Vienna International Airport | General Info, Car Rental, & More

Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat in German) is the main and only airport serving Austria’s capital, Vienna, and the largest in all of Austria. It’s located in the village of Schwechat, about 18 kilometers southeast of Vienna city center. It takes approximately 20 minutes by car or train to reach the city center. In fact, it’s not even far from Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava – only 57 kilometers away!

The international code for Vienna Airport is VIE, and this is how it appears on flight search websites and various airline websites.

This airport serves as the main hub for Austrian Airlines and a regional base for low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air.

Interesting Fact:

Vienna Airport was initially built as a military airport during World War II. The site housed an aircraft manufacturing plant belonging to Heinkel. Construction on the current airport only began in 1959.

Vienna Airport Complex and Main Building Wings

The airport covers a large area, but the main building itself isn’t particularly large. There are two adjacent buildings that serve as terminals. One is a smaller building, Terminal 1A, which is mainly used for check-in counters for low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lauda, etc. The second building is the main complex, housing Terminal 3 and Terminal 1, as well as access to all boarding gates.

The main building is divided into two main floors – the entrance level houses the arrivals hall and access to the train station, while the second floor contains most of the check-in desks for the larger airlines and access towards the boarding gates. From the second floor, there is also access to a new area with additional security checkpoints and access to boarding gates (especially for intra-European flights).

The airport buildings aren’t excessively large, and within the main building, you’ll need to walk about 15 to 20 minutes from the check-in counters to your boarding gate.

There’s an interactive map for the airport you can use to better understand its layout and where each area is located.

Terminals

Vienna Airport has four terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 1A, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3.

Terminals 1-3 are connected, so they are essentially part of one large building. There’s no need to transfer between terminals using a shuttle; you can simply walk within the airport building. You’ll see “T3,” “T2,” and “T1” signage throughout the airport indicating the terminals.

Terminal 1: Primarily used by airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Ryanair, and Wizz Air.
Terminal 1A: This is a separate building, about a 5-minute walk from the main airport building. It’s mainly used for check-in counters for airlines like Vueling, Condor, and SunExpress.
Terminal 2: This is the newly renovated terminal, with renovations completed in 2021, and it’s part of the main building. It’s used for security checkpoints and access to flight gates.
Terminal 3: The main and largest terminal. It’s used by major airlines that are part of the Star Alliance. It also serves foreign airlines such as El Al, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and more.

Boarding Gates

The boarding gates at Vienna Airport are marked from B-G (excluding E), and there’s clear signage explaining how to reach the entrance to your desired gate area. Before entering the boarding gate area, you’ll find security checkpoints and passport control for international flights.

Gates B and C are used for intra-European flights within the Schengen Area.

Gates D, F, and G are used for international flights, and to reach them, you’ll also need to pass through passport control. Flights to Israel usually depart from Gates F and G.

How to find your way around Vienna Airport?

Just like throughout Austria, the signage at the airport is excellent and incredibly clear. Whether you’re arriving by train from Vienna, by bus, or by taxi, you can easily use the signs to reach the terminal entrances. Additionally, there are screens everywhere to help you understand your check-in counter number and which gate your flight departs from.

Even after security, there’s very clear signage towards the boarding gates, so it’s hard to get lost.

You can also download the airport’s official app in advance, which contains all the important information about flight status, times, delays, a map of the complex, a search for shops and restaurants, and much more.

Which car rental companies are at Vienna Airport?

Car rental companies at Vienna Airport are located in the P4 car park. The rental companies operating at the airport are:

Car Rental Company	Phone Number (local)	Phone Number (international)
Alamo	+43-1-7007-33432
Avis	+43-1-7007-32700
Buchbinder	+43-1-7007-33316	+43-1-810-00-7010
Budget	+43-1-7007-32700
Enterprise	+43-1-7007-33432
Europcar	+43-1-7007-32812	+43-1-866-16-10
Hertz	+43-1-7007-32661	+43-1-795-32
Megadrive	+43-1-7007-33316	+43-50105-4000
National	+43-1-7007-33432
Payless	+43-1-7007-32700
Sixt	+43-1-7007-36517
Thrifty	+43-1-7007-32661
U-Save	+43-1-7007-36540

Besides these companies, there are several Slovakian companies that bring cars to the airport at particularly competitive prices. You can read more about cheap car rental in Vienna in our comprehensive article on the subject, and also get exclusive discounts and benefits for car rental for your trip.

