Vienna Airport

Has the architect of the new terminal ever seen any of the world's newer airport terminals like Frankfurt Barcelona Madrid Hong Kong Singapore (T3)? No certainly not I would say. No walking area no decent shopping area no waiting area no transit connection to other terminal. Real ugly architecture (floor with covers every few meters narrow gate exits looking like foxholes narrow escalators confusing ways for transit passengers (up down up always crowded and one cannot walk past other slower passengers. One feels like in cage always everywhere. Stay away. It's clear passengers prefer to transit in Munich or Frankfurt - much better airports. And the design of the lounges also show that the architect may never have used an airport before. Electric outlets in the floor! Why not on the table or on the wall like in all other lounges globally.

Arrived from London Heathrow on Austrian Airlines in snow. Aircraft parked on a remote stand - odd for an aircraft carrying a high percentage of transit passengers. Bus to terminal - queued in snow outside terminal which was due to us queuing for a full security check for arriving passengers conducted via only 2 channels so it was painfully slow. Sign-posting is not very effective and distances on this occasion were huge with no idea of time. We had one hour from arrival to departure it took 56 mins from touchdown to the onward gate and we missed our connection.

The new terminal at Vienna airport is a total nightmare! 1) Chaotic unreadable signs. 2) Almost no seats in the arrival hall (absolutely ridiculous!) - a torture for older people who are waiting for someone's arrival. 3) The worst architecture possible (extremely ugly dysfunctional narrow stairs narrow pathways very few escalators and elevators). 4) Dangerous architecture (you can bump your head when you enter one of the newspaper shops in the departure hall). 5) Very long walks. For older travelers it is almost impossible to walk to the airport train. 6) Two small filthy toilets in arrivals hall - very far apart. 7) McDonald's with filthy tables right at the exit of the arrival hall (a "great welcome to Vienna"). The old (round) terminal was orders of magnitude nicer and easier to use.

The airport is poor in comparison to the efficient city. It's a rabbit warren complicated with lots of turn offs here and there. Took us three go's to find out lounge - each time going down a wrong one. It's very confusing once you go through 'boarding pass' check because you then go through customs after that. The tax refund is also very confusing. One for check in luggage ones for carry on. There is poor signage and essentially you have to go through several counters to get your refund. The tax refund staff are the most rude staff I've ever met. One staff just pointed furiously at a sign instead of explaining. Guess it doesn't help that every country in EU has a different system with tax refund. The lounge for Emirates and Qantas club is rubbish! I've heard about how bad the departure lounge is so staying put in the lounge!

I visit Vienna Airport about 12 times a year. If you like walking back and forth (arriving and leaving) approx. 15 min. and like standing in Departures as there are so few seats (some people simply sit on the floor) then this airport is perfect. Security is always quick. Not strictly connected with the airport authorities but more ticket machines are needed at the Railway station.

In general the airport is not huge but with the new terminal it has enough capacities even more than required so there's no long queuing for checking-in or baggage. The shopping area is big enough the only shortcoming is that the new concourse is kind of "high safety" so there are many walkways next to each other with locked doors and the computer plans a different way for every departure. I can recommend it.

I arrived to Vienna airport by rental car on Saturday August 31 at approximately 18.00 for an Austrian Airlines departure to Stockholm. The walking distance from the rental car return to check-in is not well signed but not too long. But it feels somewhat long and give you the impression that you are totally off. But with some patience you will find your way soon enough but take your time. The airport is neat and tidy and everything works smooth. I departed from the new pier that opened last year (2012). Staff at the airport are very friendly and nice. The new taxfree store is good and has reasonable prices and for some articles very good prices. In the new pier the dreadful security checks at the gate (as in the old terminal) are finally gone and now there is a "normal" security area before you enter the departure hall much better and it works quiet efficient. In total a good experience but nothing extraordinary. A normal modern European airport I would say.

Very nice and polite staff. Clean and bright Terminals.

Vienna upgraded it's airport with a completely new Terminal. Most of the Star Alliance flights are boarded there. From check-in to boarding you will have to walk some minutes passing some gift shops where you may find something interesting. Because its so new everything is very clean. If you arrive you might walk some meters. EU citizens have an extra passport control counter so its a bit faster. The baggage claim area is big and modern designed (displays) and you probably won't have to wait more than 5-10 minutes. There are some parking lots nearby the arrivals so its just a short way across the street if somebody is picking you up.

Excellent transfer at a StarAlliance hub. Short connection between gates F and G. Flights (both OS) in time with very friendly boarding staff.