Groundbreaking for Extension of Vienna Tram Line 18

The extended tram line 18 will in the future run from the U2 station Stadion via Meiereistraße and Stadionallee to U3 Schlachthausgasse and continue its journey along the existing route to U6 Burggasse-Stadthalle. The extension will create seven new stops and offer additional direct transfer options to numerous public transport services.

Extension of Vienna Tram Line 18: Green Track and Greening Improve Urban Climate

"With the extension of line 18, we are expanding Vienna's public transport network to be climate-friendly, efficient, and future-proof. We are creating a new direct public transport connection between the 2nd and 3rd districts, improving access to new urban development areas, the recreational area Prater, and numerous other important hubs. I am particularly pleased that with this tram project, we are not only strengthening public transport but also creating more than 2 km of new bike paths, planting 200 new trees, and calming traffic in the green Prater. This is active climate protection for our growing city," says Ulli Sima, City Councillor for Planning and Mobility, at today's groundbreaking ceremony.

The extension of tram line 18 improves access to sports and leisure facilities in the Prater. A 70-meter-long green track at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion and greening along the new tram route improve the urban climate. Additionally, the cycling network will be expanded by 2,150 meters of new bike paths, including a two-way bike path on Meiereistraße and new connections over the Stadionbrücke and other streets. From June 2025, car traffic will be blocked between Lusthausstraße/Stadionallee and Meiereistraße/Stadionbad. New bike paths will also be created in the third district, including a two-way bike path on Landstraßer Hauptstraße. These measures strengthen sustainable mobility and create a safe cycling infrastructure that better connects the entire city area.

Public Transport Axis for Six Million Passengers Annually Through Extension of Vienna Tram Line 18

"With the extension of line 18, we are investing in a livable city and demonstrating how sustainable infrastructure projects contribute to the climate transition. The Wiener Stadtwerke play a central role in this. We are shaping the mobility of tomorrow - climate-friendly, innovative, and reliable," says Monika Unterholzner, Deputy General Director of Wiener Stadtwerke. With the opening of the new route from autumn 2026, tram line 18 will become the central connection from east to west in the tram network. "We are pleased to further expand our already sixth-largest tram network in the world with line 18. This creates a strong public transport tangent that will directly connect the west of Vienna and especially the main train station with the east via U2 Stadion. In the future, six million passengers will benefit from this on the entire line 18," says Gudrun Senk, Managing Director for the technical area of Wiener Linien. By switching from cars to public transport, up to 1,300 tons of CO2 can be saved annually.

The extension of tram line 18 improves the connection of existing public transport and optimally links new urban development areas. Residential projects such as Viertel Zwei, Schnirchgasse/TrIIIple, Eurogate, and the Village in the Third benefit from this. The new long-distance bus terminal at the Stadion Center will also be connected to the main and west train stations. Line 18 thus offers many transfer options. "With the extension of line 18, we are not only strengthening the public transport network but also the climate-friendly connection between two rapidly growing districts. It is particularly important to us that mobility projects like this are holistically considered with new trees, bike paths, and traffic calming in the Prater. This is how we succeed in intelligently combining urban development, climate protection, and quality of life," says Selma Arapović, Club Chairwoman of NEOS Vienna.

Tram Line 18 as an Alternative Route for the S-Bahn

The extended tram line 18 will allow for a large-scale bypass of the S-Bahn main line closure from autumn 2026 and will connect the S-Bahn St. Marx with the east of Vienna. It relieves bus and subway lines, largely takes over the route of bus line 77A, and thus improves the connection in the public transport network. "Line 18 represents a significant step into the future for Leopoldstadt to meet the growing demands for mobility and infrastructure. It plays a central role in the further development of the transport network and helps to sustainably improve the quality of life for residents," emphasizes the district chairman of Leopoldstadt, Alexander Nikolai. "For many people in the district, it is important to reach their destination well and reliably with public transport. Line 18 will make a significant contribution to this in the future," says the district chairman of Landstraße, Erich Hohenberger.

The New Route of Tram Line 18 in Detail

The planned extension of line 18 from the U3 Schlachthausgasse to the U2 station includes seven additional stops. Work on the tracks and roads will begin immediately in the Meiereistraße section in front of the stadium. From July 2025, construction work is also planned in the area of the U3 Schlachthausgasse and at Ludwig-Koeßler-Platz.

Traffic Measures During the Extension of Tram Line 18

The extension of tram line 18 leads to traffic adjustments. From June 2025, the passage between Lusthausstraße/Stadionallee and Meiereistraße/Stadionbad will be closed to motorized traffic. From November, there will be partial closures and diversions on Stadionallee at the Kleingartenverein Wasserwiese. Traffic patterns will also change locally in Meiereistraße, Dr.-Natterer-Gasse, and Engerthstraße in 2026. Bus traffic is also affected: Line 77A will be diverted via the A23 for the entire construction period. Line 80A will be diverted via Erdberger Lände from November 2025. A new bus line will take over the route of the 77A with the extension of line 18 and will receive a new route in the third district. Details of the bus concept will be announced in due course. Further information on the extension of tram line 18 can be found here.

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