Anybody have any suggestions on the cheapest and easiest way for us to get to our hotel from Vienna Airport? My husband and I land at 10.50pm and we are going to try to travel pretty light. We were thinking of taking the CAT and then the U-Bahn. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I don't know where the Messe Prater is, but there is a Schnellbahn (fast train) that runs from the basement of the airport to Wien Mitte (Vienne middle) and Wien Nord (Vienna north) train stations. You could take a cab from the train station to your hotel. The S-Bahn runs until 11:50 p.m. That's what I did the last time I was in Vienna.

I don't know anything about the CAT bus, though I read that it takes only 16 minutes.

The CAT is not a bus but rather a transfer train from the Vienna Airport to Wien Mitte ( toward city center ) transfer is quick as no stops 16 minutes cost 9 euro.

messe Prater is in the second district of Vienna . Prater the name of the famous amusement area and park . Messe is the convention/ exhibition area . Several hotels nearby.But some others use that designation and are not as close by . be certain to check for address.

The easiest and least expensive way is the take the SBahn ( S-7 ) to Praterstern stop - this about 30 minutes - then a quick transfer to UBahn line U-2 direction Stadion to Wien messe stop - this 2 minutes or so.
toal cost 3,60 euro.

If you take the CAT you must change to UBahn line U-4 to Schottenring stop and then transfer to the U-2.
The CAT ticket 9 euro and you need a one ride ticket for Vienna 1,80n euro. total cost 10,80 euro and in the end about the same time as the S Bahn .

I can always recommand mts vienna to transfer from vienna airport to vienna areas they are good & offers cheap rates her thier link http://www.mts-vienna.com/en/vienna_..._taxi_transfer

Cheap?

better companies , responsible, in business longer with fine reputations and cheaper than that shown above.
Most important you do not need to pay in advance with reservation to get service

www.airportdriver.at

www.ck-airportservice.at

strange that a first time poster finds this old buried post to advertise this company as cheap -32 euro when OP looks for cheapest way and gets advice for a 3,60 euro transfer

cat is ok.
otherwise best option and cheapest:
S-Bahn S7: to Praterstern and from there U2 to Messe (one stop) ticket 3,60€/pp

just noticed that somebody already posted that option.
in any case:
http://www.wienerlinien.at/
the website for all public transport connections within Vienna!