General
Overview
Vienna International Airport (VIE) is located in Schwechat, 18 km southeast of the city center. Terminals 1/1A and 3 are connected via the central arrivals plaza; the rail station is directly below Terminal 3.
Transfer Options
The following options are available for transport to your accommodation:
Luggage Storage
Staffed storage in Terminal 3. Open daily 05:30–23:30. Accepts hand luggage, check-in bags, and clothing for cloakroom.
The CAT (City Airport Train) reaches Wien Mitte in 16 min (€12 one-way, €21 return) — the fastest airport link in Europe. The slower S7 takes 30 min (covered by a standard day ticket, ~€8).
- Under 5h — too tight once you factor in the CAT back and airport security.
- 6–8h — Wien Mitte → walk to Stephansdom (free to enter), the Naschmarkt, or the Stadtpark. Allow 1h 30min round trip.
- 9h+ — Kunsthistorisches Museum (€21, no advance booking needed) or the Belvedere (book online). Schönbrunn Palace gardens are free to walk.
Visitor Cards and Passes
For unlimited public transportation, two main options are valid on city subways, trams, and buses.
Vienna City Card
Includes transit and 200+ discounts at museums, restaurants, and attractions. One child under 15 (or one dog) rides free with each cardholder.
| Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24h | €19 | Digital or paper |
| 48h | €31 | Digital only |
| 72h | €37 | Digital only |
| 7 days | €39 | Digital or paper |
Wiener Linien Passes (Transit Only)
Transit-only passes with no discounts. The former 48h and 72h options have been discontinued as of January 2026.
| Duration | Price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 24h | €9.70 | Digital |
| 24h | €10.20 | Paper |
| 7 days | €25.20 | Digital |
| 7 days | €28.90 | Paper |
Where to Buy
Purchase at the Tourist Information counter in the Airport Arrivals Hall (09:00–18:00) or at any red ÖBB/Wiener Linien ticket machine at the train station entrance.
Public Transit
Train Options
- City Airport Train (CAT): Premium non-stop service to Wien Mitte (16 min, €14.90). Includes City Check-In at Wien Mitte — drop bags and collect your boarding pass up to 75 min before departure.
- ÖBB Railjet: Non-stop to Wien Hauptbahnhof in 15 min (€5.40).
- S7 S-Bahn: Budget option to Wien Mitte in 25 min (€5.40). If you hold a Wiener Linien multi-day pass, you only need a €2.20 zone extension for the Schwechat boundary.
CAT passengers can check luggage and collect their boarding pass at Wien Mitte station on the way to the airport — giving you free hands for your final hours in Vienna.
Bus Options
Vienna Airport Lines (VAL) coaches run to Westbahnhof (VAL1), Schwedenplatz (VAL2), and Donauzentrum (VAL3). Tickets €11.00 one-way; buy from the driver or at machines at the bus stands. VAL buses have under-carriage holds, making them easier for heavy suitcases.
Vienna Airport Bus – Routes & PricesPaper tickets must be stamped in the blue/orange validation boxes at the station or metro entrance before boarding. Digital tickets purchased via the WienMobil app are pre-validated. Fines are €135 for unvalidated tickets.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Vienna’s hubs are among Austria’s most accessible, with lifts, tactile paving, and dedicated assistance services throughout.
Vienna International Airport: The PRM Service provides a personal escort, barrier-free parking, and apron transfers for passengers with reduced mobility.
Assistance Services
Hidden Disabilities: Vienna International Airport recognises the Sunflower Lanyard. Pick one up at the Airport Service Counter in Terminal 1, Terminal 3/Level 0, or Terminal 3/Level 1 (open 05:30–22:15). Staff are trained to offer extra help to Sunflower wearers.
Vienna Airport – Accessible TravelSafety
Vienna is exceptionally safe, but transit hubs are common targets for minor scams.
Men inside the airport arrivals hall holding “Taxi” signs are private chauffeurs who charge double. Only use the outdoor rank or an app.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
Report lost items online via the contact form, or collect in person at the Airport Service Counter, Terminal 3, Level 0. Open daily 05:30–23:00.
Vienna Airport – Lost Property OfficeFirst Aid
An emergency ambulance with a doctor and two paramedics is on call 24 hours at Vienna International Airport. Contact: +43 1 7007-22245.
