Line 18: Extension to the Ernst Happel Stadium
From 2026: new connection between 2nd and 3rd district, new route through the Prater
In future, tram line 18 will run from the Stadion U2 station to the Burggasse-Stadthalle U6 station. It offers numerous transfer options to rapid transit trains and underground trains.
From the Schlachthausgasse U3 station, a new 3.1 kilometre line with seven new stops is being built. The new line runs from Schlachthausgasse in the 3rd district over the Stadionbrücke bridge into the 2nd district. In Prater, it crosses Hauptallee and runs along Meiereistraße to the stadium. The return loop runs via Handelskai and Dr. Natterer Gasse.
The new route in detail: seven new stops on three kilometres of new track
The new section of line will be connected to the existing tracks in Schlachthausgasse at the Stadion U2 station. With the approximately three kilometres of newly built track, Line 18 will then be 11.1 kilometres long in total.
- The new line will branch off from the existing line from the Schlachthausgasse U3 station in Würtzlerstraße.
- In the first section of the extension, the two directional tracks will run separately: in the direction of Stadion, line 18 will run via Markhofgasse, Würtzlerstraße and Schnirchgasse. In the direction of Burggasse-Stadthalle, line 18 will run directly via Schlachthausgasse and the existing tracks.
- The first new stop at Ludwig Koeßler Platz is located in Schnirchgasse in front of Schlachthausgasse in the direction of the stadium, and directly in Schlachthausgasse in the direction of Burggasse-Stadthalle. From there, the Remise transport museum is within easy walking distance.
- The route continues over the existing Stadionbrücke bridge, which is being reinforced for tram operation, and over Stadionallee into the 2nd district. The Sillerweg stop provides access to the Wasserwiese allotment site.
- The next stop, Stadionbad, is located in both directions before the crossing of Hauptallee.
- After Hauptallee, the route continues along Meiereistraße. The next stop is at Ernst Happel Stadion. Another turning loop is also being built there, which can be used for efficient transport after events at the stadium.
- The tram uses the existing underground subway and reaches the Stadion U2 station. The tram stop is located at Olympiaplatz between Vorgartenstraße and Engerthstraße.
- The regular terminus Meiereistraße/Handelskai of line 18 is located with an alternative track in Meiereistraße before the intersection with Handelskai. Passengers can travel from this stop directly to the new Sport Arena Wien and the planned long-distance bus terminal.
- The loop route of line 18 runs via Handelskai and Dr. Natterer Gasse. A new stop is being built in Dr. Natterer Gasse in front of Engerthstraße. The loop finally runs back to the Stadion stop via Engerthstraße.
Optimum connection for new residential areas and long-distance bus terminal
The extension of line 18 will not only improve existing connections, but also optimise links to new urban development areas. Residential projects such as Viertel Zwei, Schnirchgasse/TrIIIple, Eurogate and Sonnwendviertel will benefit from the direct connection to the stadium. In future, the 18 line will also connect the new long-distance bus terminal at the Stadion Center with the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and Westbahnhof - creating a practical link across several districts and important transport hubs. Another positive side effect of Line 18: in future, it will provide an additional alternative route for the S-Bahn, enabling a large-scale bypass and connecting the St. Marx S-Bahn with the east of Vienna.
Climate protection, sustainable mobility: green track, 200 new trees, expansion of cycle paths
Line 18 will not only connect the east of the city with the west via the Prater - it will also form an important new axis in Vienna's tram network into the "green heart of Vienna". At the same time, Wiener Linien is continuing to promote climate protection with the extension: the construction of a green track, the planting of around 200 trees along the new line and the extensive traffic calming will contribute to a noticeable improvement in the city's climate.
In future, around six million passengers will use line 18 every year. This will make an important contribution to shifting traffic from cars to public transport. Up to 1,300 tonnes of CO2 can be saved each year. In addition, the cycle network will grow by a total of 2,150 metres of cycle paths, which will either be newly built or significantly improved along the new section of line. All of this complements our climate-friendly measures and strengthens sustainable mobility in Vienna.