Do I have to take the CAT train into the city and then UBER/taxi to my hotel or can I take an UBER directly from the Vienna airport? What is more convenient and cost effective and saves time? Will be staying at the Le Méridien, Robert-Stolz-Platz 1, 1010 Wien.
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
I stayed at this hotel--loved it!--on my first trip to Vienna and I did use the CAT train, transferred at Wien Mitte to the U bahn--5 minute ride-- and exited at the Karlsplatz station and it was an easy 5 minute walk, once I saw the Opera house I knew I was close. My second trip I took the S bahn from the airport, it was cheaper, again transferring at Mitte to my hotel near St Stephansdom. The S is comparable to CAT, just a bit harder to find.
Posted by
Green Bay
20086 posts
You could also take the S-Bahn to Rennweg, then change to the No 71 tram to Burgring, then walk back about 250 yards.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5384 posts
You do not need to take the CAT and you should not take the CAT.
Cost effective - take the S7 (clearly marked by the train symbol!) to Landstrasse/Mitte station where you transfer to the U4 line for two stops to Karlsplatz or take the Railjet to Hauptbahnhof and transfer to the U1 exiting two stops later at Karlsplatz. Between the S7 or the Railjet, take whichever comes next.
Time efficient - pre-book a taxi to take you directly to your hotel. I like Airport Driver.
Uber is unreliable in Vienna, in my personal experience.
Posted by
OP
27 posts
Great! Thank you all for the tips. For the U bahn and S bahn and other subway etc did you buy tickets at the airport? I will have USD with me and not any Euros so whats the best way to get these tickets? We do not have a rail pass or anything else like that
Posted by
Green Bay
20086 posts
Why not take a few minutes and visit an ATM and get some EUR? There are several at Arrivals. You might even find one while waiting for your luggage.
There are ticket machines, and also I believe you can buy tickets at the OEBB desk with a credit card. Buying tickets from a vending machine with a credit card can be hit or miss. Generally, you need a 4 digit PIN at vending machines, but the fare is only 4.10 EUR to anywhere in central Vienna, and often that is below the threshold to need a PIN.
Posted by
1905 posts
I will have USD with me and not any Euros ...
As said, best way to get Euros is an ATM, using a debit card is cheaper as a credit card, though. Never change cash at a private money exchange counter at the airport. It is a rip-off, bad exchange rate and/or high commission.
Avoid exchanging cash, anyway. If it is necessary go to a bank in the city.
Try to make as much payments as possible using your credit card. But you will need a small amount of cash in Euros as there are certain places not accepting plastic money.