VIE - spot 02
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November 16, 2016Vienna Schwechat Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on August 1, 2024
Vienna International Airport / Flughafen Wien-Schwechat (VIE/LOWW) is the Gateway to Austria located on the far east of Austria, close to the borders of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Vienna handled 29 Mio. passengers in 2023. The Airport is a HUB for Austrian Airlines and the newly founded Eurowings Europe.
The Airport is served by most of the European Carriers. From Africa: Air Algerie, Air Cairo, Egypt Air, Ethiopian, Nouvelair and Tunis Air. From Asia: Air China, Air India, China Airlines, Emirates (only A380 service), ElAl, Eva Air, Georgian Airways, Iran Air, Korean Air, Thai, Qatar and Royal Jordanian. America is only served by Austrian Airlines.
The Airport is also a destination for many business jets. Also Cargo aircraft serve VIE including Asiana Cargo (74F), ASL Airlines Belgium, Cargolux (74F), Fedex, Korean Air Cargo (daily B77F/B74F), Silk Way Airlines (B74F), Turkish Cargo and UPS.
Spotting at VIE is not that easy as you have to walk long distances on farm tracks. Don’t drive up the tracks around the airport, this is forbidden. The Police is controlling this and you get fined for using them!
For current specials at VIE have a look on: https://slovakaviation.sk/vie
Written by Bas Velders, Julian Mittnacht, Konstanty Dobrzyński, Marcel Rudolf, Patrick Weis & Viktor. Last change: September 2023 – Spots 10-12
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 11/29 | 3,500m Asphalt |
| 16/34 | 3.600m Asphalt |
| Terminals | |
| Terminal 1 | One World, Skyteam, Emirates, Qatar, Air China, China Airlines, EVA Air, Thaiand no Alliance Airlines |
| Terminal 2 | Curently closed due to constructions |
| Terminal 3 | Austrian and European Star Alliance carriers + Air India |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not necessary at most spots. There are even new installed photo holes at some points. If you need one: 4 steps to get a good shots at the most spots. |
| Car/Public Transport | The easiest way to get around as the ways are long. There are dirt roads/pathways available basically all around the airport fence but which you can´t drive on. A bike can be very helpful! |
| Restrooms | Only in the terminal building. Nothing next to the locations. |
| Drinks/Food | There are many restaurants in the terminal including MC Donald’s etc but nothing next to the outer locations. |
| Hotels | Next to the terminals there are two big hotels and some taverns around the airport. |
| Season | All Year. But chance for sunshine is higher in summer. November to March can get grey, cold and rainy. |
| Runway Usage | |
| General Info | Depends on the wind. Until 7:00 aircraft are forced to land RWY29. Until 8:00 the aircraft are not allowed to land from the city side, RWY11. |
| 11/29 | Used in all directions but mainly for departures. |
| 16/34 | Used in all directions but mainly for arrivals. |
Hunters Lookout - taxiway and 29 departures
| WHERE | UPDATE January 2023: there is a new solar panel field to the west so now this location is unavailable |
| WHAT | |
| TIME | |
| MISC. | |
| FOCAL LENGTH | |
Airport Fence - Landing and line-up 29
| WHERE | Near a gate in the fence. The gate enables you to take pictures with easy through the fence. You may get there by walking from spots 4 and 5 on the road that goes beside the fence of the airport. Park your car as marked on the road (next to #6). Don’t drive on the farm tracks otherwise you will be fined by the police! |
| WHAT | Aircraft landing and lining-up ar runway 29 |
| TIME | Most of the day. 9/10-18/19 (depending on the sun and lenght of the day) |
| MISC. | Quite a walk from anything that would be easy to get to with public transport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100+ [Austrian at 195mm, Pegasus at 250mm, Niki at 300mm, SunExpress at 170mm, Luxair at 270mm, Turkish at 240mm] |
Airport Fence – 29/34 arrivals, parallel taxiway to 16/34
| WHERE | At the curvature of the fence, where you have to shoot through, near runway 29 threshold. Easy to get to on foot. Simply walk north from spots 4 and 5 on the road which is located just beside the fence of the airport at a crash gate you have to walk on the side of the field. Otherwise use the path to spot 2 and then along the perimeter. Park as marked on the map (next to #6). Don’t drive up the farm tracks! |
| WHAT | Aircraft landing on runway 29, those taxiing after arrival on runway 34 and those taxiing for departure from runway 34 and some departing 34 as well. |
| TIME | Most of the day, more or less after 10 should be fine. |
| MISC. | Quite a walk from anything that would be easy to get to with public transport. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 767 at 220mm, Q400 at 300mm, Austrian 319 at 300mm, Qatar at 300mm, 737 at 300mm, Royal Jordanian at 300mm |
Airport Fence (Holes) - Arrivals and Departures runway 34
