Nuremberg Metro Map 2024 – Timetable, Tickets & Prices

Opened on March 1, 1972, the Nuremberg subway is the youngest subway network in Germany to date. The approximately 37.1-kilometre-long network consists of three lines with 48 stations, which, since the extension of the U3 line in 2011, provide access to around 66 percent of the city area close to residential areas. Around 130 million passengers use the subway network in Nuremberg every year and benefit from the numerous junctions between the three main lines, which make it easy to change trains.

Even though the Nuremberg subway network is the smallest subway system in Germany, it is also the most modern. An expression of modernity is the completely driverless operation of the U2 and U3 lines. Only recently, Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg (VAG) celebrated the tenth anniversary of the autonomous subway, which has been in operation since March 15, 2008. While the particularly busy U1 also connects the neighboring small town of Fürth directly to the Nuremberg subway network, the U2 links the center of Nuremberg with the airport.

The Nuremberg subway lines at a glance

• U1 (Langwasser Süd ↔ Fürth Hardhöhe)
• U2 (Röthenbach ↔ Airport)
• U3 (Gustav-Adolf-Straße ↔ Nordwestring)

One factor behind the increasing popularity of the Nuremberg subway is the city’s growing tourism sector as well as its economic strength. A good 3.2 million overnight stays (2017) compared to 2.6 million overnight stays (2012) speak for themselves. After all, there is hardly a more convenient way to commute between sights such as Nuremberg Castle, the Albrecht Dürer House and the Gothic Frauenkirche with its historic works of art.

A trip to the Fürthermare leisure spa and Fürth’s numerous museums is also no problem for visitors thanks to Nuremberg’s extensive subway network.

Thanks to the clear marking of the subway with a white “U” on a dark blue background and the clear color codes (U1 = blue, U2 = red, U3 = mint green) of the lines, even non-residents can quickly find their way around.

Since Nuremberg’s public transportation system relies on universal tickets for bus, S-Bahn and U-Bahn use, day and weekly tickets for the U-Bahn are doubly worthwhile for tourists, as they also make it easy to reach sights off the U-Bahn lines. For example, the Nuremberg Zoo and the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.

The standardized public transport ticket system makes it easier to choose the right ticket in Nuremberg than in many other cities. The manageable size of the subway and public transport network in Nuremberg also has the advantage that all routes are in fare zone A. In addition to the core city of Nuremberg, this also includes the two neighboring towns of Fürth and Stein, whereby only Fürth is directly integrated into the Nuremberg subway network.

One-way tickets are directional in Nuremberg and can therefore only be used for changes in the direction of travel. However, if you only want to travel a maximum of two stops, you can purchase an inexpensive short-distance ticket on site, which currently costs around 1.60 euros. While children under the age of 6 travel free on the subway, children between the ages of 6 and 14 receive a discount on all tickets.

In addition to one-way tickets, Verkehrsbetriebe Nürnberg (VGN) also offers numerous other tickets. These include the “4-trip ticket”, which entitles the holder to four different trips of up to 90 minutes in length. At the same time, the directional ticket can also be shared as a group ticket with several people. In addition, there are the usual daily and weekly tickets as well as season tickets for commuters, schoolchildren and trainees.

Tourists who want to explore Nuremberg by subway can either purchase the “TagesTicket Solo” or the “TagesTicket Plus” for group travel with up to six people or buy a “MobiCard” for the duration of their stay. This is valid for seven consecutive days (Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m., weekends and public holidays all day) and allows free movement by subway, bus and S-Bahn between all of Nuremberg’s sights.

VGN subway tickets (except subscription tickets) are available from the ticket machines at subway stations and at numerous points of sale in the city as well as from bus drivers. Day tickets, 10-trip tickets and 4-way tickets are generally sold at the points of sale. One-way tickets, day tickets and many other tickets can also be purchased as print and mobile tickets via the VGN online store or via the VGN app. The “VGN Timetable and Tickets” app is available both in the Google Play Store and on iTunes.

The subway in Nuremberg runs on all lines between 5 am and 1 am. Especially during peak times between 6:30 am and 8:00 am and between 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm, the frequency is particularly tight and is between 3.5 and 5 minutes. Starting from rush hour, the interval between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the U1 is reduced to 6.5 minutes between two trains. After 8 p.m., the subway trains in the Nuremberg subway network only run every 10 minutes. With a few exceptions, the 10-minute interval also applies on Saturdays and Sundays.

To the timetables of the Nuremberg subway lines:

U1, U2, U3

Night owls who are out and about in the city after 1 a.m. either have to wait for the first subway train at 5 a.m. or look for alternatives. In addition to cabs, night buses are a good option in Nuremberg. However, the so-called Nightliners not only stop at regular bus stops, but also offer passengers the “stop on request” service. Further information on the route of bus lines N1 to N29 and lines N55 and N59 to N61 can be found in the VGN timetable information.

As part of the “Local Transport Development Plan 2025 plus” (NVEP 2025+) project, the city of Nuremberg is considering expanding the subway network in Nuremberg to adapt it to the requirements of the times.

In addition to an extension of the U1 deeper into Fürth and a branch to the Nuremberg South Hospital, a separate subway station for the university is also being considered. There are also plans to extend the subway network in Nuremberg in the direction of Marienberg in order to open up a planned industrial estate there.