Vienna at a Glance
Viennese Transportation
Public transport connects you with every point in the city.
Traffic and Public Transportation
It’s not very difficult to lead a comfortable life in Vienna without using (or even owning) a car. The Wiener Linien offer good public transport services, making every part of the city accessible with comparative ease and speed. Subways, for example, run every two minutes during rush hour and all night long during the weekend.
Cyclists are a somewhat rarer sight in Vienna. Many people opt for walking or using public transport. Maybe this preference is due to the steep and hilly streets of Vienna…
Cars and Driving
If using a car is indispensable for your life in Vienna, brace yourself for long commutes due to the busy and often congested main roads. The famous Ringstraße and Gürtel roads have a particular reputation for taking far too long to navigate.
Gas prices in Austria are usually average for European countries, but they might seem quite steep to some expats, especially from the States. Annual tickets for the Wiener Linien are highly recommended to anyone living in Vienna proper.
When using the Autobahn (highway) to get around Austria, keep in mind that the country has imposed a toll on these high-speed roads. In order to use them, you will have to purchase a toll sticker (Vignette). These stickers are valid for ten days, two weeks, or up to one year. The slower, narrower Landstraßen, however, remain free of charge.
International Travel Connections
A swift, uncomplicated arrival in Vienna is an easy task, no matter where you started your journey. Over 180 locations worldwide offer nonstop flights to Vienna Airport, on the outskirts of the city. From there, you have a wide range of options to get into Vienna. A special express train – the CAT - connects the airport with the city center. Buses and the S-Bahn, which both take a little longer, provide more stops in the city and its suburbs. Of course, you can also hail one of the many cabs!
Lots of large European cities are connected to Vienna by high-speed railway services. The Westbahnhof, which is currently being renovated but still in use, is located at one end of Vienna’s busiest shopping street, the Mariahilferstraße. Currently, a new central station is under construction.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Vienna is a little higher than the European average, but still quite affordable. Decent-sized meals in restaurants or Heurige (traditional wine bars) start from only a few Euros, and non-alcoholic beverages are usually priced around 2.50€.
A wide range of supermarkets offer quality products in every price category. Should you be on a tight budget while living in Vienna, or just a connoisseur of fresh produce, a trip to one of the many Turkish or Asian businesses might be worth your while. These family-run shops offer fresh fruit, veggies and bread of oftentimes higher quality than big supermarket chains and at lower prices.
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