- Looking for the fastest and most budget-friendly way to get from Vienna International Airport to the city center?
- Can I get from Vienna Airport to the city without getting lost?
The train is almost always your best bet! Covering the 20 km distance quickly and affordably, it’s a popular choice—though there are a few things to watch out for. With two train options departing from the airport, choosing the wrong ticket could mean missing your intended train or even paying twice!
I learned this the hard way on my first trip: lost on the platform, confused about the train options, and ending up paying extra even though I had a Vienna City Card. In this guide, I’ll share tips to help you avoid those mistakes so you can travel smoothly and start exploring Vienna right away. Whether you’re traveling light or with a lot of luggage, alone or with family, I’ve got you covered. Enjoy a hassle-free journey with my insider advice!”
Vienna Airport to City: Best Transportation Options Compared
How to get from Vienna International Airport to the city
There are roughly five ways to get to the city from the airport. Before going into detail about each one, I have prepared a brief comparison chart.
| Fare | Travel time | Destination | Frequency | |
| ÖBB Railjet | €4.30（one way） | Approx. 15 mins | Vienna Central station（Wien Hbf） | Every 30 minutes from 6:33 a.m. to 10:33 p.m. or 11:03 p.m. |
| ÖBB S-Bahn S7 | €4.30（one way） | Approx. 23 mins | Vienna-Wien Mitte station | Every 25 minutes from 4:48 a.m. to 00:18 a.m. |
| CAT(City Airport Train) | €11（one way） €19（round trip） | Approx.16 mins | Vienna-Wien Mitte station | Every 30 minutes from 5:37 a.m. to 11:07 p.m. |
| Airport Shuttle Bus | €9（one way） €15（round trip） | Approx. 25 mins（to the south exit of Vienna Central Station）～40 mins（to Vienna West station） | VAL 1：Vienna West station (via Vienna Central station) VAL２：Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz VAL 3：Donauzentru※Only this line makes several stops. Donauzentrum – Kagraner Brücke – Hotel NH Danube City – Kaisermühlen/VIC (Austria Center) – Krieau (Messe Wien) – Stadion – Donaumarina – Vienna Airport | VAL 1：Hourly from 3:00 a.m. to 00:30 a.m. VAL 2：Hourly from 4:15 a.m. to 3：15 a.m. VAL 3：Every two hours from 5:58 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. |
| Fixed Fare Taxi | Approx. €38（Additional charge for luggage over 20KG, plus 10% gratuity. ） | Approx. 30～40 mins | Your preferred place. | Your preferred time. |
Rates are based on February 2023 research.
As you can see from the comparison chart, the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) trains offer the best value and speed, especially for travelers prioritizing both time and price. However, if you’re uncertain about which stop to get off, the CAT (City Airport Train) or a direct taxi or limousine service can be a great option, though they come at a higher cost.
If you have purchased the Vienna City Card in advance, you only need to pay € 1.90 for one zone instead of € 4.30 for one way on the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways). However, the ticketing process at the airport can be confusing—I learned this the hard way and ended up paying the full fare and lost €2.40. If you’ve purchased the Vienna City Card, remember to double-check your ticket choice at the airport to avoid overpaying.
For additional savings, there’s also the Vienna Pass. Although it doesn’t cover airport-to-city transport, this card is an excellent option for sightseeing within Vienna. It grants unlimited rides on hop-on-hop-off buses, making it easy to explore key sights at your own pace, and it includes free entry to over 70 attractions, museums, and other must-see locations around Vienna. Plus, it offers priority admission at select venues—a big perk if you’re visiting during busy seasons.
In short, whether you’re in Vienna for a quick trip or an extended stay, consider which option fits your plans and budget. With a little preparation, your journey from the airport to the heart of Vienna will be smooth and enjoyable!
Trains from Vienna Airport to City Center
ÖBB and CAT ticket purchase booths at Vienna International Airport
There are two main train options for getting from Vienna International Airport to the city: the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and the CAT (City Airport Train). Both options have their own advantages, but the choice depends on your budget, schedule, and comfort preferences.
The ÖBB offers two types of trains: the express Railjet and the regular S-Bahn. The Rail Jet is ideal for travelers heading directly to Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) with minimal stops, making it a faster choice if your final destination is in central Vienna. The S-Bahn, on the other hand, is a commuter train that makes additional stops along the way, which can be convenient if you’re staying in a neighborhood en route. Be sure to check which train line aligns best with your destination before purchasing a ticket.
