• Wiener Metropol [158] is a beautiful little theatre in the heart of "Hernals", mostly frequented by Viennese themselves.

• Ball Season: One thing you should not miss when you visit Vienna during the carneval season is to attend one of the many glamourous balls in the city, some of them in wonderful elegant locations like the Vienna Hofburg or the City Hall (Rathaus). The most widely known and elegant balls are the Opera Ball in the State Opera [159] or the ball of the Wiener Philharmoniker. Many professional guilds have their own ball like e.g. the Kaffeesiederball by the Vienna Coffee house owners. The ball calendar can be found on the pages of the Vienna City Council

• The Naschmarkt, right at the U4 subway station "Kettenbrueckengasse", is the biggest of Vienna's 22 market places and provides a unique blend of typical Vienna costumely and oriental flair. Stroll through the market and be part of the amazing ambiance. If you like to cook, you will find all the spices you could possibly want at the Naschmarkt. The side of the Secession tends to be more touristy (and thus more expensive) than the side of the "Kettenbrueckengasse". Remember that it is illegal to export antiquities outside of Austria, even if you legally buy them at a market. A nice part of the Naschmarkt are the small restaurants with fresh Italian, Japanese, Greek, and Turkish food. In the summer, they have nice open-air gardens.

• Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sängerknaben), [160]. . The Vienna Boys Choir was founded at the pleasure of the Habsburgs. On 20 July 1498, Emperor Maximilian decided to hire six singing boys, the first permanent boys choir attached to the court. He also made arrangements for their education – fringe benefits that are difficult to get from a modern employer. The choir served the monarchy until its demise at the beginning of the first World War. The last Imperial Chaplain, Monsignor Josef Schnitt reestablished the Boys Choir as the "Vienna Boys Choir" in 1924 as a private institution. To earn money, the Choir began to perform outside the Imperial Chapel. Even though they are a not-for-profit organization, the rising costs of educating the choristers from a very young age as well as providing music and all the other variables required made establishing the Verein Wiener Sängerknaben necessary.  edit

• River and Canal tours — The Canal tours are horrible. All you see are trees and industrial buildings. It's a waste of money and time.

In the summer, it's just wonderful to hang out in Museumsquartier in the evenings. The big yard is filled with large fiberglass sofas you can use for free. Optionally, you can buy drinks at the open air bars there. Just ask for a glass you can take away so you can use the sofas. During the day, a visit to Burggarten is highly recommended if you are looking for a more alternative, young crowd. Buy something to eat and drink at a supermarket and join the others on the grass.

• In July and August, there's an opera film festival on the Rathausplatz. Each day, weather permitting, you can watch an opera on a huge open-air screen. On another part of the Square, there are plenty of food stalls (maybe a little overpriced) who offer Viennese, as well as international food. On pleasant summer evenings, the atmosphere can be quite relaxing.

• There are also a lot of other open-air-film festivals in summer, e.g. at the Augarten, the Vienna Turf Krieau, the Prater, and Schloss Neugebäude.

• In the summer, there is also the ImPulsTanz Festival [161] for contemporary dance & performance. They are also good if you are interested in dance workshops.

• The Lainzer Tiergarten (not Tiergarten at Schönbrunn) has several 2-10 km hiking trails, as well as a variety of wildlife. You can see the animals get fed at 2PM every day. Ask any park attendant where the location is.

• Football has a long and vivid history in Vienna. Until about 40 years ago, Austrian football was dominated by a large number of Viennese clubs. Since then, their strength has faded, reflecting the overall decline of Austrian football compared to other European football. Today, only two Viennese clubs are left in the Austrian top football division: Rapid Vienna and Austria Magna. Rapid have won the Austrian league 31 times, more than any other club. They are known as the people's club, having working class roots and regularly attracting fairly big crowds of around 15,000. Home fixtures are played at the Gerhard-Hanappi-Stadion in the 14th district, right next to the subway station "Hütteldorf" (U4). Season usually starts in late July and ends in May, with a break in winter from early December until late February (due to cold weather). Tickets are available at the stadium, at various tobacco shops (Trafik) around town and also on the internet at Skrapid [162] (no English section available!). Ticket prices for league matches range from €18 to €26. Ladies, students, and children will receive considerable discounts. For a schedule of fixtures in English go to Soccerassociation [163], click "Austria" and "Bundesliga".

• ActiLingua Academy, (info@actilingua.com), [164]. . One of the leading schools for German as a foreign language located in the heart of Vienna. ActiLingua Academy offers year-round German courses for adults(16+) and summer school for teens aged 12-17 years. Further information online including free online German lessons for beginners and advanced learners, price calculator, brochure download, etc.  edit

Museums

• Museumsquartier (MQ: The Museum District) [98] has served as a cultural district of Vienna since 2001. Though many museums and cultural institutions are situated there, it is not only a place for art. It is also an urban living space and people go there to spend some time, sitting in one of the cafés or perhaps playing boccia. It is also popular to meet freinds for a BYOB evening here. The Leopold Museum [99] and the MUMOK [100] are situated there. If you are interested in visiting a couple of these museums, combination tickets available at the MQ entrance will be cheaper than buying them individually at museum entrances. Note that MUMOK and Leopold has a strict policy of not allowing big bags inside the museum. Even your cameras (unless they can be tucked inside a small carry bag) will have to be deposited outside. MUMOK has a self service locker, which you might want to use when visiting Leopold, since Leopold charges €1 per person for the "cloak room" service. You can use free wifi at MQ provided by Quintessenz [101].

• Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts) [102], €10 (students €7.50 / map €0.50) – Picture Gallery daily except Monday 10AM–6PM, Thursday 10AM–9PM, U2/U3 Volkstheater; tram D, 1, 2, 46, 49 bus 2A, 57A: Burgring Maria-Theresien-Platz (entrance), phone 525 24 0. One of the world's greatest art museums and in a palace that's a work of art itself. Like the Louvre, serious art fans may wish to devote more than a day to its treasures. The mother of all Austrian museums – there is no other word to describe the "Kunst" other than mind boggling. It contains a world-class exhibit of the Habsburgs' art collection, including Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bosch, and Brueghel. Its, at the very least, a full day’s worth of sightseeing, if you intend to go through it thoroughly and attempt to ponder the importance of each major work. The better approach here is to break up sections of the museum and visit them over a series of days, or if that’s not an option, pick one section and concentrate on it alone. Beginning with another section of the museum, it’s possible to have a lunch or light dinner in the café and then continue through the Picture Gallery until closing time (especially on Thursdays, because the Picture Gallery is open until 9PM). The Museum has an excellent collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art. The coin & medals collection is also exhaustive in its scope. The Museum cafe is a bit pricey, but good, and in a beautiful setting. Like the Louvre, hand-held photography is permitted to help store and recall the numerous mind-boggling beautiful works of art at the Kunst.

• Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury) [103] €7 (as a combined ticket with the Museum of Fine Arts) – Located in the Neue Hofburg, the Schatzkammer (also known as the Secular and Ecclesiastical Treasures) is the best part of the Hofburg and an absolute must on any tour of Vienna. It contains the Habsburgs' collection of jewels, crowns, and other valuables — perhaps the best on the Continent. Second only to a tour of the Kunsthistorisches Museum itself, of which the Schatzkammer is officially a part, there are 20 rooms of priceless treasures that give a fairly accurate feel for Habsburg court life over the centuries.

• The New Palace (Neue Hofburg) – The New Palace is the newest and largest section of the Imperial Palace. It contains the Ethnological Museum and three branches of the Museum of Fine Arts. The Ephesus Museum contains classical art from Asia Minor. The Collection of Historical Musical Instruments is self-explanatory, but the jewel of the New Palace is the Collection of Arms. This collection, second largest in the world, houses an immense and exhaustive representation of weaponry from past centuries.

• Albertina (State Apartments) [104] €9.50 – Once a palace, it is now the most popular exhibition space in Vienna, mainly for traditional modern art. The building itself is an experience as well. It is home to a valuable drawing collection, including many works of the German Renaissance painter, Dürer.

