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.

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.


  • 300000000
    additional passengers
    on Vienna's public transport system thanks to U2xU5

  • 550000000
    car kilometres
    can be saved per year in Vienna with U2xU5

  • 30000
    jobs
    created and secured by U2xU5

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. 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.

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 travels 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 stage) will provide faster connections and create space for 300 million additional passengers per year.

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.
  • At the Arne-Karlsson-Park U5 station, a large public transport interchange to tram lines 5, 33, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 42 will be created.
  • From the Michelbeuern-AKH U5 station, you can transfer directly to the U6 and in future reach Karlsplatz from the AKH in around 10 minutes.
  • At the Elterleinplatz U5 station, you can change to tram lines 43 and 9.
  • The Hernals U5 station offers a quick transfer to the S-Bahn, line 43 and several bus lines.

U2xU5 is two underground railway projects at once

© 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 extended U2 will run between Seestadt and Matzleinsdorfer Platz (1st extension stage) respectively Wienerberg (2nd extension stage). The new U5 line will run between Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz (1st expansion stage) respectively Elterleinplatz (2nd expansion stage).

The U2 is expanding southwards

In the second construction phase, the U2 will be extended from Matzleinsdorfer Platz to Wienerberg by the 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 has been converted for the U5 and the stations have been equipped with new platform screen doors. After the first construction phase of the U5 between Karlsplatz and Frankhplatz, a further major extension will follow in the direction of 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.

construction phases of U2xU5
© Wiener Linien

The expansion will take place in two stages

1st 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:

  • U5 Frankhplatz
  • U2xU5 Rathaus
  • Transformation of the U2 trunk line into the U5 (U2 update)
  • U2xU3 Neubaugasse
  • U2xU4 Pilgramgasse
  • U2 Reinprechtsdorfer Straße
  • U2 Matzleinsdorfer Platz

2nd construction phase

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

  • U5 Arne-Karlsson-Park
  • U5 Michelbeuern-AKH
  • U5 Elterleinplatz
  • U5 Hernals
  • U2 Gußriegelstraße
  • U2 Wienerberg

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.

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.

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. 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