Nuremberg U-Bahn — Map, Lines, Route, Hours, Tickets

Nuremberg Metro: An Overview

Operated by the VAG transport company under the umbrella of the VGN regional transport authority, the Nuremberg metro is a comprehensive urban transport network. This extensive metro system comprises three interlinked lines with 48 stations over 37 kilometres, providing an efficient and seamless journey. Each station is easily identifiable by its unique logo – a white “U” surrounded by a blue square, symbolising “U-Bahn”, the colloquial term for the metro system.

Inaugurated in 1972, the Nuremberg underground has the distinction of being Germany’s youngest and shortest underground system, and a pioneer in the use of automatic, self-driving trains. Today, this network of three lines serves thousands of daily commuters, both locals and tourists.

The Nuremberg Metro, also known as the “U-Bahn”, serves approximately 315,000 passengers daily in Germany. The metro uses an honour system for fare collection. The metro doesn’t operate 24 hours a day and has no air conditioning.

Passengers can walk between platforms. On the U2 and U3 lines, driverless trains have been sharing the tracks with driver-operated trains since 2008. However, the metro does not have platform screen doors. Operating hours are from 05:00 to 00:00 from Monday to Friday and at weekends.

Metro map of Nuremberg

Map of Nuremberg Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Nuremberg Metro map in PDF format.

A Brief History of Nuremberg Metro

Although plans for the Nuremberg underground were drawn up in 1925, the project was postponed due to its complexity and high cost. The project was revived after the Second World War, with plans approved in 1965 and construction starting in 1967.

In March 1972, the first underground line – the U1 – opened, providing a 3.7 kilometre link between Langwasser Süd and Bauernfeindstrasse. This line was gradually extended beyond the city limits of Nuremberg, reaching the neighbouring city of Fürth in 1985 and culminating in the current terminus, Fürth Hardhohe, in 2007.

The second line, the U2, was opened in 1984, initially connecting Plärrer and Schweinau stations. Like the U1, the U2 line was extended several times between 1984 and 1999, culminating in a direct underground link to Nuremberg airport.

Launched in June 2008, the U3 is the newest line in the system, with the last section to be completed in 2017. Although no major extensions are planned, new stations are being considered along existing lines to accommodate the city’s continued development.

Lines and Stations of the Nuremberg Metro

The Nuremberg Metro consists of three interconnected lines with a total length of approximately 37.1 kilometres and 48 stations. Each line has a specific colour and code – the letter U followed by the line number. This colour and code system is used to easily identify each line on maps and at stations. In general, passengers use the code to refer to each line.

U1 Line

The first and only line still using manually operated trains is the U1. It connects Nuremberg with the neighbouring city of Fürth via its 27 stations, crossing the centre of Nuremberg. The terminus is Langwasser Süd in Nuremberg and Fürth Hardhöhe in Fürth.

Line color: Dark blue
Line code: U1
Number of stations: 27
Track length: 18.5 kilometers
Total travel time (from terminal to terminal): 35 minutes
Hours of operation: 5:00 to 0:00

U2 Line

The U2 is the second oldest line in the Nuremberg underground system. It consists of 16 stations over 13 kilometres and runs north-south, perpendicular to the U1 line. The terminal stations are Röthenbach and Flughafen. Unlike the U1, the U2 is fully automated with driverless trains.

Line color: Red
Line code: U2
Number of stations: 16
Track length: 13.1 kilometers
Total travel time (from terminal to terminal): 23 minutes
Hours of operation: 5:00 to 0:00

U3 Line

As the newest addition to Nuremberg’s underground system, the U3 line is a key link in the network, despite its shortest length of just 9 kilometres. It shares 6 of its stations with the U2 line and diverges from it at both ends, running from Rathenauplatz to Nordwestring and from Rothenburger Straße to Gebersdorf. This line was the first in Germany to be fully automated and driverless.

Line color: Turquoise
Line code: U3
Number of stations: 13
Track length: 9 kilometers
Total travel time (from terminal to terminal): 17 minutes
Hours of operation: 5:00 to 0:00

Operating Hours and Train Frequency

All metro lines operate from 5am to midnight, with night buses replacing the metro after closing time. Trains leave each station every 6 to 10 minutes during rush hour and every 3 to 6 minutes during peak hours.