• The Belvedere, 3, Prinz Eugen-Straße 27 (Tram D, stop Belvedere), ☎ +43 1 79 557 0 (info@belvedere.at), [105]. Open daily 10AM–6PM. €13.50 (Upper and Lower) - Intended as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere was located outside the city walls. Its two palace segments, the Upper and Lower Belvedere, later became the permanent home of the Austrian Gallery. The Oberes Belvedere (Upper) contains recent Austrian and international art from the past two centuries. Viennese art from the early twentieth century is well-represented in the permanent collection "Vienna around 1900 and the Art of the Classical Modern." The Orangerie houses temporary exhibits and a collection of medieval tapestries is in the former stables. The tapestry collection in on view from 10:00AM until 12:00 noon, so plan your visit accordingly.  edit

• The Imperial Furniture Collection – Vienna Furniture Museum,7, Andreasgasse 7, phone: +43 1 52433570. Opening Hours: Tu–Su 10AM–6PM. Wheelchair-accessible. The museum houses the largest furniture collection in the world. It's located just off bustling Mariahilfer Strasse. Take the orange underground line U3 (alight at Zieglergasse, take the Andreasgasse exit). The exhibit displays furniture for all the Austrian emperors since Charles VI (the father of Maria Theresa), furniture by the Thonet Brothers, Jugendstil, and the Viennese Modernist movement. In addition, they show other contemporary Austrian architects and designers, such as E.A. Plischke, Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, Luigi Blau, and Franz West. Besides the permanent furniture collection, the museum also hosts two to three temporary special exhibitions on furniture design and photography each year. You can purchase a single ticket or a "Sisi Ticket," which allows you entrance to the Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Silver Collection in the Hofburg.

• MAK - Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art [106], 1, Stubenring 5, phone: +43 1711360, open: Tu 10AM-midnight (MAK - NITE(c)), W-SU 10AM-6PM. Closed Monday. Free admission on Saturday. The museum has the MAK Design Shop and a study collection. The museum exhibits contemporary art, design, and architecture. To get there take the Subway U3, Tram 1, 2, bus 1A, 74A to Stubentor, and U4 to Landstrasser Hauptstrasse, City Airport Train from the airport to Bahnhof Wien Mitte. Also part of the MAK is the Depot of Contemporary Art [107] (Gefechtsturm Arenbergpark) in the 3rd district Dannebergplatz/Barmherzigengasse. To get there take bus 74A to Hintzerstrasse or U3 to Rochusgasse. Open every Sunday from May 4 – November 30, 2PM-6PM. Exhibited works include spatial interventions and objects by international artists specifically developed for the MAK. A lovely addition to a visit to MAK is popping over the road for a coffee at the 100-year old Cafe Pruekel.

• KunstHausWien (Vienna House of the Arts) [108], Untere Weißgerberstrasse 13, open daily 10AM–7PM (Every Monday regular admission is half off), Tel: +43-1-712 04 91. To get there, take the street Tram O/N and get off at Radetzkyplatz. €6 - Even an avowed hater of modern art can appreciate the KunstHausWien, Hundertwasser's (born Friedrich Stowasser in 1928) major contribution to the Viennese art world. In a time when artists often try to shock the public or merely impress other members of the rarefied gallery subculture, Hundertwasser's manifesto rings out as an utterly reasonable plea: The architecture of KunstHausWien would be a bastion against the dictatorship of the straight line, the ruler and T-square, a bridgehead against the grid system and the chaos of the absurd. Starting with the façade of the building, adapted from its prior life as a furniture factory, there is a Gaudi-in-Barcelona feel to the place. Windows peek out like eyes from curvy, rounded plaster and colorful paint. It's a Disneyland for grownups! Do not miss the Hundertwasserhaus and the shopping village situated about 300m from KunstHausWien. Very similar to Gaudi.

• Pathologisch-anatomisches Bundesmuseum Wien (Pathological and Anatomical State Museum) [109] Open Wednesday 3PM–6PM and Thursday 8AM-11AM. On top of restricted hours, the Narrenturm can be hard to find. Housed in a squat tower, which once was an insane asylum (the "Narrenturm" ("Fool's Tower"), this museum contains some of the dustier corners of the annals of medicine. You'll find preserved hydrocephalic infants, wax castings of tertiary syphilis, antique medical devices, and even a laryngeal tuberculous ulcer. The gift shop sells postcards depicting the best of these. Of similar character is the Josephinum [110], take trams 37-38, 40-42.

• Technical Museum [111] – This newly renovated museum near the Schoenbrunn Palace exhibits machines, transportations, electronic equipment, and the like from their first design up to their current form. It also depicts the development of Vienna as a city, on all its technical aspects (recycling, power, sewage, etc). The museum is huge (22,000 square meters) and requires at least two hours to go through. Take trams 10, 52, 58, stop Penzinger Strasse.

• Natural History Museum [112] – This museum was erected as a mirror to its twin museum, Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts). It exhibits various minerals (e.g. a collection of meteorites), fossils, stuffed animals, and skeleton reconstructions (among others, dinosaurs' skeletons). It also includes an anthropological section, where you can see the beautiful Venus of Willendorf which is 25,000 years old!

• Haus der Musik (The Music House) [113] This relatively new museum is a special museum, in that it attributes great value to interactive learning experience. It covers the history of the Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, the history of Vienna as a centre of music making (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Mahler, Schubert and others are documented). In addition there are the more experimental sections of futuristic composition (The Brain Opera) and sound experiences. Highly recommended! Look for the happy hour. Take U1, U2, U4, trams 1,2, 62,65, J and D, stop Karlsplatz/Opernring. Closes at 9pm.

• Museum am Schottenstift (Museum at the Scottish Monastery) [114]; only in German). A nice, small picture gallery mainly of Baroque Austrian painting. Take U2, trams 1,2,37-38,40-44, D, stop Schottentor.

• Liechtenstein Museum [115]– A private collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein, it is exhibited in his once Viennese Residence. The richly decorated picture gallery mainly exhibits Baroque paintings, with a nice portion of Rubens. You can get there either with tram line D, stop at Seegasse or about 10 minutes by foot from U2 subway stop Schottentor.

• Gemäldegalerie (Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts) [116]; only in German) – A gallery owned by the Academy of Fine Arts, to which Hitler applied to before he decided to change to politics. It offers some paintings of Rubens and Bosch. Most interesting are the Renaissance and medieval exponents.

• Freud Museum, Berggasse 19 (U2 Schottentor: 10 minute walk, or take tram D to ''Schlickgasse''), ☎ +43 1 3191596 (office@freud-museum.at, fax: +43 1 3170279), [117]. Daily from 9AM–5PM. This small museum is situated in Freud's historic flat where he practiced psychoanalysis for almost his whole life. However, the collection is limited mostly to documents of various kinds relating to Freud's life. Almost all of the flat's contents, including the famous original couch, went along with Freud to London when he fled the Nazis in 1939 and are now in the Freud Museum there.  edit

• Vienna Museum [118] – A museum documenting Vienna's history. It is split into several branches with its main branch at Karlsplatz.

• Otto Wagner is the most prominent Viennese architect from the turn of the 20th Century. Two museums are dedicated to his work. At the Wagner Villa, [119]; only in German) you can see his private lodging in a very eccentric design. The villa is also beautifully located in the woods. In the rooms some paintings of Fuchs are exhibited, a painter who bought the house from the Wagner family. His painting were surprisingly influenced by the style of the villa. You can get there with tram number 49 (last stop). Another museum is the Otto Wagner Museum [120] is located at the post office of his original design. At this museum you can see the more serious aspect of his artistic enterprise, that of public life. At the museum you can see some of the original furniture as well as his plans. Near the Schwedenplatz U1 stop (trams 1,2, 21, N).

• Museum of Military History [121] – A huge museum near the southern railway station featuring weapons and military maps from different periods. You can also see the open-top car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the last Austrian prince, was shot in Sarajevo. His death triggered World War I and the eventual downfall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the same room as this is the visibly blood-stained jacket he was wearing at the time of his assassination. Near the Southern Railway (Südbahnhof), trams 18, D, O.

• Jewish Museum [122] – A museum documenting Vienna's rich Jewish residents including Zweig, Freud, Herzl, Mahler, and Schoenberg. Three sites are available for one combined ticket: two museum sites and the main synagogue. Attached to the museum at Judenplatz are the archaeological remains of a medieval synagogue. The Stadttempel, the only historical synagogue in Vienna to have survived World War II, is accessible on through the guided tour. Call ahead for times.

