Public
Transport
The Vienna
Transport Authority, Wiener Linien (telephone number: (01) 790
9105), operates the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn
(commuter rail), Strassenbahn (tram) and bus network. Public transport
operates between 0500 and 2400 hrs. After midnight, half-hourly
night buses radiate out from Schwedenplatz.
The U-Bahn system comprises 4 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 and the
trams are affectionately referred to as ‘Bims’
for the noise they make.
Tickets
A single fare for U-bahn, bus and tram costs €1.50 or €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
and 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.
Passes
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.
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 2 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 hrs and 0600 hrs, all day Sunday and public holidays
and a surcharge for luggage is often levied and these rates are
clearly posted inside the taxi.
Licensed Radio Taxis (telephone number: (01) 31300 or 40100 or 60160
or 81400) and a €1 surcharge for hailing a taxi from a Taxistandplatz.
Between 2300 and 0600 hrs, 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 per cent 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 and include
Austria Chauffeur Limousines (telephone number:
(01) 512 7000, fax number: (01) 512 3800, e-mail: acl@aclvienna.at)
and RCV Carey Chauffeur
Limousine Service Vienna (telephone number: (01) 7007 33340,
fax number: (01) 7007 33377, e-mail: reservation@rcv.at).
Hire rates cost around €280 upwards for an 8-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 quite
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 1 to 9
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 and are available for purchase at vending machines and
newsagents. Hours and restrictions for these areas vary. Parking
is strictly policed and fines are very 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 hrs and 1500–1830 hrs.
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 also required.
All of the major car hire firms are represented, including:
Avis, Opernring
35 (telephone number: (01) 587 6241, fax number: (01) 587 4900),
Budget, Landstrasser
Hauptstrasse 2 (tel: (01) 7146 5650; fax: (01) 714 7238),
Europcar,
Schwechat, Flughafen (telephone number: (01) 7007 33316, fax number:
(01) 7007 33716
Hertz,
Kärntner Ring 17 (telephone number: (01) 512 8677, fax number:
(01) 512 5034), and
Sixt,
Schwechat, Flughafen (telephone number: (01) 7007 36517, fax number:
(01) 7007 36517).
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 (telephone number:
(01) 5800 32985), Bahnhof Wien Nord (telephone
number: (01) 5800 34817), Bahnhof Floridsdorf (telephone
number: (01) 5800 31011) and Südbahnhof (telephone
number: (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 (telephone number: (01) 729 7234, e-mail: office@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 (telephone number:
(01) 263 5242, fax number: (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 4 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. |
