Wiener Linien secure mobility during the closure of the S-Bahn core line

Summer closure and main closure of the S-Bahn core line: ÖBB and Wiener Linien present comprehensive replacement concept. Wiener Linien create additional capacity and ensure continued dense public transport service in Vienna.

Comprehensive modernisation of Vienna's S-Bahn core line

The core line of Vienna's S-Bahn – the section between Wien Meidling and Wien Floridsdorf – will undergo comprehensive modernisation by the end of 2027. Under the title ‘S-Bahn Wien Upgrade’, ÖBB is bringing the core line up to the latest technical standards. Since the start of the modernisation programme, platforms have been extended, new access buildings erected, new tracks and points laid, the overhead line renewed and preparations made for the introduction of the ETCS digital train control system between Wien Praterstern and Wien Floridsdorf.

Summer closure in 2026

In order to press ahead with the modernisation, a further construction phase will follow during the summer holidays, when traffic is less frequent. The S-Bahn section between Wien Floridsdorf and Wien Praterstern will therefore be closed from 4 July to 6 September. In addition, temporary closures will be necessary on the northern connecting lines between Floridsdorf and Jedlersdorf, Gerasdorf and Süßenbrunn.

Main closure from September 2026

From 7 September 2026 to the end of October 2027, the section between Wien Praterstern and Wien Hauptbahnhof will be closed for 14 months. During this time, ÖBB will renew essential parts of the infrastructure, such as viaducts and cutting walls, so that longer, modern trains can run on the core line in future and public transport services on the core line can be made more efficient. This means more seats and greater comfort for passengers.

Summer closure from 4 July to 6 September: S-Bahn between Floridsdorf and Praterstern closed

Replacement service with two bus lines: yellow direct bus, blue rail replacement service

From 4 July to 6 September, the S-Bahn main line between Wien Floridsdorf and Wien Praterstern will be closed. As with previous S-Bahn summer closures, there will be two replacement bus lines:

  • Yellow line: The direct bus will run without stops between Wien Praterstern and Wien Floridsdorf.
  • Blue line: The ‘normal’ rail replacement service (Schienenersatzverkehr, SEV) also stops at Wien Traisengasse and Wien Handelskai.

As was the case last summer, different stops and a colour-coded signage system will help passengers find their way around.

10 August to 6 September: additional closures on northern connecting lines – comprehensive replacement service for the Weinviertel region

To enable the ETCS Level 2 digital train control system to go into operation in the northern section, additional closures will be necessary on the northern connecting lines between Floridsdorf and Jedlersdorf, Gerasdorf and Süßenbrunn from 10 August to 6 September. Based on extensive passenger flow analyses, ÖBB has developed a comprehensive rail replacement concept to offer passengers the most efficient replacement connections.

  • S1, S2, S3: Traditional rail replacement buses will replace the S-Bahn lines from Wien Süßenbrunn (S1), Gerasdorf (S2) and Jedlersdorf (S3). When planning the routes, the most efficient route with the most sensible and fastest connections to the Vienna public transport network was worked out.
  • The REX2 and REX3 lines terminate in Wolkersdorf and Korneuburg respectively. From there, replacement buses run directly to Floridsdorf, Handelskai or Praterstern, depending on the line, with direct connections to the U6, U1 and U2 underground lines respectively.
  • As in the past two years, the REX1 will be diverted via Leopoldau and Simmering to the main station.

Once the work has been successfully completed, only modern trains, such as the Cityjet DML and the new Cityjet double-decker, will be used on the completely renovated line.

ÖBB and Wiener Linien: two strong partners ensuring mobility in Vienna

The close cooperation between ÖBB and Wiener Linien has already proven its worth during the last two summer closures of the S-Bahn. ÖBB and Wiener Linien have been working for over three years on an efficient replacement service for the 14-month closure of the main line between Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station) and Wien Praterstern from September 2026.

Working closely with transport and planning experts

To ensure that passengers from Vienna and Lower Austria can reach their destinations reliably and predictably even during the closure, ÖBB and Wiener Linien have worked with the Austrian Institute for Spatial Planning (Österreichisches Institut für Raumplanung, ÖIR) to develop a technically sound concept. The ÖIR has carried out comprehensive mobility analyses to examine passenger and traffic flows during the period of the main line closure and to develop an accurate replacement service.

High-frequency public transport services as key to success

The analyses have shown that a ‘classic’ rail replacement service with buses between Praterstern and Hauptbahnhof is not effective because buses would not offer sufficient capacity and there is too much traffic on the route. Experience with previous closures shows that, after a short period of adjustment, passengers find new, individually suitable routes and thus spread out across the network. Therefore, measures to increase capacity in the underground network and and additional support by tram and bus lines will ensure that passengers can still reach their destinations easily during the closure.

