I am flying into Milano next month with a 5+ hour stop-over in Vienna prior (arrive 9:15am, depart 3:35pm). I have a couple questions for those of you that travel into/out of Vienna frequently:

1) is there a centralized place to store luggage at the airport? or within airline gates? Free or a cost?

2) is there an airport shuttle service that connects into Vienna city? Metro or train? Or is a taxi better? If taxi, what cost should I expect?

3) please let me know some must-see places to visit, I will have that limited window of time, but would like to see what I can!

Thanks in advance for any help!

1) There is a luggage storage at the arrival level - fee: € 2.70 per day and item. In addition there are deposit boxes for storage of papers, keys etc - charge: € 2.70 per day.

2) There are 2 ways to go to Vienna city by train: 30 minutes by train (Schnellbahn, € 3 one way) or 16 minutes by CAT (City Airport Train, € 9 one way). Both ways will take you to Wien Mitte which is not city center. You will need to take the U-Bahn (underground) to go further 2 stations to Stephansplatz. Taxi from the airport to city center will cost approx. € 35 and take 25 minutes (depending on the traffic).

3) Of course you should see the Stephansdom (St. Stephan's cathedral) for comparison with the Duomo and/or Hofburg (imperial palace) and/or one of Vienna's cafés, e.g. Cafè Central. All this is near underground station Stephansplatz - Stephansdom in fact is just above the station, Hofburg is in 10-15 minutes walking distance, Café Central is in between these 2 sights.

Enjoy Vienna!

Viennese, thanks so much for the information! I will be traveling with my young child so I am trying to make things as convenient as possible. It appears that the CAT route would be fastest, is the U-bahn station located inside or adjacent to the CAT arrival area at Wien Mitte? Is Hofburg an easy 15 min walk or is there a local bus to go there? (I am a walker, but not sure how my child will do after a 12 hour flight! I may have my stroller with me).

The way from Stephansplatz to Hofburg is an easy walk - there is no bus because it is pedestrian zone. Along the way there is (among a lot of other shops) a little toy store, so perhaps this will motivate your child

Unfortunately you will have to walk a little from the CAT platform to the U-Bahn - moving stairs included. If you make a reservation for a taxi, cost should be lower. Try www.airportservice.at, the driver will wait at arrival level for you with a sign with your name on it.

I have to correct myself: There IS a bus from Stephansplatz to Hofburg, number 2A. The ride takes 3 minutes...

Thanks again, I think I will try your options....it sounds adventurous. If I were to take a taxi, while more direct, I would miss those other interesting stops/places. The walk btwn Stephansplatz to Hofburg sounds easy enough and yes, I may have to stop in at that toy store! Danke.