In contrast, the CAT (City Airport Train) is designed specifically for airport transfers and operates non-stop between Vienna International Airport and Wien Mitte station in the city center, with a travel time of just 16 minutes. While the CAT is the quickest way to get downtown, it’s also more expensive than the ÖBB trains. Additionally, the CAT runs at 30-minute intervals, which may be less convenient if you miss a train and have to wait for the next one. For many travelers, the CAT’s non-stop convenience and comfort are well worth the extra cost, especially if you’re traveling with lots of luggage or prefer a hassle-free, direct transfer.
Ultimately, both the ÖBB and CAT are reliable options. If you’re looking for the fastest option regardless of cost, the CAT might be your best choice. But if you’re traveling on a budget and don’t mind a few extra minutes, the ÖBB Rail Jet or S-Bahn provide excellent value. With either choice, you’ll be in Vienna and ready to explore in no time!
ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) Express Railjet
Tickets for the express Railjet can be purchased online in advance or upon arrival at the airport.
Since it is an express train, there are only a few stops, and you can get to Vienna quickly.
However, it is not suitable for those whose hotel is not near the Vienna Central Station or for those who have to change trains at the Central Station.
- Fare: €4.30
- Travel time: approx. 15 min.
- Operation time: 6:33 – 23:03
- Frequency: 1 train every 30 minutes
- Main stops: Vienna Airport Station (Flughafen Wien Bahnhof) – Vienna Central Station (Wien Hbf)
ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) S-Bahn rapid railway
Like the express RailJet, you can purchase tickets online in advance or at the airport upon arrival.
This train has more stops, so it arrives in the city a little later than the express, but if the train stops close to your destination or if it is convenient to change trains, choose this train.
- Fare: one way / €4.30
- Travel time: 23 minutes
- Operation time: Departure from the airport / 4:48-00:19, departure from Mitte station / 4:19-23:49
- Frequency: 1 train every 30 minutes
- Main stops: Vienna Airport Station (Flughafen Wien Busterminal)
Mannswörth Bahnhof
Schwechat Bahnhof
Wien Kaiserebersdorf Bahnhof
Wien Zentralfriedhof S-Bahn Bahnhof
Wien Geiselbergstraße Bahnhof
Wien St.Marx Bahnhof
Wien Rennweg Bahnhof
Wien Mitte Station
ÖBB(Austrian Federal Railways) Regionalzug(R) regular train
The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) actually has one more train in operation.
That is the Regionalzug(R), a regular train.
It is almost the same as the S-Bahn, but the number of trains per day is limited.
So, you don’t have to make a reservation for this train but remember that if you are waiting for an S-Bahn train at the platform and your destination is Wien Mitte station, you can board this train.
- Fare: one way / €4.30
- Travel time: 20 minutes
- Operation time: Departure from the airport / 4:48-00:19, departure from Mitte station / 4:19-23:49
- Frequency: Only a few per day
- Main stops: Vienna Airport Station (Flughafen Wien Busterminal)
Schwechat Bahnhof
Wien Kaiserebersdorf Bahnhof
Wien Rennweg Bahnhof
Wien Mitte Station
CAT（City Airport Train）
The lime-green platform in the back is the CAT (City Airport Train) platform.
The CAT (City Airport Train) is more expensive, but it has only one stop, so you can be assured that you will never get off at the wrong station.
As with the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways), tickets can be purchased online in advance from the official website or at the airport when you arrive.
Fare: one way / €11.00, round trip / €19.00
Travel time: 16 minutes
Operation time: Departure from the airport: 6:08 – 23:38, Departure from Mitte station: 5:37 – 23:07
Frequency: 1 train every 30 minutes
Main stops: Vienna Airport Station (Flughafen Wien Bahnhof) – Vienna Mitte Station (Wien Mitte)
My experience: Missing the ÖBB Train and Lessons Learned
On this Flughafen Wien station platform, I and several stranger travelers on the same plane with me were tremendously confused (LOL)!
Like me, other travelers had missed their trains, so maybe all arriving travelers are confused.
So I don’t want you to waste your time like I did, so here is my failure story.
First, the train platform is directly connected to the airport, so access was easy.
Entrance from Vienna Airport to the train station
Passageway leading from Vienna International Airport to the train platform
I thought it would be easy to just go straight to the timetable and check which platform it was.
Flughafen Wien station, where the timetable was before the platforms were divided.
As you can see, you can easily distinguish CAT from ÖBB and ÖBB from S-Bahn and RailJet, respectively, on the timetable at the station.
Timetable at Flughafen Wien Station
That’s as far as it goes.
Even we, unfamiliar travelers, can somehow understand that “Oh, CAT is platform 3,” can’t we?
However, the alphabet next to the platform number in the above photo is a crook.
