Travel Information Austria
Coming to Austria
European Union citizens, respectively nationals of member countries of the Schengen Agreement and the European Economic Area (EEA) do not require a visa for a stay up to 90 days. Following Countries are members of the Schengen Agreement and the EU or EEA: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
If your country is not listed above, you will probably need a visa. Please check following website for further information and download application forms: Austrian Foreign Ministry
Money
The currency is Austria is the Euro. Most popular credits are usually accepted in Vienna, although sometimes their use is subject to a minimum purchase amount. You can use your Maestro card (bank ATM card) almost everywhere - especially in shops - even for small amounts.
Cash can be withdrawn with Maestro and credit cards at cash dispensers, which can be found everywhere in the city.
If you need to exchange money, you are best doing this at a bank. Foreign exchange booths sometimes charge high fees, so please check, before you change your money.
Most banks in Vienna are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm, and until 5.30 pm on Thursdays. In the city centre (1st district), almost all banks are open over lunchtime.
Banks
Most banks in Vienna are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm, and until 5.30 pm on Thursdays. In the city centre (1st district), almost all banks are open over lunchtime. Bank Austria is a very gay-friendly bank, taking part in the Rainbow Parade every year. They also have rainbow groups for bank employees.
Most post offices in Vienna are open between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm. Outside of the city centre, many postal counters are closed over lunch.
Post
In general post offices are open on business days plus Saturday until 6 pm, additional opening hours depend largely on where you are. In Vienna and other big cities offer postal services in a few offices even on weekends and holidays. Two post offices are open throughout the day in Vienna:
Postamt Fleischmarkt 19, 1st district
Mon - Fri 7.00 am - 10.00 pm
Sat, Sun and holidays 9.00 am - 10.00 pm
Post Office at the West Train Station
BahnhofCity Wien West, upper level
Europaplatz 3, 15th district
Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 7 pm
Sat. 9 am - 6 pm
Sun. and holidays 9 am - 2 pm
Holidays
Businesses, shops and magistrates, as well as semi-public companies are closed on public holidays. On Sundays and public holidays you can settle your basic needs in supermarkets at the airport or the big train stations. Shops are open on Dec 8 due to our Christmas shopping needs.
- New Years Day (Jan 1)
- Epiphany (Jan 6)
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day (May 1)
- Ascension day (6th Thu after Easter)
- Whit Monday (6th Mon after Easter)
- Corpus Christi (2nd Thu after Whitsuntide)
- Assumption day (Aug 15)
- National Day (Oct 26)
- All Saints Day (Nov 1)
- Immaculate Conception (Dec 8)
- Christmas Day (25 Dec)
- Boxing Day (26 Dec).
Shopping and Opening Hours
Shops are usually open Mon - Fri from 9.00 am - 6.30 pm, Sat until 5.00 pm or 6.00 pm; some shopping centers are open until 8.00 pm or 9.00 from Mon-Fri. Sunday and holiday shopping is possible at the large railway stations, at the airport and in the museum shops. If you really want to shop on Sundays and public holidays, we recommend you to make a trip to Bratislava or Brno on these days, as our dear neighbours don’t know compulsory shop opening hours. Especially the big shopping centers are open from 9 am to 10 pm in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Tipping
In many service areas, such as restaurants, taxis, hairdressers, serviced filling stations, etc., a tip is traditionally given. This is normally 5 to 10 percent, with the exact amount depending on the level of satisfaction with the service provided.
Electricity
Emergeny Numers
If you get in trouble, you probably need to call the poice, the firefighters or an ambulance. Even if your mobile phone has no connection, you can still dial emergency numbers. If you don’t speak German, call the European emergency number 112. We hope, you won’t need it – but better be save than sorry!
The Austrian police has a phone number for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders, namely +43 (0) 1 31310 78 900. In case of harassment or sensitive cases or even complaints and general inquiries you can call this phone number. There is also an organization for gays, lesbians and transgenders in the police, the Gay Cops Austria.
Emergency numbers
- Fire service: 122
- Police: 133
- Ambulance / rescue: tel. 144
- Emergency doctor: tel. 141
- European emergency: tel. 112
- ViennaMed doctor’s hotline for visitors (0-24): tel. +43-1-513 95 95
- Evening and weekend dental service (taped service): tel. +43-1-512 20 78
- Evening and Sunday drugstores (0-24): tel. 1455
The hotline 0800 633 42 46 offers a free initial consultation for medical problems and helps you find suitable measures to take. German, English, Italian, French. http://0800medicine.at/ and www.zakel.at
Breakdown services
- ÖAMTC: 120
- ARBÖ: 123
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am - 6.00 pm, usually without a lunch break, and on Saturday from 8.00 am - 12.00 noon. Outside of these times, a 24-hour drugstore standby service is available throughout the city. Details of the nearest open drugstore are posted at every drugstore. For telephone information call tel. 1455. Most of the pharmacies have English-speaking employees.
Other than in many parts of the world, drugs are not sold in drugstores like DM or BIPA. If you need medication - even prescription-free drugs like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, you are required to buy them at a pharmacy. If you think you might have been infected with an STD, you should always contact a general practioner or go to an ambulance in one of the Viennese hospitals, but if you need quick help, you can talk to the pharmacists freely.
