Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

406 CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE

Practical & Travel Information

Vienna is well equipped for both winter and summer
tourism. The public transport system is clean, efficient
and easy to use and banking and currency exchange
facilities are widely available in the city. The official
language is German but English is widely spoken
throughout the city.

VISITOR

INFORMATION

Jugendinformation

Wien

http://www.infoup.at

Österreich

Werbung

http://www.austriatourism.com

Wiener

Tourismusverband

http://www.wien.info

EMBASSIES

Australia

Tel (01) 506 740. http://www.

australian-embassy.at

Canada

Tel (01) 531 383 000.

http://www.kanada.at

United Kingdom

Tel (01) 716 130.

http://www.britishembassy.at

United States

Tel (01) 313 39.

http://www.usembassy.at

EMERGENCY

NUMBERS

Ambulance

Tel 144.

Fire

Tel 122.

Police

Tel 133.

COMMUNICATIONS

Telekom Austria

http://www.telekom.at

ARRIVING BY AIR

Austrian Airlines

http://www.aua.com

British Airways

http://www.britishairways.com

Delta Airlines

http://www.delta.com

Lauda Air

http://www.laudaair.com

RyanAir

http://www.ryanair.com

Schwechat

International

Airport

http://www.viennaairport.com

RAIL TRAVEL

Rail Enquiry

http://www.oebb.at

ARRIVING BY

COACH

Busterminal Erdberg

Erdbergstrasse 200A.

Eurolines

http://www.eurolines.com

DIRECTORY

VISITOR INFORMATION

Austria has a wide network of
local tourist offices. In Vienna,
the Wiener Tourismusverband
(Vienna Tourist Board) is very
help ful, especially with regard
to forth coming events and
book ing accommodation.
Visitors can also plan their
trip to Vienna by contacting
travel agencies or the repre-
sen ta tives of Österreich
Werbung (the Austrian
National Tourist Office) in
their native country. For
information on cheap accom-
modation, youth hostels
and tickets for concerts,
the multi lingual staff at
Jugendinformation Wien
(Vienna Youth Information
Office) can provide assis tance
and leaflets.

HEALTH AND SECURITY

Hospitals in Vienna are of a

high standard. In case of

medi cal emergencies, visitors

should call an ambulance or

the local doctor on call. For

minor ail ments or injuries, it is

best to go to a pharmacy. All

phar macies are marked with a

dis tinc tive red “A” sign, and

when closed, display the add-

ress of the nearest open one.

Although visitors are unlikely

to encounter any violence in

Vienna, it is always advisable

to be cautious when out

walk ing. The police and emer-

gency services are easy to

contact if the need arises.

DOCUMENTATION

Citizens of the US, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand
need just a passport to visit
Vienna. No visa is required
for visitors who intend to stay
for three months or less. Most
European Union (EU) citizens
require only a valid identity
card to enter the country.

ARRIVING BY AIR

Vienna’s Schwechat

International Airport is 19 km

(12 miles) from the city

centre. There are direct flights

from the United States on

COMMUNICATIONS

The telecommunications

network in Vienna is run by

Telekom Austria. Calls are

among the most expen sive in

Europe. Public phones are

coin- or card-operated and

visitors can buy phone cards

from post offices and news-

agents. The postal ser vice in

the city is very reliable and

post offices are open Monday

to Friday between 8am and

noon and 2 and 6pm.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

The official currency of

Austria is the euro. Banks are

the best place to change

money and are open Monday

to Friday from 8am to 12:30pm

and from 1:30 to 3pm. Some,

generally those at main train

stations and airports, stay

open longer and do not close

for lunch. Major credit cards

are accepted at large stores,

hotels and rest aurants, but

visitors are advised to carry

FACILITIES FOR

THE DISABLED

Public awareness of the

needs of the disabled is

growing in Austria. Wiener

Tourismusverband has a good

online information service

with details of wheelchair

access points at tourist sights,

hotels and public toilets.

some cash as well. However,

travel ler’s cheques are the

safest way to carry large

sums of money and can be

exchanged in most banks

in Vienna. Bankomats or

ATMs are found everywhere

in the city, even railway

stations and airports; most

are closed after midnight.