We had no idea that there was such a crook, and I made a big mistake by getting off at the platform quickly.
Confusing platform at Flughafen Wien station （Left is ÖBB pratform, right is CAT platform)
As you can see, they share the same platform with different locations using different letters of the alphabet.
You can clearly see it from the opposite lane, but you do not notice it at all when you are standing on that platform.
CAT boarding platform view
See? (LOL)
And a small gray square sign that says Line 3.
This was the bad guy (LOL).
If you go back to the previous photo, “Confusing Platform,” you will see a blue sign that says “Platform 1.
It says “1D”, right?
I was fooled by this (laughs).
When you get off at the platform, there is only a “3” sign in front of you, so you might think that the entire platform is platform 3, right?
Correct boarding platform for ÖBB trains at Flughafen Wien station
Some of the correct platforms also have signs with only “1” on them, which can be confusing.
I learned that not all of them have the alphabet written on them, so you have to check carefully (LOL).
As a result, I missed the train on the ticket I bought at the airport because I never doubt that I was in the wrong boarding place on the platform.
ÖBB train ticket to the city, purchased at Vienna Airport
I was supposed to board at 9:11, but I missed the train and ended up leaving at 9:41….
- For those boarding the CAT, just be in the lime-green area just off the escalator/stairs.
- If you are getting on ÖBB and your platform is the same as CAT, move more from the CAT boarding position.
- Tickets purchased at the airport are valid for two hours.
Vienna Airport Shuttle Buses
Vienna International Airport Shuttle Bus（Vienna Airport Lines）
There are three airport shuttle bus routes.
We, as tourists, use VIA1 and VIA2.
Please choose which bus route you should take depending on your destination.
VIA1 Vienna Airport Bus
The stops for VAL 1 are as follows.
- Vienna Airport Bus Terminal（Flughafen Wien Bus terminal）
- Vienna Central Station, South Exit（Wien Hbf Süd）
- Vienna West station（Wien Westbahnhof）
Fare: one way / €9.50 €8.00, round trip / €16.00 €13.00.
Travel time: Vienna Central Station / 25 min, Vienna West Station / 40 min
Operation time: Departure from the airport / 6:00 – 0:30, departure from Vienna West Station / 4:00 – 0:30
Frequency: 1 train every 30 minutes
*September 2023 data.
VIA2 Vienna Airport Bus
The VAL 2 stops are as follows.
- Vienna Airport Bus Terminal（Flughafen Wien Bus terminal）
- Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz
Fare: one way / €9.50 €8.00, round trip / €16.00 €13.00.
Travel time: 20 min.
Operation time: Departure from the airport / 4:45 – 2:45, departure from Morzine Platz Schwedenplatz / 4:00 – 0:30
Frequency: 1 every 30 minutes
*Surveyed in September 2023
VAL 3 Vienna Airport Bus
VAL 3 stops are as follows.
- Vienna Airport Bus Terminal（Flughafen Wien Busterminal）
- Donaumarina
- Wien Stadion
- Krieau / Messe Wien
- Kaisermühlen VIC / Austria Center
- Hotel NH Danube City
- Kagraner Brücke
- Donauzentru
Fare: one way / €9.50 €8.00, round trip / €16.00 €13.00.
Travel time: 39 minutes
Operation time: Departure from the airport / 6:00 – 21:00, from Donauzentrum / 4:58 – 19:58
Frequency: 1 train every hour
*See data as of September 2023.
Click here to read about my actual experience using the airport shuttle bus.
Taxi & Limousine Services from Vienna Airport to City Center
Taxi and limousine reservation booths from Vienna International Airport
Taxi and limousine reservation booths endorsed by the airport are available at the Vienna International Airport.
In Austria, unlicensed taxis are on the rise, and people are urged to be careful.
So, it is safe to make reservations at the booths in the airport.
There are several booths in a row, not just one company, so please choose the booth that is open and available.
Vienna International Airport Limousine and Taxi Booths with several companies
There are also websites you can trust from Vienna International Airport (VIE) for your reference.
The Best Option Depends on Where You’re Staying
While getting from Vienna Airport to the city is usually affordable, choosing the best transfer option tailored to your specific location can make all the difference. The cheapest route might be appealing, but if it leaves you far from your hotel, you could end up spending more on extra transportation. Balancing cost and convenience is key to starting your trip smoothly and stress-free.
I hope this guide has helped you find the ideal Vienna airport transfer for your stay, so you can reach your destination with ease and start enjoying all the wonderful sights Vienna has to offer. Wishing you safe travels and a fantastic time in this unforgettable city!
