Planning a trip to or from Vienna International Airport, located just 23 kilometers southeast of the city center, is the first step toward experiencing one of Europe’s most charming capitals.
While getting between the terminals and downtown is typically fast and straightforward, ongoing modernization work from September 2026 until the end of October 2027 has temporarily altered several public transportation routes.
Don’t worry, though! We’ve broken down all the updated connections so your journey remains completely stress-free. You can still easily and affordably reach the city or airport using private transfers or public transit. Here are the options:
- ÖBB Railjet & Intercity Trains
- The S7 S-Bahn (Suburban Train)
- The City Airport Train (CAT) & Replacement Buses
- Vienna Airport Buses (VAB)
- Booking a Ride With Bolt or Uber Apps
- Taxi with Local English-Speaking Drivers
Costs for the trip start around €5.20 for standard train options and can go up to around €60 or more for a taxi.
Good to know for getting around the rest of your trip: Once you are in the city, Vienna’s public transit network keeps moving around the clock, with U-Bahn (subway) lines running 24 hours a day on weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) so you can easily enjoy the city at any hour.
Detailed Information on Transportation Methods Between Vienna Airport and the City Center:
Here are all the options for traveling between Vienna Airport and the city center (and back, of course) during the modernization period:
1. ÖBB Railjet & Intercity Trains
If you want speed, hop on an ÖBB long-distance train. These long-distance trains continue to run directly twice an hour, taking you non-stop from Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof) to the airport in just 15 minutes (connecting to the U1 subway) or to Meidling in under 30 minutes (connecting to the U6).
The ÖBB Railjet and Intercity fast trains operate daily, running twice an hour in both directions. From Vienna Central Station (Wien Hauptbahnhof), services run from 5:42 AM to 10:42 PM, while departures from Vienna Airport run from 6:33 AM to 11:02 PM, plus a late-night service at 12:02 AM.
Please check the timetable in advance on the train website. For an updated timetable and advance ticket purchase, click here.
Prices
- Standard Single Ticket: €5.50 total per adult (which covers both the outer-zone trip from the airport to the city boundary for €2.30 and a €3.20 single ride for the inner Vienna public transit network).
- (Note: If you already hold a valid Vienna public transport pass, you only need to buy the partial extension ticket from the city boundary for around €2.40).
- Discounts: Reduced fares apply for children and youth aged 6 to 14, while kids under 6 travel completely free.
2. The S7 S-Bahn (Suburban Train)
Due to the current construction, the S7 express train is running on a shortened route to St. Marx instead of its usual path straight into the core center. From St. Marx, you can seamlessly switch to tram line 18 (toward the main station) or tram 71 (toward the city center/Karlsplatz), or grab bus 74A to Landstraße for U3 and U4 connections.
The S-Bahn S7 suburban trains generally operate daily from the early morning hours until around midnight, with services starting shortly after 4:00 AM and running until approximately 12:30 AM. Trains typically run at regular intervals of roughly 30 minutes.
You can purchase tickets at the red machines located at the entrance to the platforms; there’s no need to book seats in advance. For an updated timetable and advance ticket purchase, click here. Some trains offer free internet connection.
Prices
- Standard Single Ticket: €5.50 total per adult (which covers the outer-zone ticket from the airport to the Vienna city boundary for €2.30, plus a €3.20 single ride for Vienna public transport).
- If you already have a transit pass: If you hold a valid Vienna public transport multi-day ticket, you only need to buy a partial extension ticket from the airport to the city boundary for €2.30.
3. The City Airport Train (CAT) & Replacement Buses
While traditional train routing has been affected by maintenance work, the CAT service keeps you covered by temporarily operating with comfortable premium replacement buses. These non-stop buses run up to 5 times an hour between the airport and the major Wien Mitte/Landstraße transport hub, where you can easily catch the U3 and U4 subways.
