s the difference between Vienna trams and the U-Bahn?

U-Bahn: Underground (or elevated) metro, 5 lines, fast and frequent. Trams: Street-level, 29 lines, slower but cover more areas. Same ticket works on both. Trams are better for sightseeing; U-Bahn is faster for long distances.

How long is the Vienna Ringstrasse tram circuit?

Neither Tram 1 nor Tram 2 runs a full loop: each covers sections of the Ring, so a full circuit means changing trams, and the time depends on your connection. The Ringstrasse itself is 5.3 km long.

Can I bring luggage on Vienna trams?

Yes — medium-sized luggage is fine. Larger suitcases work but may be inconvenient at peak hours. For airport luggage, the CAT or S7 train is more practical than the tram.

What’s the most scenic Vienna tram ride?

Tram 38 (Schottentor to Grinzing) is the most beautifully scenic, running through residential Vienna into the wine country at Vienna’s edge. Tram 1 or 2 along the Ringstrasse is the most historically interesting.

Lines 1 and 2 also make an inexpensive sightseeing tour on an ordinary transport ticket, and it is worth knowing exactly how much they undercut the alternative by. Our comparison of Vienna’s hop-on hop-off buses puts the numbers side by side — roughly €58 in 24-hour tickets (three days, two people, €9.70 each in the app) against €100 or more in bus tickets.

Related Vienna Guides

• Getting Around Vienna
• Vienna U-Bahn Guide