Vision of a green boulevard with trams and electric buses
© DnD Landschaftsplanung

U2xU5 public transport extension: Vienna's most important climate protection and infrastructure project

Under the title U2xU5, Wiener Linien is building an extension of the underground line U2 and the new underground line U5. The extension will create space for an additional 300 million passengers per year and is the basis for the further expansion of public transport in Vienna. This will enable the city to achieve its climate targets, guarantee long-term security of supply and ensure a sustainable quality of life.

Network expansion and infrastructure modernisation

An efficient public transport network requires network expansion and maintenance. Information on public transport expansion can be found under Network expansion. Information on the modernisation of our infrastructure can be found under Modernisations.

Visit the Infocenter U2xU5

Visitors to the Infocenter look at exhibits in the foreground the model of a tunnel boring machine
Infocenter U2xU5: Underground construction you can touch
© Wiener Linien

Experience Vienna's underground future now!

The U2xU5 information centre is an interactive exhibition in the Volkstheater U3 station. Various stations provide in-depth insights into underground railway construction. However, the exhibition is not just for looking at, but for touching and trying out for yourself. Why not try your hand at controlling the tunnelling machine and dig your way through Vienna's underground!

To the Infocenter U2xU5

U2xU5 includes two underground construction projects at once: the extension of the U2 and the new U5 underground line

graphic of the extension of the U2 and of the new U5
© Wiener Linien

With U2xU5, two underground railway projects are being realised at once: The U2 is being extended southwards and Vienna is getting its U5. Once completed, the U2 will run between Matzleinsdorfer Platz in the first construction phase and between Wienerberg and Seestadt in the second. The U5 line will run between Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz (1st expansion stage) and Elterleinplatz (2nd expansion stage).

U2 grows to the south

In the second construction phase, the U2 will be extended from Matzleinsdorfer Platz to Wienerberg by two stations, Gußriegelstraße and Wienerberg. The Gußriegelstraße U2 station connects to tram line 1 and bus lines. The Wienerberg U2 station connects a rapidly growing urban development area and links line O to the new U2.

U5: Start of fully automatic operation with platform screen doors

With the new U5, the time has now also come for fully automatic operation in Vienna. The existing U2 line between Rathaus and Karlsplatz will be converted into the U5, and the stations will also be converted accordingly and equipped with platform screen doors.

The first construction phase of the U5 between Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz will be followed by a further major extension towards Alsergrund, Währing and Hernals. In the second construction phase, the U5 will be extended with four further stations Arne-Karlsson-Park, Michelbeuern-AKH and Elterleinplatz to the Hernals terminus.

The construction phases: The expansion will take place in two stages.

1st construction phase 2nd construction phase

In the first phase, new attractive public transport connections will be created in the heart of the city. The first phase comprises these sections:

 These new stations will be built in the second construction phase:

U5 Frankhplatz

U5 Arne-Karlsson-Park

U2xU5 Rathaus

U5 Michelbeuern-AKH

Transformation of the U2 trunk line into the U5 (U2 update)

U5 Elterleinplatz

U2xU3 Neubaugasse

U5 Hernals

U2xU4 Pilgramgasse

U2 Gußriegelstraße

U2 Reinprechtsdorfer Straße

 U2 Wienerberg 

U2 Matzleinsdorfer Platz

 The extension is currently being planned by the Municipal Department 18 of the City of Vienna.


Outlook until completion of the new U2 and the fully automatic U5

Since 6 December 2024: U2 runs again from Seestadt to Karlsplatz

Since completion of the U2 update - the comprehensive modernisation of the U2 main line between Karlsplatz and Schottentor - the U2 has been running continuously from Seestadt to Karlsplatz again. The new platform screen doors are already in operation in the modernised stations from Rathaus to Karlsplatz. Construction work on the U5 and the new U2 continues independently of each other.

From 2026: U2 and new U5 will run between Karlsplatz and Rathaus

With the completion of the first fully automatic underground line U5, there will be a mixed operation of two underground lines in Vienna for the first time from 2026. The U2 and the new U5 will then share the section between Karlsplatz and City Hall. While the U5 trains will then run to Frankhplatz, the U2 trains will take passengers to Seestadt.

From 2030: U2 runs to Matzleinsdorfer Platz, new transfer hubs for passengers

With the completion of the U2 to Matzleinsdorfer Platz in 2030, the U2 will have a new tunnel from Schottentor southwards and will then run from the Rathaus junction station via the new stations Neubaugasse, Pilgramgasse and Reinprechtsdorfer Straße to the new terminus at Matzleinsdorfer Platz.

From then on, the line between Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz will be served exclusively by the new, fully automatic U5.

