Vienna Airport to City Center: All Transfer Options (2026)

Getting from Vienna International Airport (VIE/Schwechat) to the city center has six main options: CAT (City Airport Train, currently running replacement buses while the rail line is closed), ÖBB Railjet, S7 suburban train, Vienna Airport Lines bus, taxi/Uber, and rental car. Each has different prices, speeds, and trade-offs. For most visitors, the ÖBB S7 (€5.50) offers the best value, although until the end of October 2027 it only runs as far as St. Marx, about 18 minutes from the airport, where you change for the center; CAT by bus (€14.90, 21 minutes nonstop to Wien Mitte) is the fastest connection; and taxis are practical for late-night arrivals or large groups. This guide compares all options with current 2026 prices and helps you choose the right one for your trip.

The Six Transfer Options at a Glance

Option	Time	Price (one-way)	Best for
CAT City Airport Train (currently by bus)	21 min	€14.90	Speed-prioritized travelers
ÖBB S7 Suburban Train	18 min to St. Marx, then change	€5.50	Budget travelers (best value)
ÖBB Railjet	15 min	€5.50	Going to Vienna Hauptbahnhof
Vienna Airport Lines Bus	22–40 min	€11	Going to Westbahnhof or Donauzentrum
Taxi	About 20–25 min	€36–50	Late arrivals, large groups, heavy luggage
Uber/Bolt	Varies with traffic	€28–45	Late arrivals with app preference

Option 1: CAT (City Airport Train) — The Fastest

The CAT is the dedicated airport express train. Key features:

• Time: 21 minutes nonstop between airport and Wien Mitte as advertised, on premium coaches expected to replace the train until 31 October 2027; road traffic can add to that
• Frequency: Every 12 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00 and every 15 minutes at other times; buses leave the airport 06:10–23:37 and Wien Mitte 05:30–23:15
• Price: €14.90 one-way standard; €24.90 round-trip; children under 15 free with adult
• Tickets: Buy at the CAT counter at the airport (just outside arrivals) or online at cityairporttrain.com
• Stops: Terminal 3, bus bay 0, at the airport, and Marxergasse 1b at Wien Mitte (Landstraße), for U-Bahn U3 and U4 plus tram lines; those need a valid city transport ticket of their own
• Luggage: Dedicated luggage racks; ample space

The CAT is fast and reliable but expensive relative to the alternative S7 service. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple with significant time-sensitivity, the CAT is worth the extra cost. For two or more passengers with normal luggage and time flexibility, the S7 is the better value.

Option 2: ÖBB S7 Suburban Train — The Best Value

The S7 is the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) suburban train serving the airport. It serves the same airport corridor as the CAT, with intermediate stops and a much lower fare.

• Time: About 18 minutes between the airport and St. Marx. Until the end of October 2027 the S7 does not continue to Wien Mitte; bus 74A runs on from St. Marx to Landstraße for U3 and U4
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes, from early morning until after midnight; first and last trains depend on direction and day, so check the current ÖBB timetable
• Price: €5.50 one-way (airport outer zone plus Vienna core zone); €2.80 children 6–14
• Tickets: Buy from ticket machines at the airport S-Bahn station, the ÖBB app, or any ÖBB station
• Stations: Vienna Airport (lower level) to St. Marx, plus several intermediate stops; Wien Mitte is off the route until the end of October 2027
• Luggage: Standard suburban train luggage space; bring it onboard

The S7 is the choice for budget-conscious visitors. The difference between €14.90 (CAT) and €5.50 (S7) is significant for couples or families. Allow for the change at St. Marx, though: while the line through Wien Mitte is closed, the CAT is the only one of the two that takes you there directly.

Important note: A regular Vienna transport ticket (24-hour, 7-day, etc.) does NOT cover the whole S7 journey to/from the airport. With a Wiener Linien multi-day ticket or a Vienna City Card you only need the €2.30 airport supplement for the section outside the city; without one, the full fare is €5.50. Vienna City Cards bought with the Airport Transfer add-on include the airport journey.

Option 3: ÖBB Railjet — For Hauptbahnhof Destinations

The Railjet is ÖBB’s express service. From the airport, it runs to Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Vienna’s main station for international trains).

