London to Vienna is one of the busiest routes out of the Austrian capital, with up to five airlines flying nonstop from three London airports. The flight takes about two and a half hours. The real difference between your options lies in everything around it: which airport you leave from, what’s included in the fare, and where you check in for the flight home.
London to Vienna flights at a glance
| Airline | London airport | When | Flights per week (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Heathrow (LHR) | Year-round | Around 30 |
| Austrian Airlines | Heathrow (LHR) | Year-round | Around 27 |
| Ryanair | Stansted (STN) | Year-round | Around 20, several a day |
| easyJet | Gatwick (LGW) | Winter and spring | Varies by season |
| Jet2 | Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN) | Winter | A few a week |
There are currently no nonstop flights from Luton or London City. Wizz Air, which used to fly from both Luton and Gatwick, dropped its last UK–Vienna route in March 2026. Schedules change between summer and winter, so always check your travel dates.
Which London airport should you fly from?
For most people, the airport decides more than the airline. A £30 cheaper fare from Stansted is quickly gone if you live in west London and need a taxi for a 6 am departure.
Heathrow: British Airways and Austrian
Heathrow has the most flights by far, spread across the whole day, from early morning to late evening. Both airlines are full-service carriers, which makes this the easiest choice for business travel or a weekend where timing matters. From central London, the Elizabeth line, Piccadilly line and Heathrow Express all serve the airport. More on Austrian’s flights, fares and baggage rules in our Austrian Airlines guide.
Stansted: Ryanair and Jet2
Ryanair flies from Stansted several times a day and is often the cheapest headline fare on the route. The first departure leaves around 6 am, which means a very early start: the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street takes around 50 minutes, so check the first train against your flight time. Jet2 adds seasonal winter flights from Stansted, often sold as part of its Christmas market city breaks.
Gatwick: easyJet and Jet2
From Gatwick, both easyJet and Jet2 fly to Vienna in winter, timed for the Christmas markets and ski season. Outside those months there may be no flights at all from Gatwick, so this is mainly an option for south London and the south coast.
What’s included in your fare?
The cheapest fare in a search result rarely compares like with like. Here’s what you get on each airline’s lowest economy fare on European flights at the time of writing.
| Airline | Small under-seat bag | Cabin bag | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways (Basic) | Included | Included | Extra |
| Austrian (Economy Basic) | Included | Extra | Extra |
| Ryanair | Included | Extra (with Priority) | Extra |
| easyJet | Included | Extra | Extra |
| Jet2 | Included | Included | Extra |
With a wheeled cabin bag, British Airways and Jet2 can work out cheaper than a low-cost fare plus add-ons. Bag sizes and weight limits differ per airline, so check the dimensions on the airline’s own website before you pack.
Flight time and time difference
Flights from London to Vienna take between 2 hours and 10 minutes and 2 hours and 30 minutes. Vienna is one hour ahead of the UK, so a flight leaving Heathrow at 7:25 lands around 10:40 local time. On the way back you gain that hour: an evening flight from Vienna can land in London barely an hour and a half after takeoff on the clock.
Arriving at Vienna Airport
All flights from London land at Vienna International Airport (VIE) in Schwechat, about 18 km southeast of the city centre. Vienna has no secondary low-cost airport, so Ryanair and easyJet land at the same airport as BA and Austrian.
Because the UK is outside the Schengen area, you go through passport control on arrival. UK passport holders are registered in the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) on their first trip, with fingerprints and a facial photo, which can make the queue longer than you’re used to. On later visits it should go faster.
From the airport, the train is the quickest way into the city. Our guide to getting from Vienna Airport to the city centre compares the City Airport Train, the S-Bahn, buses, and taxis.
Flying home: terminals and gates at Vienna Airport
Vienna Airport is one connected building with three check-in areas. Which one you need depends on your airline. Flights to the UK always leave from the non-Schengen gates, behind passport control.
| Airline | Check-in | Gates for UK flights |
|---|---|---|
| Austrian Airlines | Terminal 3 | G gates (sometimes D) |
| British Airways | Terminal 1 | D gates |
| Ryanair | Terminal 1 | D gates |
| easyJet, Jet2 | Usually Terminal 1A | D gates |
Terminal 1A is a separate building opposite Terminal 1, used for check-in and bag drop only. After security, all passengers end up in the same airside area. Check-in assignments can change, so always confirm the terminal in your booking or on the departure screens. For all airlines, lounges and practical tips, see our guide to flying to Vienna.
Flying Austrian? You need a Travel ID to check in online
Since 2 November 2026, Austrian Airlines and the other Lufthansa Group airlines require a free Travel ID account for online check-in on flights from Vienna and the UK. Without one, you can still check in at the airport. Our Austrian Airlines guide explains who needs one and how it works. This doesn’t apply to British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet or Jet2.
Which airline would we choose?
It depends on where you live and what you’re bringing. For a short break with just a small backpack, Ryanair from Stansted is hard to beat on price, as long as you’re fine with an early start. With a cabin bag, or if you live closer to Heathrow, compare BA and Austrian. With a cabin bag included, the gap with the low-cost fare is often smaller than you’d expect, and you get far more departure times to choose from.
In winter, Jet2 and easyJet from Gatwick are worth a look, especially if you’d like a package deal for the Christmas markets.
London to Vienna flights: FAQ
Which airlines fly direct from London to Vienna?
British Airways and Austrian Airlines from Heathrow, Ryanair from Stansted, and in winter easyJet and Jet2 from Gatwick, with Jet2 also flying from Stansted.
How long is the flight from London to Vienna?
Between 2 hours 10 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. Vienna is one hour ahead of the UK, so add an hour to the arrival time on the clock.
Can you fly from Luton or London City to Vienna?
Not nonstop at the moment. Wizz Air stopped flying from Luton to Vienna in March 2026, and there are no direct flights from London City.
What is the cheapest way to fly from London to Vienna?
Ryanair from Stansted usually has the lowest base fare. If you need a cabin bag, compare the total with British Airways or Jet2, which include one in their basic fares.
Which terminal do I need at Vienna Airport for my flight to London?
Austrian Airlines uses Terminal 3. British Airways and Ryanair use Terminal 1, and easyJet and Jet2 usually check in at Terminal 1A. Check your booking, as assignments can change.
Do UK travellers need to register for EES in Vienna?
Yes. UK passport holders are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System on their first entry to the Schengen area, with fingerprints and a facial photo. Allow extra time at passport control.
Routes, frequencies and baggage rules checked on 6 November 2026. Airlines change schedules between summer and winter and update their fare conditions regularly. The details in your booking always apply.
Title photo courtesy of Patrick van Zundert of Alles over Vliegen.