Travel Alert: Austria Flight Status Update

Yes, flights are still going to Austria. Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Ryanair, Lufthansa, and more are all offering flights to the country.

Austrian Airlines, the country's national carrier, offers direct flights to Vienna from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York/JFK, Newark, Washington, D.C., and Boston. The airline also offers non-stop services between Vienna and New Delhi.

For those travelling from the UK, there are many direct flights to Austria. For example, you could fly directly with Ryanair from London Stansted Airport. The average direct flying time is 2 hours from most major UK gateways to popular Austrian destinations.

If you're planning to visit the western regions of Austria, such as Tirol, Salzburg, and Vorarlberg, you could fly into Zurich or Munich and then travel to your final destination in Austria via train or another flight.

Airports and airlines serving Austria

Austria has a good network of airports, with Vienna International Airport being the largest and acting as a hub for flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. 77 airlines operate out of Vienna International Airport, serving 217 destinations. The airport is located about 16-18 kilometres from the city and has three passenger terminals with a total capacity of around 30 million travellers per year.

Other airports in Austria include Salzburg Airport, the second largest, named after the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Graz Airport, the second largest by another definition, which offers international and domestic flights; Innsbruck Airport, located in the vicinity of the Alps; Linz Hörsching Airport; Klagenfurt am Wörthersee; and Hohenems-Dornbirn Airport.

Airlines that fly to Austria include Austrian Airlines, which is part of the Lufthansa Group and uses Vienna as its hub, offering flights to Eastern Europe and the Middle East; British Airways, which flies to Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck; IndiGo, which operates to Austria with the help of Turkish Airlines; and Air India, which flies non-stop between Vienna and New Delhi.

Flight times to Austria

From the UK

The average direct flying time from most major UK gateways to popular Austrian destinations is 2 hours.

From the USA

• New York, NY (JFK) to Vienna: 8 hours, 25 minutes
• Newark, NJ (EWR) to Vienna: 8 hours, 10 minutes
• Chicago, IL (ORD) to Vienna: 9 hours
• Washington, DC to Vienna: 9 hours
• Calgary, Canada to Vienna: 10 hours, 29 minutes
• Edmonton, Canada to Vienna: 10 hours, 10 minutes
• Toronto to Vienna: 8 hours, 15 minutes

From India

New Delhi to Vienna: 11 hours

From Australia

There are one-stop offers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth with THAI Airways International, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.

Transport options from the airport

There are various transport options to reach the city from the airport in Austria. Here are some options for getting from Vienna Airport to the city centre:

The City Airport Train (CAT)

The City Airport Train (CAT) is the fastest option, taking just 16 minutes to reach the city centre (Wien Mitte station). It offers a comfortable journey with spacious luggage racks, first-class leather seating, and personal assistance from train attendants. Tickets are priced at €14.90 for a single trip and €29.80 for a return.

Vienna Airport Lines

The Vienna Airport Lines operate buses between Vienna-Schwechat Airport and important transport hubs in the city. Their routes cover various destinations, including the city centre (Schwedenplatz), Westbahnhof and Hauptbahnhof rail stations, and the area around the Messe Wien event venue.

Rapid Transit Train (S-Bahn)

The S-Bahn is an economical option, with tickets priced at approximately €2.90 for 15 minutes. It takes about 25 minutes to commute between Vienna and the airport, with trains running every 30 minutes.

ICE Trains

ICE trains depart from the airport every two hours and run via Wien Hauptbahnhof and Wien Meidling directly to St. Pölten and Linz.

Airport Taxis

Airport taxis are special taxis reserved for trips to and from the airport. They must be booked in advance and charge a fixed price, including luggage. When travelling from the city to the airport, an additional fee is added for the return trip of the empty taxi.

Car Rental

Car rental services are available at Vienna Airport, with various companies offering vehicles for hire.

Visa requirements for Austria

The visa requirements for entering Austria vary depending on the traveller's nationality and the purpose and duration of their visit. Here is a detailed overview of the visa requirements:

• Citizens of EU member states, European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland: No visa is needed to enter Austria.
• Nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland: A visa may be required, depending on the purpose and duration of the visit.
• Tourist Visa: Travellers from certain countries, including the US, do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, their passport must be valid for at least three months beyond their planned date of departure from the Schengen area, and they must have two blank pages for entry stamps.
• Short-Stay Visa (Visa C): The Schengen Visa C is for tourism, business, or visiting purposes (without gainful employment) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Long-Stay Visa (Visa D): For stays exceeding 90 days, travellers should apply for a Visa D, which allows them to stay in Austria for up to six months. This visa is subject to Austrian national legislation and can be issued for one or more entries.
• Airport Transit Visa (Visa A): Nationals of certain countries, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Pakistan, require a Visa A even if they are only transiting through the international zone of an Austrian airport.
• Work Visa: Foreign nationals who intend to work in Austria generally require a visa. This includes both gainful employment and internships. The specific requirements depend on whether the work is dependent or self-employed and the applicable laws and regulations, such as the Aliens' Police Act (Fremdenpolizeigesetz or FPG).
• Student Visa: Students intending to stay in Austria for more than 90 days should consult the Austrian Embassy or Consulate before travelling to determine if they need to apply for a residence permit from outside Austria. They should also refer to the Study in Austria webpage for the latest student visa requirements.
• Other Visa Types: Austria offers various other visa types, including visas for family visits, course participation, job seekers, and temporary work.

It is important to note that visa requirements and exemptions may change, so travellers should always check the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior or consult the nearest Austrian Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, Austria collects the fingerprints of all visa applicants.

Current flight status and irregularities

Austrian Airlines offers flights to Austria from various destinations. Direct flights from the UK to Austria take an average of 3 hours and 57 minutes, with the London to Vienna route being the most popular.

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Austrian Airlines provides up-to-the-minute information on the current status of its flights. Passengers can receive automatic updates on any changes via email or text by providing their contact details at the time of booking or later via "My bookings". The airline will inform passengers of gate changes at Vienna Airport at least two hours before departure and immediately about cancellations and delays exceeding 30 minutes.

Passengers can also check their flight status using the Austrian app, which allows them to book flights, check in, save their mobile boarding pass, and check if their flight is on time.

In the event of a cancellation, Austrian Airlines will automatically rebook passengers on another flight free of charge and send a notification via the provided contact details. Passengers can also check the status of their booking and adjust their rebooking if necessary.

Austrian Airlines offers a range of rebooking and cancellation options for affected passengers. Those who no longer wish to travel due to personal reasons can receive a full refund for flights with travel dates up to and including September 15, 2024.

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Passengers can seek help with baggage irregularities on the airline's website, which provides information and links to relevant resources.

Frequently asked questions