• Time: 15 minutes to Hauptbahnhof
• Frequency: Twice an hour, nonstop to Hauptbahnhof
• Price: €5.50 (same as S7)
• Best for: Travelers going directly to Hauptbahnhof for onward international trains, or for visitors staying near Hauptbahnhof
• Luggage: Generous luggage space; the Railjet is an inter-city train

Option 4: Vienna Airport Lines Bus

The Vienna Airport Lines bus service connects the airport to multiple Vienna destinations:

• Lines: Routes run to Schwedenplatz/Morzinplatz, Westbahnhof and Donauzentrum, and since 5 September 2026 directly to Karlsplatz and Praterstern
• Time: From 22 minutes to Schwedenplatz to 40 minutes to Westbahnhof by the published timetable; allow extra time for traffic
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes for major lines
• Price: €11 one-way, €20 round-trip
• Tickets: Buy at the airport bus stand or online at viennaairportbus.com
• Luggage: Dedicated under-bus luggage compartments

The bus is slower than the train options and costs twice the S7 fare (€11 against €5.50). Best mainly for direct routes to Westbahnhof or Donauzentrum that don’t have direct train service.

Option 5: Taxi

Vienna airport taxis operate from a clearly signed taxi rank outside arrivals. Key facts:

• Price: €36–50 to central Vienna depending on destination; meter-based
• Time: Depends on traffic and destination; Vienna’s tourist board puts the run to the center at about 20–25 minutes
• Payment: Cash and major credit cards accepted
• Tipping: Round up to next euro, or 5–10% for good service
• Fixed-price option: Some companies offer fixed airport fares if you book ahead; AirportDriver, for example, advertises online-booked Economy Line transfers within Vienna from €39
• Avoid: Taxi touts approaching you inside the terminal (use the official taxi rank only)

Taxis are practical for: late-night arrivals (after midnight when public transport is limited), large groups, heavy luggage, families with small children, or visits with mobility challenges.

Option 6: Uber and Bolt

Uber picks up at Vienna airport, and Bolt also operates in Vienna:

• Price: €28–45 depending on time of day and surge pricing
• Time: Depends on traffic; the app shows an estimate before you book
• Pickup location: For Uber, on the street in front of Terminal 3, departures level; follow the directions in the app
• Payment: Through the app
• Reliability: Check the live wait time in the app before you request a ride

The app quotes the fare and estimated journey time before you book, and payment goes through the app, so there is no cash to sort out at the end. Reliable for most arrivals.

Comparing the Options: Decision Tree

If you’re alone or as a couple with normal luggage:

Take the S7 (€5.50, about 18 minutes to St. Marx, then bus 74A to Landstraße for the U-Bahn). The savings versus CAT are real; the change at St. Marx is what you trade for them.

If you’re a family of 4 with heavy luggage:

Take the S7 if comfortable with public transport (€5.50 × 4 = €22, with a change at St. Marx) or a taxi, whose price depends on the operator and whether you book a fixed fare. The taxi is competitive once luggage and children are factored in.

If you arrive after midnight or before 5:00 a.m.:

Take a taxi if no train fits. The CAT buses stop for the night after the 23:37 departure from the airport, and the S7 keeps running past midnight but not all night, so check the ÖBB timetable for your day.

If you’re going to Hauptbahnhof for an onward train:

Take the Railjet directly to Hauptbahnhof (€5.50, 15 minutes). Don’t bother with Wien Mitte then U-Bahn.

If time is critical and you can pay:

Take the CAT (€14.90, 21 minutes nonstop by bus to Wien Mitte). The S7 might be late or crowded, and for now it stops short at St. Marx; CAT is reliable.

If you’re staying near Westbahnhof or Donauzentrum:

The airport bus may save you a U-Bahn transfer; check whether direct.

Practical Logistics

• Airport name: Officially Vienna International Airport; commonly called Wien-Schwechat after its location. Code: VIE.
• Distance from city: 18 km southeast.
• Terminal layout: Single terminal complex with multiple piers. the S7 and Railjet use the underground train station, the CAT bus leaves from Terminal 3, bus bay 0; other buses depart from the bus level; taxis from a clearly signed rank.
• WiFi: Free at the airport.
• Currency: All major credit cards accepted; ATMs widely available.
• Late-night arrivals: Some flights land late in the evening. The CAT stops for the night after its 23:37 departure from the airport, but S7 trains keep running past midnight, so check the timetable for your day before settling on a taxi.
• Returning to the airport: Allow 60–75 minutes from central Vienna using CAT or S7 (including walking time and platform waiting). Add buffer for taxi traffic.

