Can I travel without a ticket in Austria?
No — travelling without a valid ticket triggers a penalty fare. At Wiener Linien the penalty rose from 1 January 2026 to €135 if paid on the spot, or €145 by payment slip — on top of the fare. This is a civil/contractual claim of the operator, not a criminal record. But travelling with a forged or manipulated ticket is obtaining a service by deception under the Criminal Code — a criminal offence. Other transport networks and the federal railway (ÖBB) set their own penalties, so amounts differ. In short: no — without a ticket you pay €135/€145 extra, and with a forgery it becomes criminal.
📋 The rules
- Vienna from 2026: €135 (on the spot) / €145 (slip)
- Penalty is on top of the fare
- Penalty fare is civil, not a criminal record
- Forged ticket = criminal offence (deception)
- ÖBB & other networks: their own amounts
🔓 Exceptions
- Obtaining a service by deception: up to 1 month or a fine
- Repeat offenders: police and tougher measures possible
- Amounts outside Vienna differ
⚠️ Penalties & fines
In Vienna since 2026 you pay €135 on the spot or €145 by payment slip, each plus the fare. If you don't pay at all, the operator can pursue the debt by reminder, debt collection and the district court. With a forged ticket you risk up to 1 month's imprisonment or a fine for obtaining a service by deception. Beware a myth: "fare-dodging is automatically a criminal record" is false — simply travelling without a ticket is a civil penalty fare, not a record; it only becomes criminal through deception such as a forged ticket. Tip: buy a valid ticket before travelling — always cheaper than the penalty.
📎 Official sources
- Wiener Linien · fares from 1 Jan 2026 →
- oesterreich.gv.at · public transport →
- RIS · § 149 Criminal Code (deception) →
❓ Frequently asked
What does fare-dodging cost in Vienna?
Since 1 January 2026 the penalty fare at Wiener Linien is €135 if paid on the spot and €145 if you pay by payment slip. This amount is charged in addition to the price of a valid ticket.
Is fare-dodging a criminal offence?
Simply travelling without a valid ticket is not a criminal offence but a civil claim by the operator for the penalty fare. It only becomes criminal if you deceive, for example with a forged or manipulated ticket. That is obtaining a service by deception.
What happens if I don't pay?
If you don't pay the penalty fare, the operator can pursue the debt by reminder and debt collection and ultimately through the district court, which makes it more expensive than the original penalty. With repeat fare-dodging, the police can also be called in.
Will I get a criminal record?
Only in exceptional cases. Simple fare-dodging leads to no criminal record. Prosecution only threatens if you obtain travel by deception, such as a forged ticket. Then up to one month's imprisonment or a fine is possible.
Does the Vienna amount apply everywhere?
No. The €135/€145 applies to Wiener Linien. Other transport networks and the federal railway set their own penalty fares and adjust them independently, so the amount can differ outside Vienna.
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