The City of Vienna lists 23 districts, from Innere Stadt (1st) to Liesing (23rd). Public transport spans underground, tram, bus, rail and other services within the Vienna core zone, so district choice should be evaluated together with your real commute.
How Vienna district numbers work
Addresses often include a four-digit Vienna postcode where the middle digits reflect the district, and locals commonly refer to areas as “the 10th”, “the 2nd” and so on. The 1st district is the historic centre; outer districts can offer different housing stock, green space and commute patterns.
Public transport basics
Vienna’s official English transport page explains that the network includes bus, tram, underground and train services. A single ticket permits transfers on one continuous journey within the relevant zone, while longer passes are available for multi-day or annual use.
How to choose where to live
- Map the commute to work/study before comparing neighbourhood “vibes”.
- Check night/weekend transport if your schedule is irregular.
- Compare total housing cost, not district reputation alone.
- Check supermarkets, doctors, childcare, parks and services you actually use.
- Visit the street at different times before signing a rental contract.
The 23 districts
Vienna officially lists: Innere Stadt, Leopoldstadt, Landstraße, Wieden, Margareten, Mariahilf, Neubau, Josefstadt, Alsergrund, Favoriten, Simmering, Meidling, Hietzing, Penzing, Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Ottakring, Hernals, Währing, Döbling, Brigittenau, Floridsdorf, Donaustadt and Liesing.
District vs rent
A district average can hide large differences between individual streets and apartment types. Use district guides as orientation, then compare actual listings and transport time for the specific address.