Trams are the most frequent form of public transport in Vienna and the tram system dates back to the 1800s. I should point out that one or two upgrades have taken place, since.
- See also: Public transport in Vienna
The Vienna tram system
(The modern trams)
Viennese trams are easy to spot, being large, unsurprisingly tram-shaped, and decked out in the distinctive red and white of Vienna (with three exceptions: the sightseeing tram, the Manner tram, and the Ströck Christmas tram).
Your pubic transport ticket is valid for all of them (with the same three exceptions, though the Manner tram doesn’t charge anyway).
Just under 30 different tram lines cross the city, whereby most go to and from the city centre (like spokes on a wheel) and fewer go across town.
Each line draws its power from overhead electric cables and has a number or letter designation (e.g. 7 or D). Most lines run from the early morning until after midnight, with special night (bus) services also operating on selected routes.
During the bulk of the day, intervals between trams are generally 4-8 minutes, and delays are rare. Vienna is geared up for snow, so there have to be serious blizzards to keep the trams off the road.
Using trams
(Old and new trams)
Vienna recently migrated from the old-style trams (see the picture of the number 2 above) to the new Niederflur trams, though some older trams still operate.
The modern trams are low-lying with raised tram stop platforms, so you can push a pram or wheelchair straight on without going up steps. The new trams also have dedicated areas for those wheelchairs and prams.
There are no special rules of the road for using a tram, but here a couple of tips:
- Seats marked with coloured symbols for the old, the handicapped, pregnant women or parents with young kids should be kept free for the same. You can sit there, but you should (obviously) move as soon as someone fitting the above descriptions gets on board and needs your seat
- Same goes for those areas marked for wheelchair users or prams. You can occupy the space, but be prepared to move if needed
- As you approach your stop, you should press the exit button on any door to warn the driver
In reality, there’s nearly always someone waiting so the tram will almost certainly stop anyway, but you need to press the button to get the door to actually open when the tram eventually comes to a standstill.
- Similarly, if you’re waiting at a tram stop and the tram arrives but nobody gets off at the door nearest you, then press the button on the outside to board
- Older trams have a list of stops displayed somewhere on board. Newer ones have screens telling you which stops are coming up. The next stop is normally announced over a loudspeaker, too
Driving around trams
(A royal tram from 1900…no longer in operation)
If you’re driving in Vienna, be aware that the trams are the kings of the road. Two things to remember:
- Some tram lines follow the road, so you can’t help but drive along the same route. But don’t block a line unless you have no choice – trams don’t take kindly to unnecessary delays and are bigger than you. They also have right of way
- Most importantly, if you’re driving more or less alongside a tram in the same direction and it’s nearing or at a stop, you must slow down and stop, too, even if the road ahead is clear. You can only pass a tram at or near a stop if there are no people around and if you go at crawling pace
Finally, if trams are your thing, you might like to visit the Museum Remise; the transport authority’s museum has a large collection of historical vehicles.