Vienna Airport

I'm using Vienna airport on a regular basis easy to reach by buses train (local trains or CAT express train) without any need to spend money for a taxi. There are supermarkets (Billa Spar) and several other shops and McDonalds restaurants and a postal office. I like the art installations in the entrance area never had to wait long at check in or security and love the very reduced and minimalist design. Free Wifi in the whole airport.

Coming to Vienna was no problem but going back was a completely different story. The check in area is a complete mess. Signs are confusing and are of no help. When we finally got to our gate we were 2 hours early (as suggested by all airlines). We went through security only to be told 15 minutes later in an incredibly rude and condescending way that we had to leave because they changed the gate. We had to stand and wait until boarding because the departure area has no seats whatsoever. When we came back the gate had not changed and we had through go through security once more. This was the worst experience I have had at any airport by far.

Flew 18th December from LHR no real problem. Quickly through arrivals and onto CAT train to the city. Return was less enjoyable. Arrived by CAT and then had to walk miles via the modern Terminal 1 (Austrian Airlines) into the ancient and crowded Terminal. Check in was OK but then wandered round to be faced with massive queues to go through passport control. Luckily had access to airline lounge for an hour or so and made way to gate. Quickly through security but then a lovely transfer bus to the cheap seat stands! I thought that bus transfers to planes were a thing of the past! Freezing cold then have to wait while people faff around inside the cabin putting all their 'carry on' luggage in overhead lockers. I'm surprised that Vienna Airport T2 is so out of date overall.

Unfortunately I have to use Vienna Airport as a Transit hub and always ‘surprised’ by the fact that even within Schengen I have to go (again) through the security check meaning leaving ‘airside’ and going through the hassle again. Although Star Alliance has good onward connections it is always ‘a nervous breaking down exercise’ to arrive on time for the onwards connections. I might be worthwhile for Star Alliance and Vienna Airport to fix this as soon as possible.

Arriving at this airport wasn't a problem as we progressed quickly to the exit having only hand luggage. Our journey home was a different matter. The designated check-in area (2) was reminiscent of airports in my own country in the 1960s or 70s. Small stuffy old fashioned with no seating to speak of. The boards displaying flights were not centrally and obviously located but rather at the end of the concourse. Check-in was ok but the problems began on going through to the departure area. It was stuffy and poorly laid out. Walking to our gate we found that security check was literally at each gate. Ours wasn't open. We were well within the universally suggested 2 hour time slot required by airports to ensure passengers are on time for flights not half a day early! Informed we would have to wait at least 20 minutes before the gate would open the same time listed as commencement of boarding! So we along with other passengers flight had no option but to form a queue in the general chaos of a vastly overcrowded collective departure area. Seating was little or none. At no point in the check-in process were we informed that this situation was the norm. Nor was there any visible signage warning passengers of it between check-in and arrival at the departure area. The departure lounge/bar/food area was limited and frantically busy. When we finally did progress through into our gate area there was inadequate seating. Many had to stand. For those passengers with any kind of mobility issues there was the added problem of the toilets being located down a flight of stairs. Hardly in keeping with 21st standards of accessibility for the mobility impaired. I would be reluctant to use this airport again if things do not change soon.

Perhaps the worst modernisation programme in airport history Vienna airport now boasts a lot of expensive black wall covering to mask what is otherwise an absolutely third world experience. Having long trumpeted itself as a key hub for travelling between eastern and western Europe Vienna airport is now a shambles. Previously quick walks are now a schlepp of multiple corridors and curves with queues at every juncture. Business travellers are ignored Star Alliance lounges now difficult to locate / not properly sign posted or non- existent. Don't use the bathrooms they are downstairs and dirty. As a Star Alliance frequent flyer this was a totally dispiriting experience for a hardened business traveller. There were flaws in the old Vienna airport but it worked. This airport is a dirty labyrinth with no logical plan to make it functional. Avoid connecting here at all costs if you can - Warsaw and Zurich are miles better Munich a big improvement if you want to go to Vienna try flying to Bratislava and getting a cab this airport is a fiasco - it needs a huge redesign to make up for this utterly flawed remodelling. As a transit hub which has always been a key claim to fame - it is now utterly and completely flawed a dismal stress-inducing fiasco.

Disappointed with the new Skylink Terminal! Travelling a lot to and from Vienna I was expecting a big improvement but unfortunately did not happen. The new Terminal has not enough seats not enough toilets or eating areas. A huge disgrace taking in account the long building process. The only thing which has improved is the security check area. Not enough for a city like Vienna.

Terrible airport. Everything is too small even the washrooms are permanently overcrowded. The biggest joke are the waiting areas at the departure gates. A few seats I think 18 no more. Most passengers have to stand while the other gates are crowded too and so all passengers are mixed together. Horrible also the way out when you arrive. And everywhere black and grey colours - depressive. And this is the new part of the airport opened this year.

Arrived and departed from Star Alliance terminal - Schengen gates. Very long walk along grey corridors to the exit. Excellent train connections to downtown Vienna - either with the fast but expensive City Airport Train or with the slower but cheaper suburb line S7. Both are quite clean and safe. Upon departure check-in was hassle-free - using self-service kiosks. No queue at security with friendly staff having good command of English. Major downside are the limited seating facilities at the boarding gates - on a Sunday evening the areas were hopelessly overcrowded. Lavatories difficult to find and fairly dirty.

Impeccable medium-sized airport in Europe. Flew in and out VIE for three times. Clean airport with nice facilities and rather short walking distances. Nice check-in and arrival areas in the new terminal impressive architecture great views. Security passport check and boarding quick and easy. Recommended for transit walking distance between flights short and easy.