Budget talks in Vienna have reignited debate over the price of city’s ultra-cheap annual transport pass — an initiative that was once considered untouchable.
For over a decade, Vienna’s €365 annual public transport pass, a “1 euro per day” ticket, has been celebrated as a flagship policy for affordability and sustainability.
However, rising costs and budget pressures have sparked speculation about whether this era of ultra-cheap commuting may be coming to an end.
So, will the price stay the same? Here’s what we know so far.
What is the €365 ticket, and why is it important?
Introduced in 2012 under the city’s Red-Green coalition, the €365 annual pass lets residents use Vienna’s entire public transport network (buses, trams, and U-Bahn) for just €1 per day. It was hailed as a model for encouraging public transport use and has attracted hundreds of thousands of regular users.
But keeping the price fixed has come at a cost. In recent years, the City of Vienna has had to inject around €200 million annually into Wiener Linien to subsidise the ticket and maintain service standards.
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Has Vienna promised to keep it?
That’s where things get tricky. While Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) previously pledged to maintain the €365 pass until at least the end of 2026, it was notably absent from his latest government programme and inaugural speech.
In response to recent questions, the city had reiterated that the pass would remain “unchanged until further notice.” But “further notice” might be approaching.
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What’s changed?
In short budgetary pressure.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mayor Ludwig acknowledged that the city is now looking closely at fare structures. “The budget negotiations are ongoing, we have to make savings everywhere,” he said, adding that both public transport fares and parking licence fees are now under review, despite having been excluded from price adjustments in the past.
Ludwig told Kurier that increases are coming in both areas. What’s still unclear is when and by how much.
How much could the price increase?
In absolute terms, no numbers have been announced. However, some estimates suggest a realistic increase could be around €100 to €150, bringing the annual price to €465 or €515. That would still be a significant discount on the actual cost of service, but would reduce the city’s financial burden.
Experts say this would align with recent moves by the federal government, which has already raised the national Klimaticket from €1,095 in 2021 to a projected €1,400 in 2026.
Transport researcher Ulrich Leth told Kurier that a moderate increase is more likely than a shock hike. “Even if you could argue that a doubling would still mean just €2 per day, politically that would be much harder to sell,” he said.
READ ALSO: 365 Ticket: Everything you need to know about Vienna’s cheap annual metro pass
Could the price double?
Not likely — at least not in one go. A full valorisation based on inflation since the last fare adjustment would push the price to around €725, nearly double its current price. But such a dramatic increase is considered politically unrealistic.
Instead, a gradual increase starting in 2027, perhaps in line with inflation or federal models, appears more probable.
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What does Wiener Linien say?
Wiener Linien is staying vague for now. When asked whether prices will rise, the operator said it was “too early to make any statements” given that the new legislative period had just begun.
The company reaffirmed its support for the annual pass as a “successful model,” noting that quality of service and affordability have been key to its popularity. However, officials also pointed out that service quality depends on continued investment, which is harder to maintain amid mounting financial pressure.
What’s next?
A decision is expected sometime during the ongoing budget negotiations. For now, the €365 ticket remains unchanged — but for how long is another question.
The 365-euro ticket remains in place at least through 2026, but anything beyond that may look different, not just in messaging, but in price.
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