Vienna / The verdict
Vienna airport to the city: which way?
Take the Railjet or REX7 train to Hauptbahnhof: EUR 5.50 covers the ride plus a trip on to your stop, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Groups with luggage do better with a fixed-price taxi at EUR 42.
By The Real Traveler Experiences team. We earn a commission if you book through our links. It never changes a verdict.
The Vienna story
Vienna is imperial Europe polished to a shine: palaces, the Ringstrasse, world-class museums and coffee houses where a single melange buys a table for the afternoon. It is one of the easiest capitals to navigate, immaculate transit, legible layout, manners included, and the concert and opera calendar is the real thing rather than a tourist product.
The verdict in 30 seconds
Our pick: Railjet or REX7 train to Hauptbahnhof (runner-up: Taxi or pre-booked transfer)
Take the Railjet or REX7 train to Hauptbahnhof: EUR 5.50 covers the ride plus a trip on to your stop, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Groups with luggage do better with a fixed-price taxi at EUR 42.
Go if
- You are one or two people with luggage you can carry up a few train steps
- Your hotel is near the U1, a tram from Hauptbahnhof, or anywhere a single change reaches
Skip if
- You are three or four people with big bags, where a fixed-price taxi costs little more per head and goes door to door
- You land after the last trains, when only the airport bus or a taxi still runs
The options
Railjet or REX7 train to Hauptbahnhof Go
Most arrivals, especially anyone staying near the U1 or happy to make one change.
Good
- EUR 5.50 includes a single onward trip on Vienna's public transport.
- The Railjet reaches Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes and the REX7 in about 20.
- Railjets and InterCity trains leave every 30 minutes, and the rerouted REX7 adds more departures.
Watch out
- Most hotels still need a change to the U1 or a tram at Hauptbahnhof.
- Until the end of October 2027 the S7 stops at St. Marx, outside the center, so check the train's destination.
CAT by bus to Wien Mitte It depends
Travelers staying near Wien Mitte who want one direct ride with room for luggage.
Good
- Non-stop to Wien Mitte (U3 and U4) in 21 minutes.
- Departures every 12 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every 15 minutes otherwise.
- Children under 15 ride free.
Watch out
- EUR 14.90 one way, nearly three times the train ticket.
- It stops only at Wien Mitte, so other districts need a second ride.
- The last departure from the airport is at 11:37 p.m.
Vienna Airport Bus Skip
Late arrivals after the trains stop, or hotels right by Schwedenplatz.
Good
- Line 2 runs direct to Schwedenplatz (U1 and U4) in about 22 minutes.
- Line 2 leaves the airport every 30 minutes from 4:15 a.m. to 12:15 a.m.
Watch out
- EUR 11 one way, twice the train fare.
- One traveler who rode it found the comfort limited and no luggage rack on some buses.
Taxi or pre-booked transfer It depends
Groups of three or four, families with luggage, or anyone who wants door to door after a long flight.
Good
- Taxi 40 100 offers a fixed EUR 42 fare for up to four passengers when booked ahead.
- Door to door in about 20 to 25 minutes.
- No change with luggage.
Watch out
- For one or two people it costs far more than the train.
- Only use the official rank or the City Transfer counters; the airport warns against drivers who approach you inside arrivals.
See transfer pricespartner site
| Criterion | Railjet or REX7 train to Hauptbahnhof | CAT by bus to Wien Mitte | Vienna Airport Bus | Taxi or pre-booked transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official price | EUR 5.50 incl. city ticket | EUR 14.90 | EUR 11 | EUR 42 fixed, up to 4 people |
| Arrives at | Hauptbahnhof (U1) | Wien Mitte (U3, U4) | Schwedenplatz (U1, U4) | Your door |
| Official journey time | About 15 to 20 min | 21 min | About 22 min | About 20 to 25 min |
| Frequency from the airport | Every 30 min per line | Every 12 to 15 min | Every 30 min | On request |
| Last departure from the airport | Railjet 12:02 a.m. | 11:37 p.m. | 12:15 a.m. (line 2) | Varies |
| What travelers report | Simple and cheap; one change | Roomy for luggage but pricey | Reliable but basic | Easiest with kids or luggage |
What it costs
- S7, REX7 or Railjet ticket, airport to Vienna including a city ticket (adult): €5.50 (EUR 2.30 airport to city boundary plus EUR 3.20 within Vienna; children 6 to 14 EUR 2.80). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Airport to Vienna city boundary only (for City Card or multi-day pass holders): €2.30. Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- CAT by bus, single: €14.90 (return EUR 24.90; children under 15 free). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Vienna Airport Bus, single: €11 (return EUR 20; children under 6 free with an adult). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
- Taxi 40 100 fixed airport fare: €42 (up to 4 passengers, booked in advance; at the rank the taximeter fare applies). Official source, checked Sep 2026.