• If you are looking for exhibitions of modern art apart from the MUMOK and MAK there are several other places you could visit: MOYA[123] – The Artists' House [124] – The House of the Arts (see Hundertwasser above) – Atelier Augarten (a branch of the Belvedere) – Kunsthalle (Exhibition Hall) - there are two of them, both branches of the Museum District (MQ) and the Generali Foundation [125] – Essl Collectionin Klosterneuburg (see below).

• Film Museum [126] A cinema for showing specially curated films and retrospective.

• Dritte Mann Museum [127] - This is a private museum dedicated to the cult film "The Third Man" which was shot in Vienna and released in 1949. This film is often played at the Burgkino [128].

• Mozart House (Mozarthaus Vienna), Domgasse 5 (U1/U3 Stephansplatz. The Mozarthaus is located east of the cathedral), ☎ +43 1 512 17 91 (tickets@mozarthausvienna.at, fax: +43 1 512 17 91 91), [129]. Open daily from 10AM–7PM. This is the Viennese residence of Austria's most famous composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and a branch of the Vienna Museum.  edit

• Small Museums – There are plenty of small museums that follow special interests and are operated privately by the districts or societies. They range from a museum on abortion to the world's only museum on heating systems.

Castles and Palaces

• Schloss Schönbrunn – [130] Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, it is not far from the city centre and easy to get to by public transportation: You can take the underground U4 (green line) and get off at Schönbrunn; If you plan on catching a tram, take 10, 58, and detrain at Schönbrunn. Otherwise, take the 10A bus and alight at Schönbrunn. Schönbrunn is the ultimate palace experience in Vienna, because the Habsburg summer palace can be found here. It is comparable in grandeur to Versailles and is definitely a must-see in Vienna. Its gardens and zoo (the oldest in the world, built for Maria Theresa’s husband in 1752) alone are worth a lengthy visit. The palace has also seen its fair share of excitement over the years, including a meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khruschchev at the height of the Cold War. The Palace Park offers a lot of attractions, such as the Privy Garden, a Maze and Labyrinth, and the top-of-the-hill Gloriette with its Panorama Terrace. There are two possible tours available without a guide (though guides are available): the Imperial Tour showing 22 rooms and the Grand Tour showing 40 rooms. The price of admission includes an audio or written guide. The shorter tour of Schönbrunn Palace takes you into the west wing of the palace including the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), as well as the imposing state rooms in the central wing. With the Grand Tour you can visit, in addition to those rooms included on the Imperial Tour, the 18th-century rooms from the time of Maria Theresa. No photos, video taping, or backpacks allowed inside. The palace is wheelchair-accessible and is open all year round:

- Apr 1—Jun 30: 8:30AM–5PM

- Jul 1—Aug 31: 8:30AM–6PM

- Sep 31—Oct 31: 8:30AM–5PM

- Nov 1—Mar 31: 8:30AM–4:30PM (zoo until 4PM)

• Hofburg Palace, (To get there, take the underground: the nearest underground station is U3 Herrengasse; tram: Lines 1, 2, D, J, alight at Burgring; bus: Lines 2A or 3A, alight at Hofburg), [131]. This immense palace complex grew into a large, unwieldy series of buildings over the years and was the imperial residence of the Habsburg emperors until 1918. What began as a medieval castle (whose chapel is the only original element of that building to survive) was expanded and redecorated as the Habsburgs’ power increased correspondingly. The Palace Stables and Amalia’s Wing were added in the sixteenth century. The Imperial Chancery Wing, Court Library, and Spanish Riding School was added in the eighteenth. In the last century, St Michael’s Wing was tacked on and around 1900 the New Palace was completed. The contents of each separate building contain so many treasures that the time spent moving from one to another is like opening box after box of fabulous jewels – it's difficult to know when to stop. The Imperial Palace itself now houses the offices of the Austrian President, a convention center, and the Spanish Riding School with its Lipizzaner stallions. The Palace also houses several museums which are open to the public, including the "Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum and Imperial Silver Collection" (Kaiserappartements, Sisi Museum, Silberkammer) where you can visit 22 state rooms (open daily from 9AM-5PM; July-Aug: 9AM-5:30PM. The museums are wheelchair-accessible). These are the residential and state apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph I. and Empress Elisabeth (popularly known as Sisi) and show 19th-century imperial life. The Imperial Silver Collection displays unique items of the glittering world of imperial dining. You can purchase a single ticket for all three museums or purchase the "Sisi Ticket", which entitles you to visit the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg with Audio Guide (Imp. Apartments, Sisi Museum, Imp. Silver Collection), and Imperial Furniture Museum.  edit

Religious buildings

• Karlskirche, Kreuzherrengasse 2, (kontakt@karlskirche.at), [132]. M-F from 09.00-12.30 and 13.00-18.00. Sunday and holidays: 12.00-17.45. Largest Baroque cathedral north of the Alps, designed by the famous architect Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. Frescos done by Michael Rottmayr and paintings from the Italian Baroque painters Sebastiano Ricci and Giuseppe Antonio Pellegrini, and the Austrian painter Daniel Gran.  edit

• Kapuzinerkirche, 1010 Wien, Tegetthoffstraße 2, ☎ 512. daily 10.00 to 18.00, 1 and 2 November closed. Notable mainly as the site of the Kaisergruft, a mausoleum housing the tombs of generations of Habsburg royalty. Adults €4; Families €9; Seniors, Students, Groups €3; Students under 14 €1.50.  edit

• Jesuitenkirche, 1010 Wien Dr-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 1, ☎ 5125232. 7.00-18.30 daily. Has one of the most elaborate Baroque interiors in Europe.  edit

• Augustinian Friars' Church (Augustinerkirche), Josefsplatz 1. Facing the sculpture in the center of the square, the entrance is small and easy to miss – it's on the left hand wall of the square. Yet another example of the gruesome divide-and-conquer burial strategy of the Habsburg dynasty. It's said that other dynasties waged countless wars to acquire new lands, but "you, happy Austria, marry." Even in death the Habsburgs placated three different churches with the honor of caring for their remains. The best known, the Kapuzinergruft, contain their actual bodies. St Stephens holds their innards (intestines and other parts taken out during the preservation process). But the Augustinerkirche holds, in the Herzgruft (Heart Crypt), all the Habsburgs' hearts. Tours of the Herzgruft are available Monday through Friday at 11AM and 3PM. The tradition began in 1627 with Emperor Ferdinand IV, who wanted to "lay his heart at the feet of the Mother of God" - literally. His heart, and those of his descendants, are preserved in silver jars which are carefully cared for by the Augustinian friars who run the church. When the renovation was underway it was found that the preservative in some of the caskets had evaporated over the years, leaving nothing but a dried-out, mummified heart.  edit

• Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Stephansplatz (U1, U3: Stephansplatz), ☎ +43/ (0)1/ 515 52-3526, [133]. High Mass: Sun and public holidays 10:15AM, in Jul and Aug 9:30AM, Guided tours of the Cathedral in English: Mon-Sat 3:45PM, Catacombs (only with guided tours): Mon-Sat 10AM-11:30AM and 1:30PM-16:30PM; Sun and public holidays 1:30PM - 6:30PM; North Tower (great bell): Nov-Mar 8:30AM-5PM, Apr-Jun and Sep—Oct 9AM-6PM, Jul and Aug 9AM-18:30 p.m. South Tower: daily 9AM-5:30PM. Yet another patchwork of architectural styles, but predominantly Gothic. None of the original construction remains—the oldest extant sections are the thirteenth century Giant Gate (Riesentor) and Towers of the Heathens (Heidentürme), both of which are Romanesque. The 448 ft South Tower (Südturm), often known by its Viennese diminutive Steffl (also a nickname for the entire cathedral), was finished in 1433. This is where the Pummerin, a huge bell cast from melted-down Turkish cannons, hangs. Steffl's intended twin, the North Tower (Nordturm), was never finished. In 1511, building in Gothic style ceased due to being out of fashion. Over fifty years later, in 1579, a Renaissance spire was added to the Nordturm to make it look less like the builders had stormed off the job. The main altar has a Baroque panel showing St. Stephen, Christianity’s first martyr. The organized tour is worth it, since some of the finest works of art in the cathedral can only be seen with a guide, such as Emperor Frederick III's red marble sepulchre and the immense Gothic carved Altar of Wiener Neustadt. The aborted North Tower has an observation deck with an amazing view of downtown Vienna. Nearby is the entrance to the catacombs, where legions of bishops and Habsburg body parts are buried (the intestines, specifically).  edit

• Votivkirche, 1090 Wien, Rooseveltplatz 8 (U2 Schottentor), ☎ +4314061192, [134]. One of the most important Neo-Gothic religious architectural sites in the world (constructed between 1856 and 1879), the Votivkirche stands on a large square just outside the Ringstrasse boulevard, close to the University of Vienna. This church was erected on the location where an unsuccessful attempt to assessinate Emperor Franz Joseph took place in 1853. The plans were established by Heinrich von Ferstel (1828-1883), who chose to build the cathedral in the neo-Gothic style, borrowing heavily from the architecture of Gothic French cathedrals. The Votivkirche is made out of white sandstone, similar to the Stephansdom, which is very vulnerable to air-pollution and acid rain an therefore makes frequent renovations necessary. (48°12′55″N,16°21′31″E) edit

• The Wotruba Church — A beautiful cubist church on the top of a hill overlooking the woods. There is also an open air planetarium next to the church. To reach the church, take tram 60 to the Maurer Lange Gasse stop and then follow Maurer Lange Gasse up the hill until you see the green signs which point the way to the church. The walk is about ten minutes.

