Must know stuff if visiting Vienna for the first time
Some essential tips if you are planning your next trip to the Austria capital…
Accommodation
Staying in the city centre in Vienna can get quite expensive so if you are on a budget, I would suggest looking for accommodation closer to the outskirts of the city and use public transport to get around. Vienna is very well connected by public transport. Therefore, there is not a particular area that is too far from the city centre. I stayed in a studio flat close to Schönbrunn Palace, about 25 min from the Ringstrasse and didn’t have any sort of transport issue. Also, if a 25 min ride by U-Bhan can save you tons of money on accommodation then it’s totally worth it.
Transport
Public transport is very affordable in Vienna. To get around the city you can purchase different types of travel cards according to your needs. Each single ticket is valid on metro, bus and trams around the city and prices are 2.40€ for a single ride, 8.00€ for a 24h pass, 14.10€ for a 48h pass, 17.10€ for a 72h pass and 16.20€ for a weekly one. All of these can be easily purchased at U-Bahn stations through ticket machines. Click here for more info
Best way to explore in the city
One of the options will be buying a Vienna City Card that gives you ‘free’ public transport for the validity of the card you choose (24h up to 72h), as well as access to Hop-on Hop-off bus tours. However, getting city cards is not always as convenient as it might look like as it really depends on how many attractions you want to visit. There are some discounts in shops and restaurants as well though, yet if you are on a budget and mostly prefer a quick lunch or takeaway, it won’t be of much use. You can find more info on the Vienna City Card here.
Although, if you are looking for a personal free guide straight on your mobile while visiting the city the ivie app is a great option for those you like planning their trips by themselves. Click here to download.
Some foods to try
1.The Wienerschnitzel
One of the best Wienerschnitzel of the city can be found right inside the Prater at the ‘Schweizerhaus”. However, if you are close to the Naschmarkt you will have plenty of good options there too.
2.The famous Sacher Kuchen
A traditional chocolate and apricot cake that can be found all around the city.
3.The Apple Strudel
When it comes to dessert you can’t go wrong with anything in Austria! However, make sure not to miss the famous Apple Strudel, which I personally liked even more than the Sacher Cake. It can be found in every pastry shop in the city, but if you would like to try your strudel in a Cafe’ where artists and composers from the 19th century enjoy it themselves, then the Central Cafe’ is the right place to go.
Moreover, if breakfast is not included in your stay as in my case, the Ströck Bakery is a good option. You can find them all around the city and they have plenty of different opinions to choose from. Keep in mind it’s a bakery so no American style breakfast in there if that’s what you are looking for.
Best time to visit
Well, it really all depends on what your plans are and what you are looking forward to doing. If you want to pack light and explore the city with nicer weather conditions and less rainy days, then I would definitely suggest you plan your trip to Vienna during late spring, summer or early autumn months (I went mid-September and the weather was still great). However, that doesn’t mean that the city is not worth visiting during the winter either. Even though winters in Austria tend to be generally cold and snowy, the Christmas atmosphere from November to early January in the city is amazing.
Whenever you decide to go though, keep in mind that Sundays in Austria are kind of sacred and plenty of things remain closed through the day so if you are going on a short trip, I would probably recommend you avoid weekends.
A must do in Vienna (especially during the Christmas season)
Vienna is the capital of classical music so booking a ticket for a classical concert in one of the many beautiful churches and palaces of the city is kind of a must! Even though you are not into classical music I believe that this is something that everyone should have in their bucket list, especially while visiting Vienna, but I understand that not everyone might like it. You can book concerts for as little as 30€ and there are plenty of options to choose from. Have a look here.
Happy travel everyone!
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