Flight to Vienna (VIE)

Flying to Vienna: tips and information for your trip

The Austrian capital of Vienna has been voted one of the world’s most liveable cities and is nicknamed the “City of Music”, as it was once the home of Mozart and Beethoven. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning medieval and Baroque architecture, including St Steven’s Cathedral and the Belvedere Palace. It was also the setting for some 19^th-century firsts, as the birthplace of Art Nouveau, Gustav Klimt and one-time home to Sigmund Freud. An ideal city break destination, it has dozens of museums and art galleries, top-class restaurants, lively nightlife and hundreds of concerts and cultural shows throughout the year. Book your getaway to Vienna now with Brussels Airlines.

What to do in Vienna?

1. Visit the Secession building and take in the wonders of Art Nouveau, including the quirkily nicknamed “golden cabbage” dome and Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven frieze.
   
   
2. Sample local food whilst people-watching at the Naschmarkt, one of the most famous food markets in Austria.
   
   
3. Visit Mozart’s apartment: Mozart’s apartment at Mozarthaus is the only one of his many homes that has survived. The museum explores his life and music and is great for kids, with free audio guides and information designed especially for children.
   
   
4. Schönbrunn Palace and Park. Originally the summer residence of the Habsburgs and built in the late 17^th century, Schönbrunn is one of the most beautiful Baroque residences in Europe. It boasts an incredible 1,441 rooms. The park houses the world’s oldest continuously operating zoo.
5. Visit the Beethoven museum. Opened in November 2017, the museum traces the last 35 years of the composer’s life living in the city. It includes one of the apartments he lived in.
   
   
6. Vienna State Opera house: For 150 years the stage of the Opera house has been world-famous. Currently, the programme consists of more than 60 opera and ballet works, with performances on over 300 days throughout the year.
   
   
7. Vienna Prater public park really has something for everybody. The amusement park section has a famous Ferris wheel, roller coasters and a ghost train, as well as a ton of restaurants and cafés. The Green Prater, an expansive green area with meadows and a forest, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
   
   
8. Take in the Imperial splendour: There are 6 museums dedicated to Imperial collections, with the Imperial Carriage Museum and Imperial Treasury being firm favourites. Not to mention the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace and the Belvedere, which is now home to some of Austria’s most famous art, including Klimt’s “The Kiss”.
   
   
9. Vienna at Christmas is a yuletide wonderland with numerous Christmas and New year’s markets open throughout the city. A great place for a December city break with ample opportunity to pick up some special presents or decorations.

Practical info

• Brussels Airlines operates flights into Vienna International Airport, located 18 km south-east of the city. The fastest way to get to the city centre is the city airport train, which takes only 16 minutes. There are also buses and taxis, as well as Uber.
  
• Currency: Euro. Payment by cash or credit card is common throughout the city.
• Country dialling code and Wi-Fi access: The country code for Austria is +43. There are a number of free Wi-Fi hotspots in the city and free Wi-Fi in the airport.
• Electric sockets: There are two plug types used in Austria, types C and F (2 round pins). The electrical supply operates on a 230 V and 50 Hz system.
• Travel information: As part of the Schengen area, most EU/EEA citizens do not require a passport or visa to visit Austria. Citizens from other countries will need a valid passport and may require a Schengen visa.

Dos and Don’ts in Vienna

• Follow the rules. On public transport, let departing passengers get off before you get on, and make sure you observe seating signs reserved for the blind, elderly and pregnant passengers. Also, when in public parks, be aware of signs telling you to keep off the grass.
• Dress up. You’ll notice the locals like to dress smart during the day and it’s particularly important to be elegantly dressed for night-time concerts, the opera or formal dining.
• Tip service staff after your meal – generally by rounding up the bill to the nearest euro, no more than 10%. Ask for the bill when you are ready, as it will not automatically be brought to you when you finish eating.
• Visit the Naschmarkt flea market on Saturdays – a great place to find unique souvenirs or gifts for family and friends.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Most people speak English in the city centre, especially in establishments dealing with tourists. Here are a few essential phrases to help you fit in with the locals:

• Hello: Hallo
• Goodbye: Tschüss
• Excuse me: Entschuldigung
• Please: Bitte
• Thank you: Danke
• Where is the bathroom?: Wo ist die Toilette?
• To order a beer: Ich hätte gerne ein Bier, bitte
• Do you speak English?: Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Cultural events

• New Year’s concert. An annual event with classical music performed by the Vienna Philharmonic.
• Summer concerts at the Mozarthaus: In July and August you can hear the music composed by Mozart in the house where he lived.
• Ball season. Ball season runs from January to February. It is grand and romantic, with formal evening dress and glamorous couples dancing to the Viennese waltz or nibbling on decadent pastries.
• Folk dancing, food and beer at Vienna’s Oktoberfest, generally held the first week of October.

When to go to Vienna?

The weather in Vienna is mild and pleasant, particularly from April to October. July and August are peak season for tourists with warm sunny weather and temperatures around 25-30 ºC. Despite the cold and chance of snow, with temperatures averaging 1ºC, Vienna is also a great place to visit in winter. You’ll find Christmas markets to explore and plenty of places to indulge in a warming hot chocolate or coffee.

What to eat in Vienna?

Local traditional treats you should try include:

• Schnitzel, also famously known as Weinerschnitzel: One of Vienna’s most famous specialities. Thin slices of veal that have been breaded and pan-fried. Portions tend to be generous, so bring your appetite.
• Apfelstrudel: apple strudel, which you’ll find almost everywhere, served warm with cream.
• Einspänner: There are so many coffee specialities in Vienna, but this double espresso topped with whipped cream is a go-to option.
• Sausages from a sausage stand – try a Riesen hot dog with a Käsekreiner sausage (stuffed with cheese).
• Sachertorte: invented by Franz Sacher, in Vienna in 1832, it’s one of the most famous desserts to come out of Austria. Rich, dark chocolate cake with a thin layer of apricot jam, topped with chocolate icing.
• Schnapps: Ubiquitous all over Austria, there’s even a Schnapps museum in Vienna. Try the pear or apricot flavour as an aperitif or after dinner digestif.