Here are all the options for traveling between Vienna Airport and the city center (and back, of course):
- The S7 Suburban Train
- Fast Train RJ or RJX
- City Airport Train (CAT)
- Vienna Airport Lines Buses
- Bolt or Uber Apps
- Taxi with Local English-Speaking Drivers
Please note: The direct train service to Vienna city center from the airport ends at 1:19 AM and resumes at 4:41 AM. Additionally, there’s a frequent bus line (VAL1) that operates throughout the night, and of course, you can always order a taxi or use the taxi service available at the airport exit. Bolt and Uber apps work great in Vienna, and you can quickly order a driver at any time of day or night.
Detailed Information on Transportation Methods Between Vienna Airport and the City Center:
1. The S7 Suburban Train
This train costs only €5.20 per ride (€2.2 for the journey between the airport and the city border + €3 for travel within the city on subways/buses/trams). The train departs every half hour from the airport or from central Vienna. The train operates from 4:41 AM until 1:19 AM and reaches Wien Mitte station in central Vienna, as well as several other central stations around the city (Wien Praterstern, Wien Handelskai, Wien Florisdorf).
The journey length is between 20 to 40 minutes (there are two S7 trains, and one of them is slower and stops at more stations along the way). 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.
After arriving at the Vienna stations from the airport, you can continue to travel on Vienna’s public transportation without purchasing an additional ticket. At Wien Mitte station, subway lines U3 and U4 will take you to the city center.
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.
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.
2. Fast Train RJ or RJX
Similar to the S7 suburban train, this train also costs only €5.20 one way, but this train is undoubtedly faster and more comfortable. The journey takes between 15-18 minutes, and there’s even free internet connection on this train. The ticket also includes public transportation within Vienna until you reach your destination.
From the airport, it departs approximately every 30 minutes (e.g., at 8:03, 8:33, 9:03). The first journey is at 4:41 AM, and the last journey is at 23:03. The line from the airport actually reaches Salzburg HBF station, with a stop at Vienna’s main train station (Wien Hauptbahnhof).
Returning from the city to the airport: From Vienna’s main train station, the train departs approximately every 28 minutes. Usually 12 minutes past the hour or 40 minutes past the hour (e.g., 9:12, 9:40, 10:12). The train operates from 5:42 AM until 22:12. Sometimes train times (especially early morning or late evening) may vary slightly, so you must check the timetable in advance on the train website. For an updated timetable and advance ticket purchase, click here.
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. You can buy this ticket at the machines before descending to the train platforms.
3. The Direct CAT Train
This is the prestigious executive train that travels non-stop from the airport to Wien Mitte station in central Vienna. The train operates every day of the week and on holidays from 5:37 AM until 11:38 PM (first journey to the airport 5:37, and first journey to the city from the airport 6:08. Last journey to the airport 23:07 and from the airport to the city 23:38). The journey time on this train to central Vienna or to the airport is consistently 16 minutes.
A nice bonus for passengers on this train is the option to check in directly from Vienna and send your luggage to the plane without having to carry it around the airport. However, this is only possible for those flying with Austrian, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Swiss, and Brussels Airlines.
Additionally, there’s free internet connection for browsing during the journey.
The price for a ride on this train is €14.90 one way and €24.90 for a round trip. 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 Lines Buses
If you want to reach more central stations within the city, you can take one of the 3 bus lines operated by Vienna Airport Lines. The three lines, VAL1, VAL2, and VAL3, operate frequently between the airport and the city and back. They are an excellent alternative to the train, and their pick-up and drop-off points are very central. VAL1 operates non-stop throughout the day and night and stops at Westbahnhof station, from which you can continue on subway lines U3 and U6 to other areas within the city. VAL2 departs hourly, day and night (except between 3:15 AM and 4:15 AM when there’s no bus) from the Schwedenplatz area. VAL3 is more suitable for locals living in the more distant 22nd district from the center and departs several times in the morning and afternoon.
The fare is €11 for a one-way trip and €20 for a round trip. Children up to age 6 ride for free, and children aged 6-14 pay half price.
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:
In Summary
The journey between Vienna Airport and the city center is not complicated. There are plenty of options on how to reach your hotel at all hours of the day and night. Even if you haven’t booked a transfer in advance, you can easily take a train, a bus, book a ride via an app, or simply take a taxi at the airport. There’s no need to worry when arriving in Vienna, especially since the airport is only 20 minutes from the city!
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.