The City Airport Train (CAT) replacement bus service operates daily, including weekends and public holidays, running roughly from early morning until late evening. The departures start at 5:30 AM from Wien Mitte and 6:10 AM from Vienna Airport, and the final departures wrapping up around 11:15 PM from the city center and 11:37 PM from the airport. The buses run every 12 minutes between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, and every 15 minutes during the early morning and late evening hours
Prices
The ticket prices for the CAT replacement bus service match the standard CAT pricing structure:
- Single Trip: €14.90
- Return Trip (Outward & Return): €24.90
- Discounted Rate: €7.00 single / €12.00 return for holders of partner cards like the KlimaTicket, Wiener Linien annual pass, ÖBB Vorteilscard, or valid student IDs.
- Children: Kids under 15 years old travel completely free.
Visit the official CAT website for more information and ticket purchase. Since this is a special express train, there is no option to purchase a discounted ticket only to the city border.
4. Vienna Airport Buses (VAB)
Looking for a direct, no-fuss ride? The express airport buses connect the terminals directly to key city hubs, including routes to Schwedenplatz/Morzinplatz, Westbahnhof, Donauzentrum, and newly expanded lines straight to Karlsplatz (VAB 4) and Praterstern (VAB 5). They drop you right near underground connections without requiring any stressful luggage-tugging transfers!
Departure Locations & Key Routes
- From Vienna Airport: Directly outside the terminal arrival areas.
- In the City: The express buses connect the airport to major hubs across town, including:
- VAB 1: Westbahnhof via Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).
- VAB 2: Schwedenplatz / Morzinplatz (taking about 20 minutes).
- VAB 3: Donauzentrum via VIC Uno-City.
- VAB 4 & VAB 5: Direct expanded routes running straight to Karlstagl (VAB 4) and Praterstern (VAB 5).
Prices
- Standard Single Ticket: €11.00 per adult
- Return Ticket: €20.00 per adult
- Discounts & Special Fares:
- Children: Kids under 6 travel free. Children aged 6 to 14 (as well as passengers with qualifying disabilities) get a half-price rate of €6.00 one-way / €11.00 return.
- Special/Student Rate: Students under 26 pay a discounted rate of €7.00 one-way / €13.00 return.
- Family Pass: €27.00 one-way / €49.00 return for two adults traveling with up to two children (under 18).
More information on timetables and ticket purchase can be found here.
5. Booking a Ride With Bolt or Uber Apps
Bolt and Uber compete for ride-hailing services in Vienna. Both apps work excellently in the city, and ride costs are quite similar between them. Through either app, you can book a driver from anywhere in the city at a pre-known price and pay everything through the app. Please note that you need to link your PayPal account or credit card to use the app. There is no direct payment to the driver. The prices for these apps are generally cheaper than local taxi companies. A ride from the airport to the city and back costs around €36 for a regular taxi. Drivers are available throughout the night and day. You can download the app before arriving in Austria and open an account, or download it at the airport. Please note that during the account verification process in the app, you may need to receive a verification code on your mobile.
The apps are available for download on Android or iPhone.
6. Taxi with Local English-Speaking Drivers
There are many taxi companies competing for the route between Vienna Airport and the city center. You can easily find a taxi with a local driver. Of course, there are taxis waiting outside the airport, but these are usually more expensive. Inside the arrivals hall, to the left of the exit, there are counters for several other serious and reliable taxi companies like Airport Driver.
You can also book independently and contact several taxi companies for transfers from Vienna Airport to the city center:
Additional Information About Tickets
Please note that Vienna’s 24-hour, weekly, and monthly public transport tickets are not valid for travel to or from the airport, but they do reduce the cost of the required train fare. If you already have a valid Vienna travel ticket, you only need to buy a supplementary ticket covering the route between the city border and the airport, which costs €2.20. This ticket can be purchased at the machines before the platforms or at the ÖBB sales desk before entering the train station.
On Friday and Saturday nights, as well as on nights before public holidays, Vienna’s subway runs frequently throughout the night– more information can be found in the Vienna transportation guide.
In Summary
The journey between Vienna Airport and the city center is not complicated – even when the tracks are under construction. There are plenty of options on how to reach your hotel at all hours of the day and night.
After arriving in the city, it’s highly recommended to get around using Vienna’s wonderful public transportation. You can find more information about Vienna’s excellent public transportation in the detailed article we’ve prepared.
If you haven’t fully planned your trip yet, you can use the most comprehensive article we’ve prepared on planning a trip to Vienna. This article details all the city’s main attractions by their location in the different districts.