• Kirche am Steinhof (Otto Wagner Kirche), 1140 Wien, Baumgartner Höhe 1, ☎ (+43 1) 910 60/11007, [135]. Saturday 3PM, all year round. A special church constructed by the Viennese master architect, Otto Wagner. It is situated in a psychiatric hospital on the hills near the wood overlooking Vienna. Very beautiful! There are more ways to get there: from U4 station „Unter St.Veit“ take Bus 47A up to „Psychiatrisches Zentrum“ or at „Dr. Karl Renner Ring“ take Bus 48A to „Psych. Zentrum“ (that takes 35 minutes) or from U3 finalstation „Ottakring“ take Bus 48A to „Psychiatrisches Zentrum“. You have to enter the area of "Psychiatrisches Zentrum". Walk up the garden, it takes some minutes. If you cannot spot it immediately, just ask people around there.  edit

• The Old Synagogue — Underneath the Judenplatz (The Jewish Square), you'll find this underground medieval synagogue excavation. Amazingly, the synagogue was destroyed centuries ago, but its existence was remembered by the area's inhabitants up to the 20th Century. If you are interested in Vienna's Jewish side you can buy a combined ticket with the Jewish Museum and the Stadttempel, a well preserved 19th Century synagogue, which is being used as the main city's synagogue by the current growing Viennese Jewish community.

• English places of worship

If you are looking for more than just a religious building and, while on holiday, would like to worship in English, you will find many English-spaking churches in and around Vienna. You might like to try [136], [137], [138], [139]

Other attractions

• Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek), Josefsplatz 1, ☎ 01/53410-348, [140]. Card catalogs may be an anachronism in today’s digitized world, but the Austrian National Library had the first one in existence, invented by the Habsburg court librarian. Unlike the printed library catalogs of the past, bound into book form, the card catalog could be rapidly updated and the library kept up-to-date. This well-ordered reader’s paradise has a collection that outshines many museums, thanks to its long association with the Habsburg imperial family. It gained an impressive collection when Emperor Josef II dissolved all the empire's monasteries – 300 manuscripts, 3,000 printed books, and 5000 diplomata. The library’s collection is approximately six million items strong and is the largest in Austria. It is a pioneer in digitalizing and placing its collection online. The oldest book in the collection is a fifteenth century Holy Gospels manuscript with scenes representing the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) containing the coats of arms of the House of Austria, Styria, Tirol, and Carinthia, then ruled by Albrecht III, the book’s owner.  edit

• Chapel of the Imperial Palace (Burgkapelle) — The original chapel of the Palace, built in Gothic style 1447-1449, was made over in Baroque style. On Sundays and Catholic holidays (of which the Austrians celebrate many), the Court Musicians perform here. This group is made up of members from the Vienna Boys Choir, as well as performers from the orchestra and choir of the Vienna State Opera.

• Parliament — The guided tours in German or English language cost €4 (2€ for students) [141]. Open only when not in use by Parliament.

• Hundertwasserhaus [142] This interesting apartment/office complex is located 5–10 minutes east of the Wien Mitte U-Bahn stop. You can also take tram N, stop Hetzgasse.

• Haus des Meeres Aquarium Zoo [143] is a marvelous zoo, with a rain forest glasshouse, tiny apes, aquariums with sharks, and terrariums with reptiles and venomous snakes. It is situated in one of the leftover second world war air raid shelter, a so-called "Flakturm" [144] (check out these links: [145], [146] and [147]). The building carried formerly one of the first radar equipments and is designed to stand a direct bomb hit, an earthquake, and wind speeds up to an overpressure of ten bar. Now there is also a platform on top to allow nice views over the roofs of Vienna. Take U3, stop Neubaugasse.

• Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Pavilion — This city tram stop, designed by Otto Wagner, is located near the Secession Building and Naschmarkt. It is a good example of functional turn of the century architecture – ornate, yet useful. Wagner was one of the most influential architects in Vienna and his style was widely copied.

• Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) [148] — The Opera House is probably the most-beloved symbol of Viennese arts, and one of the first buildings to be rebuilt in the postwar era. It was built from 1861-1869 under the direction of architects Eduard van der Nüll and August von Siccardsburg for then-emperor Franz Josef I. The first performance was Don Giovanni, an opera by Austrian native Mozart, on 25 May 1869. Though now as well-loved as any member of the family, the architecture of the Opera was barely tolerated by the picky Viennese when it opened. Van der Nüll did not take these criticisms of his work lightly and committed suicide. A few weeks later, von Siccardsburg died of a heart attack. Doubly cursed, the Opera building succumbed to bombs less than 100 years later, during WWII. After ten years of Allied control after the end of the war, many cultural institutions reopened to celebrate the birth of the new Austrian state. This time the Opera opened with an adopted son of Vienna's work: Beethoven's Fidelio. The lush curtains and overall elegance contribute to the atmosphere of the Opera (even the nosebleed seats, so steeply pitched and close to the ceiling a nosebleed becomes a distinct possibility). Inexpensive standing room tickets are made available for every performance and sold the day of the performance. The line forms about 2 hours prior to the performance. Post-performance, have some torte at the nearby Sacher Hotel (see entry). Guided tours in a number of languages are offered throughout the desk. The line at the front side door forms about 1/2 hour before the tour.

• Prater (Park) including the Giant Ferris Wheel,, (U1, tram O, 5, 21: Praterstern, S1-S3, S7, S15: Wien Nord), ☎ 729 54 30, [149]. May-Sep 9AM-midnight. The Prater Park began its life, as so many European parks did, as a carriage-riding area for the nobility. It is still a popular place to spend a weekend afternoon with family. An English engineering firm (Walter Basset) built the Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) from 1896-97. Others of the same era, built for world exhibitions and other parks in Chicago, London, Paris, etc. have long since been torn down. The Riesenrad has become a well-known symbol of Vienna, featured in many movies (most famously The Third Man; also Before Sunrise and Ethan Hawke) and picture postcards. It has 15 gondolas, some of which are incredibly ornate and large enough to host an extended family inside, offering a spectacular panorama of the city. The weirdest attraction in the Prater, though, is the Kugelmugel [150], a spherical house (diameter 7.68m) that, after failing to get a planning permit, declared independence from Austria. Originally built elsewhere, it was forcibly carted off to the Prater by Austrian authorities and now sits uninhabited and fenced off with barbed wire.  edit

Alex Tamayo Wolf's historic novel, Revolution [151], features the Riesenrad in an historic context, drawing on its rich history to develop it into a compelling character in the story of Imperial Vienna.

• Secession Building [152], Friedrichstraße 12 (U-Bahn U1, U2, U4 (Karlsplatz)), Tel. 587 53 07-0, Tu-Fr 10-18, Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM, Thurs 10AM-8PM, Guided Tours Sat 3PM and Sun 11AM and by appointment. Architect Josef Maria Olbrich built this Jugendstil (German-style Art Nouveau) building 1897-98 as a display space for artists working in the new Secession artistic movement. It is topped by a giant, frothy golden ball, lovingly called "Krauthappel" by the Viennese, but the building was definitely not loved when it first opened. Notice a reactionary Viennese pattern here? The Opera building too was hated at first, but at least it wasn't called a "temple for bullfrogs" or "a bastard begot of temple and warehouse" as the Viennese Secession building was. The entryway features the motto of the Secessionist movement: Der Zeit ihre Kunst, der Kunst ihre Freiheit (To the time, its art, to the art, its freedom). Olbrich's mentor Otto Wagner, and also Gustav Klimt, whose astounding Beethoven Frieze is partially preserved in the basement, inspired the building’s design. The ceremonial front entrance is separate from the functional glass and steel exhibit hall in back. Entrance fee included with entrance to Belvedere Palace.

