Review Time
During our trip to Vienna, we regularly purchased 24-hour tickets with the intention of fully respecting the rules. On the day of the inspection, our ticket had unfortunately expired by only a few minutes, something we genuinely had not noticed. In addition, during previous days we had validated the ticket more than once, believing that it needed to be stamped each time we changed transport, as is common practice in many other cities.
We understand that technically the ticket was no longer valid at the time of the inspection. However, this was a genuine mistake made in good faith by tourists unfamiliar with the local validation system.
What made the experience particularly unpleasant was the attitude of the inspection staff. We were surrounded by three controllers whose manner we perceived as intimidating and unnecessarily harsh. During the discussion, one of them adopted a condescending and mocking tone, even imitating the way I was speaking, which I found disrespectful and inappropriate.
At the moment of payment, after a long discussion, my credit card was abruptly taken from my hand to process the transaction. This gesture felt excessive and unprofessional.
Rules may be strict, but the way they are applied makes a difference. Clearer communication about how tickets must be validated — especially for tourists — and a more respectful approach would have prevented a simple mistake from turning into such a negative experience.
In conclusion: very rigid system and little willingness to engage constructively, disappointing experience for visitors.
During our trip to Vienna, we regularly purchased 24-hour tickets with the intention of fully respecting the rules. On the day of the inspection, our ticket had unfortunately expired by only a few minutes, something we genuinely had not noticed. In addition, during previous days we had validated the ticket more than once, believing that it needed to be stamped each time we changed transport, as is common practice in many other cities.We understand that technically the ticket was no longer valid at the time of the inspection. However, this was a genuine mistake made in good faith by tourists unfamiliar with the local validation system.What made the experience particularly unpleasant was the attitude of the inspection staff. We were surrounded by three controllers whose manner we perceived as intimidating and unnecessarily harsh. During the discussion, one of them adopted a condescending and mocking tone, even imitating the way I was speaking, which I found disrespectful and inappropriate.At the moment of payment, after a long discussion, my credit card was abruptly taken from my hand to process the transaction. This gesture felt excessive and unprofessional.Rules may be strict, but the way they are applied makes a difference. Clearer communication about how tickets must be validated — especially for tourists — and a more respectful approach would have prevented a simple mistake from turning into such a negative experience.In conclusion: very rigid system and little willingness to engage constructively, disappointing experience for visitors.
Dear Wiener Linien Customer Service,Today my partner and I purchased a 24-hour ticket and attempted to validate it immediately, as required. While my ticket was successfully validated, my partner’s ticket did not validate despite several attempts at the machine.Since the ticket was time-stamped and we had clearly just purchased it, we assumed it would still be considered valid. However, at the exit we were stopped by a ticket inspector who issued a fine. We calmly explained that we had made multiple attempts to validate the ticket and had acted in good faith, but he repeatedly stated that “it’s the rule” and insisted we must pay.We fully acknowledge that it may have been an oversight on our part to assume the ticket would be valid without a visible validation mark. However, the situation was made significantly worse by the manner in which we were treated. The inspector showed no willingness to listen or consider the circumstances and spoke to us in a dismissive and disrespectful way. We were also told that we “should have known the language before travelling,” which we found inappropriate and unprofessional.We understand that rules must be enforced. However, customer service should also include fairness, professionalism, and basic respect. Visitors and residents alike should not feel treated as criminals when there is a clear attempt to comply with the rules.
I had a very unpleasant and distressing experience with ticket inspectors.I did not have enough money to pay the fine immediately, but I fully cooperated and provided my personal documents as requested.Despite this, the inspectors behaved aggressively and unprofessionally. They pressured me repeatedly to pay on the spot, even after I clearly explained that I did not have the money. They looked into my wallet, commented on it, and insisted on different payment methods, which made me feel intimidated and humiliated.The situation felt like harassment rather than a formal control. I understand the rules of public transport, but no passenger should be treated in such a disrespectful and coercive manner. This experience left me feeling unsafe and deeply uncomfortable.Ich hatte eine sehr unangenehme und belastende Erfahrung mit Fahrkartenkontrolleuren.Ich hatte nicht genug Geld, um die Strafe sofort zu bezahlen, habe jedoch vollständig kooperiert und meine persönlichen Dokumente vorgelegt.Trotzdem verhielten sich die Kontrolleure aggressiv und unprofessionell. Sie setzten mich wiederholt unter Druck, sofort zu zahlen, obwohl ich klar erklärt hatte, dass ich kein Geld dabei hatte. Sie schauten in meinen Geldbeutel, kommentierten dessen Inhalt und drängten mich zu verschiedenen Zahlungsarten, was ich als einschüchternd und demütigend empfand.Die Situation fühlte sich eher wie Belästigung als wie eine normale Kontrolle an. Ich verstehe die Regeln des öffentlichen Verkehrs, aber kein Fahrgast sollte auf diese respektlose und zwanghafte Weise behandelt werden. Dieses Erlebnis hat bei mir ein starkes Gefühl von Unsicherheit und Unbehagen hinterlassen.
