Vienna

A strong multimodal transit system and infrastructure that encourages walking and cycling help Vienna take 19th place in the latest Urban Mobility Readiness Index and rank in the top 10 on both the Sustainable Mobility and Public Transit sub-indices.

Vienna’s public transit system boasts five underground and 29 tram lines, with a relatively high station density that puts most residents within a short distance of their local stop. The city is expanding the underground network and extending the U2 line southward to better connect the residential Wienerberg neighborhood with the city center. Vienna is also building a new U5 line that traverses the city from the central Karlsplatz to the university district, where an estimated 10,000 people live and work. Both projects will improve transfers between lines, making travel easier. Vienna also has well-developed commuter and national rail networks and offers a trip-planning mobile application with in-app ticket purchasing.

The Austrian capital excels in car-free spaces and has particularly high-quality pedestrian infrastructure. The city’s 2025 Urban Mobility Plan foresees further investment in public spaces, placing high importance on encouraging residents to opt for active modes of travel such as cycling and walking. To achieve this it is repurposing street areas and implementing temporary car-free zones as trials to get citizen buy-in. Lastly, the city has a play-streets initiative, where select sections of streets are closed off for children to play in the afternoon. The city seeks to expand this to more streets.