Vienna

General information

Vienna (Wien), the capital of Austria, is the elegant former seat of the Habsburg Empire, spread along the Danube in the heart of Central Europe. Grand palaces, monumental museums and the sweeping Ringstrasse boulevard recall its imperial past, while its coffee-house culture, world-famous opera and musical heritage — Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss — keep it thoroughly alive. Consistently ranked among the world's most liveable cities, Vienna is refined, clean and safe, blending classical grandeur with a relaxed pace. German is the language, and English is widely understood in tourist areas.

Transport and how to get there

The gateway is Vienna International Airport (VIE, Schwechat), about 18 km from the centre and linked by the City Airport Train and regular rail in around 15-25 minutes. Vienna is a major rail hub, with fast trains to Prague, Budapest, Salzburg and Munich from its central station. Around the city, an excellent U-Bahn metro, trams and buses run frequently, and the historic centre inside the Ringstrasse is compact and very walkable, with the ring road itself best toured by tram.

Prices

Vienna is mid-to-upper priced for Western Europe but often better value than Paris or Zurich. Expect roughly 90-180 EUR per night for a mid-range hotel, with hostels from about 25 EUR. A casual meal runs around 14-25 EUR, a coffee in a traditional cafe 4-5 EUR (lingering is part of the ritual) and a glass of wine 4-6 EUR. A single transport ticket is about 2.40 EUR and a 24-hour pass around 8 EUR, while palaces such as Schonbrunn cost roughly 20-30 EUR. Prices are approximate and vary by season.

Main attractions

The vast Schonbrunn Palace, the Habsburgs' summer residence, leads the sights with its state rooms and formal gardens, matched in the centre by the sprawling Hofburg complex. The Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral marks the heart of the old town, while the Belvedere palace houses Klimt's golden "The Kiss". Music lovers book the State Opera or a concert, coffee lovers settle into a grand cafe, and everyone should ride the giant Ferris wheel in the Prater park. Add the museum quarter and the Ringstrasse's palatial facades for imperial Vienna at its best.