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Getting Around By Air
Vienna is connected to Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg by Austrian Airlines (www.aua.com).
Getting Around by Water
A number of operators run cruises along the Danube, and from Switzerland (Bregenz) across Lake Constance. On some cruises, a passport is needed; they last from one to eight days depending on the itinerary. These services run between spring and autumn.
Ferries: There are regular passenger boat services from mid-May to mid-September along the Danube and on Austria's lakes. The Danube steamer services are run by DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt (tel: (1) 588 800; www.ddsg-blue-danube.at) and private companies. Getting Around by Rail
Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (Austrian Federal Railways) (tel: (1) 930 000; www.oebb.at) runs an efficient internal service, with 5,700km (3,540 miles) of track throughout Austria. There is a frequent intercity service from Vienna to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt, and regular motorrail services through the Tauern Tunnel. For bookings from the UK, contact Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) (tel: 0870 243 5363, in the UK only; www.bahn.co.uk); or Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk). Tickets can be obtained from any station ticket office (Reisebüro am Bahnhof) or from most Austrian travel agents.
Discount fares: Throughout Austria, up to two children under six years who are accompanied or require no seat travel free and a third child qualifies for a 50% discount. Children aged six to 15 pay half fare. Rail Passes
Vorteilscard: offers a 45% discount on rail travel within a one-year period. This ID card can be purchased at all Austrian railway stations.
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Austria. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail). Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Austria has an excellent network of roads.
Bus/coach: Services are run by federal and local authorities, as well as private companies. Some 70 international coach services travel to or through Austria. For further information, contact Central Bus Information (tel: (1) 794 440; www.postbus.at). Coach excursions and sightseeing tours run from most major cities. Car hire: There are car hire firms with offices in most cities, as well as at airports and major railway stations. Regulations: Tolls must be paid on all Austrian motorways and 'S' roads. Tourists can purchase either 10-day, two-month or one-year discs which are available at all major border crossings, newsagents, petrol stations, automobile clubs, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, and at post offices. Cars must be driven with lights throughout the year. Seat belts must be worn and children under the age of 12 and under 150cm (4ft 11in) tall may not sit in the front seat unless a special child's seat has been fitted. All cars must have a first-aid kit and a warning triangle. All motorists must also carry high-visibility waistcoats and wear them whenever outside their vehicle on an Austrian roads. Both driver and passenger on a motorcycle must wear helmets, and the vehicle must have lights on at all times. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 100kph (62mph) outside built-up areas and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. The minimum legal age for driving is 18. Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 120 or 123. Documentation: National driving licences issued by EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are accepted, and enable holders to drive in Austria for up to one year. UK licences without a photo must be accompanied by some form of photo ID such as a passport. Car registration papers issued in the UK are also valid in Austria. A Green Card is recommended. Getting Around Towns and Cities
Vienna has an extensive system of metro, bus, light rail and tramway services. Most routes have a flat fare, and there are pre-purchase multi-journey tickets and passes. The Vienna Card (www.wienkarte.at) entitles visitors to 72 hours of unlimited travel by underground, bus and tram within four days. It also entitles the holder to reductions at several museums and other tourist attractions in the city, as well as shops, cafes and wine taverns. The classic way to travel round the capital is by horse-drawn carriage (Fiaker); fares should be agreed in advance.
There are bus systems in all the other main towns, and also tramways in Linz, Innsbruck and Graz, and trolleybuses in Linz, Innsbruck and Salzburg. Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Vienna to other major cities/towns in Austria.
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