Ticketing and Fare Structure

The Nuremberg subway offers a range of tickets and passes suitable for both occasional and regular commuters. Children under the age of 6 travel free, while children between the ages of 6 and 14 enjoy reduced fares, regardless of ticket type.

Tickets:

All types of tickets can be bought on the VGN website, via the VGN app or from the ticket machines at all stations and throughout the city. Tickets bought on the website are cheaper than on any other platform. Short trip: This ticket allows you to travel two stops on the underground, four stops on the bus or four stops on the tram.

Adults: 1.60 euros (US$ 1.96)
Children: 0.80 euros (US$ 0.98)

Four-trip short distance ticket: This ticket allows you to make four different journeys, each covering two stops on the metro, four stops on the bus or four stops on the tram. This ticket offers a lower fare per journey than the single ticket version. It can be used by four people at the same time, or it can be split and used by two people who are not travelling together.

Adults: 5.80 euros (US$ 7.12)
Children: 2.90 euros (US$ 3.56)

Single ticket: This ticket is valid for 90 minutes, however long, but can only be used in one direction (not for return journeys). It can be used on the metro, bus or tram.

Adults: 3.10 euros (US$ 3.81)
Children: 1.60 euros (US$ 1.96)

4-trip ticket: This ticket allows four different journeys of any length up to 90 minutes each. This ticket offers a lower fare per journey than the single ticket version. It can only be used in one direction (not for return journeys), but can be used by up to four people at the same time, or split between two people who are not travelling together.

Adults: 11 euros (US$ 13.5)
Children: 5.5 euros (US$ 7.75)

All-day ticket solo: This ticket allows unlimited travel on the metro, bus and tram network on a weekday or weekend. It is valid until 3:00 a.m. of the day after it is activated.

Price: 8.10 euros (US$9.95)

Day Pass Plus: This ticket allows unlimited travel on the metro, bus and tram network for up to six passengers (maximum two adults) on either a weekday or weekend. One of the six passengers can be replaced by a bicycle.

Price: 12.30 euros (US$ 15.11)

7-day MobiCard: This card allows unlimited travel for one week for up to six passengers (maximum two adults). It can be used between 5am and 9pm on weekdays and at any time on weekends and public holidays.

Price: 26.10 euros

Special tickets for tourists:

Event ticket: This ticket gives you free travel to and from a participating event. Participating events often include sporting events and concerts.

Hotel Ticket: Some hotels in Nuremberg offer their guests the opportunity to purchase an unlimited 2-day ticket. These tickets can only be purchased at partner hotels.

Price: 10.50 euros (US$12.90)

Group ticket: This ticket is valid for groups of 10 or more adults (two children under 14 count as one adult) travelling together.

Price per person, per trip: 1.55 euros (US$1.91)

Passes:

In addition to the various tickets for occasional travellers, the Nuremberg subway system offers a wide range of tickets for frequent travellers:

Annual pass, after 9 AM: 35.90 euros per month (US$44)
Annual pass, unrestricted: 62.20 euros per month (US$74)
Six month pass: 67.40 euros per month (US$82.89)
Three month pass: 72.20 euros per month (US$88.79)
31 day pass: 78.20 euros (US$96)

Connections and transfers

Transfers between Metro lines:

The three lines that make up the Nuremberg subway system cross each other at various points, making it easy for passengers to transfer from one line to the next. However, the cost of the transfer depends on the type of ticket purchased: the short-distance ticket only allows passengers to travel through two consecutive stops, while the one-way ticket only allows passengers to travel in one direction.

Passengers can transfer between all three lines at Nuremberg’s main railway station.
It is also possible to transfer between all three lines at Plärrer station.
Passengers can change between the U2 and U3 at Rothenburger Straße, Opernhaus, Wöhrder Wiese and Rathenauplatz.

Connections with other transport networks:

VAG Nuremberg, the company that operates the Nuremberg Metro, is a subsidiary of VGN, which is responsible for public transport in the entire Nuremberg region. This means that the Nuremberg Metro is highly integrated with all other public transport in the city. Tickets bought at any station are valid on the entire underground, bus and tram network. However, the cost of each transfer depends on the type of ticket purchased. Some include stops and changes, while others only allow short journeys or travel in one direction.