Wiener Linien creates additional capacity and short waiting times

Analyses and models by transport experts at ÖIR, Wiener Linien and ÖBB have shown that Vienna's existing dense public transport network is the most effective lever during the main lockdown. The measures for alternative routes from autumn onwards therefore focus on reinforcements in the Wiener Linien network:

  • Increased frequency of underground trains
  • Diversion and reinforcement of tram lines
  • Targeted information and guidance for passengers at critical points

The measures taken by Wiener Linien even exceed some of the ÖIR's recommendations for increasing frequency during peak times. Trams have already proven themselves as an alternative during the closure of the U2 main line: they offer significantly more space for passengers than buses and can use their own tracks over long distances.

Wiener Linien keeps Vienna mobile during the main closure:

Underground trains running at shorter intervals

U1:

The interval between U1 trains will be reduced to 2 minutes 20 seconds. (A train will arrive every 2 minutes 20 seconds.)

U2:

The interval between U2 trains will be reduced to 3 minutes 20 seconds. In order to ensure stable operation and frequent intervals along the entire U2 line, we will not be running mixed U2 and U5 services between Karlsplatz and Rathaus.

U4:

The interval between U4 trains will be reduced to 3' to 3'20 (3 minutes to 3 minutes 20 seconds). We will achieve this by removing speed restrictions.

U6:

The interval of the U6 will be reduced to 2'40" (2 minutes 40 seconds), and a reserve train during the morning rush hour will also ensure a stable interval. Additional reinforcement will be provided by an ÖBB shuttle bus between Meidling station and Längenfeldgasse.

Tram lines O, 18 and 62 as high-capacity alternatives

Line O:

Line O will run at 5-minute intervals and exclusively with long trams. Measures will also be implemented to give priority to trams and speed up traffic flow.

Line 62:

Line 62 runs at 7'30" intervals (7 minutes 30 seconds). To reinforce line 18, line 62 is being rerouted and runs from Meidling via Matzleinsdorfer Platz and the main station (Hauptbahnhof) to Quartier Belvedere.

Line 18:

Line 18 runs at 6-minute intervals and has been extended from the U3 station Schlachthausgasse to the U2 station Stadion. This provides passengers in St. Marx with a direct connection to the S7 towards Vienna Airport.

Passenger information and guidance

Announcements

We provide information via announcements and targeted information throughout the entire Wiener Linien network.

On-site staff

Our staff at Meidling, Philadelphiabrücke, Matzleinsdorfer Platz, Hauptbahnhof, Quartier Belvedere, Landstraße, Stadion and Praterstern stations provide information about connections and alternative routes.

Service and security staff ensure smooth operations at the Meidling, Philadelphiabrücke, Hauptbahnhof, Praterstern and Landstraße stations.

Information on all channels

Wiener Linien and ÖBB provide ongoing information about upcoming measures via their communication channels.
Graphic: Public transport services in Vienna during the main closure of the S-Bahn core line between Praterstern and Hauptbahnhof from 7 September 2026 to the end of October 2027
Graphic: Public transport services in Vienna during the main closure of the S-Bahn core line from 7 September 2026 to the end of October 2027
© ÖBB Infrastruktur 2026

Vienna: Public transport services during the main closure of the S-Bahn core line between Praterstern and Hauptbahnhof (main station) from 7 September 2026 to the end of October 2027

ÖBB and Wiener Linien recommend:

  • Find out about possible alternative routes in advance.
  • Allow extra time for your journeys.
  • If possible, avoid the rush hour between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Route planning, timetables and further links:

Vienna Airport: Connections during the closure of the S-Bahn core line

  • During the modernisation work, the Wien Mitte (Landstraße) station will be closed. The S7 line will therefore be shortened and will run from/to St. Marx. The REX7 line will be diverted via Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station) towards the airport.
  • You can also reach Vienna Airport from Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Central Station) with ÖBB long-distance trains.
  • During the main closure, the City Airport Train will offer replacement buses between Wien Mitte and the airport, running up to five times per hour.
  • ÖBB Postbus is expanding its Vienna Airport Bus service. Subject to official approval, there will be an additional bus connection between Wien Praterstern and Vienna Airport.

Wiener Linien Customer Service

  • Do you have questions about your ticket? Have you been found without a valid ticket and have to pay an additional fee? Do you have questions or problems when buying tickets online? Whatever concern you have: We are happy to take care of it!

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