Tram line 18 extends through Vienna’s Prater to Handelskai

Vienna tram line 18 began operating on its extended route through the Prater to Handelskai on Saturday, ORF reported. The extension is intended to provide an alternative connection while the main S-Bahn line is closed.

Passengers can now travel directly from Vienna Central Station or St Marx via the Schlachthausgasse U3 station to the Stadion U2 station. The extension also improves connections between eastern Vienna and the S7 at St Marx.

From its former terminus at Schlachthausgasse, tram line 18 now continues to Handelskai, stopping at Ludwig-Koeßler-Platz, Wasserwiese, Stadionbad, Ernst Happel Stadium, Stadion U-Bahn and Stadion Handelskai.

The new tram route means the section of Stadionallee and Meiereistraße between Lusthausstraße and Stadionbad will be closed to general motor traffic on all days of the week. Access to residential areas, sports facilities and car parks will remain possible, as will passage for emergency vehicles.

Bus routes also change

The extension has also changed bus services in the Prater. Tram line 18 takes over the former route of bus 77A as far as the Stadion U2 station.

Bus 77A now runs from Rennweg via Schlachthausgasse to Neu Marx, taking over the former 80A route from Schlachthausgasse. Bus 80A now operates between Praterstern and Schlachthausgasse, while the route to Neu Marx is served by line 77A. Bus 78A runs between Lusthaus and Stadion.

New cycle paths and trees

New cycle paths have been built alongside the tram tracks, including a two-way cycle path on Meiereistraße and new connections across Stadion Bridge, Dr Natterer Gasse and Würtzlerstraße. Two hundred new trees have also been planted along the new route.