Getting There and Away

Pedestrians walking in Vienna's historic old town, showcasing iconic architecture and luxury shops.
Gotta Be Worth It, Pexels

Vienna is served by Vienna International Airport (VIE) for air travel, and major train stations include Wien Hauptbahnhof, Wien Meidling, Wien Westbahnhof, and Wien Mitte. The city also has an extensive network of bus terminals, with a significant hub located next to Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Flights:

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the primary international gateway. Numerous airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Pegasus, SunExpress, and Eurowings, offer direct flights from various cities across Europe and some international locations, such as New York, Chicago, Boston, and Los Angeles.

Trains:

Wien Hauptbahnhof is the main station for national and international long-distance rail services, with ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) operating most routes. Nightjet sleeper trains connect Vienna with several European cities like Hamburg, Rome, Zurich, and Amsterdam. Westbahn offers intercity services, notably to Salzburg. Indicative costs for train travel to Vienna can start from approximately $12-$33 for a one-way or round-trip ticket from nearby cities like Budapest.

Buses:

International and regional bus services are widely available. The International Bus Terminal is conveniently located next to Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof). Companies like FlixBus offer connections to various European destinations.

Car Rental:

Car rental services are available at Vienna International Airport and several city locations from providers such as Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, and Enterprise. An International Driving Permit is often required for non-EU drivers.

From Vienna International Airport (VIE) to City Centre:

  • City Airport Train (CAT):: This express train offers the fastest transfer, reaching Wien Mitte (Landstraße) in approximately 16 minutes, non-stop. A one-way ticket costs €14.90, and a return ticket is €24.90.
  • S-Bahn (S7):: A more budget-friendly train option, the S7 takes around 25 minutes to reach Wien Mitte or Wien Hauptbahnhof. Tickets typically cost between €4 and €6.
  • ÖBB Railjet:: These trains provide non-stop service to Wien Hauptbahnhof in about 15-19 minutes, with tickets costing around €4-€6.
  • Vienna Airport Lines (VAL) Buses:: Buses connect the airport to key city locations, including Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz (city center), Westbahnhof, and Hauptbahnhof. Travel times range from 20 to 45 minutes, with fares around €8-€10.50.
  • Taxis/Ride-sharing:: A taxi or ride-sharing service from the airport to the city center typically takes 20-25 minutes, with an estimated cost of €35-€45, depending on traffic and the specific service.