Austria has embarked on a very important transport-related investment. A new international bus station is being built on the Danube River in Vienna, which is expected to bring order to bus traffic serving international destinations and strengthen the role of public transport in the capital’s transport system. The facility is planned as a legible and functional hub, strongly linked to the existing road infrastructure and public transport network.
New bus station in Vienna – project location
The new terminal is being built on Handelskai Street, in the vicinity of the Stadion Center, the Ernst Happel Stadium and the Stadion metro station on the U2 line. Its direct proximity to the A23 motorway will enable efficient entry and exit of long-distance buses, while an extensive public transport offer will facilitate further trips around the city. The investment is expected to strengthen Vienna’s position as an important point on the map of European bus connections, which have been gaining importance in recent years as a more environmentally friendly solution than individual car transport.
From competition to implementation
The decision to build a central bus station was approved by the city in 2019. Two years later, a pan-European, two-stage architectural competition was settled, with the Viennese studio Burtscher-Durig ZT winning. The jury assessed the proposals in terms of urban planning, architecture, functionality, as well as environmental aspects and the cost of implementation and subsequent maintenance. Following the completion of planning procedures and the granting of planning permission, work began on 9 December 2025. The terminal is scheduled to open for passengers in 2029.
Concept by Burtscher-Durig ZT studio
The winning concept became the basis for the local development plan. A number of adjustments were made at the stage of further design work. The body of the terminal, including the planned tower, was shifted a few metres to the north-west and narrowed on the south side. These changes made it possible to create a wider green belt separating the new development from Marathonweg. At the same time, the height of the building was increased by three storeys. The plan went out to public consultation in early 2022 and was approved by the City Council in June of the same year.
The new bus station in Vienna – terminal architecture
The station under construction is distinguished by its light, open form. The most recognisable element is the large roof over the concourse level, shaped as a sequence of glazed and green strips. This composition provides protection from the weather while letting in natural light and opening up views of the surroundings. At one end of the site, a skyscraper approximately 105 metres high is planned for the next phase of the development. A fully glazed waiting room will allow observation of the station’s operations. On the opposite side will be the ‘Haus am Kai’, a building stretching along Handelskai, connected to the platforms by a common roof. The lower floors will be used for operational and administrative functions, while the top four floors will offer flexible spaces with views of the river.
Operation of the new station
Long-distance bus traffic will be diverted directly from Handelskai to the A23 motorway, reducing their presence on local streets. The existing bus routes at Engerthstrasse and Marathonweg will remain unchanged. The terminal will be accessible from both of these streets and the interior layout has been designed to be fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. A footbridge over Handelskai will serve as a convenient connection for pedestrians and cyclists to the areas on the other side of the Danube.
Greenery and photovoltaics
The project involves a significant improvement in the quality of the public spaces around the station. Engerthstrasse will be given a more pedestrian-friendly profile and Marathonweg will be supplemented with new planting and direct access to the footbridge. The planned high-rise building will receive green terraces and an intensively planted roof. There are also plans to install photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the buildings. Existing trees at the site boundaries will be retained and the number of new plantings will outnumber those removed.
Energy, climate and acoustic comfort
The project places great emphasis on environmentally friendly solutions. The buildings will be equipped with integrated photovoltaic systems and ground water will be used for cooling. Within the terminal area, buses will not be allowed to run with their engines running. The contribution of long-distance bus transport to emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter across Vienna remains marginal. The facility has been separated from residential development and the projected increase in noise levels at Handelskai does not exceed one decibel during day and night. In addition, bus traffic will be restricted during nighttime hours.
New bus station in Vienna – realisation and developer
WH Fernbus-Terminal Projektentwicklung GmbH, part of WSE Wiener Standortentwicklung GmbH, is responsible for the realisation of the station. Prior to the start of construction, the old sports and entertainment hall located on the project site was demolished. Selected structural elements of the facility will be reused. The authorities in Vienna anticipate that the new terminal will have a significant impact on the development of the waterfront district of Leopoldstadt and become one of the most important transport-related sites in the city.
Source: wien.gv.at
Read also: Architecture | Metamorphosis | City | Vienna | Austria
