Vienna, getting there & around

By Plane
As a gateway between Western and Eastern Europe , Vienna has seen an increase in air traffic. Although a number of well-respected European airlines serve Vienna , most flights from America require a transfer in another European city, such as London or Frankfurt .

Ministro Pistarini International Airport (VIE)
Location: The airport is located 11 miles (18km) southeast of Vienna . Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between April to October). Contacts: Tel: +43 (0)1 7007 0 or (0)1 7007 22233 (24 hour telephone information service). Transfer to the city: Local trains (€3) and buses (€6) leave regularly for Vienna . There is also a City Airport Train (€9), which provides a fast and direct service to the centrally-located City Air Terminal that is connected to the underground, bus and tram networks. Taxis are also available. Car rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt and Thrifty. Facilities: There are several shops, duty-free, restaurants and bars in both terminals. Bureaux de change and ATMs are available all hours. Other facilities include airline lounges, business centre, Internet cafes and a medical centre. Parking: The parking lots and multistorey car parks are connected to the terminal by signposted footpaths. Departure tax: None. Website:www.viennaairport.com

By Train
Vienna has rail links to all the major cities of Europe . From Paris , a train leaves the Gare de l'Est at 7:49am , arriving in Vienna at 9:18pm . From Munich , a train leaves daily at 9:24am , arriving in Vienna at 2:18pm , and at 11:19pm , arriving in Vienna at 6:47am . From Zurich , you can take a 9:33pm train that arrives in Vienna at 6:45pm .

Rail travel within Austria is superb, with fast, clean trains taking you just about anywhere in the country and going through some incredibly scenic regions.

Train passengers using the Chunnel under the English Channel can go from London to Paris in just 3 hours and then on to Vienna . Le Shuttle covers the 31-mile journey in just 35 minutes. The train also accommodates passenger cars, charter buses, taxis, and motorcycles through a tunnel from Folkestone , England , to Calais , France . Service is year-round, 24 hours a day.

By Bus
Because of the excellence of rail service funneling from all parts of the Continent into Vienna , bus transit is not especially popular. But there is some limited service. Eurolines, 52 Grosvenor Gardens , Victoria , London SW1 England (tel. 020/7730-8235; www.eurolines.co.uk ), operates two express buses per week between London 's Victoria Coach Station and Vienna . The trip takes about 29 hours and makes 45-minute rest stops en route about every 4 hours. Buses depart from London at 8:30am every Friday and Sunday, traverse the Channel between Dover and Calais , and are equipped with reclining seats, toilets, and reading lights. The one-way fare is £67; a round-trip ticket costs £111. You won't need to declare your intended date of return until you actually use your ticket (although advance reservations are advisable), and the return half of your ticket will be valid for 6 months. The return to London departs from Vienna every Sunday and Friday at 7:45pm , arriving at Victoria Coach Station about 29 hours later. You can reserve tickets in advance through the Eurolines office listed above, through most British travel agencies, or through Eurolines' largest sales agent, National Express (tel. 020/7529-2000; www.nationalexpressgroup.com) .

Eurolines also maintains affiliates in every major city of Western Europe . In Vienna , call tel. 01/712-04-53.

Austria has a wide network of buses that serve towns, cities, and villages far from Vienna . For more bus information, call tel. 01/71101.

By Car
If you're already on the Continent, you might want to drive to Vienna . That is especially true if you're in a neighboring country, such as Italy or Germany ; however, arrangements should be made in advance with your car-rental company.

Inaugurated in 1994, the Chunnel running under the English Channel cuts driving time between England and France to 35 minutes. Passengers drive their cars aboard the train, Le Shuttle, at Folkestone in England , and vehicles are transported to Calais , France .

Vienna can be reached from all directions on major highways called Autobahnen or by secondary highways. The main artery from the west is Autobahn A-1, coming in from Munich (291 miles/466km), Salzburg (209 miles/334km), and Linz (116 miles/186km). Autobahn-2 runs from the south from Graz and Klagenfurt (both in Austria ). Autobahn-4 comes in from the east, connecting with route E-58, which runs to Bratislava and Prague . Autobahn A-22 takes traffic from the northwest, and Route E-10 brings you to the cities and towns of southeastern Austria and Hungary .

Unless otherwise marked, the speed limit on autobahns is 130kmph (80 mph); however, when estimating driving times, figure on 50 to 60 mph because of traffic, weather, and road conditions.

As you drive into Vienna , you can get maps, information, and hotel bookings at Information-Zimmernachweis at the end of the A-1 (Westautobahn) at Wientalstrasse/Auhof (tel. 01/211140).

By Boat
To arrive in Vienna with flair befitting the city's historical opulence, take advantage of the many cruise lines that navigate the Danube . One of the most accessible carriers is DDSG, Blue Danube Shipping Company, Donaureisen, Fredrick Strasse 7, Vienna (tel. 01/588800; fax 01/5888-0440), which offers mostly 1-day trips to Vienna from as far away as Passau, Germany. It also serves Vienna from Bratislava , Budapest , and beyond, depending on the season and itinerary. Extended trips can be arranged, and cruises are priced to meet every budget.

Getting Around

Vienna boasts one of the finest public transport systems in Europe ; it is safe and easy to use, and consists of punctual buses and trams, a fast U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (railway). Most operate from about 6am to midnight ; buses stop earlier but there are night buses on weekends covering the major routes. The U-Bahn is the fastest way to get around the city, while the S-Bahn is the cheapest way to get to the airport. The tram network is one of the largest worldwide and is the next best way of getting about with the added advantage of being able to see the city, although some lines don't operate on weekends. Buses are useful in the inner city where there are no trams. Fares are standard for all forms of public transport, and once validated will allow one journey including transfers in the same direction. Travel passes are available, the Vienna Card is valid for three days and allows unlimited travel on public transport except night buses, and offers discounts at many attractions, shops and restaurants. Taxis are plentiful, reliable and metered, but have a list of surcharges and are among the most expensive in Europe . The most romantic, if expensive way to get about is by horse-drawn carriage, or Fiaker. A car is a burden in Vienna , but can be useful for trips outside the city.

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