By Plane
Austria has six international airports, but for most German travelers, only two are really relevant:
Vienna-Schwechat (VIE) — Austria's Hub
By far the largest airport, 18 km southeast of the city center. Hub of Austrian Airlines (Lufthansa Group). Direct flights from all major German cities — Munich (55 min!), Frankfurt (1:15h), Berlin (1:20h), Hamburg (1:30h), Düsseldorf (1:25h). Also Eurowings, Ryanair, Wizz Air.
Transfer:
- City Airport Train (CAT): 16 min nonstop to Wien Mitte station. €14.90 one-way, €24.90 return. Every 30 min.
- S-Bahn S7: 25 min to the main station or Wien Mitte. €4.40 (regular public transport fare). Every 30 min.
- Railjet: 15 min to the main station. From €4.40. Ideal if you're continuing to Salzburg or Graz.
- Taxi/Uber: €35–45 to the city center, about 25 min.
Salzburg (SZG) — Gateway to the Alps
Small but perfectly located — only 4 km from the old town! Direct flights from Berlin (1:20h), Frankfurt, Düsseldorf with Eurowings and Austrian. Greatly expanded in winter due to ski resorts.
Transfer: Bus No. 2 (€3.20, 20 min to the main station) or taxi (€15–20, 10 min to the old town).
Innsbruck (INN) — Directly into the Mountains
Spectacular landing between the mountains. Seasonal flights from Munich (40 min flight time!), Frankfurt, Hamburg. Significantly more connections in winter (ski flights from the UK and NL).
Transfer: Bus F (€2.50, 18 min) or taxi (€15, 10 min).
Other Airports
Graz (GRZ): Few connections, from Munich and Frankfurt. Linz (LNZ): Hardly any scheduled flights. Klagenfurt (KLU): Seasonal from Berlin (Ryanair). Often Munich Airport (MUC) is the best alternative for western Austria — only 1.5h by Railjet to Innsbruck or Salzburg!
Flight Prices (Guidelines, one-way)
| Route | Off-season | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| German City → Vienna | €35–80 | €60–150 |
| German City → Salzburg | €40–90 | €70–180 |
| German City → Innsbruck | €50–100 | €80–200 |
💡 Tipp
For Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Tyrol, Munich Airport is often cheaper and better connected than Austrian airports. ÖBB Railjet Munich → Innsbruck: from €19, 1:45h. Munich → Salzburg: from €19, 1:30h.
