International Airport Schwechat (Schwechat International), located 19 kilometers southeast of the center of Vienna, is the main and busiest airport in Austria. The airport does not limit its activities to the reception and departure of aircraft. It is a veritable transport hub, serving about 20 million passengers a year and providing travelers with a wide range of modern public transport options that will comfortably take visitors to Vienna anywhere in the city.
The tourism infrastructure in Austria is highly developed and is considered one of the best in Europe. After receiving their luggage and passing the customs control zone, the arriving people go out to the large meeting hall, where the transport terminals are located. Everything is organized reasonably - passengers meet useful signs at every step. You can get from the airport to the center of Vienna by train, train, bus, rental car, and also use the taxi service (KiwiTaxi).
A train
Vienna has an extensive railway and metro network. Signs with a picture of a train provide information on where to go to the railway platforms. Departure takes place in the underground floor of the airport terminal - below the arrivals hall. There are two types of trains: Austrian Railways and the Private Express Train (CAT).
City Airport Train (CAT)
The fastest transport between the airport and Vienna is the City Airport Train (CAT). A comfortable green double-decker train will take passengers to the center of the Austrian capital in 15 minutes without stops and traffic jams.
The Silent Express operates on a scheduled daily basis every 30 minutes from 6:00 am to midnight. Cozy carriages with soft armchairs are provided with free Wi-Fi service, power outlets, USB ports, TVs and ample space for luggage.
Tickets for CAT can be purchased on the train's official website or through the terminals, painted in bright green. Vending machines for travel cards are located directly at the airport, Vienna train stations and several shopping centers. One way fare is 11 euros, and round trip costs 19 euros. You can pay in cash or by credit card.
Intercity Express (ICE)
The Intercity Express high-speed train runs from the airport to Vienna Train Station, and also runs to major Austrian cities and neighboring countries. Therefore, tourists wishing to get to the center of Vienna should be careful when choosing the right platform. Travel time with stops at intermediate stations is 18-26 minutes. Intercity Express departs every half hour from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. The ticket price is 4.40 euros.
The train develops a maximum speed of 230 km / h, but it covers most of the distance much slower. All cars have toilets and air conditioning. The salons are equipped with comfortable chairs with folding tables, which are equipped with sockets for charging gadgets. It is also possible to use the free internet.
S7
The intracity railway offers passengers an economical option to travel to the center of Vienna. This is the S-bahn train, line S7. The train makes nine stops at stations, so the journey takes 30 minutes. The ticket price, which is purchased from the machine on the platform, is low compared to other modes of transport - 2.20 euros. You must validate your travel card before boarding. The electric train runs from 4:30 am to 11:45 pm every half hour. According to the economy version, the interiors of the carriages are quite ascetic, but quite presentable.
Bus
At the exit from Vienna Airport Schwechat, there are bus stops, from where shuttle road trains depart to different parts of Vienna. The bus service in Austria is at the highest level, no worse than the railway one. There are 96 flights daily.
The city can be reached by three routes in the following directions: the western station, the historical center of the city and the Cagran station. This type of transport, which carries out transportation from 6:00 to 00:30, is perfect for passengers without small children and knowledge of the route. The final stops are in the central districts of Vienna.
Vienna Airport Lines
Vienna Airport Lines, a subsidiary of the Austrian Railways, provides passenger services in comfortable buses in both directions between Vienna city center and the airport. Flights operate without intermediate stops every 30 minutes. The journey takes 35-40 minutes. A delay can only occur in the event of traffic congestion. One way fare is 8 euros. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver, on the official website of the carrier's company, as well as in vending machines at stops.
Low floor buses are equipped with modern technological innovations with a wide range of possibilities. They allow passengers to enjoy a fast and comfortable ride. Inside the car there is an air conditioner, TV, reading lamps, Wi-Fi, USB sockets, and leather chairs are equipped with seat belts.
Eurolines
You can also get to the center of Vienna by regular bus that runs to many European countries of Central Europe. The transport company Eurolines carries out international transport, ensuring the necessary quality and safety standards.
The Bratislava - Wien bus route, which transits via Schwechat Airport, is suitable for passengers wishing to travel to Vienna. The ticket price, which can be purchased on the company's website, is 8 euros. Travel time does not exceed half an hour.
Taxi
Of all the above types of transport that go to the Austrian capital from Schwechat International, the most comfortable is a taxi. Some tourists prefer not to burden themselves with the search for the necessary public transport, as well as not depend on schedules and not stand in line for a train or bus ticket. The benefits of a taxi are especially tangible when people travel with families with children and with heavy suitcases.
The airport has its own taxi service, but sometimes the car may not meet the passenger's requirements. In addition, most drivers speak exclusively German. The KiwiTaxi online taxi booking system is very popular in Europe. Its advantage is that you can pre-order a car while still in flight. The service provides a large selection of cars of different classes, depending on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage. It can be economy, comfort, business, premium, as well as minibuses. By the time the plane lands, a personal driver will already be waiting for tourists at the airport, who will take them to any place in Vienna in 20 minutes.
The cost of the trip ranges from 16 euros (a seat in a tourist bus to the hotel) to 34 euros for an economy class car, 38 euros for comfort and 46 euros for business. You can pay for the service immediately via the Internet or in cash. The transfer price is fixed, so it will not change under any circumstances.
Rent a Car
Amateur tourists, accustomed to free movement, can rent a car and independently get from the airport to the center of Vienna. Major car rental companies are located in the air passenger arrivals area. They are open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Vehicle rental services are provided by the following global brands: Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Alamo, Buchbinder, EuropeCar and others.
For convenience, it is recommended to book a car online in advance. On the website, the client indicates the exact date of arrival at Schwechat airport and sees the most advantageous rental offers from different companies - the cost, characteristics of cars, rental conditions, as well as reviews from other customers.The minimum rental price for a simple car class is 36 euros per day. Station wagons and more elite cars will cost significantly more, over 70 euros. Transport is served to the client when leaving the airport terminal with a filled tank. You can return the car to any city branch of the company.
To rent a car, the customer must be over 20 years old, and also have an international driver's license, driving experience for more than a year and insurance. Highways in Austria are toll, so you need a special Vignette card, which gives permission to travel on the autobahns. You can buy it at petrol stations or electronically for 9 euros, valid for 10 days. The maximum permitted speed on motorways is 130 km / h, on normal highways outside the city - 100 km / h, and within the city - 50 km / h.
In general, international traffic rules are in force: the compulsory fastening of seat belts for all passengers, the prohibition of using a mobile phone while driving, and the prohibition of driving while intoxicated. The Austrian police strictly enforce these requirements.
It should be remembered that getting around by car in the center of Vienna is difficult. There are many pedestrian streets in the city. Most of the parking spaces are occupied or have time restrictions. If the car is parked in the wrong place, then you face a fine of 145 euros.
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