Vienna International Airport (VIE) sits about 18 km south-east of the city centre in Schwechat, and you have four realistic ways to get in: the premium City Airport Train (CAT), the budget-friendly S7 S-Bahn, a direct express coach, or a taxi. Each fills a different niche in terms of speed, convenience and price.
City Airport Train (CAT): non-stop in 16 minutes
The City Airport Train is Vienna's headline airport link — a dedicated express service that runs non-stop between Wien Mitte/Landstraße station (directly on the U3 and U4 metro lines) and the airport in exactly 16 minutes. No stops, no guessing about traffic. CAT trains run every 30 minutes and the schedule is timed around flight arrivals.
The CAT is faster and simpler than any other option, but the premium reflects that: it is the most expensive public transport choice. One convenience worth noting is the City Check-in service: travellers on certain airlines can check their bags in at Wien Mitte before boarding the CAT, then go through security at the airport without any luggage to manage. This is a genuine time-saver on the way out and worth investigating before you fly.
From Wien Mitte you can connect straight onto the U3 (orange line) towards Simmering/Erdberg or west towards the city centre, and the U4 (green line) towards Hütteldorf. Stephansplatz — the very centre of Vienna — is two stops on the U3.
S7 S-Bahn: the budget alternative
The S7 is part of Vienna's ordinary Schnellbahn (S-Bahn) network, runs on the same tracks as the CAT and stops at the same airport station — but makes intermediate stops and costs a fraction of the CAT fare. Journey time to Wien Mitte is around 25 minutes, making it only modestly slower than the CAT.
The S7 also continues on to Wien Praterstern and Wien Floridsdorf, which are more convenient stops for travellers heading north of the Ringstraße. Standard Wiener Linien tickets and passes are valid on the S7 for the city section; you need a ticket that covers the airport zone for the full journey from/to Schwechat. Check at the ticket machines for the correct fare.
Trains run roughly every 30 minutes during the day. For most budget-conscious travellers, the S7 is the obvious choice — the 9-minute time saving of the CAT rarely justifies the price difference unless the City Check-in service is genuinely valuable to you.
Vienna Airport Lines coaches
Several coach services connect the airport to various points in the city. The Vienna Airport Lines buses serve Wien Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz, Westbahnhof, Donauzentrum, and the Bratislava bus station. These can be useful if your accommodation is near Westbahnhof or you are continuing to Slovakia, but for most travellers heading to the centre, the train options are faster and more straightforward.
Taxi and ride-hailing
Taxis from Vienna Airport to the centre typically take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic, and longer during rush hour. Official metered taxis queue at the designated stands outside arrivals; Vienna's taxis are regulated and reliable. Fixed-price pre-booked transfers are also popular and let you avoid any uncertainty.
Uber and other app-based services operate at Vienna Airport. Fares are often similar to a metered taxi. For a group of three or four with luggage, a taxi or private transfer often works out comparable to two or three CAT or S7 tickets once you factor in the convenience.
Travelling to or from Bratislava? The Vienna Airport Lines run a direct coach to Bratislava's main bus station in about an hour — a popular option for travellers using the Bratislava–Vienna region as a base. Bratislava is also reachable by boat via the Danube in summer.
Public transport in Vienna
Vienna's inner-city public transport — the Wiener Linien network of U-Bahn metro, trams and buses — is excellent and well worth using once you are in the city. A 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour travel pass covers unlimited trips on all city transport and is very good value for visitors. Our full guide to Vienna's public transport network covers tickets, the U-Bahn lines and getting around efficiently.
If you are travelling onwards by train from Vienna, the Hauptbahnhof is the main terminus for long-distance ÖBB services, including the popular Nightjet sleeper network. Wien Mitte (the CAT terminus) connects to the U3 but is not a mainline rail station; for intercity departures, head to Hauptbahnhof via the U1 line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the City Airport Train (CAT) and is it worth it?
The CAT is a non-stop express train from Vienna Airport to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes. It is faster and more expensive than the S7. The City Check-in service — allowing bag drop at Wien Mitte before departure — is a genuine bonus on outbound journeys for passengers on eligible airlines.
Can I use a Vienna travel card on the S7 from the airport?
A standard Wiener Linien travel card covers the S7 within the city zones, but you need an additional airport-zone supplement for travel to/from Schwechat. Check the current zone boundaries at the ticket machines or the Wiener Linien website.
How long does a taxi from Vienna Airport take?
In light traffic, 20–30 minutes to the city centre. During rush hour this can extend to 40–50 minutes. The S7 and CAT avoid traffic entirely, which is worth remembering if you are timing a connection.
Is there a bus from Vienna Airport to the city at night?
Yes — night buses serve the airport, though less frequently than the daytime schedule. The Vienna Airport Lines coaches and certain ÖBB bus services run through the night; check the current schedule for the latest times.
Sources and further reading:
- CAT timetables and City Check-in: City Airport Train (cityairporttrain.com).
- S7 schedule and fares: ÖBB (oebb.at) and Wiener Linien (wienerlinien.at).
- Vienna Airport Lines coaches: Vienna Airport Lines (viennaairportlines.at).
- Airport terminal information: Vienna Airport (viennaairport.com).