Overwhelmed by public transportation maps

I was in Vienna earlier this year and the city mapper app/website worked fabulously.

https://citymapper.com/vienna?lang=en

Just put in your start and end places. For example, when planning from home I wanted to know how hard it was to get everywhere. So, I would put in my hotel (Hotel em Stephansplatz) and where I wanted to go (St. Charles church) and I get all the different options for getting there. I can walk in 17 minutes. Or take the red U1 or the green U4. Then I used the app while I was there. Again, it let me know if walking was my best option or taking the subway/underground, whatever it’s called there. I purchased a weekly pass from wien mobil and never had to buy a ticket. Just hop on and off and show my pass if asked. I never was.

It really is super simple. I always worry about public transportation and Vienna has one of the easier ones to use. All the stations were well signed. The city mapper app even tells you which exit to use from the underground so you will be closest to your end point.

I’m not sure how much time you’re spending in Vienna, but you might find my trip report helpful. My sister and I both really enjoyed this city.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sisters-in-vienna-and-prague-our-trip-report

Have a great trip!!!

Given the scale of Vienna's public transport system and its mesh-like structure there are always several ways to get from one place to another. Due to frequent track or road maintenance a tram or bus line may be re-routed, replaced or suspended, so you can be forced to take another route than you are used to.

Neither Citymapper or Google Maps take these temporary changes into account, creating confusion for tourists.

The best source, IMHO, for finding your way from A to B in Vienna is the eponymous website and app. It provides you with different routes (including travel time and number of changes) for public transport, way description for walking, biking or driving.

https://anachb.vor.at/?language=en_GB
https://www.vor.at/en/timetables-mobility/vor-apps/vor-anachb-app

Hello Carrie, I tried the citymapper website and could put locations in for Vienna. I installed their app on my phone and it will only let me put in for where I live. Were you able to look at Vienna from the app? I tried to "change city" but it said they weren't in Vienna yet which is weird because their website works fine for Vienna.

I'm in northern France right now. I can open the app, click on the gear symbol, click on Swich City and enter Vienna. That's working for me.

Wmt1's comment about coverage of service adjustments is important, but I confess to taking the path of least resistance and normally using CityMapper when it's available (or Google Maps if it's not) rather than familuarizing myself with a new user interface every time I change cities.

I was in Vienna last week. This wasn’t my first visit but to be fair the last time I spent any length of time was quite a few years ago. I ride public transportation in Budapest every day, from one end of town to the other. So, I figured Vienna will be a snap. I arrived in town, took one look at the map and walked. Spend some time determining your routes before you get there. Take notes and jot them down. I see you are coming here too. Rest assured that once you solve Vienna, Budapest will be like child's play.

I live in Vienna and I can honestly say that the public transportation system here is very intuitive if you know how to do it. Young children can do it alone - so can you.

First, don't look at the Wiener Linien map. No one looks at that. It is overwhelming. Use the correct tools. Those tools include 1) Google Maps public transportation directions and 2) the Wien Mobil App. I use Google Maps probably 4-5 times each day to determine how to get from point a to point b. Everyone does. You are given various options and it is easy to follow. With Wien Mobil map is where you store your tickets.

Next, understand the system a bit. There is a subway system, which has 5 color coded lines. There is a tram system and there is a bus system. All systems are connected and you can use your pass on all forms of transportation. In other words, you do not need a new ticket for each form of transportation. It is impossible to walk more than two blocks without running into a stop on the public transportation system. Part of the reason why the map is so big is because public transportation goes everywhere - I haven't driven a car once in the city during my 18 years living here - why would I? A big map is a good thing. Cities of a similar size with a smaller transport map likely don't have the amazing infrastructure found in Vienna.

Then, learn how to read the signage. When you enter a subway station, you will clearly see the lines and each side of the track will clearly show you which side goes in which direction (a line is shown with the previous stops greyed out). If you find yourself at a tram or bus stop, look at the signage. It will be easy to tell where a tram or bus line intersects with a subway stop (indicated by a "U"). One you get to a subway stop, it is easy peasy. You probably already know that the bus, tram and subway will have the end station written on it so you can easily tell the direction you are going.

But really, it is easy. Stop looking at the big map and just use Google Maps.

If you can share where you will be staying, I am happy to be more specific.

I live in Vienna and I can honestly say that the public transportation
system here is very intuitive if you know how to do it.

That's the key. I showed up totally unprepared. Vienna's system is always ranked as one of the best in Europe, so the fault is admittedly mine.

There is a useful, abstracted map of the Vienna public transport system in the Rick Steves Pocket Vienna guidebook [page 190] - it's also on the fold out map at the back of the book - should also be in the full size book for Vienna. It shows the major tourist sites along with a simplified drawing of the transport routes. Vienna is possibly the easiest city to navigate in Europe, IMHO.

Have you used mass transit in any major city? Vienna is pretty much the same, just more comprehensive and well-oiled.

People seem to diss Google for directions but I find it quite handy, especially since it will give you options like walk, drive, bus/train etc. I find in European cities it's often just as easy to walk as to tram/metro.

Something simple?

You should be able to put any two addresses into the VOR website or app. https://www.vor.at/en/
You get detailed route options for public tranport or walking and the price of a ticket. VOR is the Vienna area public transportatnion authority. With the app you can also buy and store tickets on your phone.

Google Maps also works for planning, but you loose the convenience of purchasing and storing tickets.

Another plus for city mapper is that you can also use it in Prague and Budapest and then any other major city on future trips.

They do provide real time alerts on transit disruptions. Of course, you need to have cell service when out and about to receive the alerts.

phred Google works pretty flawless here. The local BudapestGo app is also very good and has the benefit of showing exactly where the stops are and has real-time tracking of the trams and trollies and buses and Metros. But since most everything runs every 3 to 5 minutes you rarely need the real time info.

thanks for all the app suggestions. I fiddled around with them to see how they work. the interfaces seem user-friendly enough. So, as long as I can figure out the actual transportation stops and get off points, I think I'll have it down.

So, as long as I can figure out the actual transportation stops and
get off points, I think I'll have it down.

You shouldn't have to figure that out. The city mapper app will tell you want stops to use. Where to get on and where to get off.