• The Schmetterlinghaus Hofburg Wien 1010 tel 01/5338570 or 01 5332018 fax 01 5322872 email info@schmetterlinghaus.at April - October : Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 10 - 16.45 Saturday Sunday & all public holidays 10 - 18.15 November - March: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 10 - 15.45 Saturday Sunday & all public holidays 10 - 15:45 Adults €5:50 Seniors €5 Students with ID €4:50 Children 3 - 16 years €3 [153], a tropical greenhouse with an amazing collection of live butterflies, will delight both children and adults.

• Spanish Riding School - Spanische Hofreitschule [154] was first mentioned in a document dated 1572 and is the only equestrian institute in the world which follows a Renaissance model of classical schooling. Eleves, or students, begin their training immediately after completion of Austrian primary education (age 15 or 16), and are expected to be both sporty and clever. The school takes its name from a Spanish breed of horse first mentioned in Roman writings. In 1562, Emperor Maximilian II brought some of these Spanish horses to Austria to found a royal stud farm in Kladrub (Bohemia), housing them for a time in the "Stallburg" (oldest section of the Imperial Palace). The present school location was built in 1572. In 1580, Maximilian's brother, Archduke Karl, founded the stud farm in Lipizza near Trieste (now Slovenia). Interest in elegant riding had been growing for about fifty years at that point. During Renaissance times, powerful gentlemen who had already conquered the worlds of finance and politics looked to the writings of antiquity for new learning and an educated lifestyle to which they could aspire. Horsemanship which followed the ancient models described by Socrates and others became the fashion. Xenophon (430 – 354 BC) wrote "Men who understand the art of horsemanship, in truth, look magnificent." Who wouldn't want that? In the new Winter Riding School (built 1729-35), tournaments, masked balls, and other entertainment was held, but this would soon draw to a close – the royal stud farms at Lipizza were threatened by Napoleon several times and twice the precious stud horses were evacuated to Hungary. No photos or video taping allowed.

• The Ring. The Ringstrasse, or Ring Street, circles the very heart of Vienna. Built on the location of the original city walls, its size is a good indication of how much the city has expanded since medieval times, but more importantly it is the most posh area of downtown. Elegant individuals stroll down the street (there really is no other way to move when walking along the Ring) and play the fashion-do/fashion don’t game under their breath before pausing at one of the innumerable cafes lining the way. A traditional Jause (morning coffee break, around 10AM) and then back to the business at hand, seeing and being seen: Vienna’s favorite pastime.

• Gasometer [155], (Directly at subway station U3 Gasometer, 8 minutes away from town-center and St. Stephens Cathedral). If you are interested in the combination of new modern with old historic architecture, take a trip to the gasometers that has been revitalized from gas-tanks to new multi-functional buildings. The gasometers are four former gas tanks, built as part of the Vienna municipal gas works Gaswerk Simmering in 1896-1899. They are located in the 11th district called Simmering. They were used from 1899 to 1984 as gas storage tanks. After the changeover from town gas to natural gas they were no longer used and were shut down. In the time between 1984 and 1997 the gasometers were used as a film location (James Bond: The Living Daylights) and as the location for raves known as Gazometer-Raves. They were revitalized from 1999 to 2001 by the architects Jean Nouvel, Coop Himmelblau, Manfred Wehdorn, and Wilhelm Holzbauer. Each gasometer was divided into several zones for living, shopping and entertainment. The historic outside wall was conserved. Several other facilities including a music hall, cinema, student accommodation, municipal archive, etc. are located inside the Gasometers. There are special guided tours with experts available for visitors.

• Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery), Simmeringer Hauptstrasse 234, phone 760 41. Graves of honor of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, Schönberg and others. Nov-Feb 8AM-5PM, March-April, Sept-Oct 7AM-6PM, May-Aug 7AM-7PM. Take tram 71 from the city center (Schwarzenburgplatz) which was specially retrofitted during the wars to carry corpses (there's even a Viennese expression "taking the #71 tram" as a euphemism for death). For a quicker route take the U3 to Simmering and then tram 71 or 6 from there. The tram stops are named after the cemetery gate next to it, "Zentralfriedhof 1. Tor" is where the old Jewish section is, "Zentralfriedhof 2. Tor" is the main gate. There bus route 106[156] (€0.60 or regular ticket) runs in the cemetary connecting all of the gates and areas. Mozart, Beethoven and other luminaries of the musical world (Schubert, Brahms, Strauss) are buried, or at least memorialized, here. Mozart's body is in a mass grave (as required by the law at that time) in another cemetery – but his memorial is located here with the others. The graves of the composers and other "Ehregräber" (graves of honor) are located in section 32C, near the main road leading from the church. The cemetery has served as a giant park for weekend ramblings since its creation. There are immense monuments shaped like 10ft tall iron canopy beds (within eye shot of the musicians memorial) and other unique shapes. Though it takes some time to get out to the Zentralfriedhof (25 to 30 Minutes total from Stephansplatz), it is worth the trip.

• Lainzer Tiergarten — It's a beautiful natural reserve at Vienna's border with the woods. This reserve used to be the Emperor's private hunting wood with the fancy "Hermesvilla" - the favorite mansion of Empress Sisi in Vienna. Nowadays, the major part of the park is closed in the winter time, but in summer you can see wild pigs, deer, and many Viennese families. For the easiest park entrance take tram 49 to its last stop. Then you need to walk for about 5 minutes until you reach the Nikolaitor. However in Winter or when you want to visit the mansion you have to take tram 60 or 62 to Hermesstrasse station and then change to bus 60B (Note: this bus goes only every half hour during the week). Take the bus to the final stop - just a 5 minute ride - to reach the "Lainzertor" (actually the main gate of Lainzer Tiergarten, which also features a small visitors center). The park is usually open from 8 until dusk (precise opening timetables are posted at each entrance) but all gates - except Lainzertor - are closed for a winter break from mid-November until mid-February.

• Hietzing — A residential area which used to be a village once, but gained importance as the Schönbrunn Palace, was erected nearby. A very beautiful area for a stroll among old villas. Stop - Hietzing (U4, trams 10, 58 and 60), then walk.

• Türkenschanzpark — A very beautiful park commemorating the Austrian victory on the Turks near the city boundary. Nowadays, a tranquil resort in the heart of a nice cluster of villas. Take tram 41 or bus 10A, get off at Türkenschanzpark.

• The Danube Island [157], only in German] — Home to Europe's biggest Rock festival. In Summer, this is a very nice park with a lot of Viennese bathers. There are also floating pubs on the Danube. A nice experience! Take U1, stop Donauinsel.

• Karl Marx' Court is a socialist building complex from the beginning of the 20th Century and is fascinating for people interested in architecture. Take tram D or U4 to Heilgenstadt.

• Soviet Victory Monument — An imposing Soviet style monument near Karlsplatz commemorates the Soviet victory in Vienna over the Nazi army. Take trams 1, 2, 71, D, J stop at Schwarzenbergplatz.

By plane

Vienna International Airport / Wien Schwechat

The airport

Vienna International Airport (ICAO: LOWW, IATA: VIE) [6] is located ca. 18 km (11 miles) south-east of the Austrian capital near to the town of Schwechat, after which the airport is named.

The airport is the home base of the flag-carrier Austrian [7] and the budget airline Niki [8].

Most European airlines and a significant number of international airlines have direct connections to Vienna from their respective hubs. It is noteable that only Austrian Airlines fly to the Americas (New York, Toronto, Washington and Punta Cana) and AirTransat seasonally from Canada, there is no service to Northern England, Africa (aside from Egypt, Libiya and Tunisia), or Geneva making alternative airports more attractive from these origins.

