Vienna Travel Essentials

Our Vienna Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to the capital city of Austria. No matter how frequently you travel, some questions will always need answers: What’s the weather like? How can I get from the airport to my hotel? What currency and type of plug do I need?

We have all these answers plus other basic info about the best time to go, getting there, getting around, and a few useful travel tips. It’s all compiled in this Vienna Travel Essentials. After reading this short and easy-to-read guide, you will be a little more prepared to start your trip to Vienna.

1. When is the best time to travel to Vienna?

Vienna has a temperate climate, with average temperatures ranging from 1°C in winter to 21°C in summer.

1. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 7 rainy days per month.
2. Snowfall can be expected between November and March.
3. June–August is the best time to visit Vienna and is, therefore, the peak season, so hotel and flight prices rise accordingly.
4. April–May and September–October are great times to visit Vienna. The weather and temperature are fine, you’ll avoid the summer crowds, and hotel and flight prices are lower.

2. Vienna basics

1. Primary languages: German
2. Plug types: C and F
3. Electricity: 230 V
4. Currency: Euro (€)
5. International dialling codes: +43 1
6. Emergency telephone number: 112

3. How to get to my hotel in Vienna?

Vienna International Airport

Vienna International Airport is the primary airport serving the capital city of Austria. One of the busiest and largest airports in Austria, it lies 18 km southeast of Vienna’s city centre. It has 4 passenger terminals and 2 runways. The main arrival terminal is Terminal 3, in which you’ll find a great range of dining and shopping options as well as facilities like free Wi-Fi, banking and currency exchange services. There are several transfer options to reach Downtown Vienna:

1. A taxicab takes around 20-30 minutes. Note that it’s cheaper if you book beforehand. The taxi rank can be found outside Terminal 3.
2. You can also use Uber – Black and Van only – at Vienna Airport. The pick-up area is on level 0 of multi-storey car park 3.
3. The CAT – City Airport Train – takes around 15-20 minutes. The CAT counter can be found in the Arrivals Hall.
4. The S7 train of the rapid transit railway (S-Bahn) takes around 30 minutes. Ticket vending machines and counters are available in the Arrivals hall. It’s the cheapest way to get to the city centre.
5. Vienna Airport Lines – Postbus – take around 40 minutes. Bus stops can be found in front of Terminal 3.
6. Car rental agencies can be found in the car rental centre on level 0 of multi-storey car park 4.

Vienna Main Railway Station

Locally called Wien Hauptbahnhof, Vienna Main Railway Station sits 2.5 km south of the city centre. The station has a choice of coffee shops and eateries, newsstands and facilities including ATM machines and a kid’s corner. From here, you can get anywhere in the city by U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (rapid transit railway), tram, bus or taxi, including ride-hailing apps.

4. How to get around Vienna?

Travel tips

Covering roughly 3 sq km, Vienna city centre is compact enough to be explored on foot. Wandering through the historic centre is really pleasant. You’ll find many landmarks and attractions within walking distance of each other, such as the Hofburg – the Imperial Palace – Saint-Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The city centre also hosts a great choice of dining, shopping and nightlife entertainment options. For longer journeys, driving is not the best option as parking spots are not easy to find and are usually expensive. It’s best to get around Vienna with the excellent choice of public and private transport services available.

5. Wiener Linien – Vienna public transport networks

Wiener Linien – Vienna Lines – is in charge of public transport in Vienna. It operates U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (rapid transit railway), Strassenbahn (tram), and bus networks that cover the entire city.

1. You can buy single tickets or 24-, 48- and 72-hour Travel Cards.
2. Tickets and cards can be purchased at the Wiener Linien ticket offices, at vending machines in the tram stations and in convenience stores throughout the city.
3. You can also download the WienMobil ticket app, which is very convenient.

6. The Vienna Pass

Purchasing a Vienna Pass is a good move if you plan to visit the city’s main places of interest during a short stay in Vienna. Valid for 1, 2, 3 or 6 days, it gives you free entry into over 60 attractions and museums, unlimited use of hop-on-hop-off tour buses, a free guidebook and fast-track entry to many popular attractions. You can add an optional Travel Card to the Vienna Pass.

7. Taking a taxi in Vienna

Taxis can be hailed on the street in Vienna, unless a taxi rank is close by. You can easily find cab stands outside hotels and near the main attractions.

1. You can directly call popular companies such as Flughafentaxi Wien (0676 555 5220), Taxi 31300 (01 31300) or Flughafentaxi Wien Jupiter (0660 655 1600).
2. Most taxis accept the payment of the fare by credit card, but it’s better to ask the driver before you get in.
3. It’s common to give a 10% tip to the taxi driver, to round up the bill.
4. Uber and local taxi apps can also be used to hail a taxi in Vienna.

8. Cycling around Vienna with Citybike Wien

Citybike Wien is the bike sharing scheme in Vienna. There are over 100 docking stations across the city. To use a bike, you just need to register online, at a Citybike Wien station, or at Vienna Main Railway Station. If you have no credit card, you’ll get a Citybike Tourist Card. The first hour of use is free.

9. What are the main annual events in Vienna?

Vienna Blues Spring

1. What: One of the longest-running Blues festivals in the world, Vienna Blues Spring music festival showcases hundreds of Blues bands playing all variations of the genre in various venues throughout the city.
2. When: March–April
3. Where: The Reigen and many other venues throughout Vienna

Donauinselfest

1. What: Donauinselfest is one of the biggest outdoor musical festivals in the world, and it’s free! Featuring local, national and international bands playing a broad range of music styles, it’s been held annually since 1984.
2. When: June
3. Where: Donauinsel Island

Streetlife Festival

1. What: Every September, people take the streets to celebrate their love of the city. Expect street food, music, dance, street performances and festive, family-friendly events in the streets of Vienna.
2. When: September
3. Where: throughout the city

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