Designated officially as the central node of the U-Bahn by City in on-train announcements and on network maps by a pictogram of its namesake, the Stephansdom, the station serves the heart of the Altstadt and connects two of the busiest lines, making it one of the busiest stations in the city.

An information kiosk and a Wiener Linien ticket purchase outlet are located on the upper level of the station.

[4][5] Construction of the Stephansplatz station began as part of the creation of the basic network (Grundnetz) in May 1973.

Deep excavation at the site was completed in August 1977 and construction of the station then proceeded largely in an open pit.

In the course of digging in front of the cathedral in 1973, the Vergilius Chapel, closed off in the 18th century and completely forgotten, was rediscovered.