Sitting more or less in the center of the continent, Vienna is easily reached by plane, train, automobile and even riverboat. Within Vienna, driving may be difficult if you are not used to sharing relatively narrow streets with trolleys and bicyclists. Also, some areas are pedestrian only. Even the outlying districts can easily be reached by public transportation (and sometimes you will even have a choice among a trolley, bus or subway). A taxi is always an option for more remote locations.
Bus
The bus station is located at Landstrasse-Wien Mitte (First), beside the Hilton and the U-3 and U-4 subway stations. For all bus information call 71101 daily 6:15 am-6 pm.
Car
The main approach roads to Vienna are the A1 West Autobahn (motorway) from Bavaria and Salzburg, the A2 South Autobahn from Graz and the border with Italy, and the A4 East Autobahn from Hungary. Austrian motorways are toll roads. If you want to drive in Austria, you will also need to purchase an Austrian Motorway Vignette, which is a decal that affixes to your windshield to indicate payment of the mandatory Austrian highway tax. Vignettes can be purchased at large gas stations or at border crossings. A 10-day driving pass costs 7.60 euros, or 21.80 euros for two months. They must be punched before use. When renting a car, check with the agency to see if the vignette is included in the price of the rental. If you don't have one, you will pay a penalty of 120 euros if caught. You don't need a car to explore Vienna, but should you choose to pilot yourself around, also know that seat belts are required for both drivers and passengers and that speed limits are posted in kilometers. There are stiff fines for exceeding the speed limits and stringent rules about driving and alcohol (more than a single glass of wine or beer will put many drivers over the limit).
Rules for short-term parking zones are also strictly enforced. Parking is limited to 90 minutes in the Old City (First district), Monday-Friday 9 am-7 pm, and 2 hours in districts 2-9. Buy parking permits from the Vienna Transit Authority or at most Tabak stores and railway stations. They cost 0.40 euros per 30 minutes and must be filled out and placed on your windshield. Ask at your hotel about a parkkarte, which enables guests to park in a short-term zone for a whole day.
Public Transportation
Vienna has an excellent public-transportation system. We urge you to use it, rather than drive. For speed, choose the U-Bahn (subway), with five lines that run above- and underground throughout the city center and suburbs. Or, choose the S-Bahn or Schnellbahn (fast train), which connects the outer suburbs and beyond. Your choice of train will be dictated by the end stations: The U-1, for instance, travels to either Kagran or Reumannplatz. Most hotels supply route maps, but additional information is available at these subway stations: Karlsplatz, Stephansplatz, Westbahnhof, Praterstern, Philadelphiabrucke, Landstrasse and Volkstheater. The U-2 is currently being extended from Schottenring to the Prater (Second district) and then across the Danube into the outer suburbs. It will reach the far-flung suburb of Aspern by 2009.
The same ticket may be used on buses, trolleys, subways (U-Bahn) and fast trains (S-Bahn) when it operates within the city limits. A single-journey ticket costs 1.50 euros (2 euros when bought on buses and trolleys) and can be used on any combination of transport to get you to your destination as long as the trip is continuous (no stopping for coffee along the way). You can purchase tickets at Tabak stores, at ticket offices throughout the city (Stephansplatz, Schwedenplatz, Karlsplatz and Schottentor), from vending machines in subway stations, and on trains, trolleys or buses. Single-journey tickets are valid for up to one hour after stamping.
The Vienna Card, costing 18.50 euros, provides unlimited travel for a 72-hour period, as well as reduced rates for selected museums, galleries, guided tours and even discounts at some stores and cafes. The card can be purchased at the Vienna airport, at train stations, at the Vienna Tourist Board (Albertinaplatz 1) and at most Vienna hotels and tourist agencies. For additional information, see http://www.wienkarte.at.
Ship
International river cruises to Bratislava, Slovakia, Budapest, Hungary and Passau, Germany, as well as local river tours are available April-October from DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt GmbH. Various boarding locations are available, including one at Station Handelskai at the Reichsbrucke, which is three subway stops from the city center (Schwedenplatz) on the U-1 line. For more information, call 58880 Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm or visit the DDSG headquarters at Handelskai 265 (Second), Vienna. http://www.ddsg-blue-danube.at.
Taxi
You can order a taxi by phone or board one at a taxi stand or one of the larger transport terminals. Of course, you can also hail one on the street—although officially, this is not allowed. If you order a taxi by phone, you'll pay an extra 2 euros. Within the city, all taxis have the same rates, which are determined according to time and distance. Major companies can be reached by calling 31300, 40100, 60160 or 81400.
Train
Vienna has three major stations. Trains to and from northern Austria, Prague and Berlin serve Franz Josefs Bahnhof on Althanstrasse. Sudbahnhof, on Sudtirolerplatz, is the station for trains to and from southern Austria, Hungary (three hours to Budapest), the Balkans, Czech Republic (five hours to Prague) and Italy. Western Austria, western Germany and Switzerland connections are made through Westbahnhof. It's at the intersection of Felberstrasse and Mariahilfer Strasse (it's also on the U-3 subway line). For train information, call 930-000 or visit http://www.oebb.at.
