Vienna, Austria: Pre-Departure Planning Guide [in progress]

Preparing you for your trip

Event schedule: find your program dates

Pre-departure

• Packing Considerations
• Consider the Season: Vienna has changeable weather. Pack light, breathable fabrics for summer and warm layers for winter. Spring and fall can be mild or cool, so pack clothes that can be layered. A rain jacket should be on the list as well.
• Walking Shoes: Vienna is a walkable city, so comfortable shoes are essential. Opt for closed-toe shoes with good tread for navigating cobblestone streets. We recommend bringing shoes that you have broken in prior to your trip.
• Casual Clothing: The style in Austria is casual so pack with comfort in mind as you will be doing some walking and exploring. Pack pieces that are easier to mix and match, allowing for more outfit combinations with less luggage. Also, for you sun lovers, pack a swimsuit if you’re going during the warmer months. If you plan to attend a classical concert or similar take the opportunity to dress elegantly for their visits.(not mandatory but highly recommended). Head coverings that obstruct the view of other guests are not permitted.
• Luggage: Navigating the streets of Vienna with a large suitcase can be difficult, try to pack as light as possible since you will have the advantage of washing your clothes while you’re here. Also, dry-cleaning is available in the city if you need it.

• Non-Obvious Things to Pack
• Respectful Attire: For visits to churches and religious sites, pack clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. A light scarf can be handy for quick cover-ups.
• Travel Adapter: Austria uses a two-pronged plug(round) different from the US. Pack a travel adapter to charge your electronics. The voltage is 220V.
• Small Umbrella: Rain showers can happen any time. A small, foldable umbrella can be very helpful.
• Medications: Pack an adequate supply of any medications you take regularly. Bring a doctor's note for prescriptions in case you need refills.

Contact information

• Vienna Community Manager: Markus Motalik Tel +43 6991 9421051 or Whatsapp

• Email: markus.tgla@gmail.com

• Hours of Availability
• Our Community Manager is there to support your experience. They will be physically present at community events, and that is a great time to talk to them.
• Outside of community events, the Community Manager is available via Whatsapp from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. As they have families and other obligations, we ask that you respect these hours for regular messages.

• Emergencies
• In the event of an emergency, you may call or text the Community Manager at any time via Whatsapp.

In-country

• You will receive your exact check-in instructions two days before the start of your program. You are responsible for getting to your apartment from the airport.

• If you arrive at the Vienna airport, you have a few options:
• Taxi: Available in front of the arrival hall(no fixed price) or go directly to Taxi 40100 see location at https://www.taxi40100.at/en/airport/. You can also use an `Airportdriver` both offer a similar fixed price (location: https://airportdriver.at/en/location/) or pre-book it at https://airportdriver.at/en/. If you pre-booked an Aiport driver your chauffeur will meet you in the arrival hall, holding a sign with your name on it.
• Metro: C.A.T. (City Airport Train)will take you to Wien - Mitte(Vienna center). From there you can arrange a taxi or change to public transport. (Your Community Manager will give you additional information if needed)
• Bus: There`s a bus (Val 2) from Vienna Airport Lines in front of Terminal 3 driving you to the city center(Morzinplatz/ Schwedenplatz). See timetable at https://www.viennaairportlines.at/en/dam/jcr:8d8c345b-3e00-434a-b430-5c94da8a0583/flyer-fahrplan-viennaairportlines.pdf. From there you can take a taxi or change to public transport. (Your Community Manager will give you further information if needed).

• If you arrive by train you can get a taxi at the train station.

• Once you drop off your luggage at your apartment, you’ll likely never need a taxi again in Vienna, most attractions are in walkable distance or you will have access to the public transport system.

• Public transportation
• Vienna is a walkable city, for longer distances they have a convenient public transit system with metro lines( Ubahn), Streetcars and Buses running throughout the city.
• https://www.wienmobil.at/en/monitor/PT and wienMobil app are the best sources for navigating public transport. It is free and may take a few minutes getting used to, but it will be helpful in Vienna.
• You can purchase a monthly ticket that is valid on all public transport systems in Vienna`s corezone.

• Car rental
• Consider if you really need a car: Vienna is a walkable city with excellent public transportation, so a car might not be necessary. If you plan on exploring the Austrian countryside or nearby towns, then a car becomes more helpful, but buses and trains connect the country quite well.
• Insurance: Rental car insurance can be expensive, so check your existing car insurance and credit card coverage to see if they provide rental car protection in Austria.
• Tolls: Basically all highways in Austria and even small parts of Vienna have tolls. Rental companies often offer toll payment options depending on the lenght of the rent.

