{"id":3482,"date":"2014-06-26T14:47:22","date_gmt":"2014-06-26T18:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/?p=3482"},"modified":"2014-10-28T13:03:01","modified_gmt":"2014-10-28T17:03:01","slug":"vienna-public-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/first2board.com\/carolinatravelgirl\/2014\/06\/26\/vienna-public-transportation\/","title":{"rendered":"Out and About in Vienna – Public Transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to travel around the City of Vienna
\n\"Vienna\"<\/a><\/h1>\n

On my way to the Hamburg Do<\/a><\/strong>, I had a half a day stopover in Vienna, and, on my return, another full day to walk around and experience a little of the City. The first objective upon my arrival was figuring out the best way to get into the City.<\/p>\n

Vienna has one of the easiest to navigate public transport systems that I have used so far when traveling in Europe. With a system of buses, trains, and an underground metro, the system is seamlessly integrated and one ticket can be used for travel on them all.<\/p>\n

FROM THE AIRPORT<\/h3>\n

For transportation to and from the city, upon the recommendation of the flight attendant, I chose to use the CAT (City Airport Train) train, an express train from the airport to Wien Mitte (City Center) because it is only a 16 minute non-stop trip. This option also proved to be quite handy when I was dealing with my lost iPhone<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0The CAT ticket office and machines are located to the right as you exit Customs in Terminal 2 (Arrivals) at VIE. The trains run every 30 minutes \u2013 to the minute<\/span>!\"CAT<\/a><\/p>\n

If you purchase your ticket online, the cost of a CAT ticket is \u20ac11.00 for one way and \u20ac17.00 for a return ticket. You can print them online or you can download them to your Smartphone.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t aware of this and purchased my ticket at the airport office and the cost was actually \u20ac2 more for the return ticket. Tickets on the Vienna City Train (Schnellbahn) S-7 cost \u00a0\u20ac4 and the trip takes 25-30 minutes with multiple stops. Information about the CAT service and tickets may be found by clicking here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another benefit of using the CAT Express train is that if you are flying on one of the Star Alliance airlines (such as Austrian or Lufthansa) as well as Air Berlin\/Flyniki, you can check in, drop your bags, and collect your boarding pass at the CAT station at Wien Mitte. This service is available up to 75 minutes before your flight as well as the night before. I found this to be incredibly helpful and used this service for my flight on Air Berlin to Hamburg as well as my international flight home on Austrian. There is no extra fee for this service.<\/p>\n

\"CAT<\/a>

CAT Entrance at Wien Mitte<\/p><\/div>\n

Also available is a combination of a CAT (return) ticket and a 24, 48, or 72 hour Vienna Transport Ticket. These can also be purchased at the airport or ahead of time. These tickets are valid from either the time that you choose if buying online\u2026 or from the moment you validate your ticket after purchase.<\/p>\n

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION<\/h3>\n

When you arrive at Wien Mitte and exit the CAT Train \u2018terminal\u2019 you will find yourself in a shopping mall. As you exit the mall you will find ticket offices or machines for the S-Bahn or U-Bahn. If you are staying within the city, then you want to purchase a U-Bahn<\/strong> ticket. \u00a0Single-journey tickets can be bought on board buses and trams, but cost a little more. Tickets may also be purchased online ahead of your visit on the\u00a0Wiener Linien website. Click here<\/a>\u00a0(you can choose English at the top of the page).<\/p>\n

\"Vienna<\/a>

Vienna Ticket Options<\/p><\/div>\n

Each ticket, whether you buy a 24 (\u20ac<\/span>7.10<\/span>\u00a0)<\/span>, 48 (\u20ac<\/span>12.40)<\/b><\/span>\u00a0or 72 (\u20ac<\/span>15.40) hour ticket, is subject to the following terms:<\/p>\n