How To Get In St. Pölten
St. Pölten, situated approximately 65 km west of Vienna, serves as a central hub in Austria with well-established transportation links facilitating accessibility. The city is conveniently connected to various regions through multiple transportation modes, including air travel, trains, buses, and cars. Travelers can select the most suitable option based on their budget, preferences, and point of origin.
Visitors arriving from distant locations can opt for air travel, with three airports in proximity – Vienna International Airport, Linz Airport, and Graz Airport. From these airports, individuals can choose shuttle services, car rentals, or public transportation to reach St. Pölten.
For those within Austria or neighboring countries, trains offer a comfortable and scenic mode of transportation. St. Pölten is well-connected by direct or connecting trains from major cities like Vienna, Linz, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, and Zurich. The primary train station, St. Pölten Hauptbahnhof, centrally located, facilitates easy access to different parts of the city.
Travelers on a budget or seeking flexibility can consider buses as an economical and convenient option. Regular or express buses operate from destinations including Vienna, Linz, Graz, Bratislava, and Prague. St. Pölten Busbahnhof, the primary bus station situated in the city center near the train station, provides access to the wider city.
Those with personal vehicles or rental cars might find driving to St. Pölten the most independent and flexible choice. The road network connecting the city to highways and main roads ensures easy accessibility. Travelers can enjoy the freedom of selecting routes, pacing their journey, and making stops along the way. Finding parking in St. Pölten, especially during peak hours or in busy areas, may pose challenges.
Arriving in St. Pölten by Air
Nearest Airports
The nearest airports to St. Pölten are:
- Vienna International Airport: This is the largest and the busiest airport in Austria, located about 80 km east of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several airlines, such as Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, and Wizz Air, and offers flights to and from various domestic and international destinations. The airport has four terminals, which are connected by a free shuttle bus. The airport also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, restaurants, lounges, Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and luggage storage.
- Linz Airport: This is the third-largest airport in Austria, located about 120 km west of St. Pölten. It serves as a base for several airlines, such as Ryanair, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines, and offers flights to and from various European and Middle Eastern destinations. The airport has one terminal, which offers various facilities and services, such as shops, cafes, Wi-Fi, car rental, and parking.
- Graz Airport: This is the fourth-largest airport in Austria, located about 200 km south of St. Pölten. It serves as a base for several airlines, such as Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss, and offers flights to and from various European destinations. The airport has one terminal, which offers various facilities and services, such as shops, restaurants, Wi-Fi, car rental, and parking.
Airport Transfer Services
Once you land at one of the airports, you will need to take another mode of transportation to reach St. Pölten. You can choose from the following options:
- Shuttle Services: This is a convenient and comfortable option, as you can book a shuttle service online or at the airport and get picked up and dropped off at your desired location. You can choose from various shuttle providers, such as Airport Taxi, Airport Shuttle, and Airport Transfer, and compare prices, schedules, and availability. The shuttle service usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the traffic and the number of stops. The average cost ranges from 30 to 50 euros per person, depending on the distance and the number of passengers.
- Car Rentals: This is an independent and flexible option, as you can rent a car online or at the airport and drive to St. Pölten at your own pace and route. You can choose from various car rental companies, such as Avis, Hertz, and Europcar, and compare prices, models, and conditions. The car rental usually requires a valid driver’s license, a credit card, and an insurance. The driving time usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the traffic and the road conditions. The average cost ranges from 40 to 60 euros per day, depending on the type and the duration of the rental.
- Public Transportation Options: This is an economical and eco-friendly option, as you can take a train or a bus from the airport to St. Pölten and enjoy the scenery and the local culture along the way. You can find information and tickets online or at the airport and follow the signs and the announcements. The public transportation option usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the schedule and the number of transfers. The average cost ranges from 10 to 20 euros per person, depending on the type and the distance of the transportation.
Arriving in St. Pölten by Train
Railway Connections
The main railway connections to St. Pölten are:
- Vienna Central Station: This is the largest and the most important train station in Austria, located about 65 km east of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several train operators, such as ÖBB, Westbahn, and Railjet, and offers trains to and from various domestic and international destinations. The station also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, restaurants, lounges, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
- Linz Hauptbahnhof: This is the main train station in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, located about 120 km west of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several train operators, such as ÖBB, Westbahn, and Railjet, and offers trains to and from various domestic and international destinations. The station also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, cafes, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
- Graz Hauptbahnhof: This is the main train station in Graz, the capital of Styria, located about 200 km south of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several train operators, such as ÖBB, Westbahn, and Railjet, and offers trains to and from various domestic and international destinations. The station also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, restaurants, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
Train Services to St. Pölten
Once you find a railway connection to St. Pölten, you will need to take a train service to St. Pölten. You can choose from the following options:
- Railjet: This is the fastest and the most comfortable train service to St. Pölten, as it offers high-speed trains that can reach up to 230 km/h and have modern amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems. You can find direct or connecting Railjet trains from Vienna, Linz, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Munich, Zurich, and more. The travel time usually takes about 30 minutes from Vienna, 50 minutes from Linz, and 90 minutes from Graz. The ticket price ranges from 10 to 30 euros per person, depending on the class and the distance of the travel.
- Westbahn: This is a private and a low-cost train service to St. Pölten, as it offers regular trains that have basic amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, and Wi-Fi. You can find direct or connecting Westbahn trains from Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, and more. The travel time usually takes about 40 minutes from Vienna, 60 minutes from Linz, and 120 minutes from Salzburg. The ticket price ranges from 5 to 15 euros per person, depending on the distance of the travel.
