Though beautiful and historical, the city has many other elements that are simply too old and need a modern touch. Vienna’s public transport system is very thorough, but its ticketing system is a bit outdated. Frankly, it is so easy to hop on an U-Bahn and bim for free because the city has no systematic way of checking tickets. I don’t think there are many free riders in the city, but once in a blue moon when ticket checkers are in buses, U-Bahn, and bims, you will see free riders getting busted. And those ticket checkers are ruthless!

I want to start off with this story. My friend Aaron studied abroad in Vienna for a semester a year ago, and his classmate had to experience this mishap. Let’s say that kid’s name is Jakob. Jakob’s family was visiting Vienna for a few days, so he got his family members weekly tickets. Jakob wanted to show off his German skills so picked German as the language for the ticket machine. Later that evening, each of them had to pay 120 euro fines. Why? He got dog tickets for his family…

The other day, my boyfriend had to take Badnerbahn to go to Ikea, where is located one station outside the Vienna city limit, so you have to get a ticket for that one station. On his way back from Ikea, he didn’t get a ticket, thinking „it’s only one station, and checking is not likely.“ Rookie mistake… For some reason, whenever you have a reason to get busted, those ticket checkers always show up. He got busted. Once the Badnerbahn left SCS (where Ikea is), they began to check for tickets, and there goes 70 euros…

Don’t take chances people! Like my boyfriend, your trip to Ikea may cost you a lot more than you’d think…