How to travel from London to Vienna

How to Travel from London to Vienna

The Austrian capital, Vienna, lies around 1234 kilometers southeast of London and is easily reached by bus or plane. Frequent daily, direct flights lasting 135 minutes are by far the fastest option. In addition, high-speed trains allow passengers to make the journey in a single day, and direct overnight buses are also available. There are a number of options for those traveling between London and Vienna. The two destinations are approximately 1200 km apart and can be reached by bus and plane. There are several different facets that come into deciding which mode of transport. Below we have outlined just some of the most important.

What is the best way to travel from London to Vienna?

Buses from London to Vienna

National Express operates a direct bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Vienna on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The journey takes 22 hours and 15 minutes with stops at Lille in France, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp in Belgium, and Linz in Austria. The bus leaves London at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at Eurolines Coach Station, Erdberg Station, Vienna the following morning.

Trains from London to Vienna

Several options are available to travel to Vienna from London by train. The fastest option involves taking an early morning Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and then continuing on an ICE train to Frankfurt. Another ICE then continues on to Vienna's new Hauptbahnhof for an evening arrival. This trip is possible from Monday to Saturday. A more leisurely alternative is to take the ICE from Brussels to Cologne and then continuing on the Austrian EuroNight sleeper from there. Yet another option involves taking the high-speed TGV-Lyria to Zurich from Paris and then continuing to Vienna on an Austrian Railjet for an early evening arrival.

Flights from London to Vienna

British Airways and Austrian Airlines offer frequent daily departures from Heathrow for the 2 hour and 15-minute direct flight to Vienna Schwechat airport (VIE). Air Berlin also offers two daily flights operated by British Airways. EasyJet offers 2-morning flights to Vienna from Gatwick.

Cheapest way to travel from London to Vienna

Taking the bus is marginally the cheapest way to travel from London to Vienna with coach tickets starting at €70 and tending not to increase to over €125. National Express is the main provider of coach services from London to Vienna. The service is direct, however, given that the journey time is at least 22 hours, there will be some stops to service stations etc on route. There are usually 4 journeys a day. If you book your travel in advance, then cheap flights are also available however are subject to availability and tend to get taken relatively quickly.

Fastest way to travel from London to Vienna

The fastest way to travel from London to Vienna is by far flying. Flights can take as little as 2 hours and when factoring in transport from central London to any given London airport, the travel time is still only around 4 hours flights from London to Vienna depart from all 6 London Airports and terminate at Vienna Airport. Airlines traveling from London to Vienna include EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Flybe, Jet2, Vueling and Aer Lingus with flights departing throughout the day.

Most popular way to travel from London to Vienna

Most travelers from London to Vienna who book with Omio choose to travel by plane. Booking in advance will ensure you get a cheaper price and there are approximately 18 direct flights per day.

Travel from London to Vienna: Getting to the city center

How to get from the airport to the city center? Those arriving from London to Vienna airport can catch the City Airport Train (CAT). The express train runs from 6:09 a.m. to 11:39 p.m. each day and takes 16 minutes to reach Vienna Central.

How to get from Vienna Hauptbahnhof to the city center? Passengers taking the train from London to Vienna will arrive at Vienna Hauptbahnhof. This is the city's main station, located in the south of the city. In order to reach the center of Vienna, it's best to grab the U-Bahn or S-Bahn to Wien Mitte.

How to get from Vienna Bus Station to the city center? Buses arriving from London to Vienna will terminate at Erdberg Station, Stadion Center or Vienna Central Station. Each station is located next to an U-Bahn station which connects the bus station to the city center.

Travel from London to Vienna: Onwards travel information

Passengers desiring to continue their travels onwards can do so with ease from Vienna. The capital of Austria is host to two major transport hubs, Vienna Hauptbahnhof and Vienna airport. These two departure points offer connections to central European destinations such as Budapest and Prague. Connections to southern cities such as Rome, Nice and Florence are also possible.

Vienna's airport, which lies 11 miles south-east of the city, connects the city with worldwide destinations. The nation's airline, Austrian Airlines, uses this airport as its base.