Airport transfer

There are numerous companies offering airport transportation just past customs. There are two very small monitors displaying all the next trains and the buses departing, to the right and left respecitvly at the back of the space where people recieve travellers. By preference:

• S-Bahn (regular train), (underneath terminal), [9]. 5:00-24:00. The normal S-Bahn (commuter railway) S7 (and less-frequent S2 and RSB7) go to Wien-Mitte, as well as stopping at other useful hub stations including direct connection to every subway line in the city and numerous trams and trains. Taking between 18 and 27 minutes to reach Wien-Mitte, these are the cheapest and nearly the fastest option. Take any train headed towards 'Florisdorf' or 'Südbahnhof (Ost)'. For 'Südbahnhod' or 'Meidling' transfer at 'Rennweg' to a train in the opposite direction (S7 trains make 50 minute loop before arriving in Südbahnhof). One level below arrivals. Follow signs, seperate platform near the CAT. You need a Vienna Zone 100 ticket (€1.80 and including all connecting transit in Vienna, day/week/etc. passes are also valid) + one extra 'VOR' zone ("Aussenzone" €1.80) since the airport is legally outside of the city. Technically tickets have to be purchased and validated before boarding but conductors usually sell and stamp tickets on the airport line--instead of issuing a fine which they normally do on any other line. ÖBB (red) ticket machines are on the way and on the platform itself. €3.60 each way.  edit

• Vienna AirportLines Bus, (outside arrivals), [10]. 5:00-24:00. Direct buses drive frequently between Vienna International Airport and assorted points in Vienna. Operated by Postbus, tickets can be purchased with cash from the operator. All routes: One way €6, Round-trip €11.  edit
  • Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz line goes to the city center (District 1). Buses every 30 minutes, the trip takes 20 minutes. At Schwedenplatz there is a connection to the underground lines U1 and U4 as well as buses and trams. St. Stephans Cathedral (the very center of Vienna) is a five-minute walk away.
  • Miedling/Westbahnhof line is the railway connector, departing every 20-30 minutes and stopping at Miedling Railway Station(30 min.) and Westbahnhof/West Railway Station(45 min.). (Not to be confused with the Mödling line to Lower Austria.)
  • Kaisermühlen VIC/Kagran line goes to Vienna International Center/the UN and serves hotels in the eastern part of Vienna. Runs hourly and takes 20-45 min. depending upon destination.

• City Airport Train (CAT), (underneath terminal), [11]. Over-advertised, non-stop to Wien-Mitte Station (Landstraße) in 16 minutes. Departs at :05 and :35 past the every hour. The return departs Wien-Mitte at :08 and :38 past the hour. The CAT is only useful if it is the next train departing (otherwise take the S-Bahn, as it runs the same route) and you are heading to Wien-Mitte area (otherwise consider a more direct train or bus). Star Alliance and Air Berlin/Niki offer check-in (including baggage) at Wien-Mitte (Landstraße) Station. Alternatively, consider luggage lockers and the regular train. City check-in may be denied from 90 minutes before departure. One way €10, return trip €18.  edit

• Shuttle provided by hotel. Select Vienna hotels offer guests shuttle service to and from the airport, usually for a fee that's cheaper than a taxi, though sometimes you will share the shuttle with guests from your own or nearby hotels.  edit

• Taxi. Cab fare is not set, so agree before getting in; to anywhere for €25-€30. If you don't care to negotiate or your destination is at the northern or western edge of the city a pre-booked flat-rate transfer is likely cheaper and easier. There are several offices at arrivals. Airport Service Wien (43 676 351 64 20; call Mon-Fri 8am-6pm; taxi works 5:45am-9:30pm) [12] €27 (max. 3 people) to/from any destination address within Vienna, Rosenov Airport Transfers +43-1-485 77 77 [13], Mo-Fr 9am-6pm offers flat-rate to Vienna for €29.  edit

Duty-free shopping

Vienna airport has a giant duty free shopping area (70 shops, operated by Travel Value). Even for a cursory tour, plan at least 1 hour. Shopping area is just after ticket control counters--so you only need to checkin before getting to shops, not pass security check nor passport control.

Tax refund

Refer to the brouschure for locations and tips. Your best bet for receiving tax refund is to find a refund office in the city. Otherwise, indicate that you need to receive tax refund at check-in. You then take any checked luggage containing tax-free purchases to a customs office (right in the check-in area) to get a stamp and drop off the checked luggage; then visit a nearby refund office.

Customs officers don't normally ask you to actually unpack and show your purchases. You will be asked if any applicable purchases are in your hand luggage. Although it is illegal, you may be encouraged to lie to agents, saying that everything is in your checked luggage even if it isn't. This is due to an otherwise tideous process; you have to visit yet another office by the gates. (At the C Gates you will have to ring for an officer, wait to be picked up by bus and taken to the a refund office and back to your departure--allow 1 hour for the whole procedure.) Alternatively, you can visit a refund office on arrival in your home country--provided that you visited customs and had your recipeits stamped in Vienna. Additional commission or unfavourable exchange rate can apply if refunding in other country.

Bratislava Milan Rastislav Štefánik Airport

Bratislava Airport (ICAO: LZIB, IATA: BTS) [14] is located ca. 54 km (34 miles) from Vienna International Airport across the Slovak border. The airport is the largest in the Slovak Republic and the home base of Danube Wings [15], though the budget airline Ryanair [16] has the most flights. Transfer options:

• Blaguss (Bus), [17]. 6:30-22:45. most regular bus service, but check schedual. Arrives at Erdberg(U3) in just over an hour. €10.  edit

• Terravision (Bus), [18]. to Erdberg(U3) in just over an hour. Check schedual. €10, €16 return.  edit

• Postbus/Slovak Lines (Bus), [19]. 8:00-18:35. to Südtirolerplatz(U1) in under two hours. Intermediate stops in Bratislava, at Vienna Airport, some at Erdberg(U3). Check schedual. €7.70, €14.30 return.  edit

• Train, [20]. Bratislava public bus 61 to final stop, Hlavná stanica/Main Station (buy bus ticket at yellow machine before boarding and stamp in the bus). Buy ticket to Vienna and take the train to Wien Süd (or the occasional train Wien West, Wien Florisdorf or Wien Parstern). Takes about two hours, if things go well. €9.  edit

• Late arriving flights:. Should an evening flight arrive late, after 22:30 you can bargain for a cab or spend the night. There is no longer a late train service as of 2010.  edit

• Early departing flights:, [21]. Take a cab, spend the night at a hostel or at the airport, otherwise a slew of trains run between Wien Südbahnhof (aka Ostbahnhof) and Bratislava Petezalka Station. Get a cab from there or bus 96 runs between the airport and Prokofievova, a few blocks from that station, you may need a map or to ask for directions. The station exit that you are looking for is an underpass next to a big road, not the main exit. It is possible to catch 8AM flights this way.  edit

• Rosenov Airport Transfer, ☎ +43-1-485 77 77, [22]. Mo-Fr 9am-6pm. Offer a flat rate transfer to/from Vienna. €75.  edit

Alternatives

There are a number of other smaller airports within two hours of Vienna which are served by budget airlines; it is therefore often cheaper to fly to a nearby city and connect by train or bus. Ryanair [23] flies to Linz (2 hours by train), Graz (2 1/2 hours by train), and Brno (2 1/2 hours by train or bus).

Budapest and Munich Airports are 4-5 hour journeys but can mean substatial savings on intercontinental trips. There is a thrice daily direct albet not so speedy shuttle from Budapest Ferihegy Airport to Vienna Schwechat Airport [24]. € 30. It is also possible to transfer via bus or train from Budapest city which can be reached easily from Ferihegy. From Munich International Airport you should take the commuter train into the city and transfer to a high-speed train (ICE, RailJet) to Vienna at Munich's main station. The ÖBB (Austrian Railways) [25] sell tickets directly from that airport to Vienna from €29.

By train

The station names of all stops in Vienna start with its German name "Wien". This is internationally recognized and helpful for buying tickets. The railways are managed by the ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)[26]. Read more about train travel within Austria and reaching Austria by train.

Station Construction until 2015 Until 2010 Vienna had several large train stations (Südbahnhof, Westbahnhof, Nord, Mitte). Currently Südbahnhof (South Station) has been closed for construction of a main station and the others are working but under construction. Many trains that used South Station now stop or terminate at the station Wien Miedling. Be sure to check scheduals and it is advised to take extra time when departing from these stations as the temporary provisions are not always easy to navigate.

