Vienna, Austria is well known as an amazing travel destination, and for good reason. It was once home to Beethoven and Mozart and is a cultural hub for the arts in Europe and when you’re walking around Vienna, it will make you feel like you’re walking around a fairytale with gorgeous buildings around every corner (I’m not exaggerating!).
If you’re planning a trip to Vienna I’m excited to share everything you need to know with my Vienna travel guide! I’m sharing information you need to know before your trip such as the local currency, language, where to stay, what to do, and more!
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Quick Facts About Vienna
Table of Contents
Currency
The local currency in Vienna is the Euro.
Language
the local language spoken in Vienna is German. However, within the city, most people speak English and you can get by without knowing German.
The Best Time to Visit
Spring – From April to May the weather is starting to warm up and everything is starting to bloom. During this time it will start to get busier with tourists but in my opinion is probably the best time to visit to make the most of the nice weather and smaller crowds.
Summer – From June to August the weather will be warm and the city often hosts a variety of outdoor festivals and concerts you can attend. This is also peak tourism season and is when the city will be the busiest and hotels are likely to be more expensive.
Fall – From September to October the weather will start to cool down and you’ll likely be wanting to do things that are indoors instead of outside all day. There will also be fewer tourists during this season.
Winter – From November to early January the weather will be cold but you will also experience the famous Christmas Markets. There will be more tourists in town for the Christmas Markets but if you’re looking for a cozy vacation this is a perfect time to go!
Getting Around the City
Getting around the city is pretty easy. The city itself is pretty walkable and a lot of the tourist attractions and landmarks are not too far from each other. You can also call an Uber or hail a cab. There are bike rentals but not through Lime, if you have the Uber app you can rent scooters on the app. You can also take the tram or a local bus to get around as well.
Local Etiquette
In Vienna, politness is expected. Some phrases you can use in German that are polite are “Bitte” which means please, “Danke” which means thank you, and “Auf Wiedersehen” which means goodbye. You also want to be mindful that you’re not being super loud and shouting when out and about or using public transportation. Also, don’t litter. The streets are very clean and there are trash cans everywhere, so like in your own city, you shouldn’t be littering.
Tipping
Like most European countries, tipping is not required but it is appreciated. You don’t have to tip but if you really enjoyed your meal and/or service you can add a 5%-10% tip to your bill. Sometimes you are given the option when paying otherwise you can ask your server to add a few Euros to the bill for a tip and they’ll change the total amount for you. If you are paying a tip with cash don’t leave it on the table, hand it to your server directly. If your bill has a “service charge” on it, that is the tip, don’t tip extra on top of that.
How to Get to Vienna
By Airplane
If you want to fly to Vienna, you’ll fly into the Vienna International Airport (VIE). It’s located about 20 minutes from the city center. To get to the city center from the airport you can take the City Airport Train (CAT) or the Regular S-Bahn (S7). The S-Bahn is a regular commuter train and will be cheaper but also will take longer than the airport train. Or you could take a taxi or Uber from the airport.
By Train
If you’re coming from a nearby country such as Prague, Budapest, Salzburg, or Munich, you can take a high-speed train to the main station in Vienna called the Wien Hauptbahnhof. This is what we did when we went to Vienna, we took the train from Munich into Vienna and then grabbed an Uber to our hotel.
By Bus
If you are already in Europe and coming from a nearby country and are on a budget, then the bus is a good option for you. It takes longer than the train but is also cheaper. The bus will likely arrive at Vienna International Bus Terminal (VIB) or Erdberg Station.
Where to Stay in Vienna
The best neighborhoods in Vienna to stay in are the Innere Stadt (1st District), Leopoldstadt, and the Neubau.
Inner Stadt (1st District)
We stayed in the Innere Stadt (1st District) and found it very central to everything we wanted to do and could easily get to the main attractions and landmarks by walking from our hotel. The area was also very clean, and quiet, and felt very safe.
We stayed at the Vienna Hilton Plaza and really liked this hotel, I definitely recommend it.
Leopoldstadt
The Leopoldstadt neighborhood is located just across the Danube Canal from the city center. It’s very central but it is also known as being a laid-back neighborhood. This is a great option for families who want to be close to everything but also in an area that is more quiet and relaxed.
Neubau
The Neubau neighborhood is located west of the city center and is near the main shopping street, Mariahilfer Straße. It’s known as an artsy neighborhood where you’ll find independent galleries, the Museum of Modern Art, and hip new cafes and coffee shops. This is a great option for younger people.
Top Things to Do in Vienna
Check Out The Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches is an art museum that is well known for its decadent decor and charm. There are a number of exhibits that are always changing and always really well curated. This museum is absolutely extravagant and something you should do when you visit. If art isn’t you’re thing you can also visit the Natural History Museum directly across from the Kunsthistorisches.
Visit Hofburg Palace
Located in the city center of Vienna, the Hofburg Palace was once the home of the Habsburg royal family and was first built in the 13th century. Currently, the president of Austria lives and works in the palace.
You can walk around the courtyards and admire the extravagant details of the building for free. Or if you want to see the inside you can pay for a guided tour or go to one of the museums within the building.
Explore the Votivkirche
The Voltivkirche is one of the many iconic buildings in Vienna. The church is incredibly detailed and ornate in its architecture. This is one landmark you should visit when in Vienna!
Click here to read: Top Things To Do in Vienna
Where to Eat & Drink
Cafe in Kunsthistorisches
If you’re looking for brunch or just coffee and a cake, this is one spot you should visit. Located within the Kunsthistorisches museum is this extravagant cafe. The cake is delicious and you’ll feel like royalty sitting in this cafe. You should book a reservation ahead of time and you will also need tickets to enter the museum.
Gerstner K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker
This bakery has two levels of restaurant seating upstairs and the dining rooms are immaculate. From their menu, you can pick from a range of pastries, alcoholic drinks, coffees, etc. to indulge in and everything is made in-house. I had the chocolate cake and an Aperol spritz and was quite happy. This cafe really captures the beautiful and intricate decor you see on the buildings around Vienna and you’ll love grabbing a meal here.
Cafe Eiles
Located not too far from the Rathaus or Kunsthistorisches, this cafe is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat. Their food is fresh and made in-house, they also have a large selection of different types of juices they make themselves on the menu.
Lugeck
This restaurant serves delicious Viennese food and is located in the city center. I recommend booking a reservation ahead of time. If you want traditional Austrian food such as schnitzel or goulash, this is a great spot to go to!
Wrapping Up
From beautiful architecture and museums to decedent cakes and cafes, Vienna is a spot that is well worth visiting. Personally, it was one of my favorite cities that I’ve been to and is very unique. I hope this Vienna travel guide has been helpful in planning your trip, happy travels!
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