Vienna's river ships dock along the Handelskai, northeast of the center. Note for 2026-2027: the City Airport Train is replaced by nonstop premium buses until October 31, 2027, because of a rail line closure.
Every way from the airport to the ship
Tap any way for step-by-step directions.
| The way | From | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transfer | VIE | Varies | Set by your line |
| CAT premium bus to Wien Mitte, then taxi | VIE | About 21 minutes on the bus, then a taxi to Handelskai | Approximate: from EUR 7 with a discount card; standard fare not verified; 20% off online |
| ÖBB Railjet to Wien Hauptbahnhof, then taxi | VIE | Not verified | Not verified |
| Vienna Airport Lines bus | VIE | Not verified | Not verified |
Where Vienna lies
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CAT bus: about 21 minutes nonstop to Wien Mitte
Cruise line transfer
- Book with your line.
Easiest.
CAT premium bus to Wien Mitte, then taxi
- Follow signs to the CAT (City Airport Train). From Sept 7, 2026 to Oct 31, 2027 it runs as a bus.
- Buses run every 12 minutes from 7am to 7pm, every 15 minutes otherwise.
- Get off at Wien Mitte.
- Take a taxi to your dock on the Handelskai.
CAT City Check-In is not offered during the closure.
ÖBB Railjet to Wien Hauptbahnhof, then taxi
- Take a long-distance train to Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna Airport says these run without restrictions).
- Take a taxi to your dock.
The S7 commuter train runs only between Wien St. Marx and the airport during the closure.
Vienna Airport Lines bus
- Find the bus stop outside arrivals.
Vienna Airport says these buses run without restrictions.
From the city or your hotel
Taxi from central Vienna
Handelskai is along the Danube, not the Danube Canal in the old center.
Where to stay
Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.
Innere Stadt (1st district) or near Wien Mitte
Central for sights and the CAT bus.
Sailing day
Terminals & docks
No single terminal. Viking lists Handelskai 151-214 (1020 Vienna). Uniworld lists Schiffsstation Handelskai 265. Your line sends the exact dock.
Check-in
- River ships usually start boarding in the afternoon. AmaWaterways says boarding usually begins around 3:00 p.m., and you can drop bags earlier.
- Uniworld says to confirm your boarding address and boarding time 24 hours before you arrive.
- River docks can change at short notice. Confirm the dock address with your line the day before.
What trips people up
- Rail main line closure until Oct 31, 2027: CAT runs as a bus; S7 is cut back to St. Marx.
- Docks are outside the old center.
- Low water: in fall 2026 Viking (Sept 30 notice), AmaWaterways (Oct 2026) and Uniworld all reported low water on parts of the Danube, Rhine and Main. Fixes include ship swaps, bus legs, or a different boarding town. Your line will contact you if your cruise changes.
Do this
- Buy CAT tickets online for 20% off during the bus period.
Leaving the ship: back to the airport
The same routes run in reverse. On the last morning everyone leaves at once, so lines for taxis and buses are at their longest. Book flights home for the afternoon or later, and arrange your ride in advance if you can.
| The way | To | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transfer | VIE | Varies | Set by your line |
| CAT premium bus to Wien Mitte, then taxi | VIE | About 21 minutes on the bus, then a taxi to Handelskai | Approximate: from EUR 7 with a discount card; standard fare not verified; 20% off online |
| ÖBB Railjet to Wien Hauptbahnhof, then taxi | VIE | Not verified | Not verified |
| Vienna Airport Lines bus | VIE | Not verified | Not verified |
Before or after your cruise
- Schönbrunn Palace
- St. Stephen's Cathedral
- Vienna State Opera
- Belvedere (Klimt's The Kiss)
- Coffeehouse culture
Sources & what we could not confirm · 7 sources · checked 2026-11
- CAT: Main line closure 2026/2027
- City Airport Train (CAT) Vienna
- Vienna Airport: Arrival (rail restrictions notice)
- Viking River Cruises: Docking locations
- Uniworld: Port locations and boarding times
- Viking: Updates on current sailings (Sept 30, 2026 notice)
- AmaWaterways: River cruise guide for first timers
- Standard CAT fare
- Railjet time airport to Hauptbahnhof
- Taxi fares to Handelskai
- US nonstop flights: not verified for this page; check airline sites