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Getting around Vienna

Public transport: 

The Vienna Transport Authority, Wiener Linien (tel: (01) 790 9105; www.wienerlinien.at), operates the U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (commuter rail), Strassenbahn (tram) and bus network. After midnight, half-hourly night buses radiate out from Schwedenplatz, Schottentor, and outside the Staatsoper.

Vienna has one of the largest tram networks in the world. The trams are affectionately referred to as 'Bims' - a reference to the "bim-bim" signal-bell.

Tickets are available at Wiener Linien ticket offices and service centres, vending machines and tobacco/newsagent outlets. The Vienna Card (www.wienkarte.at) allows for 72 hours of travel on the U-bahn, trams and buses. Other passes include the 24-hour or 72-hour network pass, the weekly season ticket and the eight-day strip ticket.

Taxis: 

Taxis are equipped with meters. There is also a small calling fee for licensed Radio Taxis (tel: (01) 31300 or 40100 or 60160) and a small surcharge for hailing a taxi from a Taxistandplatz. A tip of 10% or rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.

Driving: 

While pedestrians may appreciate the jumble of tiny streets in the Innerestadt, motorists will find it a nightmare. The area is best avoided and even at night it can be almost impossible to find a parking place on the street. Car parks are often located underneath squares and parking is expensive. Short-term street parking is available in districts one to nine and 20 of Vienna's 23 districts.

Car hire: 

A national driving licence is sufficient for nationals of EU states - other nationalities should obtain an International Driving Permit. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years, although many firms have a surcharge until 25 years. Third-party insurance is mandatory in Austria. Major car hire firms include Avis (tel: (01) 601 870; www.avis.at), Europcar (tel: (01) 714 6717; www.europcar.at) and Hertz (tel: (01) 512 8677; website: www.hertz.at).

Bicycle hire: 

There is a network of well-marked bicycle paths, but riders should take care in the Innerestadt and along major routes. The Rad Weg, a booklet available from bookshops, shows all the cycle routes.

Vienna City Bike (tel: 0810 500 500; www.citybikewien.at) is a collection of 58 bike stands scattered throughout the city. You can pay using a Tourist Card, available from Royal Tours, Herrengasse 1-3, and many hotels (the first hour is free).

Private hire companies are principally located near the banks of the Danube River. These include Pedal Power, Austellungsstrasse 3 (tel: (01) 729 7234; www.pedalpower.at), who can deliver and collect the bikes to your address.

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