Getting to Vienna
How to Get to Vienna: Your Complete Guide to Arriving by Air, Train, Bus, or Boat
Thanks to its location in the heart of Central Europe, it’s remarkably easy to travel to Vienna. Whether you’re jetting in from overseas, arriving by scenic train from a neighboring capital, hopping on an affordable long-distance bus, or even cruising along the Danube, Austria’s elegant capital is seamlessly connected to the rest of Europe—and beyond.
With years of hands-on experience exploring Austria’s transport routes and hidden corners, Tammy, founder of Wanderlustria—a trusted travel planning hub dedicated to showcasing Austria at its very best—shares insider tips to help you choose the smoothest, most scenic, and most budget-friendly way to reach Vienna.
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By Air
Vienna International Airport (VIE) is located 19km southwest of the city centre.
Direct Flights from UK, USA, Canada, the Middle East and Europe land in Vienna
From the Airport
Welcome Pickups offers a hassle-free pickup & transfer service to your accommodation with an easy online English-language form to pre-book a local, English-speaking driver.
Benefits of Using Welcome Pickups
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- Local English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid fee
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Customer support
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By Train
The ÖBB Railjets and the S7 S-Bahn are cost-effective alternatives that connect Vienna Airport with all major Vienna train stations (see below).
The journey takes ~25 minutes.
Book Direct on ÖBB
The Vienna Airport Bus Lines take you directly to the airport or the city centre.
There are three Bus Lines:
♦ VAL 1: Runs 24 hours from Vienna Westbahnhof via Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station South Entrance) to/from Vienna Airport.
♦ VAL 2: from Morzinplatz/ Schwedenplatz to Vienna Airport every half hour from 03:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Best choice if staying in the centre of Vienna.
♦ VAL 3: to/from Donaustadt with Vienna Airport and runs every hour between 04:58 a.m. and 07:58 p.m. between Donauzentrum and Vienna Airport.
The City Airport Train (CAT) is a dedicated express airport train that departs every 30 minutes to the central Wien Mitte station, which connects with the U3 and U4 subway lines.
It is the fastest connection from and to Vienna city centre, taking just 16 minutes.
Top Tip: Although this is the fastest option- it is also the most expensive- we recommend taking the normal train fromt the Airport
From the Train Stations
International trains arrive at centrally located Vienna train stations.
Vienna’s Westbahnhof is the station for trains arriving from Western Europe and Western Austria and the Westbahn trains to Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich.
♦♦ The U3 U-Bahn Station Westbahnhof takes you directly into the city.
Read our complete Vienna Public Transport Guide
Read our complete Vienna Public Transport Guide
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From the Bus Station
Flixbus: Buses use the terminal at the U3 U-Bahn Station Erdberg.
By Boat
There are two companies that operate the hydrofoil services on the Danube River to Vienna.
An Austrian company which is based in Vienna.
It operates a year-round service, with one trip a day in winter and autumn heading in the Vienna-Bratislava-Vienna direction.
From March through to October, there are multiple services on the route, with up to five departures and a day in high season.
This is the best option for those looking to spend the day in Bratislava and then return in the evening.
The departure point is from the Twin City Liner jetty at Schwedenplatz.
Public Transport: U-Bahn U1 and U4, Tram: 1 and 2, Bus: 2A
Lod are a Slovakian company based in Bratislava. They operate hydrofoil services from Bratislava to Vienna daily in July and August, five days a week in June and September and twice a week at the edges of the summer season.
Departure point in Vienna is the Schiffstation Reichsbrücke.
Public Transport: U1: Station „Vorgartenstraße
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Essential Vienna Planning Tips
Click on one of the topics below to start planning your visit to Vienna.
Getting to Vienna
Vienna Public Transport Guide
Vienna Tours & Tickets Guide
Top 30 Things to Do & See in Vienna
12 Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Vienna
Vienna Christmas Market Itinerary
Vienna Easter Markets
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Trip Planning
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How to Plan Guide
Austria Travel Tips & Info
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Accommodation Guides
Transport Guides
Visas and ETIAS
When to Visit Austria
Austria Holidays
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Chief Wanderlust’er and Austria travel expert, I’m on a mission to help you uncover the magic of Austria — from fairytale cities and alpine villages to awe-inspiring landscapes and rich cultural traditions.
As the founder of Austria Wanderlust Travel Planning, the Austria Travel Planning Facebook Group, and director of Wanderlustria eU, I provide trusted tips, local insights, and curated resources to make your Austrian adventure seamless, authentic, and unforgettable.