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Destination:

Vienna

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11:47 PM

Vienna

Art and culture are embedded in the soul of Vienna: imperial splendour, world-class museums, opera and classical music heritage. Modernist legacy and a cosmopolitan flair add delicious contrast to the old-world charm. Walk down the parks and grand palace-lined Ringstrasse, experience the centuries-old cafe tradition and admire the astonishing architecture of a buzzing modern capital filled with history.

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St. Stephen's cathedral on Stephansplatz square at sunrise, Vienna
St Stephen’s Cathedral
Stephansplatz 3, District 1, Vienna

The religious and geographical centre of Vienna is St Stephen's Cathedral. The most prominent Gothic masterpiece of the city, with its stunning tiled roof and stone interiors, actually retains many artworks from different periods: the Romanic towers, the Baroque altar and the Renaissance decorations. Book a complete tour of the cathedral, visit the deep catacombs or make your way up the 136-metre (448-foot) tower. When the Pummerin — the largest bell in Austria — rings on New Year’s Eve, it is even broadcast on TV.

Facade of Vienna Staatsoper - Opera House
Vienna State Opera
Wiener Staatsoper, Opernring 2, District 1, Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the most distinguished opera houses in the world. The magnificent building on Ringstrasse was constructed between 1861 and 1869 by August Siccardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll as Hofoperntheater (Court Opera). You can catch a glimpse of what goes on backstage and admire the architectural magnificence of this neo-Renaissance masterpiece with one of the 40-minute guided tours.

Carinthian Street is the most famous shopping street in central Vienna
Kärntner Straße
Kärntner Straße, Vienna

The route along Kärntner Straße, running from the Vienna State Opera to Stephansplatz is the most popular shopping street in Vienna. This high-street mainly hosts big international brands, but on its side streets some shops of local specialities can still be found. Stop by at Steffl department store with its luxury designers and fabulous panoramic lift. Peek & Cloppenburg is another architectural highlight, while the Swarovski store offers a very special shopping experience.

Tower of Stiftskirche Church on Mariahilfer Strasse Street in Vienna
Mariahilfer Straße
Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna

The longest shopping street in Vienna, Mariahilfer starts close to the Ringstraße and goes up until Westbahnhof railway station. In between, department stores, large branches of the European clothing chains, home decor stores and street cafes can be found. There are plenty of small boutiques in the side streets which offer some great, more traditional products.

Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, Schwechat

Vienna’s International Airport is at Schwechat, 20 kilometres from the centre of Vienna. There different options to reach the city: – The city airport train, CAT, takes 16 minutes to the centre and departs from the airport every half hour. – The buses of Vienna Airport Lines link the airport with the main transport hubs in the city. It takes 20 minutes to get to the centre, and departures are every half hour. – The fast train (S7 or REX7 S-Bahn) is the cheapest option and takes 25 minutes to the centre. Trains leave every 30 minutes, with additional services at peak time. – The taxi stand is located just outside of the arrival building. For information about the different taxi companies ask at the City Transfer counter in the arrival hall.

Passport & Visa

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Austria, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

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