Germanwings: Vienna to Barcelona

The carrier: Germanwings

Upside
One of Europe's bigger low-cost airlines, with very good reach into the Balkans.

Downside
Operates in part on a connecting flight model, feeding passengers via hubs.

About
Germanwings is an indisputable giant, one of Germany's big three budget airlines. In 2007 Germanwings brought seven new Airbus A-319 planes into the fleet. These new planes currently have the lowest emissions rate.
In addition to its nine German destinations, 'wings' flies to four destinations in Turkey, six in Greece, six in Italy, and four in Croatia. The airline's less-served destinations include Moscow, St. Petersburg, Skopje, Tirana, Ohrid, Belgrade, and Pristina.

It benefits from one of the best and most wide-ranging destination tallies among the airlines we profile. Unlike many carriers, Germanwings' route map is broad and well-distributed across Europe. An added bonus we love? With the airline's "Smart Connect" one-stop booking tool, it is possible to purchase connecting flights as single fares.

Baggage
* Carry-on: No weight restriction specified, though baggage cannot measure more than 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters.
* Checked: Up to 20 kg of baggage (online €5 per piece is charged, at the airport €7 per piece); over this a charge of €7 per kilo applies.

Seating
Passengers are allowed on the plane in blocks according to when they checked in for the flight. Pre-booking is allowed online no later than 24 hours before departure for €5 per seat.

Tip
Germanwings hosts monthly offers, so check in often. Avoid early morning flights, which tend to be packed, out of their hubs. In general, allow enough time for check-in.
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Departure: Vienna, Austria - Vienna Intl (VIE)

Vienna International Airport, often referred to as Schwechat, the name of the nearby town, is the busiest and biggest airport in Austria.

Location: Vienna International Airport is located 18 kilometers (11 miles) southeast Vienna’s city center.

Transport:

- Rail: Travelers can use the City Airport Train (CAT) to and from the Wien-Mitte station which takes approximately 16 minutes. The S-Bahn trains (Federal Railway System) also offers service to and from the Wien-Mitte and Wien-Nord stations which takes approximately 25 minutes.

- Bus: Bus connections are available to and from the center of Vienna. These routes usually take approximately 25-35 minutes. Also, there are buses available to and from the neighboring towns of Baden and Modling as well as the bordering countries of Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary.

- Taxi: Taxis can be found in front of the arrivals hall.

Service: Information monitors and display boards as well as several information desks are available throughout the airport. There are over 70 shops located within Vienna International Airport and the restaurants and cafés are ideal for a pleasant break before boarding or after return.
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Arrival: Barcelona, Spain - Barcelona International (BCN)

Barcelona International Airport, also known as El Prat, is the main airport serving Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Barcelona is an extremely busy airport and during high season, it has a tendency to feel mobbed.

The second busiest airport in Spain, it is also the primary base for Clickair and Vueling, two Spanish low-cost carriers, and serves many of Europe's other low-cost airlines. Over the years, future air traffic through Barcelona Airport has been increasing dramatically. As a result, plans for major improvements to both the airport's infrastructure and services are being conducted. These plans include a new terminal area, an expansion of the airfield and a new runway.

Location: Barcelona International Airport is located 12 km away from the center of Barcelona, in El Prat de Llobregat.

Transport:

- Rail: Barcelona Airport is connected to the center city by train. The Aerobus train costs €2.50 and the RENFE train runs €3.45. Train journeys take about 40 minutes. For detailed information on airport connections to the Barcelona Metro System, as well as general maps and schedules, consult the metro's Official Website.

- Bus: The night bus runs hourly from late night through early morning and costs just €1.25. The companies that serve Barcelona Airport include: EMT, ALSA, and Mon-Bus. Information on specific rates and schedules are available on their websites. You can also catch a bus to Lloret de Mar from Barcelona del Nord station in the city centre. They run very frequently and you can find a timetable and prices at the company’s Official Website. Bus service is available to the nearby country of Andorra as well (Andorra by bus).

- Taxi: Taxi ranks are located outside the terminals. The journey to the city should take about a half hour. Keep in mind that fares change during holidays and nights. Airport and luggage supplements apply in addition to the fare.

Service: Banks, currency exchanges, and ATMs can be found in both terminals as well as duty-free shops. Other shops include newsstands, bookstores and tobacconists. A post office can be found on the ground floor of Terminal B. Other airport facilities include a pharmacy, a 24-hour medical service, and children’s play areas. more...