• Parking
• Driving in Vienna: Driving in Vienna can be challenging. There are congested roads and limited parking. As Vienna is implementing a new subwayline a a lot of construction is going on. Familiarize yourself with traffic regulations before hitting the road. On crosswalk pedestrians have their right of way and in some streets bicyles are allowed to drive against traffic even in one way streets. Keep your eyes wide open as there are lots of jaywalkers.
• Parking: Parking is tricky in Vienna as from Monday till Saturday lunch time the whole city is a dedicated shortpark zone(max. 2 hours and payable) and a lot of spaces are reserved for residentals only. Therefor you have to rent a garage which can be quite expensive.
• Bikes
• Bikes are a great way to explore the city if you feel comfortable riding in a city environment. Most streets have bike lanes and traffic is aware of cyclists. More information on renting a bike in Vienna with the nextbike app or at https://www.wienerlinien.at/wienmobil/rad. They are widely available and easy to rent. They have to be returned in specifically designated bike parking areas.

• Cash vs. Credit Card: While credit cards are widely accepted in Vienna, it's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash for smaller purchases or emergencies. At restaurants make sure to know if they accept Credit Cards or not before ordering your meal.

• Using your Credit Card: When paying by credit card, the machine may ask if you would like to pay in local currency. The answer is Yes. The next question will be whether you Accept or Reject the conversion rate. Always select “Reject”. This will prevent you from being charged any hidden fees. You will also be asked these questions at most ATMs.

• ATMs are called Bankomat: ATMs in Vienna are called Bankomat. They are widely available throughout Vienna, especially near tourist areas and banks, marked with a green and blue stripe somewhere at the buiding or on the machine.

• Look for Major Banks: Opt for ATMs affiliated with major Austrian banks like Erste Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, UniCredit Bank and Bawag. These might offer better exchange rates and lower fees compared to independent ATM providers.

• Avoid Euronet ATMs: While convenient, Euronet ATMs are known for higher fees and potentially less favorable exchange rates. Try to avoid them if possible.

• Check Fees Before Withdrawing: Always check the ATM screen for any withdrawal fees before you confirm the transaction it is advised to Reject the conversion rate. Your home bank may also charge additional foreign transaction fees.

• Inform Your Bank: Let your bank know you'll be traveling to avoid any issues with using your card abroad, which is important!

• Carry Some Euros: It's always a good idea to carry some euros in cash before you arrive. This will help you cover any immediate expenses in case you have trouble finding an ATM or your card doesn't work.

• Cell phone
• We recommend using Truely eSIM which allows you to easily and cheaply connect to the local cell network wherever you travel - and avoid roaming charges. Truely specifically offers an option that includes all of Europe and the UK, and only costs about $10.  Click here to see how it works. 
• Check with your carrier about international roaming plans and what is included and not included.
• SIM card: If you purchase a prepaid SIM card with an Austrian number(Roaming most of the time not possible!) to present an ID for your SIM card registration. will be neccessary.

• Messaging
• We encourage you to use Whatsapp for text messaging, this is what people in Europe use commonly. You can also use it for making calls on wifi.

• Wi-Fi
• Public wifi: Many cafes, restaurants, and hotels offer free wifi. This is a great option for basic tasks such as email and text messaging.
• Apartment wifi: Your apartment will have high speed wifi that you can use for FaceTime and other messaging apps such as Whatsapp, iMessage, Zoom.
• Download Offline Maps and Apps: Having offline maps and apps like Google Translate downloaded can be helpful if you lose signal or wifi access.

• Local calls
• You may need to call local businesses or people. We recommend that you use Whatsapp to make local calls, and to avoid incurring international calling charges.

• Tipping
• Not Mandatory: In cafes, bars and restaurants tipping is expected but not mandatory. It's seen as a way to show appreciation for exceptional service. The tip should be in cash but sometimes can also be added to your bill on your card.
• Small Gestures: When tipping serving staff, Austrians normally add 5% to 15% to the bill so it’s rounded up to a convenient number.
• Check for Service Charge: Service charges may be added automatically when you`re in a restaurant or bar in Vienna. Double check your bill before deciding whether to tip or not.
  
  

• Restaurant Reservations
• Fine Dining & Popular Spots: For Michelin-starred restaurants or highly-rated establishments, reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner. These places can fill up quickly, particularly during peak tourist season (May-September and Xmas Market season).

• Casual Eateries: Reservations are generally less necessary at casual restaurants. However, if you have a large group (more than 4 people) or are visiting during a busy time (weekends, evenings), it might be helpful to call ahead and secure a table.

• Making Reservations: The most common apps for making reservations are quandoo.at and TheFork, however, many restaurants still take reservations the old fashioned way - with a phone call!

• Many restaurants have websites where you can book a table online.

• Language Study
• You can find a lot of possibilities at https://www.deutschakademie.com/en/ and https://sprachenzentrum.univie.ac.at/en

• Gyms & Yoga
• ClassPass (https://classpass.com/search/vienna/fitness): Buy credits allow you to book at different yoga studios, gyms, pilates studios, & spas. Use them however you like in order to create a personalized fitness and wellness routine.
• If you prefer a gym or yoga in your nearby neighborhood your Community Manager will find some for you.

• Pharmacies
• Many pharmacies have staff that speak some English. Pharmacies in Vienna are called `Apotheke`, marked with a red A on the building.