Getting around Vienna
The Vienna Transport Authority, Wiener Linien (tel: +43 1 790 9100; www.wienerlinien.at), operates the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (commuter rail), Strassenbahn (tram) and bus network. After midnight, half-hourly night buses radiate out from Schwedenplatz, Schottentor, and outside the Staatsoper.
Vienna has one of the largest tram networks in the world. The trams are affectionately referred to as 'Bims' - a reference to the 'bim-bim' signal bell.
Tickets are available at Wiener Linien ticket offices, online store and service centres, vending machines and tobacco/newsagent outlets. The Vienna Card (www.wienkarte.at) allows for 24, 48 or 72 hours of travel on the U-Bahn, trams and buses as well as discounts to attractions.
Taxis are equipped with meters. There is also a small calling fee for licensed taxis such as Taxi 31300 (tel: +43 1 31300; www.taxi31300.at), Taxi 40100 (+43 1 40100; www.taxi40100.at) and 60160 Taxi (+43 1 60160; www.taxi60160.com). They tend to accept common credit and debit cards. A tip of 10% or rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.
While pedestrians may appreciate the jumble of tiny streets in the Innere Stadt, motorists will find it a nightmare. The area is best avoided, and even at night, it can be almost impossible to find a parking place on the street. Car parks are often located underneath squares and parking is expensive. Short-term street parking is available on weekdays from Mon-Fri (0900-2200) in districts 1 to 9 and 20 of Vienna's 23 districts. ‘Park and Ride’ is another option and facilities can be found attached to subway stations.
A national driving licence is sufficient for nationals of EU states - other nationalities should obtain an International Driving Permit. The minimum age for hiring a car is 18-19 years, although many firms have a surcharge until 25 years. Third-party insurance is mandatory in Austria. You are required to carry a warning triangle, reflective jacket and first aid kit in your rental car at all times. Speed limits are normally set at 50 kph (31 mph) in proximity to settlements, 100 kph (62 mph)on country roads and 130 kph (80 mph) on highways.
Major car hire firms include Avis (tel: +43 800 104 407; www.avis.at), Europcar (tel: +43 1 866 1614; www.europcar.at) and Hertz (tel: +43 1 795 32; www.hertz.at).
There's a network of well-marked bicycle paths in Vienna, but riders should take care in the Innere Stadt and along major routes.
The city's bike share scheme, Citybike Vienna (tel: +43 1 7980 777; www.citybikewien.at), has more than 120 bike stands scattered throughout the city. Register for use online or at the Citybike Terminal. You can pay using a credit card or a Citybike Tourist Card, available from Vienna’s main railway station, Hauptbahnhof. The first hour is free.
Private hire companies are principally located near the banks of the Danube River. These include Pedal Power, at Bösendorferstraße 5 (tel: +43 1 729 7234; www.pedalpower.at), who can deliver and collect bikes to your address.
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