That was the U2 update:

  • Installation of platform screen doors: A total of 144 platform screen doors were installed in the Rathaus, Volkstheater, Museumsquartier and Karlsplatz stations. They make the underground service even more reliable and pleasant.
  • Reinforcement of the platforms: To this end, all platform edges in the stations were removed and rebuilt.
  • Update for the train control system: The underground's train control technology was updated for fully automatic operation.
  • Renewal of the track system: The track system between Schottentor and Karlsplatz was renewed and 4.8 kilometres of track were replaced.
  • Refurbishment of the tunnel ceiling: The modernisation period was also used to refurbish the U2 tunnel ceiling.
  • Six lifts, including lift technology and cabling, and ten new escalators were installed.
  • The lighting in the stations was converted to modern and energy-saving LED lamps.
  • A new tactile guidance system was installed to improve orientation for visually impaired people.

U5 crosses all underground lines, creates many new connections

Visualisation
© ZOOM.VP
  • The Frankhplatz U5 station near Landesgerichtsstraße/Universitätsstraße will be the first completely new U5 station to be built. From here, passengers will be able to transfer directly to tram lines 43 and 44. Tram lines 37, 38, 40, 41 and 42 will also be easy to reach.
  • A large public transport interchange to tram lines 5, 33, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 42 will be created at the Arne-Karlsson-Park U5 station.
  • From the Michelbeuern-AKH U5 station, you can change directly to the U6 and will be at Karlsplatz from the AKH in around 10 minutes.
  • At the Elterleinplatz U5 station, you can change to tram lines 43 and 9.

U2xU5 brings significant relief to the entire network

Visualisation of a future U5 station with platform screen doors Passengers boarding and alighting
© OLN

Currently, every third passenger is travelling on the U6, U3, 6, 43 and 13A lines. It is precisely these lines that will be significantly relieved by the U2xU5 extension. With U2xU5, we are sustainably strengthening the centre of Vienna's public transport system: Twelve new underground stations over eleven kilometres in the final expansion (1st and 2nd construction stages) will bring faster connections and create space for 300 million additional passengers per year. This means a total capacity of 1.3 billion passengers per year.

Public transport uses space much more efficiently than cars

Visualisation of a Flexity tram at a new stop on Wiedner Hauptstraße
© ZOOM.VP

Public transport uses the available space in the city much more efficiently and causes fewer harmful emissions than private motorised transport. The underground is particularly space-saving compared to private cars. Switching from cars to public transport frees up space for more trees, park benches and playgrounds. The U2xU5 public transport extension will save the city around 550 million car kilometres per year.

The U2xU5 will increase the efficiency of Vienna's public transport network enormously. This is a good thing, because efficient underground railways are the ecological lifeline of our city and the basis for further public transport expansion. To ensure that Vienna remains the city worth living in that we know and love, the public transport network is constantly growing. Buses, trams and the underground take up significantly less space than car traffic and enable a sensible use of space for a greener future for us all.

Public transport is the key to the climate revolution

Visualisation of the green Wiedner Hauptstraße with Flexity tram
© ZOOM.VP

The U2xU5 public transport extension is Vienna's largest climate protection project. Every year, the potential reduction in car traffic can save up to 75,000 tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide (CO2). This corresponds to the environmental performance of a forest with six million 30-year-old trees - such a forest would cover the area of districts one to eleven or the entire Donaustadt.

Public transport expansion secures jobs and strengthens Vienna as a business location

In addition, the expansion of public transport creates and secures thousands of jobs. Every euro that flows into the expansion of efficient and attractive public transport creates an alternative to the private car and secures the livelihoods of many people. This benefits all Viennese and many generations to come.

Prioritising climate-friendly mobility secures our livelihoods

Visualisation of a green boulevard with Flexity trams and autonomous buses
Vision of the climate-friendly city
© ZOOM.VP

Vienna is one of the fastest growing cities in the European Union. In order to maintain the high quality of life in the city and achieve our ambitious climate targets, we need efficient public transport. That is why the City of Vienna and Wiener Linien are investing in the expansion of the public transport network.

U2xU5 creates new connections, shortens journeys and relieves the entire network

The extension of the U2 underground line and the new U5 line will create space for 300 million additional passengers per year. U2xU5 will provide significant relief for busy lines (especially U3, U6, 6, 43 and 13A), create new transfer options and make numerous connections much faster. Overall, journeys through the city will be shorter and passengers throughout the network will benefit from the new connections.

Infocenter U2xU5

Interactive visitor centre
U3 Volkstheater, Burggasse exit

Opening hours

Contact for residents

Our ombudspersons are always ready to listen to the concerns of residents.

Contact the U2xU5 ombudspersons

General questions about U2xU5