City Airport Train - CAT

Summary

With Whim you can now access single and return City Airport Train tickets to travel between Vienna City Centre and Vienna International Airport. In this article, you can find more about City Airport Trains (CAT) and how you can travel with them via Whim.

• Understanding what CAT is
• Buying a CAT ticket through Whim
• Questions and Answers

Understanding what CAT is

City Airport Train, CAT,  is an airport train offering connecting Vienna City Centre (Wien-Mitte railway station) to the Vienna International Airport.

• The ride time is 16 minutes and the trains run nonstop.
• The City Airport Train is available 365 days a year from early morning to late at night (the first train from Wien-Mitte departs at 5.37 am, the last from the airport in the direction of Wien-Mitte at 11.39 pm.)
• The CAT has a station at the airport, conveniently just a few steps from the airport’s baggage claim area.
• In the city center, the CAT arrives and departs from Wien-Mitte railway station.

Buying a CAT ticker through Whim

Choose Public Transport from the Whim button. The Whim app recognizes your location when you are buying a ticket and suggests ticket options for you.

You can buy tickets with Whim using the Whim button (Fig.1) or the Journey Planner (Fig.2)

• When you buy a ticket through the Whim button, it will be activated immediately. 
• When you buy a ticket through the Journey Planner, your ticket will be activated 5-10 minutes before your vehicle is scheduled to leave. 

(Fig. 1 ) Whim button view

The Whim app recognizes your location when you are buying a ticket and suggests ticket options for you.

(Fig. 2) Plan journey view                            (Fig. 3) Journey suggestions view

You can buy either a Single (one-way) Ticket (airport - Wien-Mitte OR Wien-Mitte - airport) or a Return Ticket (Round trip to and from the airport - Wien-Mitte) with Whim using the Journey planner or through the Whim button (Fig. 4). 

(Fig. 4) CAT ticket options view

You can buy either a Single (one-way) Ticket (airport - Wien-Mitte OR Wien-Mitte - airport) or a Return Ticket (Round trip to and from the airport - Wien-Mitte) with Whim using the Journey planner or through the Whim button. 

Please note that the return ticket is not working yet on Whim App. We are hoping to have both the tickets available on the App as soon as possible.

(Fig. 5) CAT single ticket                                    (Fig. 6) CAT return ticket

You can find all your active tickets and check their validity in the tickets menu (Fig. 7). By tapping an active ticket in the tickets menu, you can get into the ticket view (Fig. 8).

(Fig. 7) Tickets menu                                     (Fig. 8) CAT ticket view

Questions and Answers

• What CAT tickets can I purchase via Whim?
• Which CAT trains can I travel with?
• How do I prove I have a valid ticket?
• How do I cancel my ticket?
• Which extra services are available to me free of charge?
• Is there luggage storage available at the station?
• What if my train is delayed?

What CAT tickets can I purchase via Whim?

You may purchase the CAT Single Tickets which are valid for 6 months, this allows you to travel one trip from Vienna International Airport to Wien-Mitte railway station OR from Wien-Mitte railway station to Vienna International Airport. 

Or you may purchase the Return Ticket which is also valid for a one-time use within a period of 6 months. This allows you to take a round trip to and from Vienna International Airport - Wien-Mitte railway station.

Prices for these tickets are as follows: 

• Single ticket (one-way) 11€
• Return ticket 19€

Which CAT trains can I travel with?

You can take your trip to or from the airport with any CAT train during the ticket’s validity, as the tickets are not restricted to certain schedules. However, please note that the tickets are one-time use, and you cannot take multiple trips with one ticket (Single Ticket = one trip from or to the airport, Return Ticket = Round trip to and from the airport - Wien-Mitte)

Go to the train from the CAT platform at the airport OR via CAT lounge at the Wien-Mitte railway station.

How do I prove I have a valid ticket?

When travelling with the CAT, you need to show the ticket on your phone when you meet a train attendant. The train attendant will scan the QR code on your ticket to check its validity.  

• A single (one-way) ticket is valid for the duration of your ride

• The return ticket will stay active in your Tickets menu until the end of your round trip (second train ride) with the CAT. 

How do I cancel my ticket?

If you bought a ticket through the Whim button, your ticket gets activated immediately and cannot be cancelled anymore in the Whim app. 

If you bought a ticket through the journey planner, your ticket will get activated 5-10 minutes before your train is scheduled to leave. 

Which extra services are available to me free of charge?

• Free Wi-Fi and power outlets on board
• With the CAT City Check-In, that is located in the CAT lounge in the Vienna Mitte railway station, you can check-in your baggage to your flight up to 75 minutes before departure and get your boarding pass. Please note that to use this benefit, you need to be flying with one of the participating airlines: check here

More information: here

Is there luggage storage available at the station?

In the CAT terminal in Vienna Mitte railway station, there are 30 lockers which can be used by CAT customers free of charge.

What if my train is delayed? 

If your train is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation: is entitled to compensation:

• If the passenger misses his/her flight due to the CAT train being delayed for 30 minutes or more, the CAT will refund the cost of your new plane ticket.
• Click here for more info: https://www.cityairporttrain.com/userfiles/files/downloads/CAT_Travel-Guarantee_WEB.pdf