What travelers report
Based on 5 traveler reports (May 2025 to Sep 2026) and the official sources linked on this page. 0 were negative.
What people like
- Forum regulars recommend the Railjet to Hauptbahnhof, about 15 minutes with no reservation needed.
- Ticket machines in the airport station are easy to use and switch to English.
- The CAT gets praise for space and comfort, especially from travelers with luggage.
- A family travel blog rates a pre-booked transfer as the easiest choice with kids or luggage.
What people complain about
- The CAT costs far more than the train for a similar ride and stops only at Wien Mitte.
- The S7 now ends at St. Marx, and a local writer finds it often full with little luggage space.
- The airport bus is basic, with no luggage rack on some buses.
- The rail works mean the S7 no longer reaches the center directly.
How to do it right
- Check which station is closer to your hotel: the Railjet and REX7 end at Hauptbahnhof (U1), the CAT bus at Wien Mitte (U3, U4).
- Buy the EUR 5.50 ticket at the ÖBB machines in the airport station, or only the EUR 2.30 boundary ticket if you already hold a Vienna City Card or multi-day pass.
- Board any Railjet, InterCity or REX7 toward Hauptbahnhof; until the end of October 2027 the S7 stops at St. Marx.
- For a taxi, book a fixed fare ahead or use the official rank outside arrivals, and ignore drivers who approach you inside.
- If you land after midnight, take Vienna Airport Bus line 2 (last departure 12:15 a.m.) or a taxi.
The trap to avoid
Following the CAT signs out of habit: it costs EUR 14.90 against EUR 5.50 for the train, and during the rail works it is a bus to Wien Mitte while the Railjet reaches Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes.
Why this verdict
The train wins on the numbers and on the reports. EUR 5.50 buys the ride from the airport plus a single onward trip inside Vienna, and the Railjet reaches Hauptbahnhof in about 15 minutes. Forum regulars steer arrivals to the Railjet and tell them to buy at the English-language machines on arrival, and a family who took the S-Bahn when the CAT was on strike found it simple and much cheaper than they expected.
The other options each have a place. The CAT keeps loyal users for its space and comfort, including a Vienna-based writer who rides it with luggage, but at EUR 14.90 against EUR 5.50 it suits people staying near Wien Mitte rather than most arrivals. Groups change the math: at a fixed EUR 42 for up to four passengers booked ahead, a taxi costs about EUR 10.50 each and goes door to door, which is why it is the runner-up. The family blog also rates a pre-booked transfer as the easiest choice with children or bags.
The airport bus is a skip for most people. It costs twice the train fare, and a traveler who rode it to Westbahnhof found it reliable but basic, with no luggage rack on some buses. It earns its place only after the last trains, since line 2 leaves the airport until 12:15 a.m.
Of the 5 reports, 1 is positive and 4 are mixed, and none argues against the train.
Timing and tickets
The rail works matter until the end of October 2027. The central S-Bahn section is closed, so the S7 stops at St. Marx and the CAT runs as a bus to Wien Mitte. For a central hotel, board a Railjet, InterCity or REX7 to Hauptbahnhof instead of the first S7.
Buy tickets at the ÖBB machines in the airport station and validate them before travel if required. If you already hold a Vienna City Card or a multi-day pass, you only need the EUR 2.30 ticket to the city boundary. For a taxi, book the fixed fare ahead or use the official rank outside arrivals.
Book or check times
Airport to city options (Vienna tourism board)ÖBB timetable and ticketsCAT by bus tickets
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Questions
Is the S7 still running to the city center?
Not until the end of October 2027. The central S-Bahn section is closed for modernization, so the S7 runs only as far as St. Marx, where trams 18 and 71 continue. The REX7 is rerouted to Hauptbahnhof and the Railjets still run there.
What is the CAT by bus?
While the rail line is closed, the City Airport Train runs as premium buses between Terminal 3 and Wien Mitte, where the stop is at Marxergasse 1b. The ride takes 21 minutes and the single fare stays at EUR 14.90.
Does the EUR 5.50 train ticket cover the U-Bahn?
Yes, for one onward trip. The fare combines a ticket from the airport to the city boundary with a single ticket for travel within Vienna, and the tourism board says it must be validated before travel.
How much is a taxi from the airport?
The tourism board lists a fixed EUR 42 fare for up to four passengers with Taxi 40 100 when booked in advance. Taking a cab straight from the rank means the regular taximeter fare applies.
What if my flight lands late at night?
The last Railjet toward Hauptbahnhof leaves at 12:02 a.m. and Vienna Airport Bus line 2 leaves for Schwedenplatz until 12:15 a.m. After that, a taxi from the official rank is the option.
Pack for it
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