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Vienna is conveniently located on the rail lines between Venice, Budapest, and Prague, the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe.
Vienna stands at the heart of Europe, smack on the intersection between the East and West. Conquerors--Celts, Romans, Babenbergs, and finally the Hapsburgs--have all left their marks. Now Vienna is the sole EU capital with a UN headquarters.
Viennese architecture tends toward the massive. You feel quite small walking the city center as monumental buildings brood over you, and many visitors have reported a coldness to Vienna that they can't really put a finger on.
But there is a warmth to Vienna as well. Coffee shops buzz with life, trams full of people clatter along, crisscrossing the city in abundance.
Getting to Vienna from the Airport
The Cat Train gets you to the airport from the main "Wien-Mitte" Railway station in 16 minutes. Trains leave every half hour. There is a discount when you use a Vienna card.
Getting Around Vienna
The extensive underground, tram, and bus system is all you need. A Vienna Card will set you back €18.50 (check current prices) and can be purchased at your Vienna hotel, a tourist information office or at Vienna Transport sales counters.
A Vienna Card provides:
* Unlimited free travel by underground, bus (excluding night buses) and tram for 72 hours
* Vienna Airport Lines - shuttle bus from the airport to the city center at reduced prices.
* Reduction or benefits at 170 museums and sights, theaters, concerts, shops, restaurants, cafés and Heurigen (wine taverns).
Other transportation options include a 24 hour transportation ticket for €5 and 72 hour ticket for €12. A single ticket costs €1.50.
Trams 1 and 2 make a loop around the historic core of Vienna. If you're tired or it's raining and you want a cheap unguided tour, just ride one of these trams (they're both on the same route, they just go in opposite directions around the loop.)
You can also buy Vienna 24 and 72 hour public transportation tickets from vending machines around Vienna, covering tram, bus and U-Bahn fares. They offer a good deal if you intend to use public transportation several times on your stay. Remember to validate your ticket using the blue machines on the trams or busses. |
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