| WHERE | Park as marked on the map at the end of Schwadorf (next to #6) and walk up the farm track as marked. Do not drive up the farm tracks as the Police will fine you. There are new installed holes at the fence so a ladder is no longer needed. |
| WHAT | All Runway 34 movements. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From late noon until sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50-300mm [767 at 100mm, Sun Express at 240mm, Austrian 737 at 240mm, 777 at 240mm, Embraer at 260mm, Falcon at 300mm] |
Farm Track - Final Runway 34
| WHERE | Park as marked on the map (next to #6) at the end of Schwadorf and walk up the farm track as marked. Do not drive up the farm tracks as the Police will fine you. You don’t need a step ladder for this spot as you can shot arrivals only. |
| WHAT | You can take shots of aircraft arriving on Runway 34 and line-ups on Runway 34 if they use the last intersection |
| TIME | From late noon until sunset all year round. |
| MISC. | There’s nothing at this spot, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-400mm [A319 at 185mm, Qatar at 230mm, Rossiya at 185mm] |
Cicleway - Landings runway 34
| WHERE | There is a cicleway along the road that runs under the approach path and to the morning spots. Park your car in a small industrial zone at the end of the village of Schwadorf (also for spots #2-5). From parking cross the road to the side where the airport’s fence begins and walk back 100-150m to the south, until you reach a lone house with garden. This is the best spot for approach pics onto rwy 34 and can be used from around afternoon until sunset. For morning just walk into the opposite direction.
For public transport take ÖBB Postbus No. 221 from VIE Terminal (bus stop 6) and leave the bus in the village of Kleinneusiedl. The bus runs only every 2 hours (weekdays) and takes approx. 20 Minutes. The walk from the bus stop to the morning spot takes about 10 minutes, to the afternoon spot about 20 minutes. |
| WHAT | Aircraft approaching runway 34. |
| TIME | Almost all day long in except noon. Just switch your position when the sun turns over. |
| MISC. | There is nothing there. You can even use the hedge and the trees around that house as protection against wind and sun. Be careful though: you are standing on a cycle lane, so be respectful and don’t block the cyclists’ way! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 100-250mm MORNING: Rossiya A319 – 170mm; Austrian Fokker 70 – 200mm; ASL B737 – 210mm; Korean Cargo B747F – 90mm; Brussels A320 – 200mm; Donavia A319 – 230mm AFTERNOON: Emirates A380 – 155mm; Swiss A340 – 100mm; Private Wings Do328 – 240mm; Royal Jordanian A320 – 190mm; Air China A330 – 125mm; Air India B787 – 160mm |
Morning:
Afternoon:
Airport Fence (holes) - Final runway 34 morning
| WHERE | Just at the fence between spot 6 and 9 so start and park your car. There is a little road going side to side of the fence, easy to find. You can either walk there from spot 9 or spot 6. The road is in rather good condition and goes all the way beside the airport fence. |
| WHAT | Morning movements from runway 34. Departures and arrivals. Line-up runway 34 |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | The fence is nice to spot from, big holes, plenty of room. There are more photo holes between position 7 and 8. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [A321 arr at 125mm, CRJ at 300mm, Fokker and Transavia at 195mm, Air Berlin at 155mm, Niki at 135mm] |
Touchdown zone - Runway 34
| WHERE | Just at the fence. There is a little road going side to side of the fence, easy to find. You can either walk there from spot 9 or spot 6. The road is in rather good condition and goes all the way beside the airport fence. |
| WHAT | Aircraft touching down on runway 34 |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | The fence is nice to spot from, big holes, plenty of room. You are slightly above the runway. There are more photo holes between position 7 and 8. If you want to try different angles before touchdown zone you’ll need a 2 step ladder or similar |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [Fokker at 170mm, Lufthansa at 140mm, Austrian at 230mm, 747 at 120mm, Tarom at 210mm, Niki at 120mm] |
Spotting Hill - Runway 16/34 Movements
| WHERE | This Spot is the Official Spotter Hill of the Airport. Here you have a clear view of the runway without a stepladder. Park your car as marked on the map and walk for 15 minutes up to the spot. |
| WHAT | All Runway Movements on Runway 16 and 34. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Nothing here except of a rubbish bin and a table. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300mm [A330 at 120mm, ATR72 at 220mm] |
Parking for the hill as marked on the map at/as “P” – take the way on the right by foot then to get to the hill:
Hill from the ground:
View from the hill’s top:
Rubbish Hill - RWY16 departures and arrivals
| WHERE | Best to park next to spot #11 and walk for 15 minutes to the hill. Its almost the as same as spot #11 but continue for a couple of minutes along the perimeter until you reach a big hill to your left. Now you have a great overlook of the runway and eastern part of the airport.
