{"id":64697,"date":"2023-10-16T05:41:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T04:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=64697"},"modified":"2025-10-27T12:40:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T11:40:40","slug":"wien-messe-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/wien-messe-center\/","title":{"rendered":"The VIECON \/ Messe Wien center"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewiensmall.jpg\" alt=\"Sign for Messe Wien parking\" class=\"wp-image-64700\" style=\"width:150px;height:150px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewiensmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewiensmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Browse the meeting calendar for Vienna and you find most of the biggest conventions, fairs and similar make use of the VIECON (formerly Messe Wien) exhibition and congress center. Here some tips on public transport, nearby hotels, local activities and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/marx-halle\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"62019\">The Marx Halle<\/a> event venue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/public\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"310\">Public transport<\/a> in Vienna<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#overview\">Quick overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#staying\">The area &amp; staying nearby<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#travel\">Getting there<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview\">Congress &amp; convention center<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"347\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien1.jpg\" alt=\"Nighttime exterior view of Messe Wien\" class=\"wp-image-64698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien1-300x208.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Main Entrance A; press photo \u00a9 Reed Exhibitions \/ G. Szuklits)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I see spikes in interest in travel options between <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/airport-to-city\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3799\">the airport and Vienna<\/a>, it usually means a big congress is in town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And a giant spike nearly always means an event at the VIECON Vienna Convention and Congress Center. (Until 2025, the location ran under the name Messe Wien.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opened in 2004, the center has four large exhibition halls that host the kind of conventions and fairs that attract visitor numbers in the five figures. And a congress centre serves meetings where those numbers are in the tens, hundreds or low thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/comicconwitcherset.jpg\" alt=\"Witcher set and guest\" class=\"wp-image-65724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/comicconwitcherset.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/comicconwitcherset-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(You find all sorts at the events hosted at the VIECON \/ Messe Wien. Like me at Vienna Comic Con)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as numerous specialist private meetings, VIECON \/ Messe Wien houses such public events as the Buch Wien book fair, the huge Modellbau-Messe model making fair and the wonderful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comic-con\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6726\">Vienna Comic Con<\/a> (look out for me there, if you go).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complex lies just outside the centre of Vienna between the great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/mapsgeography\/the-danube\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5019\">Danube river<\/a> on one side and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35726\">Prater park and entertainment complex<\/a> on the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"staying\">Staying nearby<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/hampton.jpg\" alt=\"The Hampton by Hilton Wien Messe\" class=\"wp-image-45061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/hampton.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/hampton-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Hampton by Hilton <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-messe-wien\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"45050\">is very close<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the VIECON \/ Messe Wien buildings lie next to stations on the U2 line (see the <em>How to get there<\/em> section below for the full details), you can reach the location quickly from the city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you stay in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-vienna-centre\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"42428\">hotel around Stephansplatz<\/a> and the cathedral, for example, then take the U1 from Stephansplatz station and change to the U2 at Praterstern. The typical journey time is around 8-10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That U2 subway takes you to and from the edge of the first district and historical centre of the city in about 5 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the excellent travel connections, you may still wish to stay within walking distance, so I have a whole article with a list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-messe-wien\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"45050\">highly-rated hotels in the area<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/riesenrad.jpg\" alt=\"Riesenrad cabins\" class=\"wp-image-41890\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/riesenrad.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/riesenrad-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Just a short walk to the iconic Riesenrad)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The subway, of course, takes you to all of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1632\">Vienna&#8217;s delights<\/a> remarkably quickly. However, my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/accommodation\/hotels-messe-wien\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"45050\">local hotel guide<\/a> includes the various points of interest around VIECON \/ Messe Wien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, discover some remarkable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/prater-architecture\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35531\">modern architecture<\/a> immediately to the south and east of the center, particularly the campus of the Vienna University of Economics and Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The adjoining Prater has everything from the iconic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/riesenrad\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"271\">Riesenrad<\/a> ferris wheel and a huge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/wurstelprater-amusement-park\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35559\">entertainment complex<\/a> (with restaurants) to long <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater-park-hiking-trail-9\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35713\">meadow walks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And you&#8217;re just a couple of minutes&#8217; on foot from the Danube, which is more practical than picturesque where it flows through Vienna. But you can enjoy walks or cycle rides, particularly down the long island (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donauinsel\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"62574\">Donauinsel<\/a>) in its middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"travel\">How to get there<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien2.jpg\" alt=\"Entrance to Messe Wien and the nearby subway station\" class=\"wp-image-64699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/messewien2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(It really is that close to the U-Bahn subway station; Entrance D; press photo \u00a9 Reed Exhibitions \/ G. Szuklits)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The VIECON \/ Messe Wien buildings stretch between two stations on the U2 subway line: Hall A is more or less outside the Messe-Prater U2 station and Hall D outside the Krieau U2 station. The complex also has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.messecongress.at\/lage\/parken\/?lang=en\">space<\/a> for around 4000 cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From the centre<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump on the U2 at Schottentor and Schottenring in the old town. Or take the U1 line from the central Karlsplatz, Stephansplatz or Schwedenplatz stations and change to the U2 at Praterstern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Praterstern station is about a 20 minute walk from the complex, if you prefer to stretch your legs rather than continue on the U2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From the airport<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>For reaching VIECON \/ Messe Wien via public transport from the airport, you have two main options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Catch the S7 S-Bahn train direct from the airport to Praterstern, where you can change to the U2 subway<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Catch an airport bus. The Vienna Airport Lines normally operates a service that has a stop at the Krieau subway station<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For links and further information, check the wider article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/airport-to-city\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3799\">getting to Vienna from the airport<\/a> (or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/city-to-airport\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3754\">vice versa<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Hauptbahnhof railway station<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the U1 subway from Hauptbahnhof \/ S\u00fcdtiroler Platz to Praterstern and change to the U2 subway for the Messe-Prater or Krieau stations. The journey takes around 14-16 minutes during peak hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Westbahnhof railway station<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the U3 subway from Westbahnhof to Stephansplatz, then the U1 from Stephansplatz to Praterstern, and then the U2 from Praterstern to the relevant stations. Expect the journey to take 20-22 minutes during peak hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Messeplatz 1, 1020 Vienna | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.messecongress.at\/\">Website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1MSzFPzvbN1BdY_oXvkPgQltRSY4gwncM\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Useful info and tips if visiting Vienna&#8217;s main exhibition and congress venue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":64700,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-64697","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64697"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64697\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86685,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64697\/revisions\/86685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}