Flights to Vienna: Fares and Flights from Athens

For Athens–Vienna flights, a rough economy-class budget is around €40–160 one way and €90–280 return during periods of low or moderate demand. Over holidays and on popular dates, allow around €160–320 each way or €280–550 return, potentially more. A direct flight takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes, with Aegean and Austrian Airlines serving the route. You will usually find cheaper options from mid-January to March, excluding public holidays and school breaks.

These are indicative ranges for planning, not live offers. They are per person, exclude extras and are not minimum or maximum prices. The final cost depends on your dates, availability, baggage and fare conditions.

At a glance

• Route: Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), to Vienna International Airport (VIE).
• Direct flight time: about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Typical fares: €40–160 one way or €90–280 return outside peak periods.
• Direct airlines: Aegean and Austrian Airlines. For low-cost options, check Ryanair’s current schedule.
• Cheapest time: often the second half of January, February and parts of March, with exceptions.
• Getting to the city centre: train, bus or taxi, with costs and journey times varying according to where you are staying.

Which airlines fly from Athens to Vienna?

Direct flights

Aegean and Austrian Airlines fly direct from Athens to Vienna. Frequencies and departure times vary by season, so check the schedule for your actual travel dates. A morning arrival and an afternoon flight home can give you several extra hours in the city without an additional overnight stay.

For lower fares, Ryanair is also worth checking. As seasonal routes and operating days change, confirm that a direct Athens–Vienna flight is available on your dates. Do not assume that a service mentioned in an older article still runs to the same schedule.

Connecting flights

Alternative routes may be available with Lufthansa via Munich or Frankfurt, SWISS via Zurich, Air Serbia via Belgrade or LOT via Warsaw. Availability depends on how the schedules line up. Total journey times are often around 4–8 hours, but can be considerably longer.

On such a short direct route, a connection is mainly worth considering if the saving is substantial or the timings suit you better. Choose a through ticket where possible: with two separate bookings, the second airline is usually not obliged to rebook you free of charge if a delay to your first flight causes you to miss the next one.

How much do flights cost by season?

Vienna attracts visitors year-round and has significant business traffic. The season therefore offers a general guide, not a guarantee. For economy fares including taxes but excluding optional extras, use the following as a starting point:

• Mid-January to March: around €40–130 one way and €90–230 return. School holidays and events can push prices up.
• April to June: around €60–180 one way and €130–320 return, with higher demand around Easter and long weekends.
• July and August: around €70–220 one way and €150–380 return. Prices can vary considerably from one day to the next.
• September to early November: around €50–170 one way and €110–300 return, excluding high-demand dates.
• Christmas and New Year: around €100–320 one way and €220–550 return, with higher fares also possible.

If you are visiting the Christmas markets, compare hotel prices before deciding. A cheaper flight does not always offset expensive accommodation. Our guide to Christmas in Vienna, its markets and a three-day itinerary will help you organise your days without unnecessary travel across the city.

When to book for a cheaper fare

As a practical starting point, begin comparing fares around 6–12 weeks ahead for a typical city break. For Christmas, New Year, Easter or a particular long weekend, start looking several months earlier. These are useful search windows, not proven “best times” to buy.

Try moving your departure and return dates by a day or two in either direction. Weekdays may cost less than a Friday-to-Sunday trip, but there is no fixed rule. Nor does buying on a particular day of the week guarantee a cheaper fare.

• Set up price alerts for your preferred dates.
• Compare the final total after adding the baggage you need.
• Consider different airlines for the outbound and return flights, checking each ticket’s conditions separately.
• Set an overall budget and avoid waiting indefinitely for a small further drop.

Our tips for finding cheap flights offer more ways to compare fares. If you are planning to travel soon, also read our advice on last-minute flights: low fares close to departure are a possibility, not a strategy with guaranteed results.

Flight time and airports on the route

The scheduled Athens–Vienna flight time is usually around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. The actual duration is affected by wind, air traffic and taxiing. When planning your day, allow for the full journey from your front door to your accommodation, not just the flight.

You depart from Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), and land at Vienna International Airport (VIE), near Schwechat, about 18 kilometres southeast of the city centre. Vienna is one hour behind Athens. The times on your ticket are local to each airport.

Follow your airline’s recommended arrival time, usually around two hours before a European flight, and allow extra time on busy days. You will find more details in our guide to Athens–Vienna flight times and planning your journey.

Getting from Vienna Airport to the city centre

The best option depends on which stop is closest to your hotel. The prices below are approximate adult one-way fares, unless stated per vehicle, and should be checked before you buy.

• S-Bahn S7: around 25–30 minutes to Wien Mitte, costing roughly €4–7. An affordable option with intermediate stops.
• ÖBB Railjet: around 15–20 minutes to Wien Hauptbahnhof, costing roughly €4–7. Particularly convenient if you are staying near the main station or continuing by train.
• City Airport Train, CAT: around 16 minutes non-stop to Wien Mitte, costing roughly €14–18. You are mainly paying for the non-stop service and convenience.
• Airport buses: around 20–45 minutes to selected points in the city, depending on the route and traffic. Allow around €10–15.
• Taxi or private transfer: usually 25–45 minutes, costing roughly €40–70 per vehicle. Confirm the price and any surcharges.

The airport is outside Vienna’s core public transport zone. Do not assume that a city travel pass covers the entire journey. Choose a ticket for your actual destination and check its validity. For detailed directions, see how to get from Vienna Airport to the city centre.

