This bus route connects the most important districts of Vienna
The no. 13A bus of the Wiener Linien (the Viennese public transport company) connects the most important districts in the city centre of Vienna. The bus route will take you from the Hauptbahnhof – the main train station – via the districts of Wieden, Margareten, Mariahilf and Neubau to its final stop in Alserstraße in Josefstadt, the city’s eighth district. The no. 13A crosses over the Wienzeile, which is home to the famous Naschmarkt, as well as Austria’s largest shopping mile, Mariahilfer Straße.
Start at Vienna’s main train station
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It is all a question of perspective: in this blog, the no.13A begins at Vienna’s main train station, which leaves nothing to be desired. The relatively new train station is indeed a hub for both national as well as international train connections. Many visitors to Vienna begin their city trip or a long weekend in Vienna’s capital from here. Not only the train station itself but the entire surrounding area is modern. Headquarters of companies are located here and many eating establishments have set up their businesses in this newly developed part of the city, the so-called Sonnwendviertel (literally, the solstice quarter). It hardly gets any more urban than this in Vienna.
Top spots in the Sonnwendviertel and the surrounding area are, for example, the Schweizer Garten (Swiss Garden), an expansive park, with the neighbouring Arsenal (the Museum of Military History). The Belvedere quarter with the Museum Belvedere 21 as well as – opposite the Belvedere Palace – the Botanical Gardens and the world renowned Belvedere Museum, with its famous The Kiss painting from Gustav Klimt, are also well worth a visit.
In terms of culinary possibilities, this part of the city also has much to offer. Those who like something more down to earth should visit the Campus Brewery, a classic pub-like establishment. Lovers of Asian food will not be disappointed if they pay a visit to the IKI which is close by. In Klein Steiermark, you can select from typical Viennese and Austrian dishes. But there are also some restaurants and cafés situated in the main train station itself. There is something for everyone here – from widely known fast food chains to small bakeries for a quick snack.
Next stop: Margareten
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Only a few stops further from the main train station with the no. 13A bus, you can get off the bus at one of the currently most popular spots in Vienna, the so-called Schlossquadrat, which is situated on the border between Wieden (4th district) and Margareten (5th district). What makes this part of the city so attractive? On the one hand, the many trendy bars and restaurants and, on the other, the special flair, which makes this part of Vienna truly stand out.
Several excellent restaurants are located in the Schlossquadrat itself, an old building complex. Worth a special mention are the Cuadro, the Siblerwirt and the Trattoria Margareta. The neighbouring Viennese Wirtshaus (a pub offering food), Zum alten Fassl, is a further highlight and also a trendy meeting point. On the small Margaretenplatz, the heart of this quarter, there are various market stalls (referred to in Viennese as Standl), giving the square a flea market and market atmosphere. If you would like to stop for a coffee here, you can choose between two possibilities: Das Coffee Junkie or the Budapest Bistro. The former is a small espresso bar for a quick coffee to go while you can spend more time at the latter, which offers great coffee and excellent cakes, directly imported from Hungary.
Next stop: Mariahilf
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If you board the no. 13A again in Pilgramgasse, the bus will cross over the Wienzeile and take you to Mariahilf (6th district). The bus quite quickly, or as quickly as traffic allows, turns into Gumpendorfer Straße where it stops. And it is definitely worthwhile making a stop here. The Brass Monkey is located right next to the bus stop. A small and well-frequented coffee house, which is above all well known for its cupcakes.
You only have to walk for two or three minutes and you will arrive at the Miranda Bar. This cool (cocktail) bar, which is extremely popular, only opens its doors at 6pm. We recommend the Steman restaurant for those who love Viennese food. One of the most popular coffee houses in Vienna is situated opposite: the Café Jelinek. Both restaurants offer the perfect setting to spend an urban evening out in the warmer months in their pretty outdoor eating areas.
Next stop: Neubau
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From Gumpendorfer Straße, it becomes tight for the no. 13A. The bus has to wind its way through several narrow streets in Vienna’s 7th district, Neubau. However, this changes on the wide Mariahilfer Straße, the largest shopping mile and pedestrian zone in the whole of Austria. Here you will find everything that your heart desires: in both culinary and shopping terms. From the large chains to small and trendy boutiques. A stop here is definitely worthwhile. Ideally you should get off the bus at the bus stop in Kirchengasse and walk towards Siebensternplatz. Focus your attention on the small side streets in this part of the city. You will easily be able to spend a number of hours here, exploring the shops, selling everything from bits and bobs, to antiques and hip clothing and sneakers.
We particularly recommend that you go up Kirchengasse, Lindengasse, and Zollergasse to Siebensterngasse at least once. In addition to the dozens of shops, there are least as many, if not more, eating establishments. Here you will discover a great location for an evening on the town – from trendy patisseries to modern coffee houses and French bars. We can name the following as especially worth a visit (without any claim to comprehensiveness!). For instance: Treubleiben Wien, Figar 1070, Le Troquet, Health Kitchen, Tart‘a Tata, Sapa, Café Europa, Florentine 1070, Café Berfin, Café 7 Stern, Hornig Kaffeebar and many many more.
End stop Josefstadt
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The journey through six of Vienna’s inner city districts ends in the smallest district of Vienna, in Josefstadt, which is situated directly next to the neighbouring district, Alsergrund. This explains the name of the last bus stop, Alserstraße. The no. 13A passes through the entire district, making stops directly at, for example, the Theater in der Josefstadt, as well as in Josefstädterstraße, the main street of the district. From this last stop, it is only a few minutes’ walk down the way to Vienna’s Ringstraße (where the University of Vienna is located) or up the way to the Gürtel towards Ottakring. It is only a short walk from the last stop to the Altes AKH (the former General Hospital), which, above all in spring and summer, is a popular place for university students to hang out.
In advent, one of the most popular Christmas markets of the city is held here. This part of the city is not particularly known as a place for classic shopping. This is more than made up for by the culinary scene. To be more specific, in Langegasse and Spitalgasse. These streets are home to an interesting Icelandic restaurant, the Home Café, the Coffee Pirates, offering some of the best coffee in the city, as well Tacos Dios, where, as the name indicates, the focus is on tacos. In Langegasse, the BirdYard, with its great bar, the Creme de la Creme, with possibly the best cakes in Vienna, as well as the Via Toledo, with its unique Neapolitan pizza are worth a special mention.
Would you like to explore the part of the city within the Gürtel (literally, the Belt – the ring road around the city’s 3rd to 9th districts)? The best way to do so is to buy a ticket for the no.13A bus and get on and off as you wish. There is no other bus route in Vienna that passes as many hot spots as the no. 13A!