Vienna International Airport (VIE) serves the Austrian capital of Vienna and is the country’s busiest airport. Nearly all airborne international visitors come into Austria through Vienna Airport.
The airport is located in Schwechat, about 20 km southeast of Vienna’s city centre.
In 2024, VIE handled more than 32 million passengers, setting a record. Vienna Airport is among the 20 busiest airports in Europe.
Major Airlines - Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is the carrier at VIE with the largest share of operations. The airline flies to more than 120 destinations worldwide, offering more than 5000 flights per month.
Low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air continuously add more routes from Vienna, serving the on-a-budget market.
Leisure airlines also capture a lot of the demand for air travel. Namely, Jet2 offers 12 routes from Vienna, whereas Eurowings connects the Austrian capital with several cities in Germany.
Large world carriers also provide direct flights to and from their hubs. These include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air India, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Saudia, Turkish Airlines, and others.
See a full list of the 60+ airlines operating at Vienna Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Vienna Airport has 3 terminals in regular use: Terminal 1, Terminal 1A, and Terminal 3. While Terminal 2 exists, its building is now integrated as part of the other terminals’ structures.
Terminal 1: It houses the large majority of carriers and most of the Schengen flights. Includes Gates B, C, and D.
Terminal 1A: A standalone structure opposite Terminal 1. Pegasus and Condor have the most flights out of T1A.
Terminal 3: Serves Gates F and G. Austrian Airlines and Star Alliance non-Schengen and international operations are at T3.
Within these terminals are 5 concourses with a total of 101 gates:
Concourse B: Schengen flights, 12 gates.
Concourse C: Schengen flights, 17 gates.
Concourse D: Non-Schengen flights, 24 gates.
Concourse F: Schengen flights, 33 gates.
Concourse G: Non-Schengen flights, 15 gates.
A transfer shuttle connects the C/D piers and F/G piers. It operates every day from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM, with a frequency of every 10 minutes.
How to check in for your flight at Vienna Airport
Passenger convenience is at the heart of operations at Vienna Airport. This is why there are 5 different ways to check in for your flight.
Online Check-in: Quickly becoming the most popular way, as it saves time at the airport. Check the procedure and eligibility on your airline’s website. Online check-in normally opens 48 hours before departure.
Check-in counter: This classic option is best if you have bags to check too - by checking in at a counter, you can do both at the same time. Check-in counters' opening and closing times depend on your airline. Note that some low-cost carriers may charge additional fees for counter check-ins.
Self Check-in: Check-in kiosks are available in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, where you can print out your boarding passes and baggage tags yourself. You can then proceed to the baggage drop-off counter and/or to Immigration/Security.
CAT City Check-in: A select few airlines (including Austrian and Lufthansa) allow you to check in in person before you even reach the airport. You can do so at the Wien Mitte-Landstraße station of the airport train between 24 hours and 75 minutes before departure. This also allows you to drop off your bags in advance and enjoy Vienna for a few more hours!
Late-night Check-in: If flying with Austrian, Lufthansa, or SWISS, you can check in and drop off your luggage at Vienna Airport the day before your flight. The following day, you can proceed directly to Security and onwards to your gate for your flight.
Connecting Flights and Transit at VIE
Transfers at VIE are efficient, especially within Terminal 3 for international flights.
If you have two non-Schengen flights under the same reservation (same PNR code), you can remain within the international transit area until your next flight and won’t need a visa unless you want to leave the airport. Your luggage will be checked through to your final destination.
For flights moving between Schengen and non-Schengen (e.g., from Gates C/D to F/G), you will need to go through Security and Immigration. If flying with the same airline, your bags will normally be checked through to your final destination.
Flights within Schengen, as a rule, do not face passport control.
For self-transfers, i.e., when flying with two different airlines or with two flights booked separately, you will need to exit the transit zone, re-check your luggage (if any), and then go through Security again.
Free Wi-Fi at the airport
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. Simply connect to the SSID "Free Airport WiFi" and enjoy unlimited access to the internet. No special device configuration is required to use the Wi-Fi network.
Concourses F and G have work areas with power sockets and storage space for laptops. Concourses B and C offer seating equipped with integrated power outlets and USB charging ports.
Lounges and most restaurants provide dedicated networks for paying customers.
Lounges at Vienna Airport
Vienna Airport offers 3 lounges:
VIENNA Lounge: Located after Security but before passport control in Terminal 1, on Level 2. It is open from 04:30 AM to 10:00 PM daily. The lounge offers buffet breakfast until 11 AM, hot meals and snacks after that, free wi-fi, magazines, comfortable seating, showers, and more. In addition to those flying First or Business Class who can enter for free, Economy Class passengers can also enjoy the lounge for a fee of 57 EUR.
SKY Lounge: Located in Terminal 3, after Security, on Level 2. This lounge is open from 4:30 AM to 11 PM and is also available to all travelers. If not eligible to enter for free, the 3-hour pass costs 46 EUR. The amenities are similar to the Vienna Lounge.
- Austrian / Star Alliance Lounges. Austrian Airlines maintains Business, Senator, and HON Circle Lounges in both Schengen and non-Schengen areas of Terminal 3:
Level 3 has the non-Schengen HON Circle Lounge, accessible from the G boarding gates
Level 2 has the HON Circle Lounge, the Senator/Star Alliance Gold Lounge, and the Business Lounge (all Schengen).
Concourse D has the Austrian Business Class Lounge.
