Austria captivates visitors with its imperial cities, Alpine landscapes, and rich musical heritage. From Vienna's grand palaces to Salzburg's baroque architecture and the stunning Tyrolean Alps, this Central European gem offers world-class culture, outdoor adventures, and legendary coffeehouse traditions.
- Public
- Vienna has one of Europe's finest public transport systems — U-Bahn, trams, and buses cover the entire city with clockwork reliability. Integrated ticketing means one ticket works across all modes. Salzburg and Innsbruck have excellent bus and tram networks for their size.
- Taxi
- Taxis are metered and reliable in all Austrian cities. Bolt and Uber offer app-based alternatives that are often cheaper. Vienna airport taxi fares are regulated and fixed. Avoid unlicensed touts at airports.
- Rental
- Car rental is recommended for exploring Austria's Alpine countryside, day trips to rural areas, and skiing. Not needed in Vienna city center but opens up the Salzkammergut, Wachau, and Tyrolean valleys. Winter tires essential November-April.
- Walking
- Vienna's Innere Stadt (1st district) and Salzburg's Altstadt are compact and highly walkable. Innsbruck old town takes 15 minutes end-to-end on foot. Good walking shoes essential for cobblestone streets.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €35-45 fixed fare to Vienna city center (20-30 min)
- Taxi Info
- Taxi Wien and other licensed operators use fixed airport fares. Avoid unlicensed touts outside arrivals. Official taxis display the TW logo and metered rates.
- Shuttle
- S-Bahn S7 — €4.20, runs every 30 min to city center with metro connections at Wien Mitte
- Shuttle Info
- The S7 S-Bahn is the most economical airport transfer. Runs from platform beneath the airport arrivals hall. Valid with Vienna 72-hour or weekly pass.
- Bus
- Vienna Airport Lines (VAL) bus — €8 one way, runs every 20-30 min to Vienna city center stops including Schwedenplatz and Westbahnhof
- Bus Info
- Multiple bus routes serve different parts of Vienna. Purchase tickets at airport bus counters or online. Return ticket €13.50.
- Private
- €60-120 pre-booked private transfer to city center
- Private Info
- Book private transfers in advance through hotel concierge or services like Blacklane. Includes meet-and-greet at arrivals. Fixed price with no metered surprises.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Vienna extensive bus network serves all districts with same ticketing system as U-Bahn and tram (€2.40 single, €8 day pass, €19.70 weekly). Night buses (N-lines) replace U-Bahn on weekday nights from midnight to 5 AM. Salzburg and Innsbruck buses €2.50-2.90 per ride.
Alternatives
U-Bahn metro (Vienna, 5 lines), tram/Straßenbahn (Vienna, Innsbruck, Graz), S-Bahn regional rail, Citybike Vienna (free first hour), electric scooters (Lime, Tier in Vienna), Innsbruck Nordkettenbahn cable car
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Vienna metered taxis: €4.30 base fare plus €1.60/km (day rate); €4.80 base plus €1.80/km (night rate 11 PM - 6 AM and Sundays). Salzburg: ~€3.90 base plus €1.50/km. Innsbruck: ~€3.50 base plus €1.40/km.
- Apps
- Bolt, Uber, TAXI 40100 (Vienna official taxis), Free Now
- App Names
- Bolt, Uber, TAXI 40100, Free Now
- Typical Fare
- €8-15 for typical Vienna city center journey; €35-45 to/from airport
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Flixbus Vienna-Salzburg from €10-25, 3 hours. Vienna-Munich from €12-35, 4 hours. Westbus Salzburg-Vienna from €15-30. Book 1-2 weeks ahead for best prices.
Shared
BlaBlaCar carpooling connects drivers and passengers for Vienna-Salzburg and Vienna-Graz routes. Often €15-25. Book through BlaBlaCar app.
Flights
Austrian Airlines and Lauda operate Vienna-Innsbruck (45 min, from €40) and Vienna-Graz (40 min, from €35) but ÖBB trains are usually faster when airport time is included.
Private
Car hire available from all major airports and train stations. Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and local operators. Economy from €35/day. Remember to buy Autobahn vignette (€9.90/10 days) on arrival.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Vienna International Airport
From centre: 18 km southeast of city center
Options: CAT (City Airport Train) - €11 one-way, 16 minutes to Wien Mitte; S-Bahn S7 - €4.20, 30 minutes to city center with metro connections; Airport Bus - €8, 20-30 minutes to various city locations; Taxi - €35-45 fixed fare to city center, 20-30 minutes; Uber/Bolt - €30-40 to city center
Salzburg Airport
From centre: 4 km west of city center
Options: Bus 2 - €2.90, 20 minutes to main station; Trolleybus 10 - €2.90, 25 minutes to old town; Taxi - €15-20 to city center, 15 minutes; Uber/Bolt - €12-18 to city center
Innsbruck Airport
From centre: 4 km north of city center
Options: Bus F - €2.50, 20 minutes to main station; Taxi - €15-20 to city center, 10-15 minutes; Shuttle services - €10 per person to hotels
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
ÖBB app (Österreichische Bundesbahnen)
Essential for train tickets throughout Austria — buy Sparschiene cheap fares, check timetables, and use mobile tickets. Works for all domestic ÖBB services and international connections.
WienMobil
Vienna's official transport app combining U-Bahn, bus, tram, Citybike, and ride-hailing in one interface. Buy transport tickets, plan routes, and dock Citybikes using a single app account.
Bolt
Ride-hailing app operating in Vienna, Salzburg, and other Austrian cities. Generally cheaper than standard taxis for city journeys. Estimated fares shown before booking.
Flixbus
Budget intercity coach bookings for connections within Austria and to neighboring countries. Vienna to Salzburg from €10, Vienna to Prague from €15.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy the Vienna City Card (€17-29) for unlimited U-Bahn, tram, and bus travel plus discounts at 200+ attractions — far better value than single tickets if using transport more than 3-4 times per day.
Always validate your ticket before boarding in Vienna — plain-clothes inspectors (Kontrollore) work every line and issue €105 fines on the spot for unvalidated tickets.
ÖBB's Sparschiene advance-purchase fares (available online 3-180 days ahead) can reduce Vienna-Salzburg from €60 to €19 — use the ÖBB app for the best deals.
The Vienna U-Bahn runs 24 hours on Friday and Saturday nights (normal schedule every 7-15 min) — no need for a taxi after clubs close.
For airport transfers, the CAT (City Airport Train) is fast (16 min) but expensive (€11). The S7 S-Bahn (€4.20, 30 min) is better value and accepted with all standard Vienna transport passes.
Renting a car for alpine day trips adds significant flexibility — book before arriving for best rates and request winter tires if visiting November to April.