🚆 From Vienna Airport to the center: trains, bus, taxi and transfer prices

From Vienna Airport to the city center, there are seven different routes. Each option differs in price and travel time, and the range is wide.

The CAT express to Wien Mitte station is replaced by buses until the end of October 2027: because of track renovation they run nonstop in 21 minutes (as of 09/2026, City Airport Train). The bus costs less but takes longer.

Below, we break down all seven options step by step and have updated prices for September 2026. You will quickly figure out what suits your trip best.

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Comparing ways to get to the city center

💡 In short:

Until the end of October 2027 the CAT runs as a bus: 21 minutes to Wien Mitte, tickets online from 7 € (as of 09/2026, City Airport Train fares).
The Vienna Airport Bus costs 11 € one way, children under 6 ride free (carrier fares).
Prices and travel times: 09/2026, verified on the official airport website.

Option	Price	Time	Best for
CAT	from 7 € online	21 minutes	Those in a hurry traveling light
S7 (S-Bahn)	VOR fare, cheaper than CAT	about half an hour	Those saving on the trip
Vienna Airport Bus	11 €	35-40 minutes	Those heading to Westbahnhof
Taxi and transfer	fixed price, depends on class	about 20 minutes	Families and passengers with suitcases
Car rental	rental rate, depends on company	about half an hour	Those continuing on through Austria

If you are short on time, the first row of the table is all you need. If price is the priority, look at the S7 and the bus.

Trains from the airport to the center

Trains depart from the underground level of the terminal, below the arrivals hall. Signs with a train icon will lead you straight to the platforms, and it is hard to get lost there. After that, everything depends on the train you choose.

City Airport Train (CAT)

CAT train on railroad tracks at a platform

The CAT is the express between the airport and Wien Mitte station. From September 2026 until the end of October 2027, nonstop buses run instead of the green train because of track renovation, and the trip takes 21 minutes (as of 09/2026, official carrier website). Traffic jams and bus schedules do not affect it.

The buses leave every 12 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the early morning and evening, with the last departure from the airport at 23:37. Tickets cost from 7 € online, and children under 15 ride free. In the city the buses stop at Wien Mitte The Mall, and city check-in is not available during the works.

The catch is also honest: the bus depends on traffic, so at rush hour the trip can take longer.

ÖBB and Intercity Express trains

ÖBB runs Railjet, Intercity Express, and regional trains from the airport to Wien Hauptbahnhof station (according to ÖBB). Some of them continue on to other cities in Austria. So check the departure board before boarding: not every platform goes to the city center.

The train reaches 230 km/h, but for most of the route it goes slower. The cars have air conditioning, restrooms, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi.

A ticket at the VOR fare costs several times less than the CAT. Check the current price at the ticket machine on the platform or on the ÖBB website.

S7 suburban train

ÖBB commuter train with Wien Floridsdorf destination sign

Until the end of October 2027 the S-Bahn line S7 runs only as far as St. Marx station: from there you continue to the center by tram 71 or bus 74A. It is still the cheapest train toward the center. You need to validate your VOR ticket before boarding.

The train runs every half hour from early morning until late evening. The interiors are simple but clean, and the seats are firmer than on the CAT. If you are not in a hurry, this option is worth it.

Buses to central Vienna

Bus stops are right outside the terminal exit. You won't have to figure out platforms and walkways.

Vienna Airport Bus

White Vienna Airport Lines bus at a stop

The official Vienna Airport Bus shuttle operates as a segment of ÖBB Postbus. Buses run every half hour, and the trip takes 35-40 minutes. Delays are only possible in heavy traffic.

A one-way ticket costs 11 €, round trip 20 €. Children aged 6 to 14 pay 6 €, and kids under 6 ride free. You can buy a ticket from the driver, at a ticket machine, or online.

The bus has air conditioning, Wi-Fi, USB ports, and reading lights. You place your luggage in the rack by the entrance; there is no separate luggage compartment.

Intercity buses

Panorama of Vienna with high-rises above the central rooftops

If you are flying in transit and continuing on, for example to Bratislava, intercity routes will work for you. Some of them stop right at the airport, and passengers board along the route.

These buses are cheaper than the official shuttle, but the schedule is built around the long-distance route. Check the times in advance: at the airport the bus may be a passing stop and may run late.

Taxi and transfer from the airport

Taxis at the airport operate on a fixed fare, but the price depends on the vehicle class and the number of passengers. Airport service drivers mostly speak German, so it is better to show the address on your phone screen.

A transfer makes sense when you are traveling with family, with heavy suitcases, or at night. The car is booked in advance, the driver waits for you in the arrivals hall, and the price is known before the trip (book a transfer from Vienna Airport).

Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral in central Vienna

The catch with a taxi is that during rush hour you sit in the same traffic as the bus. The upside is that the car takes you door to door and you don't have to carry your luggage through the station.

Car rental at the airport

Offices of Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar, Buchbinder, and other companies are located in the arrivals area. The car is delivered at the terminal exit with a full tank, and you can return it at any city branch.

It's better to book a car in advance: that way you can see the price, car class, and insurance terms (compare rental offers). Compact cars are the cheapest, while station wagons and premium cars cost noticeably more.

To rent, you need to be over twenty, have an EU driver's license, more than a year of driving experience, and insurance. Austrian autobahns are toll roads, so buy a vignette: it's sold at gas stations and online on the ASFINAG website.

Vienna's center is almost entirely pedestrian, parking is time-limited, and parking in the wrong spot will get you a fine. If you plan to walk around the center, a car will likely be more of a hindrance.

Route from the airport to the center on the map

From the terminal, the road follows the A4 highway toward Vienna. Below is a route map: it shows where the airport zone ends and the city begins.

If you want a car waiting in the arrivals hall, check the fixed rates for an airport transfer to central Vienna.

Tours and tickets in Vienna

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Vienna Airport to the center?

The cheapest option is the S7 or the Vienna Airport Bus: a VOR fare ticket and 11 € respectively (as of 09/2026, carrier fares). The fastest way into the city is an ÖBB train to Wien Hauptbahnhof, about 15 minutes; the CAT bus takes 21 minutes to Wien Mitte. Taxis and transfers cost the most, but they take you door to door.

Which is faster, the CAT or the S7?

Until the end of October 2027 the CAT runs as a bus and reaches Wien Mitte in 21 minutes with no stops. During this time the S7 goes only as far as St. Marx, and you then change to a tram or bus. If you're in a hurry, take the CAT or an ÖBB train to Wien Hauptbahnhof.

Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?

No, tickets are sold at machines, at the ticket office, and from the bus driver. You only need to book transfers and car rentals in advance. A CAT ticket bought online is valid for six months from the purchase date, so you can buy it well before your trip.

Does transport run from the airport at night?

Trains and buses run from early morning until late evening. At night, taxis and pre-booked transfers are the only options. Agree on the price before the trip to avoid arguing on the spot.

Do I need a car in Vienna?

A car is useful if you're continuing on through Austria after Vienna. The center itself is almost entirely pedestrian, and parking is time-limited. For the city, take the S7, CAT, or bus, and save the car for leaving Vienna.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're short on time, take the CAT bus to Wien Mitte or an ÖBB train to Wien Hauptbahnhof. If you're counting every euro, the S7 or the bus will do. Traveling as a family with suitcases, book a transfer. Planning to drive around Austria, book a car in advance.

It's also better to book accommodation in Vienna ahead of time, especially in high season: see Vienna hotels on Trip.com.

Vienna Airport: how to get to the city center and what to choose