Update SEP 2023: There is now a short-term parking zone at the parking space for spots 10-12 in charge from Monday to Friday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 and Saturday from 8:00-12:00. Parking is free of charge but maximum parking time is 3 hours. However, a parking meter is required. Penalty for non-compliance €27. |
| WHAT | All arrivals and departures on RWY16. Departures on RWY34 too but can be already pretty high. As you shot planes on the ground heat haze can become a problem in the summer. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. This spot is not really legally accessible anymore: there is a fence, preventing spotters from climb onto the “Rubbish Hill”. However, the fence is quite damaged at several parts, so if you want to cross it, it won’t be difficult. Do it at your own risk though: in theory, it is illegal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 16 Arr/Dep: 100-250mm [CRJ at 230mm, 767 at 160mm) 34 Departure: 70+ [Fokker at 180mm, 767 at 100mm, 737 at 230mm] |
Stone Bricks - RWY16 approach
| WHERE | Coming from the airport drive on the 9 to Fischamend. After you have passed the approach path of RWY16 you see a small industrial area. Turn right, drive trough and turn right once you have leave the area. Now follow this road until you reach the marked parking spot. Leave your car hear and walk over the bridge, follow the dirt path along the perimeter fence until the first intersection. There you are.
Update SEP 2023: There is now a short-term parking zone at the parking space for spots 10-12 in charge from Monday to Friday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 and Saturday from 8:00-12:00. Parking is free of charge but maximum parking time is 3 hours. However, a parking meter is required. Penalty for non-compliance €27. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY16 only. There are some stones to climb up so you can watch over the fence. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Brennweiten: 80-220mm EVA Air A330 – 90mm; Luxair DHC-8: 210mm; China Airlines A350 – 170mm; Qatar B787 – 105mm; El Al B737 – 160mm; Austrian B777 – 85mm |
Parking for the spot – take the bridge on your left (not on the picture here):
Grass Field - RWY16 approach
| WHERE | Park your car as described above for #11 but then instead of crossing the bridge, simply walk ahead towards the airport fence. You can even go up the grass field to your right. Compared to #11 you have no disturbing objects and a clear background at your photos. No ladder needed, you can spot here.
For public transport take ÖBB Postbus No. 221, 222 or 273 from VIE Terminal (bus stop 6) and leave the bus at the first stop “Fischamend, Zeppelinstrasse”. The bus lines run only every 2 hours each (weekdays) and the ride takes 5 minutes. You can also walk all the way from the terminal which will take you approx. 40 minutes. Update SEP 2023: There is now a short-term parking zone at the parking space for spots 10-12 in charge from Monday to Friday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 and Saturday from 8:00-12:00. Parking is free of charge but maximum parking time is 3 hours. However, a parking meter is required. Penalty for non-compliance €27. |
| WHAT | Arrivals on RWY16 only. |
| TIME | From sunrise until ~10:00 all year round. |
| MISC. | Absolutely nothing here. The road can be muddy and dirty so be prepared. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Rossiya A319: 190mm; Alitalia A320: 170mm; Ukraine B737-500: 230mm |
Same parking again, but now take the street at the front here:
Parking P4 - Ramp, 16 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is on the top level of P4 parking. Just follow the signs. |
| WHAT | A very nice view on the apron between the new Skylink, Terminal three and the cargo apron. Also RWY16 arrivals but a long lense is needed! |
| TIME | Depends on the angle but perfect for night shots. Shots on RWY16 in the afternoon. |
| MISC. | It’s a regular parking, easy to get to and from the terminal. Just go to the corner of the top level. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 50+ [A320 at 120mm, Retro at 140mm, 320 closeup at 300mm, 777 at 170mm, A330 at 250m, overview at 75mm] |
Viewing terrace - Tarmac
| WHERE | The entrance to the terrace is landside from the terminal building. Rather easy to find. You need to pass through a security check before entering but not a boarding pass. It also costs a couple of euro (not much but be prepared). |
| WHAT | Best for aircraft on the tarmac. You can also “photograph” landings on RWY 16 but they are very very far (400mm for 767, see sample). |
| TIME | The sun is usually on the other side so its not the best photo location. In the winter season the deck might be closed for a long period. Check the website for more details! |
| MISC. | The entrance is for a day ticket 6€ and a 2 hours ticket 4€. The terrace is outside and there is no glass between you and the tarmac. Unfortunately the apron is situated in the same direction as the sun is most of the day so it’s a fun place to sit at, but for pictures definitely better when the weather is poor. More infos can be found on the official website. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18+ [767 at 155mm, Aeroflot at 125mm, 777 at 195mm] |
Parking P3 - Apron + 11/29 movements
| WHERE | This spot is on the top level of P3 parking. Just follow the signs. |
| WHAT | Some aircraft standing on the apron as well as 11/29 movements. |
| TIME | Depends on the angle but perfect for night shots. Runway 11/29 has proper light from May to September only from sunrise till morning ~9:00 roughly. |
| MISC. | It’s a regular parking, easy to get to and from the terminal. Just go to the the top level and find a spot that suits you. Haze can be an issue though! |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70+ [Niki at 230mm, BA at 300mm, Emirates at 240mm, Luxair at 270mm, Turkish at 300mm, Germanwings at 300mm] |
