Vienna Unwrapped Inspiration and Planning For Independent Travellers who are visiting Vienna
What is the best way to get in and out of Vienna International Airport? And where to go if you are on a layover? As I use Wien airport Schwechat several times a year I’d love to share my top tips of how to get round the airport, Vienna airport transfer options, the best Vienna airport hotel, and my suggestion for a self-guided layover tour if you just have a few hours on the ground.
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Vienna international airport has currently three terminals: Check-in1, Check-in 2, and the Austrian Star Alliance terminal (Check in-3). The airport has two runways. From the piers to the central terminal area it is a 5 to 10 minutes walk.
Vienna International Airport Map
Here is a map of the arrival area of Wien airport. Specifically, you can use it to find out where to go to claim your baggage, where to catch the Airport Train (green box on the left), where to find buses and taxis, and where to pick money.
From Vienna International Airport to City
Unless my family picks me up, I like taking the CAT Airport train (cheap option) or hiring a private Vienna airport transfer (relax option).
Trains From Vienna International Airport
To start with the most popular transport option, the CAT takes you from Vienna International Airport to Landstrasse/Wien Mitte in just 16 minutes. Since Wien Mitte is a busy underground, bus and tram station close to the city centre you can reach almost any Vienna area directly from there.
Frequency: 30min, 7 days a week; trains run between 06.05am and 23.35pm
S-Bahn
While the CAT takes you to the center in one go, the S7 commuter trains towards Floridsdorf run in parallel to the CAT and make a few more stops in between. In total, they take 24 minutes from Vienna International Airport to Wien Mitte. If your hotel is located in the third district (Landstrasse) you can get off at Wien Rennweg just before Wien Mitte. Additional main stops are Wien Praterstern, Wien Handelskai or Wien Floridsdorf if your accommodation is in the North East of Vienna.
Frequency: 30min; between 4.54am and 0.18am from the airport (between 4.34 am and 11.49pm from Wien Mitte)
Tickets: EUR 3,60 (single ticket)
You can buy your ticket at the airport station and the different stations in Vienna.
Bus /from Wien Airport To City Centre
Vienna Airport Lines
Vienna Airport Lines runs a service to four major transport hubs in town: Schwedenplatz; Vienna International Centre, Westbahnhof (Western Railway Station) and Simmering. The journeys take between 20 and 45 minutes.
Frequency: every 10 to 15 minutes from the airport
Tickets: EUR 7 (single ticket)
Private Airport Transfer
From door-to-door, you will take about 20 to 35 min to arrive straight at your hotel if you choose private transfer. You will get picked up by the driver in the arrivals area, and he or she will hold a name plate. If you are more than three people, choose a private transfer by minivan (7 seater).
Vienna Car Rental
As it’s common at international airports, you will find numerous car rental firms right at Vienna International Airport, too. While you can rent a car directly there it may take a little more time than booking online. To facilitate your decision making, read more on Car Rental Vienna, including a checklist for picking the right car in Austria, and driving and parking tips in Vienna.
Vienna Airport Hotels
The main Vienna airport hotel located directly at Vienna International Airport is the NH Vienna Airport. At just 100 metres from the arrivals hall, it is perfect for a quick stopover in Vienna. Although I visited the hotel just for a stopover lunch with my Viennese family I thoroughly liked the welcoming space. In essence, the hotel is clean and modern and you don’t hear any outside noise! Most recently, Hotel Moxy at the airport, part of the Marriott group, opened its doors.
Just in the immediate vicinity of Vienna International Airport Boutiquehotel Hein is another good option. You will stay in the nearby market town of Schwechat.
My tip: Wien Airport is only 12 km from Vienna. Consider staying close to terminal Wien Mitte of airport train CAT in the traditional residential district of Landstrasse. The Hilton Vienna am Stadtpark is right next to the terminal, bordering lovely Stadtpark. The Grand Hotel Mercure Biedermeier Wien is a five minutes walk to the terminal, located right in the district of Landstrasse. Alternatively, book yourself into inexpensive bed and breakfast at Hotel Pension Stadtpark, Vienna.
Vienna Layover Tours
If you plan a layover in Vienna, even if just for a few hours, go for a quick sightseeing tour in Vienna. After all, the airport is just 12 kilometres from the centre. Definitely the quickest self guided tour is taking the Vienna Ringtram around Ringstrasse, and then descend into the city centre. In case you prefer someone to optimise your time and sightseeing schedule and safely bring you back in time for your departure, book a guided Vienna Layover Tour. It’s not cheap but gives you peace of mind. Pick up and drop off point is Vienna International Airport.
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