Vienna Trams: Riding the Ringstrasse on Lines 1 or 2 for a DIY Sightseeing Tour

Vienna built the Ringstrasse in the 1860s on Emperor Franz Joseph's orders: a grand boulevard encircling the old city, lined with monumental buildings designed to project Habsburg power. It worked. Today you can ride tram line 1 or 2 around most of the circuit and see half of Vienna's major landmarks in about 30 minutes, for the cost of a single transit ticket.

The Route: What You'll See

Trams 1 and 2 run in opposite directions around the Ring. Ride either one from Schwedenplatz (near the Danube Canal) in either direction and you'll pass:

Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) — the jewel of the Ring, opened in 1869. One of the world's great opera houses. Even if you're not going inside, seeing the facade at dusk when it's lit is worth slowing down for.

Kunsthistorisches Museum and Naturhistorisches Museum — twin museums facing each other across Maria-Theresien-Platz. The art history museum holds one of the world's finest collections of Flemish, Italian, and Dutch masters.

Parliament Building — recently restored neoclassical building modelled on ancient Athens, complete with Pallas Athena fountain outside.

Burgtheater — the Austrian national theatre, Italian Baroque in style, which has been the cultural anchor of German-language theatre since 1741.

Vienna City Hall (Rathaus) — Neo-Gothic, modelled on Belgian cloth halls, the biggest building on the Ring. Its courtyard hosts the Christmas market and summer cinema.

Votivkirche — a Neo-Gothic church with twin spires, built after a failed assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph.

How to Do It

Get on at Schwedenplatz (a central hub for multiple tram lines). Take line 1 or 2 in either direction — the circuit takes about 30–35 minutes end to end. Sit on the right side going clockwise (line 2 direction) for the best views of the main buildings.

A standard single ticket (€2.40) covers the whole journey. If you already have a 24-hour transit card or City Card, it's included.

Going round once is a good orientation before you start exploring on foot. Going round a second time with a coffee in hand is also entirely acceptable.

What the Ring Tram Tour Doesn't Give You

The €15 tourist Ring Tram (the little glass-roofed guided tram) covers the same route with a commentary. It's fine, but it's not faster, more comfortable, or covering different ground. The main advantage is the English audio guide if you want the history narrated. Otherwise, standard trams get you the same buildings.

Pro Tips

• Tram lines 1 and 2 don't complete the full Ring — they run the main stretch, but the southern section between the Opera and Schwedenplatz is a gap. Get off and walk or switch at Karlsplatz if needed.
• The Ring is best at golden hour. Both trams run until around midnight.
• Combining a tram ride with a walking section along the Ring is the best approach: ride one half, walk the other.

Our Take

One transit ticket, 30 minutes, and you've seen the bones of the city. Do it first thing on day one and you'll immediately know where everything is.