ISPS - Travel Information

2007 Meeting of the International Society of Pituitary Surgeons

Travel Information: Vienna

(From Frommer's)

Welcome

City of music, cafes, waltzes, parks, pastries, and wine -- that's Vienna. Vienna is a true cosmopolitan center, where different tribes and nationalities have for centuries fused their cultural identities to produce the intriguing and, often cynical,Viennese.

From the time the Romans selected a Celtic settlement on the Danube River as one of their most important central European forts, "Vindobona," the city we now know as Vienna, has played a vital role in European history. Austria grew up around the city and developed into a mighty empire. The capital became a showplace during the tumultuous reign of the Habsburg dynasty, whose court was a dazzling spectacle.

The face of the city has changed time and again because of war, siege, victory, defeat, the death of an empire and the birth of a republic, foreign occupation, and the passage of time. Fortunately, the Viennese character -- a strict devotion to the good life -- has remained solid.

Music, art, literature, theater, architecture, education, food, and drink are all part of Vienna's allure. Come see the brilliance this city has to offer.

Back to top

Arriving

By Plane -- Vienna International Airport (VIE; tel. 01/70070; english.viennaairport.com) is about 19km (12 miles) southeast of the city center. Austrian Airlines and United Airlines offer nonstop service from New York (JFK), Chicago, and Washington, D.C.; Austrian Airlines and British Airways fly nonstop from London (Heathrow). Other transatlantic airlines connect to Vienna via major European hubs.

The official Vienna Tourist Information Office in the arrival hall of the airport is open daily October through May from 9am to 10pm and June through September from 8:30am to 9pm.

There's regular bus service between the airport and the City Air Terminal, adjacent to the Vienna Hilton and directly across from the Wien Mitte/Landstrasse rail station, where you can easily connect with subway and tramlines. Buses run every 20 minutes from 6:30am to 11:30pm, and hourly from midnight to 5am. The trip takes about 25 minutes and costs 6€ ($7.20) per person. Tickets are sold on the bus and must be purchased with euros. There's also bus service between the airport and two railroad stations, the Westbahnhof and the Südbahnhof, leaving every 30 minutes to an hour. Fares are also 6€ ($7.20).

There's also local train service, Schnellbahn (S-Bahn), between the airport and the Wien Nord and Wien Mitte rail stations. Trains run hourly from 5am to 11:40pm and leave from the basement of the airport. Trip time is 40 to 45 minutes, and the fare is 3€ ($3.60).

By Train -- Vienna has four principal rail stations with frequent connections to all Austrian cities and towns and to all major European centers, from Munich to Milan. Train information for all stations is available at tel. 05/1717.

Westbahnhof, on Europaplatz, is for trains arriving from western Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, and some eastern European countries. It has frequent links to all major Austrian cities, such as Salzburg, a 3-hour ride from Vienna. The Westbahnhof connects with local trains, the U3 and U6 underground lines, and several tram and bus routes.

Südbahnhof, on Südtirolerplatz, handles train arrivals from southern and eastern Austria, Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. It is linked with local rail service and tram and bus routes.

Both of these stations house useful travel agencies (Österreichisches Verkehrsbüro) that provide tourist information and help with hotel reservations. In the Westbahnhof it's in the upper hall; at the Südbahnhof, in the lower hall.

Other stations in Vienna include Franz-Josef Bahnhof, on Franz-Josef-Platz, used mainly by local trains and for connections to Prague and Berlin. You can take the D tramline to the city's Ringstrasse from here. Wien Mitte, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 1, is also a terminus of local trains, plus a depot for trains to the airport and the Czech Republic.

By Bus -- The City Bus Terminal is at the Wien Mitte rail station, Landstrasser Hauptstrasse 1. This is the arrival depot for Post and Bundesbuses from points all over the country, as well as the arrival point for private buses from various European cities. The terminal has lockers, currency-exchange kiosks, and a ticket counter open daily from 6:15am to 6pm. For bus information, call tel. 01/71101 daily from 6:15am to 6pm.

Back to top