Flying from Vienna to London
The Vienna to London route covers roughly 1,230 kilometres, making it a comfortable short-haul hop that typically lands you in the UK in under three hours. Nonstop flights from Vienna International Airport (VIE) clock in at around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes depending on the carrier, wind conditions, and which London airport you're heading into. It's the kind of flight where you barely finish a coffee before the descent begins — genuinely one of the easier European city pairs to manage.
Vienna's single main hub, Vienna International Airport at Schwechat, handles all commercial traffic on this route, so there's no confusion about which airport to depart from. On the London side, though, things get more complicated: flights from Vienna land at Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), or Luton (LTN) depending on the airline. Knowing which London airport you're arriving into before you book is one of the most important decisions on this route — the difference in transfer time and cost into central London between Heathrow and Stansted is significant.
Airlines on This Route
Several carriers compete on Vienna to London flights, which is good news for price-conscious travellers. Here's how the landscape breaks down:
- Austrian Airlines — The flag carrier flies Vienna to London Heathrow daily, typically from Terminal 3 at LHR. Full-service experience with checked baggage included, meals on longer configurations, and a proper frequent flyer programme. Best for business travellers or anyone who values predictability over price.
- British Airways — Also serves VIE–LHR daily, operating out of Heathrow Terminal 5. BA's Club Europe product on this route is genuinely good if you catch a sale fare upgrade. Economy is functional but baggage fees apply in lower fare buckets.
- Ryanair — Flies VIE to London Stansted, the furthest London airport from the city centre. Fares are where Ryanair earns its reputation — one-way tickets from around €22 exist if you book early and travel light. Factor in the 50-minute train ride from Stansted when comparing total journey time.
- Wizz Air — Operates Vienna to London Luton, another outer-London option. Round-trip fares from around €65 are realistic outside peak periods. Like Ryanair, the base fare is stripped down — add baggage costs before celebrating that headline price.
- Vueling and Jet2 — These appear seasonally or with one-stop routing via their respective hubs. Worth checking if the majors are sold out or pricing high around holidays.
Flight Prices: Vienna to London
Cheap flights to London from Vienna are genuinely achievable if you're flexible. Ryanair's floor prices sit around €22–25 one-way for hand-luggage-only bookings made four to eight weeks out. Wizz Air round-trips can come in at €65–80. Austrian Airlines and British Airways on the VIE–LHR run typically range from €120–200 round-trip in economy when booked a few weeks ahead, dropping to around €90–110 during off-peak windows. The key traps: Ryanair and Wizz Air charges for checked bags (€25–40 each way) can quietly double your fare, and airport transfer costs from Stansted or Luton add another €20–30 each way versus Heathrow. Always build in the full door-to-door cost before assuming the budget carriers are cheaper.
Best Time to Book Vienna to London Flights
For London flight deals from Vienna, the off-peak sweet spot runs from mid-January through March, and again in October and early November. April sees moderate fares — Ryanair examples around €47 one-way are realistic during this window. Summer (June through August) is peak season; London is busy, fares reflect it, and you should book at least six to eight weeks ahead to avoid paying full price. September and October are a nice balance — the city is less crowded, fares ease back toward €55–70 one-way on budget carriers, and the weather in London is still tolerable. December is spiked around Christmas; book early or pay significantly more. For the best Vienna to London flight deals overall, setting a price alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner and booking Tuesday through Thursday tends to surface the lowest inventory.
London Airport Guide
Which airport you land at shapes your entire arrival experience in London:
- Heathrow (LHR) — Most convenient for central London. The Elizabeth line (Crossrail) gets you to Paddington in about 15 minutes for £12.80, or the Piccadilly line tube takes around 50 minutes for roughly £6. Austrian Airlines and BA use this airport.
- Gatwick (LGW) — The Gatwick Express to Victoria Station runs in 30 minutes, costing around £20. A standard Southern train is slower but cheaper at around £12.
- Stansted (STN) — Ryanair's London base. The Stansted Express to Liverpool Street takes 47 minutes and costs £18–22. Budget for this when comparing Ryanair fares.
- Luton (LTN) — Used by Wizz Air. A shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway station plus a train to St Pancras takes around 45–60 minutes total, costing roughly £17–20.
FAQ — Vienna to London Flights
How long is the flight from Vienna to London?
Nonstop flights from Vienna (VIE) to London take between 2 hours 15 minutes and 2 hours 50 minutes. The variation depends on the airline, the specific London airport, and prevailing winds. Westbound flights (Vienna to London) are occasionally slightly longer than the return leg.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Vienna to London?
January, February, March, and October consistently offer the lowest fares on the Vienna to London route. Avoid school holidays, the Christmas period, and the peak summer months of July and August if price is your priority. Midweek departures — Tuesday and Wednesday in particular — also tend to be cheaper than Friday or Sunday travel.
Which airlines fly from Vienna to London?
Austrian Airlines and British Airways operate daily nonstop flights from VIE to London Heathrow. Ryanair flies Vienna to London Stansted, and Wizz Air covers Vienna to London Luton. Vueling and Jet2 provide additional options, sometimes with a connection via their hub cities.
How much do Vienna to London flights cost?
One-way fares start from around €22–25 on Ryanair and Wizz Air during off-peak periods with hand luggage only. Round-trip budget airline fares typically run €65–120 all-in once you add a checked bag. Austrian Airlines and British Airways round trips on the VIE–LHR route generally range from €90–200 depending on how far in advance you book and the time of year.