About Vienna

Banks & Credit Card

Banks are usually open from 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 (weekdays), and 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:30 (Thursday) and are closed during the weekends. There are ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) in the ACV and all over Vienna. Currency exchange offices can be found at the airport, at the main train station and along the main streets of Vienna.

Bicycle System

The city offers an environment-friendly bike system to both locals and visitors. Bikes can be hired at over 185 bike stations across Vienna. They can be returned to any empty bike box at any station. You need a one-time online registration.

Payment is by Visa/Mastercard, direct debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal. Billing is by the half hour. The standard tariff is €0.60 per 30 minutes.

Further information can be found here.

Churches, Synagogues, Mosques

Although Vienna (like the rest of Austria) is mostly Catholic, different religions are practised by many citizens. Catholic and Protestant churches, as well as Synagogue and Mosque services, are available. Please contact your hotel concierge for current times of services or nearby houses of prayer.

City of Vienna

Vienna reclaimed its number one place again as the most livable city in the world in 2022. With a splendid cultural and imperial background, the city is crowded with museums, cafés and historical buildings. There are many pedestrian areas and parks, as well as a vibrant nightlife. Tourist information is easy to find at www.wien.info/en.

City Tax

The current city tax is 3.2% on net accommodation costs. Per law, all hotels must display this amount (either at reception or on the invoice). All advertised prices include all taxes.

Climate

The daytime temperatures around mid-September range between 12°–21° Celsius. Rainy and windy days might often occur during this month.

Currency

The official currency in Austria is Euro (€). You can exchange your currency without any limits for the total amount at all banks as well as many exchange offices in Vienna. When exchanging your currency, you need your passport or official ID card. If you do not have it with you, the bank may refuse to exchange your currency.

Electricity

The power supply in Austria is 220/240 V. Most electric outlets adhere to the continental standard (Schuko). Appliances from North America require a transformer, and British ones require an adaptor for the two-pin sockets used in Austria.

Restaurants & Nightlife

There is a large choice of restaurants in Vienna, offering various kinds of local or international dishes. Downtown restaurants normally open for lunch from 11:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 19:30 to 23:00. Cafés and breakfast bars may already open at 08:00, some even earlier. Fast food, kebab, and takeaway pizza stalls usually serve food all day long, and some of them stay open until midnight. Bars, nightclubs and discotheques usually open from 22:00 to 04:00. Wineries in Grinzing usually open from 16:00 onwards.

Please make sure to check the current covid regulations.

Safety Tips / Pick-pockets

In general, Vienna is a very safe city. Vienna’s reputation reflects the country at large: according to the 2022 Global Peace Index, Austria was ranked the fifth most peaceful country in the world. Nevertheless – as in each tourist hotspot – simply carry your wallets in closed/zipped bags and keep an eye on your bag when standing/walking in crowded areas, packed metro stations or buses, etc.

Shopping

Vienna is an ideal destination to shop for various items catering to everybody’s tastes and wishes. Shops and department stores are generally open Monday through Friday, 9:00 hours to 18:00 hours, some until 19:00 hours, and Saturdays 9:00 hours -17:00 hours. In shopping malls and shopping streets, shops are open on Thursdays until 21:00 hours and on Saturdays until 18:00 hours. Only most souvenir shops are open on Sunday. Flea markets, e.g. Naschmarkt, are open every Saturday morning. The closest shopping mall towards the congress centre is “Donauzentrum”. It is two stops with the metro line U1 away from the congress centre. The station is “Kagran”.

Please make sure to check the current COVID regulations.

Taxes & Tipping

VAT is always included in the price presented to the customers/guests in shops, hotels, restaurants and other service providers. Non-EU citizens can directly claim back their VAT at the shops (excluding restaurants, hotels and other food). Please ask the shops for more information. A service charge is not always automatically included in hotel and restaurant bills, and it will be stated on the bill or on the menu. Tipping is not mandatory, but a small gratuity (5–10%) is expected in restaurants or taxis if good service is received.

Taxis

Taxis are not the most affordable alternative to public transportation. A 20-kilometre journey will cost about € 15.00, depending on the traffic. It is not recommended to use taxis in the inner city as many streets are pedestrian areas and the traffic is quite high. The rates will be shown on the meter next to the driver. The minimum rate for a taxi is approx. € 3,40, afterwards it is 0,80€ per kilometre. Night rides start at € 4.30. Afterwards, it is €0,88 per kilometer
Possible taxi numbers are +43 1 40100 or +43 1 31300.

Time Zone

Vienna is located in the Central European Time Zone (CEST), e.g. one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+1).

Visa

All foreign visitors entering Austria must possess valid passports. For citizens from the European Union Member countries, a valid identity card is sufficient.
PLEASE CHECK THE CURRENT VISA REQUIREMENTS WITH THE NEAREST AUSTRIAN CONSULATE/EMBASSY IN YOUR COUNTRY BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE TO AUSTRIA!
All registered congress participants with a completed registration can download a visa invitation letter within their myEANM-Area!