Roadside - 29 departures and 11 arrivals
| WHERE | This spot is located right at the side of the road that runs between Schwechat and the airport. It is no exact position, rather the area along/around here. You have just find a spot, where you can leave your cark (there are some lay bays on the south side of the street) and then just search your favourite position around here. |
| WHAT | You can see 29 departures and 11 arrivals from here. |
| TIME | Best for in the early summer mornings for 11 arrivals. Rest of the day backlit. |
| MISC. | Nothing right here, but in the nearby town Schwechat you’ll find restrooms, shops and hotels. Parking is very difficult here due to some restrictions at some parts of the streetside. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 200 – 350mm B777 = 200mm / CRJ7 = 330mm |
Dirt Road - 29 departures and 11 arrivals
| WHERE | Basically in the middle of a field and a long walk as its not allowed to drive on the dirt roads as the police checks this regulary. Park your car as marked on the map and don’t block the road and walk up the farm track. You won’t find much around. Go along the concrete road until you reach the third column of trees to your left. There you turn left to the dirt road and follow it until the next intersection. You can also get there from the Mannswörth train station. |
| WHAT | You can get nice pics of departing aircraft “doing the 29 curve” (turning to the left as they climb out from rwy 29). For arrivals on 11 just go to spot #18 to the fence for being closer, although they can also be seen from here (see example pictures). |
| TIME | In winter almost all day long – in summer from morning hours on till later afternoon. |
| MISC. | It’s a field so take everything you need with you, no shops, no lavatories, no benches. Heat haze can be a problem very fast in the summer. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Iran Government B707: 230mm / Ed Force One (B747-400): 160mm / Easyjet A319: 260mm / Austrian A320 Retro: 300mm |
Crash Gate - 11 Arrivals and Line-Ups
| WHERE | This spot is located right at the fence near Gate “W 02”. To get to this spot, just park like you’d do for spot #17 and also got to spot #17 afterwards. But then keep walking till the fence until you rech it and the mentioned gate. Then search your favourite position along this area as this spot is no exact position here. |
| WHAT | Arrivals and Line-Ups onto runway 11. |
| TIME | In winter almost all day long – in summer from morning hours on till later afternoon. |
| MISC. | Ladder might be very useful to spot from here, although you can also shot through the gate-/fenceholes – some pictures will have dark corners then. Nothing around here, so take everything with you. Heat haze can be a problem. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 250mm B767 = 100mm / E175 = 180mm |
Moxy Vienna Airport Hotel
| WHERE | This spot is located next to the Moxy Vienna Airport Hotel, take a left turn while exiting the hotel and walk few hundred meters towards the parking and the fences of the remote parking area. The spot is located at the corner of the road. |
| WHAT | Remote parking pictures through the fence unless you have a ladder. |
| TIME | Summer: From 2p.m. till sunset Winter: From 4p.m. till sunset |
| MISC. | Ladder might be very useful to spot from here with a least a 3 steps. Don’t linger around here for too long as there are reports about ID checks by security and police. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | B748 = 100mm but much fewer for other Parking positions. |
Crash Gate E12C - 16 departures and 34 arrivals
| WHERE | Park as marked on the map at the end of Schwadorf (next to #6) and walk up the farm track as marked. Do not drive up the farm tracks as the Police will fine you. |
| WHAT | Departure rwy16 or landing on rwy34 in the afternoon until sunset. |
| TIME | Summer: From 2p.m. till sunset Winter: From 1p.m. till sunset |
| MISC. | Ladder might be very useful to spot from here with a least a 3 steps. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | A321 = 250mm / B772 => 220mm & A380 = 140mm |
Terminal 1 Waiting Area - Ramp, taxiway runway 11/29
| WHERE | If you have a valid boarding pass and you are within Terminal 1, there is a good location where you can see some traffic. It is located in the hall, close to the C gates in front of the “Watch & Sunglasses” store. Luckily there is a windows behind a Departure information board so there is no reflections even at the night! |
| WHAT | Apron of D and C gates, taxiway L and 11/29 Movements (If no parked aircraft on stand C42. If yes, move more to the left along the hall). |
| TIME | When sunny, from sunrise till 10am approximetly in summer. In winter if sunny backlit all day |
| MISC. | Everything you need is around this spot. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 20-400mm, depends on the angle |
Just a quick heads-up for y’all who are going to do some spotting in Vienna in a near future. If you plan to go to one of the spots south of rwy 11/29 (spots 1,2,3,17,18), be prepared for an unusual experience. Probably due to the current geo-political situation, each time before an El-Al airplane takes off, a police helicopter takes off from the airfield and flies low over the fields near the runway. If you happen to be there, they might actually slow down to almost a hover, and quite close to you. In my case, they flew in about 5 meters, in a distance cca 15 meters. It almost looked like they were about to land, which was kind of scary. But I assume it was a routine check. They did a circle around me and flew away. Just letting you know what is happening now.