- ÖBB: This is the national and the most comprehensive train service to St. Pölten, as it offers various types of trains, such as regional, intercity, and night trains, that have different amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and sleeping compartments. You can find direct or connecting ÖBB trains from almost any destination in Austria and from neighboring countries. The travel time and the ticket price vary depending on the type and the distance of the train.
Arriving in St. Pölten by Bus
Bus Stations and Terminals
The main bus stations and terminals to St. Pölten are:
- Vienna Bus Terminal: This is the largest and the most important bus terminal in Vienna, located about 65 km east of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several bus operators, such as Flixbus, RegioJet, and BlaBlaBus, and offers buses to and from various domestic and international destinations. The terminal also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, cafes, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
- Linz Bus Terminal: This is the main bus terminal in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria, located about 120 km west of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several bus operators, such as Flixbus, RegioJet, and BlaBlaBus, and offers buses to and from various domestic and international destinations. The terminal also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, cafes, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
- Graz Bus Terminal: This is the main bus terminal in Graz, the capital of Styria, located about 200 km south of St. Pölten. It serves as a hub for several bus operators, such as Flixbus, RegioJet, and BlaBlaBus, and offers buses to and from various domestic and international destinations. The terminal also offers various facilities and services, such as shops, restaurants, Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and car rental.
Bus Services to St. Pölten
Once you find a bus station or a terminal to St. Pölten, you will need to take a bus service to St. Pölten. You can choose from the following options:
- Flixbus: This is the largest and the most popular bus service to St. Pölten, as it offers frequent and affordable buses that have modern amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and entertainment systems. You can find direct or connecting Flixbus buses from Vienna, Linz, Graz, Bratislava, Prague, and more. The travel time usually takes about an hour from Vienna, an hour and a half from Linz, and two hours from Graz. The ticket price ranges from 5 to 15 euros per person, depending on the distance and the time of the travel.
- RegioJet: This is a private and a low-cost bus service to St. Pölten, as it offers regular and comfortable buses that have basic amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and snacks. You can find direct or connecting RegioJet buses from Vienna, Linz, Graz, Salzburg, and more. The travel time usually takes about an hour and 15 minutes from Vienna, an hour and 45 minutes from Linz, and two hours and 15 minutes from Graz. The ticket price ranges from 5 to 10 euros per person, depending on the distance and the time of the travel.
- BlaBlaBus: This is a new and a flexible bus service to St. Pölten, as it offers on-demand and shared buses that have basic amenities, such as air conditioning, power outlets, and Wi-Fi. You can find direct or connecting BlaBlaBus buses from Vienna, Linz, Graz, and more. The travel time and the ticket price vary depending on the availability and the demand of the buses.
Arriving in St. Pölten by Car
Road Networks and Highways
St. Pölten is easily accessible by road, as it is connected to several highways and main roads that lead to various directions and destinations. Some of the main highways and roads to St. Pölten are:
- A1: This is the main highway that connects Vienna and Salzburg, passing through St. Pölten. It is also known as the West Autobahn and is part of the European route E60. It is a four-lane highway that has a speed limit of 130 km/h. It has several exits and junctions that lead to St. Pölten and other nearby towns and cities.
- S33: This is the main road that connects St. Pölten and Krems, passing through the Danube Valley. It is also known as the Kremser Schnellstraße and is part of the European route E49. It is a two-lane road that has a speed limit of 100 km/h. It has several exits and junctions that lead to St. Pölten and other nearby attractions and landmarks.
- B1: This is the main road that connects St. Pölten and Linz, passing through the Mostviertel region. It is also known as the Wiener Straße and is part of the European route E57. It is a two-lane road that has a speed limit of 80 km/h. It has several exits and junctions that lead to St. Pölten and other nearby villages and municipalities.
Parking Information in St. Pölten
Once you arrive in St. Pölten, you will need to find a parking spot, which might be challenging during peak hours or in busy areas. You can choose from the following options:
Public Parking Areas: These are the parking areas that are owned and operated by the city of St. Pölten or by private companies. They are usually located near the main attractions, the shopping centers, the train station, and the bus station. They offer various types and sizes of parking spaces, such as outdoor, indoor, short-term, long-term, and disabled. They also offer various payment methods and options, such as cash, card, mobile, or ticket. The parking fee ranges from 0.5 to 2 euros per hour, depending on the location and the duration of the parking.
Parking Regulations: These are the rules and the restrictions that apply to the parking in St. Pölten. They are usually indicated by the signs and the markings on the streets and the sidewalks. They include the following:
- Blue Zone: This is the zone where the parking is free but limited to a certain time, usually 90 minutes. You will need to display a parking disc or a ticket on your dashboard to indicate your arrival time. You can find the parking discs or the tickets at the gas stations, the shops, or the tourist offices. You can park in the blue zone from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday, from 8:00 to 12:00. You cannot park in the blue zone on Sundays and public holidays.
- Green Zone: This is the zone where the parking is free and unlimited. You do not need to display anything on your dashboard. You can park in the green zone at any time and any day. However, you should be careful not to block the traffic, the pedestrians, or the emergency vehicles.
- Red Zone: This is the zone where the parking is prohibited or restricted. You will see a red sign or a red line that indicates the no-parking area. You cannot park in the red zone at any time and any day. If you do, you might get a fine or a tow. You should also avoid parking in the yellow zones, which are reserved for the residents, the disabled, or the loading and unloading.
