Vienna Airport

This is the only airport I have been to that has a porn store (sorry adult entertainment store) in the duty free area. Lots and lots of duty free shops. Several discount airlines have check-in counters in a separate building across the street from the main terminal but boarding is in the main building. Having separate security check-in for each gate has its plusses and minuses but we found it strange that we were made to stand in the terminal's corridor until 40 minutes before our flight at which time we were allowed to go through security and sit down in the boarding area until actual boarding was announced. There is a train from Vienna's town center but we opted for a cab in order to avoid changing Metro trains twice and then getting on the 9 Euro train (prices ended up being close).

Arriving at Vienna was simple enough. We were bussed to the terminal straight through the door to passport control and then a very short walk to baggage reclaim. Short walk to the exit and the bus to Schwedenplatz. I had expected chaos because of the building works (see Warsaw). Leaving Vienna T1 was pleasant. There are two large duty free shops more retail outlets than you need and ample eating and drinking facilities. Security was at the gate but this was less chaotic than I first feared. All in all a good airport

I travelled through in transit. If you land at terminal C you need a bus to the rest of the airport. The worst thing about this place is the number of people smoking especially in the restaurants. One good thing wireless Internet is free!

Flew to Vienna recently and the terminal seems to have been improved in appearance since I was last there 5/6 years ago. It is confusing to step off the aircraft into the departure lounge but the adequate signage soon directed us to the baggage reclaim - quite a walk. The overhead screens indicated which carousel our bags would appear on but they never did. After some head scratching we found our cases in a pile with about 20 others in a corner of the arrivals hall. Both were damaged but we had no idea where this had occured as we had passed through several airports during the day. One redeeming factor was the information/tourist office in the arrivals area where the staff were excellent and seemed genuinely pleased to welcome guests to their city. They gave good information regarding the options for travel to the city centre and in view of the damaged luggage we took a taxi at 28 Euros and travelled in a spotless Mercedes estate taking less than 30 mins to our hotel. We returned on the CAT train which is non stop in 16 mins from the central Wien Mitte station but is a bit pricey although better than the S Bann if travelling with a lot of luggage at busy times. We had none of the problems with checking in or passing through security that have been highlighted by others but that may have been due to the early afternoon flight we had rather than a peak time departure. However security is carried out at the gate so it is a good idea to get to the gate in good time rather than hang about in the departure area shops. There are no refreshments once you pass through security but there are toilets which are useful in the event of a delay. All in all a pleasant and modern airport.