Hey guys just a quick question when does the spotter terrace close at vienna ?
Terrace opening times are 10:00 – 18:00 every day during summer.
Ok thanks then i cant spott there
Hey guys another quick question what is the opening time at the spotting terrace at vienna (spott 14)
Hello guys im boarding my flight from terminal 1 at vienna am i allowed to walk to terminal 3 to spott at place 14 ?
You can Walk between the terminals unrestricted BEFORE Security
So does it mean that i can spott at 14 even tho im leaving terminal 1 and thanks for the reply
So can i spot at 14 beacuse the guide says the spot is after security
Spot 14 is not after the “usual” security checks for passengers. The viewing terrace has its own security check just before entering it.
Ok thanks
It is landside, before the official gate security and you don`t need a boarding pass to get on it. These are just normal safety checks.
I have completed the description of the spot 14.
-Julian
I am going to Vienna for 3 days and for spotting I’ll have around 2-3 hours. Which place will be best suited?
Important information for visitors of the spots 10/11/12.
There is now a short-term parking zone at the parking space for the spots above.
This applies from Monday to Friday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00 and Saturday from 8:00-12:00.
Parking is free of charge but
maximum parking time is 3 hours.
However, a parking meter is required.
Penalty for non-compliance €27.
New Price for the Visitor Terrasse: Dayticket 6€ and a two Houres Ticket 4€
I have fixed it. Thanks for the info Thomas.
-Julian
Hello planespotters,
Walking through the entrance of the Parking P4 and P3 (im guessing) does security not care whether you pay or not if you’re not driving in your car? Both lots have a fee of about 5 euros an hour, and I just want to know if anyone has had trouble with security at the parking lots in the past. As well, if anyone knows where the entrance to P3 please let me know.
Every parking in Vienna can be visited without a fee. No car No problem! 🙂
Also with security there are no problems
hello everybody,
when in transfer at Vienna (coming form amsterdam / transfer to Cairo) I have a stop-over for 2,5 hours. without leaving the transfer area is there a place were you can take some pictures or not ? Do you have to leave the arrival area ?
Hi Douwe, if you are travelling from terminal 1, I have just added the matching location for you to the guide. Have a look out for position #21.
AFAIK spotting from terminal 2 is tricky because of the installation of two windows in a row.
-Julian
Dear Planespotter !
I have got something important to say..
Hopefully not only important for me, but:
I want to ask you all in the most respectful way to be concious and aware for the enviroment and surrounding area/nature.
Avoid littering and reckless behavior and try to leave each please in the same (or even better) condition like u have seen when arrived.
There could be a lot more waste bins but we are still guest there – at least most of us..
The Vienna airport has also a very active and even exiting wildlife around the facilities, and it is a habitat for many wild animal species like birds, deer, insects, reptiles, and so on.
And it sadly happens often, that fools like me need to clean spots from waste and dirt left by others who dont give anything on others.
The Bench at the spotter hill should be used as what its meant for and is no substitute for your forgotten ladder…others cant use them after you when u left tons of mud on the bench/desk…
Sorry, i may sound like a boomer and i am old enough to fit in that, but i guess it just can be a favour to everyone spotting there, if we think about others and how we behave.
I wish u guys and girls an awesome time spotting and a rich outcome on good shots!!
Thank you!