Vienna, the capital of Austria, is famous for its cultural events, unforgettable music shows, imperial sights, old coffee houses breezing with history, art galleries, cozy wine taverns, spacious parks, baroque gardens, fashionable little shops, and a very special Viennese charm.
Vienna is also called a city of fountains, romance and music. Serious music admirers have long considered Vienna to be a paradise: one encounters music everywhere, from the sounds of a child practicing a Mozart piano sonata through an open window, to street musicians playing classical as well as folk music. There is no other city in the world that has been home to so many composers of international renown: some, such as Schubert, Strauss, Schoenberg and Berg were born there, others, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Brahms and Mahler chose to live there.
Vienna’s history dates back to the first post-Christian century when the Romans established the military camp Vindobona. Today’s cityscape is characterized by the abundance of baroque buildings created mostly under the rule of Empress Maria Theresia and Emperor Franz Joseph who was largely responsible for the monumental architecture round the Ringstrase.
Opening hours
Shops are usually open Monday – Friday from 9.00 am – 6.30 pm, Saturday until 5.00 pm or 6.00 pm; some shopping centers are open until 8.00 pm or 9.00 from Monday-Friday. Shopping is available on Sundays and holidays at the large railway stations, at the airport and in the museum shops.
Most restaurants in the city center are open daily. Hot food is generally offered from 11.00 am – 2.00 pm and from 6.00 pm – 10.00 pm. Many restaurants also serve hot food throughout the day. Some restaurants, often outside the city center, are closed on one day each week, sometimes on Sundays as well.
VAT & Tipping
In all establishments, service is included in the price. It’s up to you whether you want to tip or not, but if you’re happy with the service, you may want to leave a gratuity.
Water
In Vienna, mineral water comes out of the taps; over 95% of Vienna’s water comes through two pipelines direct from the Alps.
Weather
With an Oceanic climate Vienna experiences warm summers and dry, cold winters. The best time of year to visit Vienna is in spring and summer (June – September). In the heart of summer it can be warm, the average monthly temperature rises above 25 degrees Celsius (77° Fahrenheit) starting July.
Electric adaptors
For Austria there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Austria operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50HZ.
Public transport
Vienna has a well-developed public transport network. Buses, trains, trams and underground lines will take you almost anywhere in the city in no time at all. Vienna public transport Wiener Linien operates five underground lines, 29 tram and 127 bus lines, of which 24 are night lines. Night lines only operate between 0.30 am and 5 am. On weekends and public holidays the Vienna underground remains at the service of its passengers all night. The Wiener Linien vehicle fleet currently consists of over 500 tramcars and more than 450 buses. A single ticket costs EUR 2.20.
Wheelchairs and accessibility
For over 20 years, the city has pursued a “barrier-free” development plan. In general, pavements are flat, smooth and well-cared for. Transport hubs are served by ramps and lifts, as are most points of interest. Many trains, trams, and buses have low floors and raised platforms for step-free boarding. And wheelchair users can access various mobility services and resources.
Visa
Austria was one of the first parties to join the Schengen Agreement, which abolished internal borders, enabling passport-free movement between many European countries. If you’re a citizen of a non-Schengen country, check with the Austrian Embassy in your home country whether you need a visa.
If you need an invitation letter for VISA applies, please contact the Organizing Secretariat at the email address ifmad@publicreations.com providing with full passport details.
Vienna is at its busiest in July, one of the top tourist months. The comfortably warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine make this one of the very best months to visit this old imperial city.
Many old buildings, squares and palaces date back to Vienna’s imperial heyday and the suggested thing to do this time of year is getting a proper city map and simply wandering, meandering and strolling your way from highlight to highlight. There are many green spaces, too, such as the Danube Island for example, where you can find some shade if it gets too hot in the afternoon.
In one of those green areas lie the two splendid palaces known as the Belvedere Palaces. They are located in a large park the city’s 3rd District, not too far from the Old Town. Built for Prince Eugene de Savoy, both palaces now house museums exhibiting Austrian art. Inside, you can find works by renowned Austrian painters such as Schiele, Kokoschka and Klimt—Klimt’s world-renowned painting “The Kiss” can be admired there. The Upper Belvedere Palace serves as the main art museum, while the Lower Belvedere Palace features apartment, rooms and sheer splendor in which the Viennese aristocracy used to live.
Currency
Since 1 January 2002, payment has been made in Austria with euro (= 100 euro-cents).Austria is one of those member states of the European Union that took part in the European Currency Reform, and replaced its old currency (the Schilling) with the euro. There are banknotes with the values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euro, coins with the vales of 1 and 2 euro, and 1, 2, 5, 10, and 50 cents.
Banks
Austrian banks are open Monday to Friday between 8 am and 3 pm. On Thursday most banks are open until 5.30 pm., but close between 12.30 pm. and 1.30 pm.
Cash
You can withdraw cash around the clock at Bankomaten (Automated Teller Machines) throughout the Austria. The fees charged for withdrawing cash with your credit card are variable and sometimes quite high. Information about them is contained in your credit card contract.
Money changing
Foreign currencies and travellers’ cheques are exchanged at all banks, bureaux de change and post offices. Commissions vary. It is worthwhile comparing prices!
Cash-free payment
You can check whether you may pay by credit card in the entry or counter area of businesses, restaurants and hotels. Symbols corresponding to Visa, MasterCard, American Express etc.
Getting to Vienna by Plane:
Vienna’s Schwechat International Airport is located about 18 kilometres (11 miles) south-east of the city centre.
https://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/to-and-around/by-plane
Getting to Vienna by Train:
The train is a comfortable way to travel to Vienna. The products of ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) and the Westbahn are aimed at individual travel needs. https://www.oebb.at/de/
Getting to Vienna by Coach and car:
You’ll have a safe journey to Vienna by car and bus on Austria’s excellent network of motorways, expressways and federal highways.
As tolls are compulsory on all motorways and expressways in Austria, you will also need a vignette to use Vienna’s city motorways.
https://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/to-and-around/by-car-and-bus
Parking in Vienna:
Some of Vienna’s districts are entirely short-stay parking zones. In districts 1 to 9 and 20, you will need to purchase a parking ticket from Monday to Friday (except on public holidays) between 9.00 am and 10.00 pm. In districts 12 and 14 to 18, short-stay parking zones apply from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm. Around the Vienna Stadthalle in the 15th district, tickets must be purchased for the short-stay parking zone, which operates from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, a parking ticket is needed between 6.00 pm and 10.00 pm.