Hi - we will be staying near St. Stephen's when we get to Vienna and I am told it is a pedestrian only area. I understand we can take the airport bus to a certain area and then it's a short walk to our destination. My question seems very silly but since I know nothing about Vienna I need to ask - when we are ready to depart Vienna, do we just do the trip in reverse? I mean, do we just walk back to where the bus dropped us off and will we be able to board a bus back to the airport? Basically I don't know if the bus is strictly from the airport or if there is another option.... Sorry, hope you can figure out what I'm trying to say..
Thanks
Posted by
Green Bay
20081 posts
Are you taking the Vienna Airport Bus to Schwedenplatz (VAL 2)? It is an express bus between there and the airport, so yes, you have to walk back to that spot.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7278 posts
When we stayed at Hotel am Stephansplatz across from St. Stephan’s, we took the CAT train to the airport. If you’re taking the bus, just ask them where the return bus stop is located.
Posted by
1902 posts
Right underneath St. Stephen's Square there is a subway station (U-Bahn) which should be closest to your hotel.
Take a train from the airport and change to the subway then.
You have two choices:
RJ train to Wien Hbf (main train station) and then U1 to St. Stephen's Square
S7 train to Wien Mitte and then U3 to St. Stephen's Square
Trains run alternating every 15 minutes, take whatever comes first. The train ride is 15 (RJ) or 20 (S7) minutes, the subway ride is about 5 minutes, and approx. 5 minutes for the change. You cannot make it in that time using the airport bus which does not stop near St. Stephen's Square.
The fare is €4.10 for the train including the subway ride.
The CAT (City Airport Train) is a rip-off, going the same route as the S7. Its ticket is twice as expensive and not valid for the subway.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
Do you want cheap, fast or convenient? These will all be different options. My preference is to go by pre-booked taxi to/from the airport as it is about 30 Euro. If you are more than 2 people, taking the bus or the CAT won't be much less. With a taxi, you'll get door to door service and you don't have to wait 30 minutes for the next train or bus. I recommend Red Cab. You also pre-pay for the taxi so you don't have to worry about having cash on hand. As for the pedestrian zone, really in the center of Vienna, there are only a few streets with no cars, but every hotel will be reachable by a side side which allows cars. It's not something to dwell on.
Posted by
1902 posts
... and you don't have to wait 30 minutes for the next train ...
Trains from the airport depart every 15 minutes (RJ and S7 alternating).
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
True! But I'd still take a taxi. Heck, I live at Rennweg where the S7 stops and I still take a taxi always.
Posted by
OP
36 posts
Thank you all for your help!! Looking forward to our trip to Vienna.
Posted by
New York, NY
3996 posts
Right underneath St. Stephen's Square there is a subway station
(U-Bahn) which should be closest to your hotel.Take a train from the airport and change to the subway then. You have
two choices: RJ train to Wien Hbf (main train station) and then U1 to
St. Stephen's Square S7 train to Wien Mitte and then U3 to St.
Stephen's SquareTrains run alternating every 15 minutes, take whatever comes first.
The train ride is 15 (RJ) or 20 (S7) minutes, the subway ride is about
5 minutes, and approx. 5 minutes for the change. You cannot make it in
that time using the airport bus which does not stop near St. Stephen's
Square. The fare is €4.10 for the train including the subway ride.The CAT (City Airport Train) is a rip-off, going the same route as the
S7. Its ticket is twice as expensive and not valid for the subway.
This is EXACTLY what my husband and I did. CAT is indeed a rip off as is a taxi which is why we took the S7 as it came first and was a speedy trip to the airport. Follow this advice.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
I wouldn’t say that a taxi is a rip off. At 32 Euro for 4 people, I find it fairly economical as it is door to door and I don’t have to drag my luggage through town. The CAT, however, requires that you take a Tram or subway to get to the CAT station, for which you pay separately. The S7 also conveniently stops at Rennweg, Landstrasse and Prater, whereas the CAT only stops at Landstrasse.
Posted by
7 posts
The cheapest way is to take the S-Bahn but it takes forever and also is about 4.60 Euros per person to get to the center. So I'd highly suggest taking a cab too. it's way easier, faster and it brings you where ever you need to go
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3045 posts
The more times I go to Europe, the more I am convinced that taking the cab to the hotel from the airport is a good idea. First, the cab knows exactly where your hotel is, and you don't usually. Second, you are most vulnerable when dragging your suitcase behind you, and this is the most stereotypical "tourist" thing to do. Third, you are usually tired, and getting to the hotel quickly can make you more comfortable. Fourth, you often spend more, but not much more, taking public transportation.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5381 posts
The s-bahn only takes 20 minutes, which I'd hardly describe as "forever." That said, I always take a cab.
Posted by
1902 posts
The cheapest way is to take the S-Bahn but it takes forever and also is about 4.60 Euros per person ...
It is €4.10 (and even less if you buy a public transport pass for your stay), and it is faster than the airport bus or a taxi.
Nevertheless taking a cab is more comfortable.