Your trip to ViennaUP

It's all coming together now… you've got tickets to your favourite events, sorted your journey and booked a great hotel. But what about the nitty-gritty? We've compiled some helpful information for you to ensure your trip to Vienna goes smoothly, and give you peace of mind when you're here - so you can focus on the festival. 

You do not need a visa if you're from…

… all countries of the European Union, Switzerland, Croatia, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, most of the countries of North and South America, plus some other countries.

Citizens of these countries only need a valid passport to enter Austria. In case of doubt please contact the Austrian Consulate or Embassy or visit Entrance and Residence in Austria – BMEIA well in advance before departure.

The type C visa

Third‑country nationals subject to a passport requirement are generally subject to a visa requirement when entering Austria and throughout the duration of their stay. The Schengen visa C is intended for touristic, business or visiting purposes (without gainful employment) for a maximum stay of 90 days per 180 days. It entitles the holder to enter and reside in the Schengen area.

For more information: Applying for a visa

Important phone numbers

The country telephone code for Austria is +43. 

Fire service: 122

Police: 133

Ambulance / rescue: tel. 144

Emergency doctor: tel. 141

European emergency: tel. 112

ViennaMed doctor's hotline for visitors (0-24): tel. +43-1-513 95 95

Evening and weekend dental service (taped service): tel. +43-1-512 20 78

Evening and Sunday pharmacies (0-24): tel. 1455

Travelling by car?

The Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) and Automobile, Motorcycle, and Cyclist Association of Austria (ARBÖ) are the leading automobile associations in Austria. They offer 24/7 breakdown services, legal advice, and traffic information.

ÖAMTC: 120

ARBÖ: 123

Opening times

Shops are usually open Mon - Fri from 9.00 am - 6.30 pm, Sat until 5.00 pm or 6.00 pm; some shopping centers are open until 8.00 pm or 9.00 from Mon-Fri. Out of bread on a Sunday? Shops in large railway stations and the airport are open on Sundays and holidays.

Money

The currency of Austria is the euro. You can also pay by card for your purchases in almost all shops and restaurant without problem, although sometimes this is subject to a minimum purchase amount. It's always safe to have some cash on hand, though. You can withdraw cash with Maestro and credit cards at cash dispensers, which can be found everywhere in the city. If you need to exchange money, it's best to do this at a bank. Foreign exchange booths sometimes charge high fees, so please check before you change your money. In many service areas, such as restaurants, taxis, hairdressers, serviced filling stations, etc., a tip is traditionally given. This is normally 5-10%, with the exact amount depending on the level of satisfaction with the service provided. Be sure to take a look at the bill and if the tip is already included, don't pay it again.

The underground trains (U-Bahn) run from about 5.00 am in the morning to about midnight, but trams and buses usually stop running earlier. The underground trains run around the clock on Friday and Saturday and on the eve of public holidays. Night buses run every night along the city's most important routes. Prefer to feel the breeze on your face as you speed from one ViennaUP event to the next? Rent a bike and make use of the city's excellent cycle path network. Tickets are available to buy online, over the WienMobil App, or in U-Bahn stations. 

To plan a route, buy tickets, or check disruptions, head over to the Wiener Linien website. 

If you or someone you're travelling with has accessibility requirements, check out this helpful page: Barrier-free through Vienna - vienna.info

Speaking of public holidays, May is a month with quite a few. Friday 1^st May, Thursday 14^th May, and Monday 25^th May are all public holidays in Austria. If you're planning to arrive in Vienna a little earlier for ViennaUP or stick around for a few days after, it's worth bearing these in mind and plan shopping and travel accordingly!

Pharmacies are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am - 6.00 pm, usually without a lunch break, and on Saturday from 8.00 am - 12.00 noon. Outside of these times, a 24-hour pharmacy standby service is available throughout the city. Details of the nearest open pharmcacy are posted at every pharmacy. For telephone information call tel. 1450.

To make navigating around Vienna a delightful spring breeze - and get the most out of this amazing city - here are a few apps to download.

ivie - This is your digital city guide, and the perfect companion through Vienna. Important information, secret tips, anecdotes – all combined in a single app. It has a ‘Walks and Guides’ feature, which offers practical suggestions for fascinating walking tours through Vienna.

WienMobil - Get from A to B quickly with the official Wiener Linien public transport app for Vienna. Buy tickets and plan your route seamlessly. 

ÖBB App - This app helps you book tickets for routes throughout Austria. 

ÖBB Scotty - With ÖBB Scotty, you can access schedule information for any type of public transport at any time to plan your route.