It can be puzzling to understanding where trains depart and arrive, i.e. trains heading East often leave from West Station. It is best to check the scheduals online and plug in the exact train, subway or tram stop you are going to/departing from, this will give you the quickest solution. Railway agents are likely to give you an easy answer where the most train to somewhere leave from, you may not be told about certain trains that don't fit the regular pattern.

Ticket offices are noramlly open during all departure hours at Wien Miedling and Wien West (around 5AM-11PM). It has come to light that with more trains leaving from stations like Wien Praterstern, trains depart outside of ticket office hours. If this is the case you can buy the ticket on-board from the conductor, they are only able to sell regular as well as certain discounted tickets (cash only), so it is best to buy ahead if possible.

from Abroad

There are very frequent trains for all neighboring regions and countries. Night trains and quicker Euro-City trains arrive from virtually every city in Central Europe. High-speed ICE, RailJet, and Pendilino trains arrive from places like Munich, Budapest, Zurich, and Prague. There are frequent (at least hourly) regional trains to Czech, Slovak and Hungarian border regions.

When buying tickets always consider two domestic tickets instead of one international one, as it is often cheaper. Tickets used to only be sold this way and can normally still be purchased to the border and then from the next conductor from there to your destination, sometimes you can even buy both tickets before departure. No, you don't actually have to change trains!

from Czech Repbulic

From Czech border towns and as far as Brno you can buy "Wien Spezial" discount ticket. Consider buying it conjunction with a domestic ticket if comming from elsewhere like Prague, they should be able to sell you both tickets.

The ÖBB sell one-way 'SparScheine' to Brno(€12) and Prague(€29). Its cheaper to just get this to Brno and buy an onward domest ticket to Prague(€10), and there is better availibilty than with the single Prague ticket.

EURegio tickets are valid from Vienna to cities near to the border and tourist towns, including the return ticket with-in four days; Znojmo €15, Mikulov €18, České Budějovice (Budweis) €27 or Český Krumlov €27, and Plzeň €29 (children half-price, weekly and monthy tickets availible).

from Hungary

From Budapest East/Kelti pu buy a discounted round-trip ticket, "kirandulójegy" (excursion or 4-day ticket) for €31. It includes the return with-in 4 days and is valid for all public transportation in Vienna for 4 days. So its a deal even if you don't need a return ticket to Budapest. There are limited amount of SparSchiene tickets each day for €13. All tickets are valid in all trains (including the high-speed RailJet). Trains confusingly depart Budapest East (Kelti pu) and arrive at Vienna West Station (Wien West). Direct trains run every two hours or more. Otherwise transfer at Győr.

to Hungary the ÖBB offers tickets from €19 to Budapest as well as the EURegio ticket (Vienna to Hungary and return with 4 days); Mosonmagyaróvár €12, Győr €19, Tatabánya €25, Fertöszentmiklós €19, and Szombathely € 22 (children half-price, weekly and monthy tickets availible).

from Slovakia

From Bratislava a standard one-way ticket costs €9.

to Bratislava the ÖBB offers an EURegio ticket for €14 valid for a same-day return and on the public transportation in Bratislava.

A one-way ticket costs the same as EURegio but doesn't include public transportation in Bratislava. If you are headed to Bratislava Main Station (Hlavná stanica) you'll need a ticket from the edge of Vienna: 'Stadtgrenze' Wien-Erzherog-Karl-Str (given you have a valid public transit ticket) to the border at Marchegg (€5) from there to Bratislava is about €2 from the Slovakian coductor, if she makes it to you. Heading to Bratislava Petrzalka you can buy a ticket to the border at Kitsee, its only 2 km (€0.27) from Bratislava.

from the East of Europe

via Slovakia or Hungary.

Each railway has an independent partnership with others, so tickets can be much cheaper to (or from) neighboring countries. A common type is the so called CityStar ticket that is valid for return and can be sold any station in both of the participating countries. Sopron in Hungary is near to Vienna (€14, hourly trains) for tickets on MÁV Hungarian Railways [27] at that train station (operated by the Raaberbahn Railway [28]). Hungarian prices [29]. Bratislava in Slovakia is another nearby alternative. Most tickets need to be purchased 3 days in advance, possibly meaning an extra trip to the border to buy the ticket in advance.

• Ukraine and Russia There is a blog about its use between Austria and CIS countries [30].
• Greece CityStar tickets are sold between anywhere in Greece and Hungary.
• Bulgaria BDZ[31] sell the return CityStar directly to Vienna (€88), a group of 3 will pay €59 each. Conversly you'll have to go to the Hungarian Railways if you want to go the other way.
• Turkey Buy a ticket to the border at Kapikule (€5 from Istanbul), get a ticket from Bulgarian Railways.
• Serbia Serbian Railways [32] sell the so called Wien Sepzial for €70 return from Belgrade, but a cheaper connection can be made through Budapest, buying the Budapest-Vienna portion in Hungary (€56 return).

By car

Car ownership is common in Vienna and about 1/3 of the trips taken with-in the city are by car. However driving can be confusing and expensive espeacially if you are not familiar with the city.

Most Austrian highways ("Autobahn") terminate/originate in Vienna. See the Austran article for more information about driving in Austria.

Avoid the A23 Südosttangente at rush hour. Traffic jams are almost guaranteed there as well as throughout the city streets at rush hour.

Parking anywhere within distircts 1-9 and in specially marked areas is restricted to 120 minutes (between nine and 22 hours, M-F) and subject to a fee of €1.20 per hour unless you have a resident permit. Payment is made by marking the time of arrival on a ticket ("Parkschein"), which can be bought at tobacco shops. Therefore, if you wish to leave your car in the central districts for the period of your stay, you cannot simply park it on the street. You must either book a hotel that offers parking or leave it at a commercial car park (Parkhaus, Parkgarage). These can be very expensive (for instance, €32 per day in the Parkgarage Freyung). A cheaper alternative is Park and Ride, normally available at U Bahn stations in the city periphery, for example at U3 Erdberg station (€2.70 per day), or to leave it on the street in one of the outer districts.

By bus

Most international busses (the following unless noted) leave from the Vienna International Busterminal (VIB) located adjacent to the subway stop Erdberg (U3), many also stop at the Airport or Südtirolerplatz(U1) where there is a bus depot in the southwest corner called "Waldmanngründen." Timetables [33].

It is safe to assume that discounts are avialible (about 10% from Eurolines affiliates, about 15% on independent carriers) for those under 26 and over 60 on walk-up fares but not on discounted advanced purchase ("promo") tickets.

Eurolines AT/Blaguss [34] manages many buses. Their own vehicles have assured quality but this is not the case of all of their international partners. Always check the web-pages of both the arrival and departure countries' Eurolines affiliated operator for the best price.

Austria

There are no sheerly private domestic inter-city lines in Austria. There are several regional services from Vienna operated by a mix of the federal government, the states of Lower Austria and Burgenland, local governments and coach operators. Sometimes the cash-price for these is marginally lower than the train, otherwise the normal VOR public transport rates apply. They are most useful in traveling to the countryside although timing and different departure locations in Vienna also can make them attractive in certain cases for inter-city travel. All routes are operated with high-quality coaches and regional buses.

• Wiesel Bus, Sankt Pölten. Free wifi on many services. €0.10 less than the train.  edit
• Postbus, [36].  edit
• Dr. Richard, [37]. Operates routes to southern Lower Austria, Burgenland and Styria. Although it makes numerous regional stops it is possible to take route G1[38]Timetable all the way to Graz in about the same amount of time as the train. Up to 4 daily buses departing from Karlsplatz (Friedrichstraße 7 across from the Secession Building), free wifi. Graz €21.80 (€12 cheaper than by train).  edit

Balkans

If you are travelling to the Balkans there are plenty of buses daily. Some may not be advertized and tickets are often not for sale at the ticket counter, rather from the bus driver or attendant. Ask around, most of them leave in the afternoon. Buses from some non-EU countries allow smoking in part of the bus and may be subject to higher scrutiny at the border. For example a round-trip ticket to Belgrade can be found for €50. Many operators smuggle or transport goods to supplement thier low fares and the Hungarian border gaurds are not afraid partaking in bribery with non-EU operators, you will never be asked to participate monetarily, although a bus driver may ask to put a carton of cigaretts above your seat or in your luggage, you wont get in any troble for that but it is also okay to decline.

