What is the cheapest way from Vienna Airport to the city center?

The S7 S-Bahn to Wien Mitte/Landstraße, about €5.40 for a combined ticket covering both the airport zone and central Vienna, taking roughly 20–25 minutes with trains every 30 minutes.

Where do I catch the S7 train at Vienna Airport?

Follow the 'Bahn / Train' signs from the arrivals hall down to the platforms directly beneath the terminal — it's a short, step-free walk of about 5 minutes.

Do I need a special airport ticket for the S7?

Yes — ask for or select the 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' fare (about €5.40), which covers the airport-boundary zone plus onward travel anywhere in Vienna; a Kernzone-only ticket doesn't cover the airport leg.

Is the CAT City Airport Train worth the extra cost?

Only if you want the fastest nonstop ride — 16 minutes versus about 20–25 on the S7 — and don't mind paying €14.90, nearly three times the S7 fare, for roughly 10 minutes saved.

How much does a taxi cost from Vienna Airport?

A taxi to the centre runs roughly €40, several times the S7's roughly €5.40 fare — only worth it late at night or with heavy luggage.

What is the best way from VIE to downtown Vienna?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the S7 S-Bahn to Wien Mitte/Landstraße, about €5.40 with the combined ticket and roughly 20–25 minutes, with onward metro travel included.

How to get from Vienna Airport (VIE) to downtown Vienna — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Vienna Airport (VIE) into central Vienna is the S7 S-Bahn to Wien Mitte/Landstraße: a combined ticket costs about €5.40 and the ride takes roughly 20–25 minutes, with trains every 30 minutes. Buy the 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' fare in one purchase at an ÖBB machine or the ÖBB/WienMobil app before heading to the platform — a Kernzone-only ticket won't cover the airport leg. Don't default to the CAT City Airport Train, which costs €14.90 (nearly three times as much) to save only about 10 minutes to the same station.

How to find it

AIRPORTVienna International Airport – Schwechat
01From arrivals, follow the 'Bahn / Train' signs down to the S-Bahn and Railjet platforms directly beneath the terminal — a short, step-free walk of about 5 minutes.
02Buy the combined 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' ticket (about €5.40) at an ÖBB machine or counter, or in the ÖBB/WienMobil app before you go down to the platform.
03Board the next S7 towards Floridsdorf — trains run every 30 minutes (extra services at peak times), and no seat reservation is needed.
04Ride about 20–25 minutes to Wien Mitte/Landstraße, which connects directly to the U3 and U4 subway lines and is a short walk or one metro stop from Stephansplatz in the historic centre.
CITY CENTREVienna

Ticket

S7 S-Bahn combined ticket: Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien

Where to buy: ÖBB ticket vending machines and the ticket counter in the arrivals hall at Vienna Airport, or in advance via the ÖBB Ticket app or WienMobil app.

How to pay: Machines and the counter take cash and cards; the apps take cards. Ask for (or select) the combined 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' fare — a Kernzone-only ticket doesn't cover the airport zone and can mean a fine. No separate validation stamp is needed; the ticket is valid from its printed/purchase time.

Local's trick: Buy the combined 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' fare in one purchase rather than two separate tickets — it's sold as a single ~€5.40 ticket that also covers onward travel anywhere on Vienna's subway, tram and bus network for that trip.

Trap to avoid: Don't default to the CAT City Airport Train — it's a fixed €14.90 one-way, nearly three times the S7's fare, to save only about 10 minutes on the same Wien Mitte drop-off. A taxi to the centre runs roughly €40.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
TrainCheapest route	€5.40	30 min	S7 S-Bahn combined ticket: Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien
Train	€14.90	20 min	CAT (City Airport Train) one-way ticket

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Vienna Airport to the city center?: The S7 S-Bahn to Wien Mitte/Landstraße, about €5.40 for a combined ticket covering both the airport zone and central Vienna, taking roughly 20–25 minutes with trains every 30 minutes.
Where do I catch the S7 train at Vienna Airport?: Follow the 'Bahn / Train' signs from the arrivals hall down to the platforms directly beneath the terminal — it's a short, step-free walk of about 5 minutes.
Do I need a special airport ticket for the S7?: Yes — ask for or select the 'Flughafen Wien to Kernzone Wien' fare (about €5.40), which covers the airport-boundary zone plus onward travel anywhere in Vienna; a Kernzone-only ticket doesn't cover the airport leg.
Is the CAT City Airport Train worth the extra cost?: Only if you want the fastest nonstop ride — 16 minutes versus about 20–25 on the S7 — and don't mind paying €14.90, nearly three times the S7 fare, for roughly 10 minutes saved.
How much does a taxi cost from Vienna Airport?: A taxi to the centre runs roughly €40, several times the S7's roughly €5.40 fare — only worth it late at night or with heavy luggage.
What is the best way from VIE to downtown Vienna?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the S7 S-Bahn to Wien Mitte/Landstraße, about €5.40 with the combined ticket and roughly 20–25 minutes, with onward metro travel included.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.