Tram 4 connects to the U3 at Friedrich-Ebert-Platz and to all U-Bahn lines at Plärrer.
Tram line 5 connects with the U1 at Frankenstraße and Aufseßplatz and with all underground lines at Hauptbahnhof.
Tram 6 connects with all underground lines at Plärrer station and with the U1 at Aufseßplatz.
Tram 7 connects with the U2 and U3 at Rathenauplatz and Aufseßplatz, and with all three lines at Hauptbahnhof.

The Nuremberg subway is also connected to the national railway network via the main railway station, which serves as the region’s main transport hub. From here you can take a regional or long-distance train to any of the country’s major cities.

Parking

Nuremberg’s public transport network includes 11 car parks. Parking is free for up to 48 hours, but passengers must have a valid ticket or pass to use them. The exact locations of these car parks can be found on the official VAG website.

Rules and Recommendations

You can transfer between all three lines at Plärrer and Hauptbahnhof stations.
Your Metro ticket gives you access to special discounts at over 60 different locations. Please visit the VAG website for a full list of participating businesses.
All 48 Nuremberg Metro stations have lifts.
Tickets are cheaper if bought on the VGN website.
Some group tickets allow an adult to be replaced by a bicycle or a dog.
NightLiner buses are available throughout Nuremberg for passengers who need to travel after the metro closes. As an additional safety and convenience measure, bus drivers will stop between designated stations after 8pm, allowing passengers to get off closer to their destination.

Trivia

The Nuremberg Metro network is the newest one in Germany
It was also the first Metro in the country to implement automated driverless trains.
With 48 stations and 37.2 kilometers of tracks, the Nuremberg Metro is the shortest underground network in Germany
Some group tickets allow you to replace one adult for either a bike or a dog.

Future expansions

All the original plans for the Nuremberg metro system were gradually expanded and eventually reached their intended destinations. There are currently no official plans to extend any of the three existing lines. Some extensions have been proposed and then rejected because of funding concerns or because impact studies showed that their operation depended on external variables (such as support from neighbouring cities).

Although none of the three lines of the metro will be extended, there are proposals to build additional stations within the existing lines:

An additional station has been proposed for Brunecker Strasse, near a planned new university campus.
An additional station has been proposed on the U1 line between Bauernfeindstraße and Hasenbuck stations.
A new station on the U2 line, Marienberg, will be built between Ziegelstein and Flughafen stations.

Airport Connections

The city of Nuremberg has only one airport, but it is easily accessible via the underground network. One of the terminal stations of the U2 line connects directly to the airport. Passengers wishing to travel to the airport can simply board the U2 at any station, or transfer from any of the city’s other transport systems. Note that transfers between all three lines are available at Plärrer and Hauptbahnhof.

Sightseeing and Tourist Attractions

With over 950 years of history, Nuremberg has many historic sites dating from the Roman Empire to the Second World War. Read on to find out more about some of the tourist attractions that can be reached by the Nuremberg Metro.

Nuremberg Castle: This is a medieval architectural complex located in the historic centre of the city. It includes the Imperial Castle, a fortress built in Roman times, as well as the Burgrave’s Castle and its surrounding walls. The site is now considered one of the most important medieval sites in Europe. Friedrich-Ebert-Platz station can be reached on the U3 underground line and is just 10 minutes from Nuremberg Castle.
Zeppelin Field and Documentation Centre: The Zeppelin Field is one of the few World War II buildings to survive the bombing of the city. Thousands of Nazis gathered here to listen to Hitler’s speeches. Today, both the airfield and the adjoining Documentation Centre are open to the public and house many exhibits on the Second World War. To visit the Zeppelin Field, you can take any of the three metro lines to the Hauptbahnhof (Central Station), then change to tram line 6m, which will take you across the street.
Weißgerbergasse: This street is lined with charming medieval houses, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale. A stroll down Weißgerbergasse will immerse you in the old, typical style of German architecture. Some of the houses are even open to the public, allowing visitors to see their manicured gardens. Weißgerbergasse is a 10 minute walk from Lorenzkirche, one of the stops on the U1 metro line.
Albrecht Dürer’s House: This is the home of Germany’s most important Renaissance artist, where he lived from 1509 until his death in 1528. It’s now open to visitors as a museum. The house is located near Nuremberg Castle, 8 minutes from Friedrich-Ebert-Platz station.