• Ecolines, [39]. direct to Sofia. Arrives at Südtirolerplatz. €60/€100rt.  edit
• Croatiabus, [40]. 2x daily direct from Zagreb. Arrives at Südtirolerplatz. €35/€50rt.  edit
• Autobusni promet d.d. Varaždin, [41]. up to 3x daily direct from Zagreb. Arrives at Südtirolerplatz. €35/€50rt.  edit
• Adria Reisen, [42]. three weekly bus routes between Vienna and assorted destinations on the Adriatic in Croatia. U3 Erdberg or U2 Schottenring. €150rt.  edit
• Zoran Reisen, [43]. Twice weekly from Southern Serbia to VIB. €45/€80rt.  edit
• Fudeks, [44]. Belgrade to VIB. €30/€50rt.  edit
• SRBIJATRANSPORT. Pozarevac via Belgrade to VIB daily. €45/€72rt.  edit
• Lasta, [45]. Požarevac via Belgrade to VIB daily. €45/€72rt.  edit
• Niš-Ekspres, [46]. Niš via Belgrade to VIB. Tu-W-Th-Su. €55rt.  edit
• Jovic Travel, [47]. Belgrade to VIB. Mo-Tu-Su. €60rt.  edit

Baltics

• Ecolines, [48]. Departs from Südbahnhof/South Station. Makes regular stops along the way to Tallinn. Vilnius €85/€128rt.  edit
• Kautra, [49]. run in conjunction with Tourbus. Makes regular stops along the way to Vilnius. Vilnius €101/182rt.  edit

Czech Repbulic

• Eurolines AT/Blaguss, [50]. Two daily buses to Prague. €21.  edit
• Eurolines CZ/Touring Bohemia, s. r. o., [51]. Some services include free newspapers, magazines and bottled water. Book ahead for best price. Prague from €7.  edit
• Shuttlebus, [52]. Is a direct van service to Český Krumlov that will pick you up at your door, and regularly departs from several hostels. Has at least one daily run schedualed. It takes just 3.5 hours compared to the train which is infrequent, requires changing trains twice and takes at least 4.5 hours total, but the round-trip shuttle costs 3x as much as a EURegio round-trip train ticket: more pratical for one-way trips. €45.  edit
• Student Agency, [53]. started by students, but offers service with free coffee, newspapers, movies to everyone. Departs from Joseph-Rath-Gasse near Praterstern. Brno €8, Prague €16.  edit
• Tourbus, a.s., [54]. cheapest way to the Czech Republic. Stops at VIB and Joseph-Rath-Gasse near Praterstern. Brno €5.  edit

Denmark

• Bohemian Lines, ☎ +420 416 810 054 (info@bohemianlines.cz), [55]. Daily 8AM-8PM. Runs twice a week or more from nearby Brno. Its a cheap solution with no advanced purchase requirement, you just have to get yourself to Brno on another bus company (€5-€8 from Vienna). €61+€5/€107+€10rt. Copenhagen €65/€117rt.  edit
• Eurolines AT/Blaguss, [56]. Is just a booking service for the BEX bus to Berlin and then an onward bus to Copenhagen. Copenhagen €101/€170rt.  edit
• Eurolines CZ/Touring Bohemia, s. r. o., [57]. Includes free newspapers, magazines and bottled water. Requires two seperate tickets: Copenhagen-Prague from €40/€69rt, Prague-Vienna from €7/€14rt. Prices only availible for advance bookings. Copenhagen from €47/€83rt.  edit
• Eurolines Scandanavia, [58]. Is just a booking service for the BEX bus to Berlin and then an onward bus to Copenhagen. Copenhagen €99/€170rt.  edit
• Gullivers, [59]. You can book yourself in advance for a much lower price on the same buses that Eurolines puts you on as two seperate tickets one from Copenhagen to Berlin (from €19) and one from Berlin to Vienna (from €33), you may want to leave extra time as change is your responsibility. from €52.  edit

Germany

• Orangeways, [60]. Low cost. Departs from Südtirolerplatz (U1) daily. Calling at Nuremberg, Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf and continuing onward to the Netherlands. More expensive at peak times. Free hot drinks, movies, headphones, sometimes wifi. Also 2x daily from the Bratislava bus depot to Berlin for €27, cheaper Viennese options and on a fast highway. All destinations from €36.  edit

The following five companies opperate a daily joint service to Dresden and Berlin, and less regular service and cooperation to other cities across Germany. Check each as ticket prices vary:

• Eurolines AT/Blaguss, [61]. from €33.  edit
• Berlin Linien Bus, [62]. from €33.  edit
• Gullivers, [63]. Berlin from €33.  edit
• BEX, [64]. Berlin from €60.  edit
• Eurolines DE/Deutsche Touring, [65]. Service across Germany. Munich from €29.  edit

Hungary

• Eurolines AT/Blaguss, [66]. 5 buses daily to Budapest, some stopping in Győr and resort towns like Mosonmagyaróvár and Sopron. Budapest €23, same-day return €29.  edit
• Eurolines HU/Volanzbus, [67]. 5 buses daily to Budapest in cooperation with Eurolines AT but with cheaper tickets availible [68]. Some stopping in Győr and resort towns like Mosonmagyaróvár and Sopron. Budapest €10-€22.  edit
• Orangeways, [69]. cheapest way to Hungary. Departs from Südtirolerplatz (U1), to Győr and Budapest twice daily. More expensive at peak times. Free hot drinks, movies, headphones, sometimes wifi. Győr, Budapest €7.  edit

Italy

• Kautra, [70]. Udine, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome. Tickets at VIB. Walk-up promo-fare €29 all destinations.  edit
• Tourbus, a.s., [71]. Udine, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples etc. Tickets at VIB. from €40.  edit

Poland

• Ecolines, [72]. Departs from Südbahnhof/South Station. Polish destinations (Krakow, Warsaw) €48/€86rt.  edit
• Jordan, [73]. run in conjunction with Veolia Eurolines Polska. Discounted tickets (the cheapest to Poland) on their Polish booking site [74]: Krakow €30, Katowice €30, Lodz €33, Warsaw €35. Walk up: Katowice €38/€68rt, Lodz €41/€73rt, Warsaw €43/€77rt.  edit
• Kautra, [75]. run in conjunction with Tourbus. Krakow €46/€83, Warsaw €61/109.  edit
• Veolia Eurolines Polska, [76]. Polish destinations(Krakow, Warsaw) from €36/72rt.  edit

Romania

It can be cheaper, faster and the buses can be more frequent if you change buses in Budapest, for instance on Eurolines HU/Volanzbus or Orangeways, depending upon your destination in Romania.

• Eurolines AT/Blaguss, [77]. A daily overnight traveling across Romania to Vienna. Bucharest €59/€94rt.  edit
• Eurolines RO, [78]. Extreme arrival times in Vienna (2:45 AM) and departure times depending on origin/destination. Bucharest €124rt.  edit

Slovakia

Bratislava: For information on direct buses from Bratislava Airport see here.

• Blaguss (Bus), [79]. 10 daily busses daily from Bratislava Novy Most and Bratislava Petrzalka. Arrives at Erdberg(Subway U3) in about an hour. €6/€11rt.  edit
• Postbus/Slovak Lines (Bus), [80]. 19 daily buses from Bratislava Petrzalka (Einsteinova ul.) and Bratislava main bus depot to Südtirolerplatz(Subway U1). Intermediate stop at Vienna Airport, some at Erdberg (subway U3). €7.70, €14.30 return.  edit

Nitra, Košice and the rest of Slovakia: There are more frequent buses if you change buses in Bratislava, for instance on SlovakLines.

• eurobus, a. s., [81]. Has frequent buses traveling across Slovakia from their Košice base to across Europe via Vienna. Booking online is possible via their homebuy service albet only in Slovak. This service also is the best overview of buses between Slovakia and Vienna since it includes all scheduals. Nitra €28rt, Košice €42rt.  edit

Turkey

• Varan, Ticket Office: Südtirolerplatz 7, [82]. On Tuesday and Friday to/from Istanbul from Südtirolerplatz bus depot. Istanbul €110/€200rt, Online €104/€190rt.  edit

Ukraine

• Евроклуб (Euroclub), [83]. Arriving sunday from Kiev via Lvov among others returning on monday. Departure and tickets from VIB. Kiev €100/€180rt.

Long-Distance Tours

• Busabout, [84]. Busabout's "northern loop" passes through Vienna every other day during the summer (May-October). from €349.  edit
• Oz-Bus,
  Photos from Vienna, Austria