Seattle to Vienna (SEA–VIE) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

US passport holders enter Austria and the entire Schengen area visa-free for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. No advance application is needed. The 90-day clock is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area.

Link Light Rail runs from downtown Seattle (Westlake station) to the airport in 38 minutes ($3.50 peak). Trains run every 6–12 minutes during peak hours from 5am to 1am. Ride-shares run $30–50 from downtown; SR-99 and I-5 can be heavily congested southbound during afternoon rush (3–7pm).

Sound Transit 574 express bus serves Tacoma ($2.50–4). Sounder commuter rail connects Tacoma to the airport area via a shuttle.

The S7 commuter rail runs to Wien Mitte in 30–35 minutes (€4.20 every 30 minutes). The CAT (City Airport Train) is faster at 16 minutes (€14.90) and includes a city check-in facility at Wien Mitte.Taxis to the center cost €35–45 metered. Rental car desks are in the arrivals hall. The Vienna City Card covers all S-Bahn travel and is worth buying if you plan to use public transit throughout your stay.

Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. July and August average 25–30°C with occasional thunderstorms. Winter (December–February) brings temperatures of −5–4°C. Snow and freezing fog are the main disruption risks at VIE, typically causing delays rather than cancellations.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are mild at 10–20°C. Föhn winds in spring can cause turbulence on approaches. Pack layers year-round. Mornings and evenings can be significantly cooler than afternoons.