London to Vienna is a short, frequent hop, and it’s non-stop: British Airways, Austrian Airlines, Ryanair and Wizz Air all fly it direct in a little over two hours. It is also cheaper than most people expect — checking every return fare on sale, the typical price is £61, with the great majority of cheap fares leaving from Stansted. This guide covers who really flies the route, what a return actually costs in pounds, how to get from the airport into the city, and when to book.
Route: London (LHR / LGW / STN / LTN) → Vienna (VIE)
Distance: approximately 1,235 km (767 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 2h 15m
Direct flights: Yes — British Airways and Austrian Airlines fly non-stop from Heathrow, Ryanair from Stansted, and Wizz Air from Luton/Gatwick. There’s no need to connect. Which airport matters for the price: in our fare data the cheap fares are Ryanair’s from Stansted at £56–£63, while Austrian’s from Heathrow start at £150.
Fares from London to Vienna (GBP)
Vienna is a year-round city-break destination. Fares climb in the warm late-spring-to-summer months and around the famous Christmas markets in December, and ease off in the quieter late-winter weeks. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds; the low-cost carriers set the floor and the full-service airlines sit a little above.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high |
| May | — | high |
| June | — | high |
| July | — | medium-high |
| August | — | medium-high |
| September | — | high |
| October | — | medium |
| November | — | low-medium |
| December | — | high (Christmas markets) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the low-cost fares sit in a remarkably tight band: £56–£63 return on Ryanair from Stansted, median £61. So a fare around £60 is simply the going rate rather than a find, and there is no cheaper tier below it — under about £58 is as good as this route gets. The full-service alternative is a different order of magnitude: Austrian from Heathrow at £150–£254. Those low-cost fares are hand-luggage-only; add a bag before comparing them with British Airways or Austrian.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 2h 15m):
- British Airways — non-stop from Heathrow; full service with a cabin bag included.
- Austrian Airlines — non-stop from Heathrow; the flag carrier and the most frequent operator on the route.
- Ryanair — non-stop from Stansted; often the cheapest headline fare, hand-luggage only unless you add a bag.
- Wizz Air — non-stop from Luton and Gatwick; keen prices, with extras charged separately.
With four carriers competing, there’s no reason to connect. Compare the all-in price including bags and seat selection, as the low-cost lead fares rise once you add checked luggage.
When to book & how to save
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul fares; the summer and December Christmas-market peaks fill up earlier, so book those further out.
- Travel in late winter (January–February, after the markets close) for the cheapest fares and a quieter city.
- Go hand-luggage-only on Ryanair or Wizz Air to hit the lowest prices — a checked bag can double a cheap fare.
- Be flexible on London airport: Heathrow has the full-service flights, but a Stansted or Luton departure often prices lower.
- Fly midweek — Tuesday-to-Thursday departures usually undercut weekend flights on this popular route.
Arriving in Vienna
Flights land at Vienna International (VIE), at Schwechat about 18 km southeast of the centre. It’s an easy transfer: the City Airport Train (CAT) reaches Wien Mitte in 16 minutes (around £11 one way), while the S7 S-Bahn or an ÖBB Railjet does a similar trip for roughly £4–£5 in a little longer. A taxi or ride-hail to the centre costs about £30–£40. Austria uses the euro, and the city’s U-Bahn is quick and cheap once you arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Vienna?
Yes. British Airways and Austrian Airlines fly non-stop from Heathrow, Ryanair from Stansted, and Wizz Air from Luton and Gatwick. The direct flight takes about 2h 15m, and with several airlines competing there’s no need to connect.
How long is the flight from London to Vienna?
The non-stop flight takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. With four airlines flying direct from four London airports, a one-stop routing is never necessary and would only add hours to the trip.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Vienna?
There are two clear tiers. Low-cost returns from Stansted ran £56–£63 across the dates we could price, median £61, hand-luggage-only. Austrian’s full-service fares from Heathrow ran £150–£254. The summer and Christmas-market peaks push both toward their upper ends.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Vienna?
January and February are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, low-cost returns started at £56. Avoid May–June and September, and the December Christmas-market weeks, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Vienna?
British Airways and Austrian Airlines (both from Heathrow), Ryanair (from Stansted) and Wizz Air (from Luton and Gatwick) all fly non-stop. Ryanair carries the great majority of the cheap fares, at £56–£63 from Stansted; Austrian runs £150–£254 from Heathrow. British Airways and Wizz Air also fly the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked.
Which airport do I fly into in Vienna?
All flights use Vienna International (VIE) at Schwechat, about 18 km from the centre. It’s the city’s single main airport, with a fast train (the CAT) and cheaper S-Bahn services straight into town, so onward transfers are simple.
How far in advance should I book London to Vienna flights?
Aim for 4 to 8 weeks ahead for the best short-haul prices. For the summer months and the December Christmas markets, book earlier — those are the busiest weeks and fares rise steadily as seats sell.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday flights. Being flexible by a day or two, and travelling hand-luggage-only on the low-cost carriers, are the two easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