Walking Around in Vienna

Taking a leisurely walk in a beautiful spot is so relaxing, and Vienna city is a perfect place to explore on foot. You can start the city walk at Kaertnerstrasse. This is a beautiful area that is well worth strolling through and enjoy the atmosphere. There are plenty of places to shop in this historic area. The street dates back to the 13th century. You will also find several museums not too far from Kaertnerstrasse. The Austrian Theater Museum has been around since the late 17th century. Beethoven is known to have performed in this theater, and it is now known as the Beethoven and Stifter museum. It has more than one million exhibits. From here, you can head to Donaupark, where you can find the magnificent Danube Tower, which is 800 feet tall. In Donaupark, you will also find two revolving restaurants which provide fantastic views of the city. More strolling can be enjoyed at the smaller Herderpark in Vienna's 11th district. This park features a garden of rose and lilac plants, as well as a wide arbor fruit trees.

Coffee Shops in Vienna

While most people associate Vienna with its historical landmarks, when you visit this great city the multitude of coffee shops will amaze you. There is a thriving coffee scene that manifests itself on the streets of Vienna. Although traditional coffee roasters such as Café Frauenhuber exist, third-wave innovative coffee newcomers are joining the party. Contemporary Viennese coffee houses such as the Balthasar, Kaffeefabbrik, Waldemar, Café Espresso, and the Sussmund Kaffeebar spot sophisticated interiors on top of the artisanal coffee they offer. These coffee houses are known for their 'sit-down' policy. Once you make a purchase, you are welcome to take as much time as you wish in the coffee house. A favorite among locals and visitors is Café Frauenhuber. It offers a fantastic vintage Viennese atmosphere. In case the great atmosphere doesn't cheer you up, then the delicious 'Wiener Melange' surely will. With an architecture portraying romantic historicism, Café Central is a must-visit coffee house. Enjoy their coffee with homemade cakes, pastries, and also ambient piano music in the background. Located in the backstreet of the tourist-filled Hietzing, Waldemar exudes a modern touch. Neon lights litter the interior light and their coffee served with whipped cream leaves lasting memories.

Eating in Vienna

Vienna is one of Europe's leading food and wine capitals. The city's flourishing food scene features hearty traditional Austrian dishes, the most beloved being the schnitzel. Traditional Austrian eateries have long embraced international delicacies, such as sausages and cake, by making them part of their cuisine. These eateries include Figlmuller restaurant which is known for its extensive schnitzel menu, Sacher hotel famed for having the most delicious Sachertorte, Puerstner and café Mozart for their scrumptious goulash, Café Aida known for its mouthwatering apple strudel, Restaurant and Bar Motto for its tasty tafelspitz, and the Schick hotel known for its plum jam turnovers. A rising trend of modern restaurants in Vienna has paved the way for more versatile food menus, bringing a whole new wave of culinary tourism to the city. Such restaurants include Neni which serves the best Middle Eastern food in Vienna, the Palmenhaus celebrated for its Mediterranean menu and extensive wine list, O Boufes known for savory dishes, and Ulrich known to be the best brunch spot in the city. Tian Bistro and Erich serve some of Vienna's finest vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food. The most popular Austrian street food is the Wiener Wurstel (Viennese sausages) made from pork or beef and served with fresh vegetables or the Austrian potato salad.

Best Time to Visit Vienna

Known for its rich artistic and intellectual heritage, Vienna is never short of activities and events for travelers. The city has countless concert halls and museums that hold the works of renowned residents such as Mozart and Egon Schiele, making it worth a visit regardless of the time of year. Summer (June to August) is the most popular season, as thousands make their way to Vienna to indulge in sightseeing as they soak in some sun. This season is graced by popular summer events, including the Danube Island Festival, the Vienna Festival, and the colorful Rainbow Parade. Travelers on a budget will find chilly Springtime (April to May) in Vienna an ideal season to visit. This shoulder season offers hustle-free access to the Sound Frame Festival and attractions such as the gothic St. Stephan's Cathedral. Despite the low temperatures, Fall (September to October) in Vienna is exciting as the city holds the Vienna Fashion Week and the Vienna Film Festival during this time. The cold winter (November to March) season draws thousands of local and international travelers to Vienna to enjoy breathtaking views at the Vienna Christmas Market, Vienna Ball Season and the New Year's Day Concert as the snow-blanketed city shines with millions of beautiful Christmas lights.