Vienna Airport – Medical CarePharmacy
A pharmacy is in the Terminal 1 arcade corridor, Level 1. Contact: +43 1 7007-35305.
Vienna Airport – Medical CareArrival
Official Taxi
Official Vienna taxis are typically white, with a black TAXI roof sign (illuminated when available). Look for license plates starting with “W” and ending in “TX”, “ATX”, “BTX”, “CTX”, or “DTX”. Airport taxis at the VIE rank (without pre-booking) use plates starting with “SW” ending in “TX”.
Airport Rank: Located immediately outside the Arrivals Hall exit. Metered fare to city center: €35–€50. Pre-booked fixed fares are cheaper: €37 via Taxi 31300 app or €42 via Taxi 40100.
Always ask the driver for a “Fixpreis” (fixed price) before the trip begins. Alternatively, pre-book via the Taxi 31300 (€37) or Taxi 40100 (€42) apps for a guaranteed flat rate.
Rideshare
Uber, Bolt, and Freenow are active in Vienna. Since 2021, rideshare vehicles are legally classified as taxis, but they use specific pickup zones rather than the main taxi rank.
Use Freenow to book licensed taxis (which can use dedicated bus lanes), or Uber for dedicated pickup zones at Vienna Airport. Bolt is the best budget alternative, offering the lowest fares.
After exiting baggage claim and customs, follow signs for 'Terminal 3, Check-In' and take the escalator or elevator to the 2nd floor (Departures level). Your driver waits on the street in front of Terminal 3. Follow in-app directions — ride-hailing pickup signs are posted at the airport.
Airport GPS: The GPS can be finicky inside the terminal. Wait until you are at the outdoor pickup curb before requesting your ride.
Watch out for unlicensed drivers: Ignore anyone in the terminal or station lobby offering “cheap private rides.” These are unlicensed. Always use a verified app or the official taxi rank.
ATMs and Currency
Avoid “Euronet” machines, which charge high fees and offer poor exchange rates. Look for bank-branded ATMs like Raiffeisen, Erste Bank, or Bank Austria.
At the Airport: ATMs are located in the Arrivals Hall and near the baggage carousels. Look for Raiffeisenbank machines for better rates.
Austrian ATMs often dispense €50 or €100 notes. Try to break these at a newsstand (Tabak) in the terminal or station, as small cafes and taxi drivers may struggle to provide change for large bills.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
For intercontinental flights (US, Asia, Middle East), arrive 3 hours before departure. For European Schengen flights, 2 hours is sufficient.
Check-in desks are located in Terminals 1, 1A, and 3. Most airlines provide self-service kiosks for printing bag tags; staff are on hand to assist. Confirm your terminal before leaving for the airport.
Check your terminal carefully. Walking from the check-in area in Terminal 1 to the G Gates in Terminal 3 can take up to 15–20 minutes. Use the moving walkways and allow extra time.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Scan your boarding pass at an automated gate before entering the security queue. Checkpoints are in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.
- Liquids: Max 100ml per container in a single 1-litre transparent resealable bag per passenger.
- Electronics: Remove laptops and devices larger than A5 from your bag.
- Outerwear: Jackets, coats, scarves, and hats must go in a tray.
- Belt: Must be removed. Shoes generally do not need to be removed unless they contain significant metal supports.
Many European low-cost carriers charge a fee to print a boarding pass at the airport counter. Always have a digital boarding pass ready on your phone before arriving.
Passport Control
Vienna Airport (VIE) is in the Schengen zone. Flights to non-Schengen destinations (UK, USA, etc.) require passport control after security in Terminal 3. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens with biometric passports can use the automated e-gates to speed up the process.
VIE Security CheckVAT Refunds
Non-EU residents can reclaim Austrian VAT on purchases of €75.01 or more per invoice from a single store.
Instructions
- For checked-baggage items: Before check-in, go to a DEV (Digital Export Validation) kiosk, or connect to the DEV WiFi network on your mobile device to validate your tax-free forms digitally.
- Check in your luggage at the airline desk as normal.
- For carry-on items: Validate at the DEV counter near your boarding gate, after passing security.
- Collect your refund: Visit the Interchange desk to receive a cash refund, or have it credited to your credit card.
The minimum applies per single invoice, not across multiple receipts. Two purchases from the same store on the same day do not qualify if neither individually exceeds €75.01.