Vienna - what to do?, where to stay?
 

In a month and a half, I will go to India, via Vienna, and stay there 48 hours - arriving shortly after noon, and literally leaving 2 days later, almost 48 hours, to the minute.

I have a few questions.

Where should I stay? I prefer a 5 star chain hotel, with (in relative terms) economical rate. I am a Hilton Gold member. I may, through my new AMEX (Canada) Platinum card, may also get Starwood Gold membership status, and Fairmont Gold membership status.

What is the best way to see the city, without a rental car, or without resorting to taxis? Is there a autoloop bus routes, with on and off privileges.

What are the main attractions to see? How far are the Alps?

Hilton has three hotels in Vienna. Two are downtown, but only the Vienna Plaza is open currently, the Hilton Vienna is under renovations. The Hilton Danube is located on the other side of the river just past the Prater and is only a short tram-ride to the city center. It is not as fancy as the Hilton Vienna Plaza, but it tends to cost much less, so it may be worth considering if you are on a tight budget.

FOr more information on what to do and see, etc., check here:

www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum33/HTML/000483.html

Have a great trip, Vienna is a wonderful city.

Stayed at the Vienna Plaza Hilton in October, as a gold. Had an upgrade to a fantastic executive suite - one of the nicest rooms in which I've stayed. Only about a 10 minute walk from the pedestrian mall, St. Stephens Cathedral, Hotel Sacher, etc. etc.

I will be staying at the Vienna Plaza Hilton. I will be arriving from Canada on OS, at about 9 AM. I will request an early check-in.

I will be alone. I will have several pieces of checked luggage/baggage.

What is the most convenient way of getting from the airport, to the hotel - in terms of least time-consuming method, and in terms of least costly method?

I may easily have 4 pieces of checked luggage (for my onward trip to India); if I keep the luggage, it will impact my transportation options. Is there a luggage storage area at the Vienna airport?

The "Left Luggage" facility is on the arrivals level, next to the police station. When you exit customs, turn left and look for the general area of the rental car desks.

Fastest public transportation is via the CAT train, next fastest is the express bus - both of these go to the Mitte station, from where you can transfer to the local subway/tram system. You can also catch the subway (S-bahn) right at the airport - this is a better bargain but not as fast.

This site provides more information:

http://english.viennaairport.com/bbpp.html







[This message has been edited by Non-NonRev (edited Feb 21, 2004).]

If u want 5 Star and old Austrian atmosphere stay at the Imperial Hotel.

Any thoughts on the Hotel Konig von Ungarn Vienna?

http://www.kvu.at/e/starte.html

My wife and I will be there later this year.

I'm told it is where Mozart composed "Le Nozze di Figaro",

Mozart was poor at the time. The hotel is fine, but it isn't in the top tier of hotels in Vienna.

Vienna has a good subway system, and I believe that is the best way to get around. That's what I did this summer. It can be supplemented with taxis if you're going off the beaten path, or don't like to walk. Having only 48 hours, you're quite limited. I'd go to the Stephansdom and wander around there a bit, then go to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which has an Old Master painting collection the equal of any. That will pretty much eat up all your time! If you don't like that much art, you could go out to Schoenbrunn Palace. I went to the Torture Museum, which was campy and fun. It's in an old WWII bunker, and they have it rigged with sound so you can pretend you're undergoing a bomb raid. Two attractions for the price of one!

Learn some German if you don't know any. Your hotel people will speak perfect English, but that's not always the case elsewhere. Less English spoken than in Germany.

Vienna's old fortifications were razed in the 19th century, and a ring road around the city center was built instead. So, Vienna being a prime tram city, has two tram lines, numbers 1 and 2, which go around the ring clockwise and counterclockwise (don't know which is which though). In terms of hopping on and off, this is your best option, as the route takes you to all the great sights, ie, the Opera, the Parlament, the big museums, the Hofburg, the "Votivkirche", and a bunch of other things.

Also, don't miss a "Heuriger" restaurant/pub in the Grinzing district - lots of fun (although many many in Grinzing will be touristy). You can get to Grinzing on the tram as well.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...m/thumbsup.gif

We stayed at some off the beaten path Holiday Inn for 89 Euro per night at the very end of June. We had to take the bus and subway downtown and it was really easy to use (even for me http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif )

Take the tram tour located inside the grounds. We picked it up beside the restaurant and main building tour exit (5 euro I think). It takes you through some very beautiful areas. There is a gorgeous view from the top of the property where you look down from a large hilltop and can see the city in the distance with the palace and it's gardens below you. Stunning.


We didn't have any problems with speaking English but it is of course always polite to learn some words in the language of the country you visit http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

I would go back in a heartbeat to Austria but Mrs Cattle and I have decided that we should really see more of Europe as well before the kids come. Still if she said, "what they heck lets go back" I would go without a second thought.

We stayed at the Hilton Danube which was excellent and 2 minutes walk from those fantastic old trams that take you into the city.

You must go in the Prater Wheel - it is so old and creaky but great fun.

We budgetted half a day to visit the Somburg Palace but ended up spendinga whole day there and thought it was amazing (could also have had something to do with getting lost in the maze.)

I have gone to Vienna, but did not have a chance to go on the hop on, hop off buses, which tour the city? What does one think of them?

How much is the hop on/hop off bus? I would guess the bus that circles the ring is a lot cheaper. I found Vienna very walkable inside the ring.