Vienna City Guide - Getting Around

The Vienna Transport Authority, Wiener Linien (tel: (01) 790 9105; website: www.wienerlinien.co.at), operates the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (commuter rail), Strassenbahn (tram) and bus network. Public transport operates between 0500 and 2400. After midnight, half-hourly night buses radiate out from Schwedenplatz, Schottentor, and outside the Staatsoper.

The U-Bahn system comprises five lines. The U2 follows the Ringstrasse from Karlsplatz to Schottenring. The U4, with its art nouveau stations, completes the ring and leads off into the northern and western suburbs. The east-west U3 and north-south U1 cross in the centre of the Innerestadt (inner town). The U6 is basically a tram on a dedicated track that runs parallel to the Gürtel.

Vienna has one of the largest tram networks in the world. The trams are affectionately referred to as ‘Bims' for the noise they make.

Tickets must be validated upon boarding. There is no additional charge for transfers. There is a fine for passengers who are caught without a valid ticket - on-board inspections are carried out at various times. Tickets are available at Wiener Linien ticket offices and service centres, vending machines and tobacco/newsagent (tabak) outlets.

The Vienna Card (website: www.wienkarte.at) is a pass that allows for 72 hours of travel on the U-bahn, trams and buses (except night buses) and offers discounts on attractions, at many shops and restaurants (see Passes in Sightseeing). Other passes include the 24-hour network pass, the 72-hour network pass, the weekly season ticket, and the eight-day strip ticket, which can be used for two people travelling together. Passes are available from Wiener Linien ticket offices and service centres.

Taxis are equipped with meters. Higher fares are charged for trips between 2300 and 0600, all day Sunday and public holidays - a surcharge for luggage is often levied and these rates are clearly posted inside the taxi.

There is also a small calling fee for licensed Radio Taxis (tel: (01) 31300 or 40100 or 60160) and a small surcharge for hailing a taxi from a Taxistandplatz. A tip of 10% or rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.

While pedestrian tourists may appreciate the jumble of tiny streets in the Innerestadt, motorists will find it a nightmare. The area is best avoided during the day, although even at night it can be almost impossible to find a parking place on the street. Car parks are often located underneath squares and their entrances are fairly subtle. Parking is expensive. Short-term street parking is available in districts one to nine and 20 of Vienna's 23 districts. The designated areas are indicated by a blue line on the road, often only marked at the entrance to the short-term parking zone. Tickets (valid for 30, 60 or 90 minutes) are available at centrally located vending machines and newsagents. Hours and restrictions for these areas vary. Parking is strictly policed and fines are high, especially if the car is towed way. Visitors should note that there are restrictions on parking camper vans anywhere near the city centre. Outside the centre, the Gürtel (Belt) provides a fairly efficient way of getting around the city but can be slow during rush hour, which is 0730-0900 and 1500-1830.

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 usually 21 years, although many firms have a surcharge until 25 years. Third party insurance is mandatory in Austria and those hiring a car should make sure this is covered in the hire contract. A credit card is required.

All the major car hire firms are represented, including Avis, 10, Laaer-Berg-Strasse 43 (tel: (01) 601 870; website: www.avis.at), Budget, Schwechat, Flughafen (tel: (01) 7007 32711; website: www.budget.com), Europcar, 01, Schubertring 9 (tel: (01) 714 6717; website: www.europcar.at), Hertz, 01, Kärntner Ring 17 (tel: (01) 512 8677; website: www.hertz.com), and Sixt, 04, Wiedner Guertel 1A Suedbhf (tel: 0800 202 427 or 0800 1111 7498; website: www.sixt.at). Car hire is also available at the airport and at both Westbahnhof and Südbahnhof stations.

The City of Vienna runs Vienna City Bike (tel: 0810 500 500; website www.citybikewien.at), a collection of 48 bike stands scattered throughout the metropolis. Each stand is stocked with blue and yellow bicycles which can be hired for a number of hours (the first hour is free) - a credit card or a bank card from an Austrian bank is required to rent bikes; just swipe your card in the machine and follow the instructions (in a number of languages). A Tourist Card, which allows tourists to rent bicycles without using a credit card, is available from Royal Tours, 01, Herrengasse 1-3 (tel: (01) 710 4606) for a small fee.

There are a number of private hire companies in the city, principally near the banks of the River Danube, with easy access to the miles of cycle paths along the Danube Island. Pedal Power, 02, Austellungsstrasse 3 (tel: (01) 729 7234; website: www.pedalpower.at), is located just west of the Praterstern U1 underground station. Bicycles are available for hire from March to October only.

Rad und Skaterverleih, Copa Cagrana, Donauinsel (tel: (01) 263 5242; website: www.fahrradverleih.at), is open from March to October and also has children's, tandem and family bikes.

Bicycles may be taken on the U-Bahn for a half-price fare, except during the rush hours. There is a network of well-marked bicycle paths, but riders should take care in the Innerestadt and along major routes. The Wien Tourismus (see Sightseeing) provides brochures on cycling in Vienna. The Rad Weg, a booklet available from bookshops, shows all the cycle routes.