The Wien Mitte Station Connection

Wien Mitte (also called Landstraße) is the main central Vienna transit hub for airport arrivals. From here you can connect to:

• U-Bahn U3 (red line) — serves Stephansplatz, Volkstheater, Westbahnhof
• U-Bahn U4 (green line) — serves Karlsplatz, Schönbrunn, Heiligenstadt
• Tram lines connecting to most parts of central Vienna
• Local bus lines for less-served districts

While the S-Bahn line through the city is closed, only the CAT reaches Wien Mitte, running as a bus, and U3 and U4 connect there. The S7 ends at St. Marx, where bus 74A links to Landstraße for the same two lines. See our forthcoming U-Bahn guide.

Tips for Arriving in Vienna

Some additional practical advice for visitors arriving at VIE:

• Customs and immigration: EU citizens aged 14 and over can use automated passport control where it is available; other travelers go through staffed border control, where the wait varies. Whether you pass passport control at all depends on where your flight comes from.
• Currency exchange: Available in arrivals but rates are poor. Use an ATM after clearing customs — ATMs are widespread and offer better rates.
• SIM cards: Convenient counters in arrivals; T-Mobile, Magenta, and other Austrian carriers offer tourist plans. EU roaming applies for European visitors.
• WiFi: Free airport WiFi is reliable. Most apps and Google Maps work fully.
• Currency: Euro. ATMs at airport accept all major international cards.
• Information desk: Vienna Tourism information desk in arrivals provides free city maps and basic travel advice in multiple languages.
• Luggage storage: If you arrive before hotel check-in, the airport has paid luggage storage. Wien Mitte and Hauptbahnhof also have storage lockers.

Pickup and Dropoff Logistics for Returns

When returning to the airport for departing flights, allow plenty of time:

• Recommended arrival: 2 hours before short-haul European flights; 3 hours before international flights.
• From central Vienna using CAT: Allow 90 minutes total (5-minute walk to Wien Mitte + 21-minute bus + 60 minutes airport buffer).
• From central Vienna using S7: Allow 100 minutes total (similar plus the extra train time).
• From central Vienna using taxi: Allow 90 minutes including potential traffic.
• Airport check-in: Queues vary by airline and flight and are longest at peak times; checking in online saves standing in them.
• Security: Waits vary and grow at peak hours, so build in a buffer.

Alternative: Bratislava Airport (BTS)

Bratislava’s airport (Slovakia, roughly 65–85 km east of Vienna, depending on the route) sometimes offers cheaper flights to Eastern European destinations. Connection options:

• Slovak Lines bus: Direct bus from Bratislava airport to Vienna (Erdberg or Hauptbahnhof). 90 minutes, €7–15.
• Train via Bratislava: Slightly more complex but possible; requires Bratislava bus or taxi to the train station.
• Taxi: Around €90 one-way; not worth it unless multiple passengers.

Wizz Air and Ryanair both fly from BTS, so it can pay to compare fares on some routes, but the bus to Vienna takes about 80 minutes before any waiting or onward travel. For most trips, VIE is more practical.

Wheelchair and Accessibility Options

• VIE Airport: Fully accessible with assistance services (request in advance through your airline).
• CAT: Runs as a bus for now; ask CAT about wheelchair spaces when you book.
• S7 and Railjet: Generally accessible; some intermediate stops have stairs.
• Wien Mitte: Lifts and step-free routes available, though navigation can be confusing.
• Taxis: Ask the taxi dispatcher for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when you book.

What to Buy at Vienna Airport

VIE has extensive shopping in both arrivals (after customs) and departures (after security). If you’re returning home and have time:

• Sachertorte: The famous Vienna chocolate cake is widely available; vacuum-sealed boxes survive long flights well. Original Sacher Hotel boxes and Demel boxes are both authentic.
• Manner wafers: The classic Vienna hazelnut wafer; pink and brown packaging. Cheap, light, and uniquely Viennese.
• Mozart Kugeln: The chocolate-marzipan-pistachio balls. Hofbauer (Vienna), Mirabell (Salzburg), or Reber are the major brands; the Hofbauer ones are slightly more Vienna-specific.
• Schnapps and Austrian wines: Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy), grüner Veltliner wines, and various herbal liqueurs.
• Viennese coffee: Julius Meinl coffee beans — a Viennese coffee brand founded in 1862.
• Luxury watches and jewelry: A. E. Köchert (the original imperial jeweler), various Swiss watch outlets.

