Vienna Airport Transfers
Here are the best options for getting to your hotel from the airport in the easiest and most comfortable way possible
Your arrival in Vienna will probably be at the airport or the central train station. Here's how to get from there to your hotel in the city center...
1. The best transfers from the airport and train station to Vienna city center
The easiest way to arrive at any airport in the world is to opt for a private transfer to your hotel. This provides security and comfort, especially if you want to save energy to be able to visit the city once you leave your luggage in a safe place.
However, for those who are looking to save on travel, there are other public transport options that nowadays connect quite frequently the airports and main stations of major cities such as Vienna.
2. Private transfer from the airport to the city
If you arrive in Vienna by plane, the private transfer option from the airport to your hotel is the most comfortable and effective, and I recommend that you book it in advance. Although you can reach the city center by public transport, the private transfer guarantees you to avoid waiting, save time and get directly to the door of your hotel.
How to book
You can make your reservation online, providing your flight details and the address of your hotel. This way the driver will be able to wait for you on the day of your arrival in Vienna at the right time, taking into account possible delays. When you make your reservation you will receive an e-mail with the necessary information; the driver will be waiting for you, usually in the arrivals area, with an identification badge and will take you to your hotel.
Luggage
Luggage is included in the transfers, but if you are traveling with extra luggage, please specify it via email when you make your reservation so that they can take it into account.
Transfer back to the airport
The private transfer service from your hotel to the airport works the same way as the arrival transfer. At the time of booking you will have to provide your flight and hotel details so that they can plan the pick up on the day of your return flight calculating the time in advance you need to be at the airport.
3. Private transfer from the central train station to your hotel
If you do a quick internet search, you will see that there are several train stations in Vienna, but the main one is called Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Hbf for short) and is located a short distance from the city center (you can even walk there in about 40 minutes, although this can be quite uncomfortable if you are traveling with luggage).
You will probably want to get settled in your hotel or go out and explore the city first thing when you arrive in Vienna. I dare say that waiting for a cab, locating a bus stop, or figuring out a subway map while dragging your luggage is not something to look forward to... If you want to avoid all this, I recommend booking a private transfer from the central train station to your hotel in advance.
Advantages of this service
This service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week; if you arrive in Vienna in the early hours of the morning, you can still book it. A professional driver will be waiting for you at the station with an identification badge and will take you directly to your hotel after you have handed over the voucher that you will receive by e-mail when you make your reservation.
You can hire this transfer individually or for several people traveling with you.
Private transfer back from your hotel to the station
This private transfer service from your hotel to the central train station is also available for you to hire on your return. The driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Vienna Central Train Station, making sure you are there in plenty of time so that you don't miss your train. In both cases you will have enough space for your luggage.
4. Getting from Vienna airport to Vienna city center by public transport
Thousands of passengers arrive daily at Vienna's international airport; this influx means that there is a varied and fluid communication with the center for those who want to opt for the use of public transport.
City airport train
Connects the airport with Wien Mitte station, located in the city center. It takes less than 20 minutes to get to the center of Vienna and from there you can take the subway to your hotel. The frequency of these trains is half an hour and its schedule is between 5:30 in the morning and 23:00 at night. It costs 11 euros each way (also available to return to the airport from the center) and 19 euros if you buy a round trip.
Regional train
With a regional train the trip will be less comfortable, but you will save a lot in price since the single ticket to the center costs about 4 euros. Depending on your destination one or another line will suit you, but the main line to get to the center is the S-7, which runs from 4:50 am to 00:15 pm and takes about 25 minutes to Wien Mitte station.
Airliner bus
If your accommodation is well connected to the Vienna Erdberg bus terminal, this bus, active from five in the morning to ten at night, will drop you off there in about 15 minutes. The fare is about 5 euros, but be aware that this terminal is a bit far from the center of Vienna.
Buses Vienna Airport lines
There are three lines that connect Vienna airport with different parts of the city, so it may be useful to check their routes if you are staying far from the center. The VAL 2 line does drop you off in about 20 minutes in the center of Vienna, at Schwedenplatz, but does not make stops. The cost of the trip is €8 and it is also available to return to the airport from the center or other parts of Vienna.
Cab or Uber
In addition to these options, you can also choose to take a cab or Uber to get to your hotel.
Ana's Traveller Tip
If you are going to use Vienna's public transport network, you can buy (both online and at the stations) a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass or a weekly or monthly card.
5. Getting from Vienna Central Train Station to the city center by public transport
Despite the convenience of getting directly to your hotel from the train station, the possibility of getting to the center of Vienna by public transport is tempting both for the price. You have several ways to do this:
Regional train
The local trains operating in the city of Vienna are the S-Bahn and from the central train station there are several lines to the center; choosing one or the other depends on the location of your hotel. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the center and the advantage is that you do not have to leave the station. The price of the train ticket is about two euros and then you can connect with the metro.
Metro
If you want to take the subway directly (U-Bahn lines) without passing through the train, you have the stop Südtiroler Platz of line U1 to the left of the train station across the main avenue (Wiedner Gürtel). The price of a subway ticket is similar to the train ticket and you can take a 24, 48 or 72 hour pass for unlimited use of public transport during your stay. In about 20 minutes you will reach Stephansplatz, near the Hofburg imperial palace.
Bus
Although it will take a little longer than by train or subway, you will find several bus stops outside the Vienna Hbf station. Give the address of your hotel to one of the drivers and ask which line is the most convenient for you to reach your destination. Please note that luggage space may be limited if there are a lot of passengers.
Cab or Uber
This is an option that may interest you if you have arrived in Vienna without having hired private transportation in advance and want to get directly to your hotel. You will have to wait in line and prices may vary; in the case of Uber remember that when accessing the application and enter the route you can view the cost before accepting the trip, in the case of the cab it will depend on the taximeter and traffic. It will take you about 15 minutes to the center.
6. You may also be interested in
You are already in Vienna, so it's time to start enjoying this dream city, so I recommend you to take a look at these articles with the best recommendations on what to see and do in Vienna: