World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The Vienna Transport Authority, Wiener Linien (tel: (01) 790 9105; website: www.wienerlinien.co.at), operates the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (commuter rail), Strassenbahn (tram) and bus network. Public transport operates between 0500 and 2400. After midnight, half-hourly night buses radiate out from Schwedenplatz.

The U-Bahn system comprises four lines. The U2 follows the Ringstrasse from Karlsplatz to Schottenring. The U4, with its Art Nouveau stations, completes the ring and leads off into the northern and western suburbs. The east–west U3 and north–south U1 cross in the centre of the Innerestadt (inner town). The U6 is basically a tram on a dedicated track that runs parallel to the Gürtel.

Vienna has one of the largest tram networks in the world. The trams are affectionately referred to as ‘Bims’ for the noise they make.

A single fare for U-bahn, bus and tram costs ¬1.50 (¬2 if purchased on the tram or bus) and there is no additional charge for transfers. A single night bus fare costs ¬1. There is a fine of ¬40 for passengers who are caught without a valid ticket – on-board inspections are carried out at various times. Tickets are available at Wiener Linien ticket offices and service centres, vending machines and tobacco/newsagent (tabak) outlets.

The Vienna Card (¬16.90) is a pass that allows for 72 hours of travel on the U-bahn, trams and buses (except for night buses) and offers discounts on attractions, at many shops and restaurants (see Passes in Sightseeing). Other passes include the 24-hour network pass (¬5), the 72-hour network pass (¬12), the weekly season ticket (¬12.50), and the eight-day strip ticket (¬24), which can be used for two people travelling together. Passes are available from Wiener Linien ticket offices and service centres. A comprehensive transit map is available for purchase at ¬1 from ticket offices.

Taxis
Taxis are equipped with meters. Higher fares are charged for trips between 2300 and 0600, all day Sunday and public holidays – a surcharge for luggage is often levied and these rates are clearly posted inside the taxi.

Taxis prices are an initial ¬2, plus approximately ¬0.20 for each quarter kilometre or 35.8 seconds of waiting time and a ¬0.50 final charge. There is also a calling fee of ¬2 for licensed Radio Taxis (tel: (01) 31300 or 40100 or 60160 or 81400) and a ¬1 surcharge for hailing a taxi from a Taxistandplatz. Between 2300 and 0600, on Sunday and holidays, the initial charge rises to ¬2.10. Within the city, no additional charges for luggage, pets, driving back without passengers and other circumstances are allowed. A tip of 10% or rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.

Limousines
Limousines and minibuses are available from a number of companies for sightseeing, airport transfers and special occasions. These include Austria Chauffeur Limousines (tel: (01) 512 7000; fax: (01) 512 3800; e-mail: acl@aclvienna.at) and RCV Carey Chauffeur Limousine Service Vienna (tel: (01) 7007 33340; fax: (01) 7007 33377; e-mail: reservation@rcv.at; website: www.awr.co.at). Hire rates cost around ¬280 upwards for an eight-hour day, depending on the type of limousine hired.

Driving in the City
While pedestrian tourists may appreciate the jumble of tiny streets in the Innerestadt, motorists will find it a nightmare. The area is best avoided during the day, although even at night it can be almost impossible to find a parking place on the street. Parking lots are often located underneath squares and their entrances are fairly subtle. Parking costs from ¬5 per hour. Short-term street parking is available in districts one to nine of Vienna’s 23 districts. The designated areas are indicated by a blue line on the road, often only marked at the entrance to the short-term parking zone. Tickets – valid for 30, 60 or 90 minutes – are available for purchase at vending machines and newsagents. Hours and restrictions for these areas vary. Parking is strictly policed and fines are high, especially if the car is towed way. Visitors should note that there are restrictions on parking camper vans anywhere near the city centre. Outside the centre, the Gürtel (Belt) provides a fairly efficient way of getting around the city but can be slow during rush hour, which is 0730–0900 and 1500–1830.

Car Hire
A national driving licence is sufficient for nationals of EU states – other nationalities should obtain an International Driving Permit. The minimum age for hiring a car is usually 21 years, although many firms have a surcharge until 25 years. Third party insurance is mandatory in Austria and those hiring a car should make sure this is covered in the hire contract. A credit card is required.

All of the major car hire firms are represented, including Avis, Opernring 35 (tel: (01) 587 6241; fax: (01) 587 4900; website: www.avis.at), Budget, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 2 (tel: (01) 7146 5650; fax: (01) 714 7238; website: www.budget.com), Europcar, Schwechat, Flughafen (tel: (01) 7007 33316; fax: (01) 7007 33716; website: www.europcar.at), Hertz, Kärntner Ring 17 (tel: (01) 512 8677; fax: (01) 512 5034; website: www.hertz.at), and Sixt, Schwechat, Flughafen (tel: (01) 7007 36517; fax: (01) 7007 36517; website: www.e-sixt.com). Car hire is also available at the airport and at both Westbahnhof and Südbahnhof stations.

Car hire rates vary between approximately ¬80 and ¬160 per day.

Bicycle Hire
State-owned bicycles are available for hire from Rent a Bike, at train stations Westbahnhof (tel: (01) 5800 32985), Bahnhof Wien Nord (tel: (01) 5800 34817), Bahnhof Floridsdorf (tel: (01) 5800 31011) and Südbahnhof (tel: (01) 5800 35886) for ¬9 per day (¬6.50 with a valid rail ticket and photo identification).

There are a number of private hire companies in the city, principally near the banks of the River Danube, with easy access to the miles of cycle paths along the Danube Island. Pedal Power, Austellungsstrasse 3 (tel: (01) 729 7234; e-mail: office@pedalpower.at; website: www.pedalpower.at) is located just west of the Praterstern U1 underground station. Rates range from ¬17 for four hours to ¬27 for one day (24 hours). Bikes can be delivered to the hotel for a surcharge of around ¬5. Bicycles are available for hire from March to October only.

Rad und Skaterverleih, Copa Cagrana, Donauinsel (tel: (01) 263 5242; fax: (01) 263 5600; e-mail: office@fahrradverleih.at; website: www.fahrradverleih.at), is open from March to October and hires out bicycles for ¬4.80 per hour, ¬14.40 for four hours or ¬24 for a day (6–12 hours). Children’s, tandem and family bikes are also available.

Bicycles may be taken on the U-Bahn for a half-price fare, except during the rush hours. There is a network of well-marked bicycle paths, however, riders should take care in the Innerestadt and along major routes. The Wien Tourismus (see Tourist Information) provides brochures on cycling in Vienna. The Rad Weg, a booklet available from bookshops, shows all the cycle routes.