Please note: Due to high demand for cars, it’s essential to book well in advance, especially if you need large family vehicles.

Hotels in the Vienna Airport Complex:

There are two recommended hotels adjacent to the terminal buildings:

MOXY Hotel: For more information, traveler reviews, and photos, click here.
NH Conference Center Hotel: For more information, traveler reviews, and photos, click here.

There are additional hotels near the airport. We’ve compiled 8 recommendations for hotels easily accessible from Vienna Airport.

Important Additional Information for Arriving at Vienna Airport

In this section, we’ve compiled a variety of questions and answers on the most important topics for those arriving at Vienna Airport.

1. What’s allowed and not allowed in carry-on luggage on a return flight from Vienna?

In carry-on luggage, you should not bring flammable materials, weapons, sharp objects, and non-hazardous liquids exceeding the permitted quantity. The allowed amount of liquids on flights from Vienna is a maximum of 100 milliliters per container. All small liquid containers must be placed in a transparent, sealed plastic bag that can hold up to one liter. Each passenger is allowed to take one liquid bag with a total content of up to one liter.

2. How much time in advance should I arrive at the airport for a return flight?

If you don’t have luggage to check in, you can arrive an hour before boarding gates close, provided your return flight isn’t on a weekend. If you want a safety margin, an hour and a half to two hours should be plenty.

3. How do I get from the airport to Vienna city center and back?

There are 7 ways to get between the airport and the city at all hours of the day. There are regional trains, an express train called CAT, buses, taxis, and shuttles. Seriously, there’s no problem getting from the airport to the city and back at any time – day or night. You can read detailed information on all travel options to the city in our comprehensive article about 6 ways to get to Vienna Airport.

4. Where do I buy tickets for the train or bus to the city?

There are counters in the arrivals hall, before you go down to the train station. In addition, there are ticket machines right before you reach the train platform. You can also book tickets online through the Austrian railway company ÖBB’s app.

Bus tickets can be purchased directly from the driver.

4.1 Is a daily/weekly pass within Vienna valid for travel to and from the airport?

A daily or weekly pass in Vienna does not include travel to and from the airport. You’ll need to purchase a supplementary ticket costing approximately €1.90. This ticket becomes valid from the borders of Vienna city to the airport. More extensive information about public transportation in Vienna is available here.

5. What shops are at the airport?

There are electronics stores, cosmetics, perfumes, fashion, books, and gadget shops. You can check the airport’s shop list to see which chains operate stores in the duty-free area and the airport complex in general.

6. Can I buy a SIM card in the arrivals hall?

There’s a kiosk in the arrivals hall that sells SIM cards. The kiosk is open daily until 10:00 PM. SIM card prices are significantly more expensive than SIM cards you can buy in the city. You can read a comprehensive review of recommended SIM cards for a trip to Austria in our dedicated article on this topic.

7. Is there free internet (WiFi) at the airport?

Yes, there is free and fast internet throughout the airport. To activate the internet, open your web browser and click the connection button that appears on the airport’s website.

8. Are there power outlets and charging stations for laptops or phones?

Absolutely! There are power outlets and charging stations throughout the terminals.

9. Is there an organized taxi service at the airport exit?

Yes, in the arrivals hall, there are stands for several taxi companies, and outside, there are registered and regulated taxis. Everything is very organized and convenient at the airport. You can also book a driver in advance for pick-up from or to the airport.

10. How is the duty-free at the airport?

Compared to airports in capital cities around the world, Vienna Airport’s duty-free area is quite small. There are a variety of shops, but don’t count on serious shopping.

11. Where is the tax refund counter located?

There are counters before check-in on the second floor. Click for more information on the tax refund process on the airport’s website. You can read more extended information in the comprehensive article we prepared on how to get a tax refund on purchases in Vienna.

12. Are there vending machines and restaurants?

Throughout the terminals, there are restaurants and vending machines where you can buy water bottles for your flight. In the arrivals hall, there are several restaurants and cafes. Please note that the restaurants and cafes in the arrivals hall are closed at night.