Vienna Question
 

Does anyone know how far the Vienna airport is from the city? We have a 5 hour stopover there and wondered if it was a crazy idea to leave the airport.<BR>Thank you.

Hi<BR> If you were to search for the answer on the net you would find a site at http://www.cityguide.travel-guides.com/cities/vie/GettingThereByAir.asp<BR> which would tell you.

It's not that far, probably about 15-20 km. It is less than 1/2 hr by taxi. There is a public airport bus that goes directly to city center in about 30 min.

Whatever you do don't take the &quot;schnellbahn&quot;--a misnomer if I ever heard one. If you think you can swing it timewise, head into the city. The airport is small and dead.

I just checked my Frommers Guide on Austria. It is about 12 miles from the Airport to the city center. There is regular bus service between the airport and the City Air Terminal which is adjacent to the Vienna Hilton and directly across from the WienMite/Lanstrasse rail station, where you can easily connect with subway and tram lines. Buses run every 20 minutes from 6:30AM. to 11:30PM. Trip takes about 25 minutes and tickets cost about $5.00 and can be purchased on the bus.

Thanks a lot for your comments. I just realized we may not be able to leave the airport and reenter on a stopover on our way home to Canada. Anyone know if this is correct?

Cassidy:<BR><BR>I don't think you'll have a problem leaving the airport during your layover in Vienna - I'm also from Canada &amp; had a 12 hour layover in London last October &amp; had no problems leaving ...<BR><BR>As for Vienna, I just got back a couple of days ago and in addition to the bus service to the City Air Terminal (which is a little messy right now as there is massive reconstruction going on at the Hilton, which it is on the ground floor of) ... we used the S-7 train (3eur each way) and would also be 20-25 minutes &amp; leaves every 30 minutes ...<BR><BR>But with only a 5 hour layover in Vienna you may not have enough time to get downtown, see anything &amp; get back to catch you flight (an hour to/from the airport with perfect train/bus connections &amp; getting back 2 hours before you flight would only leave 2 hours max to do any sightseeing) ...

I think it's worth it if you don't have to claim/recheck lugggage. If you are checked through, you won't need 2 hours before flight time. While you can't see much, the central part of the city is compact enough to walk around a bit, see St. Stephens, see the outside of the palace, etc. I'd do it...Vienna is a beautiful city!<BR><BR>Anne

As already stated, every 20 minutes. Only in rush hour will it take 25 mins, it is virtually always 20 mins or slightly less. 10 minute walk max to edge of centre from Hiltom terminal. To Stephanplatz easy 20 min walk in straight line up from Terminal via Wollzeile (street). Could also detour through Stadtpark first - just over main road- (favourite photographed statue of Strauss is in the park towards western end near Intercon - left of the park as you pass it walking up to the centre). the Park at this time of the year is quite pleasant - although you may want to watch out in the middle of the park - (either to avoid or go up to to buy)its the favourite place for drug dealing and drug users in fine weather(partly explains low crime rate - no police seem to arrest them).<BR>Airport is poorly equipped for food places and quite uncomfortable - seating facilities are some of the worst in western European airports in my view, so definitely go into centre even if it is just for an hours walk. Get a return ticket for euro 10.90.

You can take the best $1.98 tour in Italy. Secure your baggage. Go to the end of the airport closest to the bay and buy a rt bus ticket, cheap. It is a small airport. Go outside and get on the bus, they depart about every 20-30 minutes. About half hour later you are in Piazzela Romana, the only place you can drive to in Venice. Make for the main (Grand) Canal by passing hard by the ticket stand. If you go completely wrong it will take another 60 seconds to get to the same place. The Grand Canal is to your left as the bus enters the plaza. You will find two floats that look like bus stops with a ticket both on dry land between the two. Buy a ticket, also cheap. Look at the display over the booth, pick numbers that stop at San Marco, some are slightly more express (fewer stops) than others, not that it will matter to you a whole lot. Go to the float on the left. Boats (water buses aka vaporetti) going to your right as you face the canal stop at the left-most float, boats going left stop at the right float (it is an Italian thing, celebrate the difference). Most boats go in a circuit, not back and forth, going left is ok but time is not on your side, maximize the sensory input by going through the heart of things. Look at a tour book, it is obvious what you want to do. Get off at San Marco (St. Marks). Gaze in wonder at St. Marks, marvel at the thing and recall that Venice oriented (pun) on the eastern roman empire at Constantinople after the western part fell apart, therefore the Turkish look to the thing. Have a coffe at the Cafe Florintine or a beer, buy a CD, buy one of the spiffy little cream pitchers, crowd watch, dodge pigeons. Do not gripe about cost (NY prices), thank your luck you did not have to pay a dime to gain entrance. Reverse course, sit on the other side of the boat. If you are hale and hearty fast walk back to the start point through town. Venice is very compact. My wife and I can make it on foot in about an hour if we do not stop or dwadle for about a million reasons. Or, finish the loop by boat, but know the outside stretch is far less dense with visuals. Note that the vaporetti are fairly crowded during the commuter hours. If you can handle the Tokyo subway or those in NY at rush hour the boats are no problem at all.

It is a crazy idea, you should stay a week.

For about 75=80 $ you can take a water taxi straight from the airport to San Marco, find someone on the plane to share cost with. The ride is fun, but really not too much to see along the way. If it is raining, not so fun.