Common Airport Transfer Mistakes

• Buying a CAT ticket when S7 would do. Many tourists default to the prominent CAT marketing without realizing the S7 is dramatically cheaper.
• Using the Vienna Card to pay for airport transit. The standard Vienna Card doesn’t cover the airport-to-city segment; you need a separate ticket.
• Taking an unmarked “taxi” from a tout. Always use the official taxi rank outside arrivals. Unauthorized drivers may overcharge significantly.
• Missing the last CAT/S7 of the night. The final CAT buses leave Wien Mitte at 23:15 and the airport at 23:37, while the S7 carries on after midnight. Check the timetable for your direction and day before you budget for a taxi.
• Not allowing enough time for departures. The CAT/S7 connection plus check-in/security at peak times can total 2+ hours from central Vienna. Budget accordingly.
• Forgetting that the U-Bahn doesn’t go to the airport. Only the CAT, S7, Railjet, and the airport bus reach VIE. Don’t try to use the Wien U-Bahn for the airport segment.
• Bringing too much cash from currency exchange at the airport. Airport exchange rates are poor; use ATMs once in the city for better rates.

FAQ

What’s the cheapest way from Vienna airport to the city center?

The ÖBB S7 suburban train at €5.50 one-way. Until the end of October 2027 it runs about 18 minutes to St. Marx instead of Wien Mitte; from there, bus 74A takes you to Landstraße for U-Bahn lines U3 and U4.

What’s the fastest way from Vienna airport to the city center?

The CAT (City Airport Train) at €14.90 one-way. It currently runs as a bus, 21 minutes nonstop to Wien Mitte, and is still the fastest link to the city center.

Is the CAT worth the price difference over the S7?

Only if speed is critical. The CAT costs €9.40 more than the S7 (€14.90 against €5.50), and while the rail works last it is the one that goes straight to Wien Mitte; the S7 ends at St. Marx and needs a change. The S7 is the better value for almost all travelers.

How much is a taxi from Vienna airport?

Taxis from the rank run on the meter, so the fare depends on destination and traffic. A fixed-price transfer booked ahead is the alternative: AirportDriver’s online Economy Line starts at €39 within Vienna. Tip 5–10% or round up.

Does the Vienna Card cover the airport train?

No — the Vienna Card doesn’t include the airport-to-city S7 segment by default. Instead of the €5.50 full fare, card holders top it up with a €2.30 ticket for the stretch outside the city, on the S7 or the Railjet. Cards bought with the Airport Transfer add-on include the journey.

How long does the CAT take?

CAT by bus is advertised at 21 minutes nonstop between Vienna Airport and Wien Mitte, with buses expected to replace the train until 31 October 2027. They run every 12 minutes from 07:00 to 19:00 and every 15 minutes otherwise, leaving the airport from 06:10 to 23:37 and Wien Mitte from 05:30 to 23:15.

Can I take Uber from Vienna airport?

Yes — Uber picks up at Vienna airport, on the street in front of Terminal 3 (departures level), and Bolt also operates in Vienna. Typical fare €28–45 to central Vienna; the app shows the price before you book.

The transfer is only half the story, of course — the other half is the building you are transferring out of. Our full Vienna Airport guide covers the three check-in halls, how early to actually arrive, where the cheap food is, and what the current S-Bahn works mean for every rail option on this page.

If you are making this journey on a connection rather than at the start of a trip, the transfer time is only half the problem — the other half is the ninety minutes you must be back at the terminal before departure, which is what actually decides whether leaving the airport is realistic. Our guide to the Vienna airport layover works through the arithmetic and sets out what three, six and ten hours genuinely buy you.

Before you choose a transfer, know which end of the building you need. Check-in terminals depend on the airline: Austrian Airlines uses Terminal 3, while Ryanair and SAS check in at Terminal 1, so look up your airline on the airport’s airline list or the departure screens before you set off. Our guide to Vienna airport terminals sets out who is where.

Related Vienna Guides

• Vienna Tram Guide