The City Transport Simulator 2026 Expert Upgrade is a standalone digital add-on pack designed for players who already own the base game. Priced at $29.99 across official digital storefronts, it expands the urban network with a suite of licensed buses, articulated trams, depot operations, and visual customization options.
Developed by ViewApp and published alongside co-publisher NPLAY, the upgrade package allows drivers to bypass buying individual DLCs piecemeal, bundling several launch expansions into a single discounted package.
What Is Included in the Expert Upgrade Pack?
The Expert Upgrade Pack bundles five individual DLC releases that launched alongside the base game on April 14, 2026. These items cover both bus operations and light rail transit, adding modern rolling stock and extended infrastructure.
| Included Content | Category | Standalone Store Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAN New Lion's City | Bus DLC | $24.99 | 6 bus options, including solo and articulated models (12C, 18C, and 19C) |
| Flexity Vienna | Tram DLC | $17.99 | Modern articulated low-floor tram engineered for high-capacity routes |
| StadtRegioTram | Tram DLC | $17.99 | Fully electric tram with 70 km/h top speed and 160-passenger capacity |
| Depot + South-Route | Map DLC | $19.99 | Full tram depot sidings, 8 new bus stops, and high-rise route links |
| Basel Style | Cosmetic DLC | $0.99 | Regional livery and cosmetic exterior customization package |
At the $29.99 pack price, the Expert Upgrade offers a substantial discount for players looking to expand their rolling stock and depot features without buying every release individually.
Expert Upgrade Pack vs. Expert Edition vs. Standalone DLCs
When purchasing City Transport Simulator 2026, storefronts feature several editions and upgrade paths. Understanding the difference prevents duplicate spending:
- City Transport Simulator 2026 Base Game ($39.99): Contains the core southern German-inspired map with over 50 km of routes, 80+ stations, up to 15 pre-made lines, career mode, sandbox mode, dynamic weather, and the interactive ticketing system. Previous owners of the original CTS title received this core game update for free.
- Expert Edition Bundle ($62.16): Geared toward new players, this edition packages the $39.99 base game together with the complete contents of the Expert Upgrade into a single purchase.
- Expert Upgrade Pack ($29.99): Geared toward existing owners of the base game (or players who received the CTS 2026 upgrade for free). It adds the DLC items without re-charging for the base software.
- Standalone DLC Purchases: Useful only if you want a single vehicle, such as the MAN New Lion's City ($24.99) or StadtRegioTram ($17.99). Buying more than one individual vehicle quickly approaches the cost of the entire $29.99 upgrade.
Content Not Included in the Expert Upgrade
The Expert Upgrade is focused exclusively on the launch-era vehicle and depot expansions. It does not grant access to later major expansions or post-launch releases:
- Vienna Expansion ($49.99): Released on October 13, 2026, this standalone expansion recreates Vienna with over 1,000 buildings, real-world routes (lines 37, 38, and 35A), night bus line N35, Remise Gürtel tram depot, ULF A/B trams, and Citaro C2 buses. It is sold separately or via the Vienna Edition bundle ($70.18).
- CTS 2026 Season Pass ($64.99): An overarching pass that bundles upcoming DLCs, the Vienna map, and standalone vehicle drops.
- Tatra KT4D Tram DLC ($22.99): A post-launch historic tram released on June 30, 2026, featuring pedal controls and double traction operation.
- MAN Lion's City A26 & A47 ($8.99): A separate dual-bus pack sold outside the New Lion's City family bundle.
- Citybus C2 ($24.99): A dedicated four-variant bus release sold separately.
Platform Availability and System Requirements
The Expert Upgrade is available across all platforms supported by the game: PC (Steam / Windows), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The upgrade requires the base game to play.
PC players running the game via Steam require a 64-bit operating system and DirectX 12 support:
| Hardware Component | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 | 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Processor | 2.9 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-10400F | 3.6 GHz, 8-core processor |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT (8 GB VRAM) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (11 GB VRAM) |
| Storage Space | 20 GB available space | 20 GB available space |
| Input Devices | Mouse and keyboard, or Xbox Controller (Steering wheel supported) | Mouse and keyboard, or Xbox Controller (Steering wheel supported) |
On Steam, the game incorporates Denuvo Anti-tamper DRM with a 5-machine daily activation limit. Controllers, gamepads, joysticks, and popular steering wheel models are supported with preconfigured control layouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Expert Upgrade include the base game?
No. The Expert Upgrade Pack requires the City Transport Simulator 2026 base game, which is sold separately for $39.99 (or owned through the free upgrade for original CTS owners). Players who do not own the base game should look at the Expert Edition bundle instead.
Can I upgrade to the Expert Edition on Steam if I already own some DLCs?
Steam offers the Expert Edition as a bundle, but community reports note that bundle discounts depend on the specific storefront configuration and may not automatically scale down if you only own one or two standalone items. Check your Steam cart total against the flat $29.99 Expert Upgrade Pack price before completing the purchase.
Does the Expert Upgrade include the Vienna Expansion?
No. The Vienna Expansion is a separate $49.99 release containing lines 37, 38, and 35A, the Remise Gürtel depot, ULF trams, and Citaro C2 buses. It is not bundled in the Expert Upgrade.
Which buses are unlocked with the MAN New Lion's City in this pack?
The pack unlocks the licensed MAN New Lion's City family, featuring 6 individual solo and articulated variants, including the standard 12C, 18C, and high-capacity 19C models.