These lounges typically offer free WiFi, hot & cold drinks, light meals, relaxation zones, and some of them also have showers.
Dining Options at VIE
There’s a broad variety of food & beverage options throughout all the terminals of Vienna Airport. From casual cafés and snack kiosks near check-in, shops and bars post-security, to more sit-down restaurants for longer waits near the gates.
As is common in major European hubs, offerings include Austrian local cuisine (coffee, pastries, etc.), international fast casual, and retail/duty-free shops near larger gates, especially in non-Schengen wings.
If you’d like to try some local Austrian cuisine, check out these places:
Trześniewski: Serves a wide array of sandwiches in the landside area of Terminal 1.
Bieder & Maier: The perfect place to have Viennese coffee and typical pastries. Located landside in Terminal 3.
Wiener Würstelstand: Its specialities include Viennese sausages, pretzels & snacks. Located in Arrivals of Terminal 1.
Ottakringer Zapfmeisterei: Pours draught beer and offers bar fare. Located in Arrivals of Concourse D.
Leberkas-Pepi: Offers traditional Leberkäse specialities in Arrivals of Concourse F.
Some of the international cuisine options at Vienna Airport include:
Dean & David: A small vegan and vegetarian kiosk, serving amazing grilled flatbreads, salads, and other healthy food. Located in Arrivals, Concourse F.
Ciao a Tutti: Offers Italian focaccias in Concourse D.
Jamie’s Deli: The best place for oven-baked pizza at the airport. Find it in Concourse F.
Jamie’s Italian: Mediterranean cuisine in Concourse F.
Fast food chains like Burger King (flame-grilled burgers), Big Daddy (also burgers), and Henry (vegan and vegetarian meals) can be found in several concourses.
If all you need is a cup of coffee, your options include Aïda (Terminal 1 and Concourse G), Café Admiral (Arrivals), Café Franzl (Concourse F), or Trzesniewski (Terminal 1), among others.
Transport to and from the airport
Multiple good options exist between the airport and the Vienna city centre.
Most travelers use one of the two rail options to travel between the city and the airport:
City Airport Train (CAT): A nonstop service to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes, running every 30 minutes between ~05:37 and ~23:39. The one-way fare is €14.90, and a return trip costs €24.90. There are discounts if pre-booked or a €2.00 surcharge if you purchase your ticket on the train.
ÖBB / S-bahn (S7 line): A regular train from the airport to Wien Mitte / Praterstern. The travel time is approximately 25 minutes, but the fare is noticeably lower at just €4.60, which includes the use of subways, trams, and buses in Vienna proper. Don’t forget to validate your ticket on the machines before boarding the train!
For long-distance trains on the RailJet, you need to connect through Hauptbahnhof, then proceed onwards.
A public transport alternative is the Vienna Airport Lines buses. These connect to major hubs, roughly every 20-30 minutes, with a travel time comparable to that of the S-bahn train. The one-way ticket for any of the lines costs €8, return is €11.
Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz line: Operates 24/7 and serves District 1 (city center).
Westbahnhof-City Hall-Schottentor line: Connects the airport with Vienna’s main bus station, stopping at Rathaus and University on the way.
Kaisermühlen VIC/Kagran line: Terminates at Vienna International Center (the UN) in the eastern part of the city.
Several official taxi companies operate a fleet of cabs outside of Arrivals. Travel time to the city centre in normal traffic is around 20-30 minutes with variable fares between day and night, usually in the €30-40 range.
Alternatively, book a ride-share from Uber or Bolt, which have designated pick-up locations with signs at the airport.
Depending on your final destination, a private shuttle may be both more convenient and cheaper. Check detailed information about private transfers from Vienna airport.
Official parking at Vienna Airport
Plentiful parking options are available at Vienna Airport. With a total of 22,000 parking spaces in official on-site parking areas, you are sure to find the perfect option regardless of your preference for convenience or price.
Car Park 3 and Car Park 4 are located directly next to Terminal 1/1A and Terminal 3, respectively, with covered walkways connecting them to the check-in areas. Parking there costs €5.50 per hour.
Parking space C is less than a 10-minute walk away from the terminals via a mostly underground walkway. This is the cheapest outdoor parking lot near the terminal and costs €4.50 per hour.
Parking space A is a 5-minute walk from the terminals, with a footpath along Car Park 4 or underground. It comes at a cost of €4.50 per hour and offers valet service for a one-time fee of €30 plus the standard parking rate.
Short-term parking K3 is best if you are picking up arriving passengers, as it’s just a few meters from the exit of Arrivals. The charge here is €5.90 per hour. This parking is not available for pre-booking.
Terminal approach Departure is the only place with a gratis period of 10 minutes. After that, or upon the second entry of the day, a charge of €2.90 per 15 minutes applies.
Hotels near Vienna Airport
Inside the terminal itself, the only accommodation option is the Zzzleepandgo Wien Airport. It is located landside, so you will have to go through passport control if coming from outside the Schengen area to get to it. It offers pods with simple amenities, and guest reviews generally suggest that it’s not worth the high price.
For more comfort and better value for money, the Hotel NH Vienna Airport Conference Center is located directly across from the terminal and offers an on-site restaurant, a fitness centre, and a full business center in addition to the comfortable rooms and the best location for those with early flights or on a layover.
The other option within walking distance of the terminals is Moxy Vienna Airport - a youthful hotel with a 24/7 bar and an area for socializing with other travelers. It is a more budget-friendly option, yet it remains stylish and vibrant.
Vienna, Austria
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