What to see in Vienna and when to visit

For a first visit, three full days is a good starting point. You will have time for the historic centre, a major palace and a leading museum without spending the whole trip in queues. With four or five days, you can more comfortably fit in Schönbrunn, a concert and neighbourhoods beyond the main tourist circuit. Keep your arrival day fairly relaxed, particularly if your flight means an early start.

Start at St Stephen’s Cathedral and walk towards Graben, Kohlmarkt and the Hofburg. This gives you a feel for the historic heart of the city without constantly hopping between sights. The Hofburg complex has several areas open to visitors and different ticket options: choose according to your interests rather than booking everything. Continue your walk along the Ringstrasse, which is lined with landmarks including the State Opera, Parliament and City Hall.

Allow at least half a day for Schönbrunn, including travel time. There are different routes through the palace interiors, while the gardens have attractions of their own. In good weather, the uphill walk to the Gloriette offers sweeping views of the palace and city. Check which individual attractions require tickets and book an entry time if you are travelling during a busy period.

If you enjoy painting, the Upper Belvedere is the place to see Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” and important works of Austrian art. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is better suited to those interested in extensive historical collections and European painting. Do not try to see everything in both on the same day. A museum in the morning followed by a stroll through the MuseumsQuartier or Neubau in the afternoon makes for a more balanced itinerary.

Vienna deserves time beyond its main sights, too. Settle into a traditional coffee house for a Melange and a slice of cake, rather than treating it as an obligatory photo stop. At the Naschmarkt, you can combine a stroll with a meal; check opening hours and menus first. For music, browse the official programmes of the State Opera, Musikverein and Konzerthaus. Check the venue, performers and your seat location before choosing a concert.

For comfortable walking weather, May, June and September are usually pleasant choices, though settled weather is never guaranteed. Summer brings long days, but it can also be hot. In winter, pack warm layers and waterproof shoes, and plan shorter stretches outdoors. Late November and December are ideal for the Christmas markets, but demand for flights and hotels is higher. Check each market’s dates, as they do not all run for the same period.

If keeping costs down is your priority, a winter trip after the festive season can work well with an itinerary built around museums, coffee houses and music. For purchases that are easy to bring home, see what to buy in Vienna, keeping your available suitcase space in mind.

Where to stay

The Innere Stadt is convenient for a first visit, with plenty within walking distance, but it often costs more. Leopoldstadt offers good access to the centre and the Prater, while Neubau and Mariahilf suit travellers looking for cafés, shops and places to go out nearby. The area around Hauptbahnhof is practical for the Railjet airport connection.

Proximity to a useful underground or train station matters more than the address itself. Weigh up transport and accommodation costs together with our guide to where to stay in Vienna, including neighbourhoods and accommodation options.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The cheapest ticket does not necessarily include a wheeled cabin bag. Distinguish between a small personal item, which fits under the seat, a cabin bag for the overhead locker and a checked suitcase. Weight and size allowances vary by airline and fare category.

Do not assume that a full-service airline always includes checked baggage. Likewise, when flying with a low-cost airline, add everything you actually need before comparing prices: baggage, seat selection and any flexibility to change your booking. Also check the online check-in deadline and whether airport check-in or related services carry a fee.

For a three-day winter break, try packing before you buy a baggage allowance: bulky clothes quickly fill a small bag. Buying extra baggage in advance is usually cheaper than paying at the gate.

Practical tips before booking

• Travel documents: Greek citizens can travel to Austria with a valid passport or an identity card accepted for travel. Check the validity and acceptance of older identity card formats with the relevant authorities.
• Name on the ticket: use the same Latin-alphabet spelling as on your travel document and check your details before paying.
• Late arrival: confirm the last public transport services to your accommodation. A cheap evening flight may leave you with an extra taxi bill.
• Changes and cancellation: check whether they are permitted, what fees apply and whether you must also pay any fare difference.
• Health: bring your European Health Insurance Card if you are eligible for one. It is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
• Sundays: many shops are closed. Plan essential shopping ahead and check museum opening hours separately.

Before completing your booking, compare the total cost of flights, baggage, transfers and accommodation. This is the real price of your Athens–Vienna trip, and it can change which flight offers the best value.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Athens–Vienna flight cost?

As a guide, expect around €40–160 one way and €90–280 return during periods of low or moderate demand. Over holidays, return fares can reach around €280–550 or more. Baggage may cost extra.

How long is the flight from Athens to Vienna?

A direct flight usually takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. With a connection, the total journey time depends mainly on the layover at the connecting airport.

Which airlines fly direct from Athens to Vienna?

Aegean and Austrian Airlines serve the route directly. For Ryanair options, check the schedule for your specific dates, as seasonal routes and frequencies change.

Which airline has the cheapest flights to Vienna?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Compare the final price including the baggage you need. A low starting fare can become more expensive once extras are added.

When are flights to Vienna cheaper?

Often after the festive season, from mid-January to March, excluding public holidays and school breaks. Flexibility with travel dates helps more than waiting for a supposed “right day” to buy.

What is a cheap way to get from Vienna Airport to the city centre?

The S7 to Wien Mitte and Railjet to Hauptbahnhof are usually affordable options, with indicative fares of €4–7 per adult. Check your final destination and make sure your ticket covers the airport zone.