Myself and other hundreds of visitors report same identical issue: Wiener Linien seems to target visitors and fine them even with valid, validated tickets. Ticket machines provide no clear information, yet controllers expect you to know hidden rules and to keep moving quickly without stopping/ interrupting your journey in the metro. Which they mean you have to be on the go constantly the second you validate your ticket! Isn’t it insane? Otherwise they decide you’re “moving too slowly” to your destination and your ticket is expired even within your 80 minute frame time. And they may stop you and aggressively demand the fine. Controllers a somehow rude and aggressive. The on who stopped us kept us for over an hour before handing the fine!
I was visiting Vienna for just one day and took the U1 from Vorgartenstraße to IKEA.On my way back, from the bus stop Gewerbepark Kagran (bus 24A towards Kagran Platz), there was simply no place to buy a ticket.The driver told me I could only get one at a “Tabak shop” (none nearby) or via the WienMobil app.As a short-term visitor, I found it inconvenient to have to download an app, create an account, and link my card just to buy a single ticket.I have nothing against digitalization, but such a transition should be made more user-friendly for occasional visitors.
Absolutely shitty service! Got fined EUR 20 for handing in my bike in a place where I was not allowed. 1) I got the message 10 min. after I parked, when I had already entered a museum. No info on the app about not being allowed to park there. 2) Got an email which led me to a support site where I was told that I could cancel the 20 EUR fee by picking up my bike and continuing my journey - would have bee nice to be told on the day in the app and not via email. 3) Customer service is absolutely useless and told they could not give an exemption as they had given me one before - which they had not. When enquiring about this they even agreed "oh yes, that message did not consider your case. It was just a standard phrase we use". Can totally recommend using the service because it is convenient, but I have absolutely nothing positive to say about providing information in the app or their customer service support team.
As a first time tourist in Vienna I was super excited to see the city. My happiness quickly dissipated when I was fined 105 Euro for a ticket that I had rightfully bought, but accidentally threw out due to the receipt of the ticket being as THIN AS PAPER and appearing like trash. After a long day of travel, I was confused as to why it was in my hand and as written, threw it out. The other traveler I was with did not make this mistake, and had immediate confirmation via a charge on credit of this mistake and proof of payment. Nevertheless, the person at the ticket station immediately fined me, and with such a tone as to say that I had no other options. Upon the help of a local, we went to dispute the charge as total ( original ticket, fee, replacement ticket) I had spent ~170 USD or 140 Euro on trains that I maybe used a handful of times. Even with all of the proper credit card charges, and proof of payment of said tickets/fee—due to their archaic processing system I got no resolution. In fact, I even had to dance between train stations to find the correct place to dispute because the workers at the desks at the stations misdirected me!!!!!! Even through all of this struggle their only consolation was that because I PAID THE FINE IMMEDIATELY, as a confused traveler does with no information of their options—I had no option to dispute it because in paying I “admit fault”. Moreover, they couldn’t even look me UP IN THE SYSTEM because when the fine was paid they didn’t submit my information alongside it. A complete joke, and I was treated with a lot of disrespect from both representatives I interacted with—with no sympathy or even a sheen of admitting fault to their bogus practices and inability to properly log information of those who use their train systems.
I was planning on writing a five star review, until tonight. We had just gotten home from a roadtrip and came to unload our car. We weren't by a bus stop. A bus stopped at this unusual place. Took out and took a bunch of photos of my kids and my family. The car not even being the main subject.When I got my camera out he ran back into the bus and drove off. The bus number was 0007 and it was July 7 around 10 PM. If you see this driver I would avoid. Very petty. Also, if I was the company I would seriously consider if this is the type of person you want representing your business. He was also smoking while getting off which I didn't think was allowed.
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Wiener Linien is the company running most of the public transit network in the city of Vienna, Austria.
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