Vienna’s City Airport Train (CAT) service will transition to road transport earlier than planned. This change begins on Monday, August 24, 2026. Two key events necessitate this accelerated shift. An unforeseen cable fire recently occurred in Vienna’s Praterstern area. Moreover, significant renovations are scheduled for the Vienna S-Bahn main line.
The “CAT by bus” service will connect the Wien Mitte transit hub and Vienna International Airport. Premium coaches from partner Blaguss will operate the route. The service aims for maximum flexibility. Consequently, it offers expanded frequency. During peak hours (7:00 AM–7:00 PM), buses will depart every 12 minutes, five times per hour. Off-peak services will run every 15 minutes. This includes early morning (5:30 AM from Wien Mitte) and late evening until midnight. The approximate travel time is 21 minutes. Buses will stop centrally at Marxergasse 1b in Wien Mitte, next to The Mall. At the airport, they will park directly in front of Arrivals Terminal 3.
These Setra buses provide 57 seats. Passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. Furthermore, modern safety features, such as MirrorCam and 360° cameras, are installed. To mark the launch, CAT offers a 20% online discount on tickets. Holders of specific passes, including the Wiener Linien annual pass or ÖBB Vorteilscard, receive a 50% discount. Children under 15 travel free. While luggage check-in at Wien Mitte is suspended, flight check-in and boarding pass printing remain available at CAT lobby kiosks.
The City Airport Train will make a strong return to the rails in Fall 2027. This coincides with the end of the S-Bahn main line closure. A new generation of trains, unveiled at a press conference, will redefine the journey. These are five-car double-decker KISS trains. Swiss manufacturer Stadler Rail produces them. Moodley designed their interiors. They aim to deliver an elegant, “first-class feel” experience.
The new trains boast impressive specifications. They can reach a top speed of 200 km/h. Each train measures approximately 133 meters. They offer significantly more capacity, featuring about 300 seats. These include floating premium seating, fold-out tables, and reading lights. Moreover, accessibility is enhanced with a low-floor design and 10 doors per side. Two wheelchair spaces with adjustable tables are present. Two restrooms, including an accessible one with a changing table, are also available. Modern amenities include time-controlled LED mood lighting, power sockets, and USB ports at every seat. Passengers will also find spacious luggage racks and real-time information screens.
