In December, my Austrian Airlines flight to the US leaves from the Vienna airport at 10:10 AM. I want to be there around 7 AM. Will the terminal be open around that time? I know in Rome it didn't even open until 7 AM so I want to make sure it's open in case I get there a little early.
Posted by
Tigard, OR, USA
1068 posts
I would check with the airport on line, but Vienna has a large airport and I left fairly early (but it was several years ago) with no problem getting into the terminal.
Posted by
2285 posts
As flights are leaving even during the night (e.g. at 2:45am) you can be sure that the terminals are open 24 hours a day. The business class lounges open at 6am normally.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
I suggest checking in online the day before, checking your bags at the CAT terminal at Landstrasse/Mitte (no line), and then arriving at the airport at 8:30. That will give you plenty of time for security and passport control, both of which are highly efficient. The airport is open 24 hours.
Posted by
2285 posts
You need to check in advance whether a city check-in is possible for your air carrier. The deadline is 75 minutes prior to departure.
The CAT train is a rip-off, in my opinion. From a different platform there are the S7 trains going to the airport for a fraction of the CAT price.
It depends where you stay in Vienna whether departing from Wien Mitte or Wien Hbf (main train station) is the better choice.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
I only advise taking the CAT to the airport as it is well worth it to check your bags at Mitte. Avoiding the long Austrian queue at the airport and not needing to haul your bags on/off the S7 are two great reasons to take the CAT TO the airport. It’s only 10 Euro. The people who take the CAT FROM the airport into town are suckers, in my opinion. Take the S7 from the airport to town - always.
Posted by
2285 posts
Take the S7 from the airport to town - always.
Not quite, it depends where you want to go to. The RailJets to main train station (Wien Hbf) need only 16 minutes, having no stop.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
Yes, correct - I should have said S-bahn or normal train...
I would add that the S7 will shortly start to run every 15 minutes during peak times as well.
Posted by
NYC
380 posts
The only drawback of checking your bags at Mitte is that they are the first to get to the cargo area. When I came back from Vienna this summer, I congratulated myself on checking my bag early and arriving at the airport with plenty of time to spare. But when I landed in NY, I discovered my one tiny little suitcase had apparently been loaded onto the plane FIRST. I was among the last five people to get their bags--took over 45 minutes between the first bags sliding onto the carousel and mine. It made all the trouble I'd gone to get Global Entry worthless by eating up so much time.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5519 posts
I’ve checked my bags in at Mitte dozens of times and never had this experience. Are you basing your opinion on one experience?
Posted by
NYC
380 posts
Yes. Clearly my bag got there first, got loaded in the first container, and was at the very back of the cargo area. Everything was very efficient!
The kicker is, I was just being a little lazy. The bag wasn't heavy; I could have easily have kept it with me and carried it on. Serves me right! And when I landed in NY, I just wanted to get home and get into a cool shower and relax, but I ended up standing in a hot sticky part of the airport for nearly an hour, panicking that my bag was lost. It was not what I needed. I literally could have been home already by the time I got the back and got to the Airtrain.
If anyone has heavy bags, multiple bags, or any issues which limit their ability to carry their bags, they should certainly take advantage of the Mitte check-in; it's a great service and more cities should have it. I just probably won't use it again!