Parking in Vienna: a catch to Foreigners
Jun 5th, 2015, 02:10 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Parking in Vienna: a catch to Foreigners
Hello all,
I was in Vienna for a visit. I got a penalty parking ticket that costs me to pay for €36.00.
For me, it was a great catch! No signs of anything on where to buy a parking ticket?! I remember then that somebody told me to buy a parking ticket on tobacco shops. I have searched tobacco shops in most corners nearby but it all of it were closed. So I decided to leave my car without a parking ticket hoping that if someone would give me a penalty, I could explain that all tobacco shops in the nearby parking were closed. But, then to my dismay, when I get back after an hour, the parking ticket was clipped-in my wiper.
I have asked the officer that put and gave me the said penalty ticket and replied me that I should buy the parking ticket to the nearby tobacco shops before I leave my car. But I answered him that I have searched in most corners of this area and all of it were closed. Then, he just said sorry. Of course, I still asked him why there’s no signs/information where to buy parking ticket or any automated parking machines? He just replied – We are saving! Oh my God, I was surprised by his answer! I still informed him that I lived in 2 cities in Austria; one in Graz and one in Villach. All those have automated ticket machines plus Parking signs. For a nice city of Vienna that is ridiculous not to have any?!!! Why don’t they have those Parking signs and Automated Parking ticket?! Are those penalties a “catch” for visitors?!
To my embarrassment, I drove back to Munich and did not stay any longer in Vienna!
I was in Vienna for a visit. I got a penalty parking ticket that costs me to pay for €36.00.
For me, it was a great catch! No signs of anything on where to buy a parking ticket?! I remember then that somebody told me to buy a parking ticket on tobacco shops. I have searched tobacco shops in most corners nearby but it all of it were closed. So I decided to leave my car without a parking ticket hoping that if someone would give me a penalty, I could explain that all tobacco shops in the nearby parking were closed. But, then to my dismay, when I get back after an hour, the parking ticket was clipped-in my wiper.
I have asked the officer that put and gave me the said penalty ticket and replied me that I should buy the parking ticket to the nearby tobacco shops before I leave my car. But I answered him that I have searched in most corners of this area and all of it were closed. Then, he just said sorry. Of course, I still asked him why there’s no signs/information where to buy parking ticket or any automated parking machines? He just replied – We are saving! Oh my God, I was surprised by his answer! I still informed him that I lived in 2 cities in Austria; one in Graz and one in Villach. All those have automated ticket machines plus Parking signs. For a nice city of Vienna that is ridiculous not to have any?!!! Why don’t they have those Parking signs and Automated Parking ticket?! Are those penalties a “catch” for visitors?!
To my embarrassment, I drove back to Munich and did not stay any longer in Vienna!
Jun 5th, 2015, 03:46 AM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The way Vienna has organized their parking is not a trap for tourists. And the other facts you cite are immaterial.
If you know you have to buy a ticket at a tobacco shop then it is your responsibility to do so when you find one open (no - probably not late in the evening).
Sorry - you got caught and you owe the fine.
Part of travel is learning the local way of doing things and following the rules.
If you know you have to buy a ticket at a tobacco shop then it is your responsibility to do so when you find one open (no - probably not late in the evening).
Sorry - you got caught and you owe the fine.
Part of travel is learning the local way of doing things and following the rules.
Jun 5th, 2015, 04:05 AM
#3
Have to agree with nytraveler. If you're driving in any major city then you should know to be aware of, in this case, the need for a "Parkscheine." Or, use a garage. Be happy the ticket was only €36.
Jun 5th, 2015, 04:30 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jun 6th, 2015, 02:12 AM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my point here is, Vienna is the only cities that has no Parking signs!
The car parked beside me have no parking ticket though that was I resorted maybe it was fine to park since it was a sandwich day (a day between holiday and a weekend). There, I finally knew that the car was booked over the internet. What if the tourist's roaming was deactivated?!
As I said, I have lived in Graz for 3 years, Villach in 2.5 years and in Germany for 14 years...every corners have parking signs plus an automated parking ticket machine!
The car parked beside me have no parking ticket though that was I resorted maybe it was fine to park since it was a sandwich day (a day between holiday and a weekend). There, I finally knew that the car was booked over the internet. What if the tourist's roaming was deactivated?!
As I said, I have lived in Graz for 3 years, Villach in 2.5 years and in Germany for 14 years...every corners have parking signs plus an automated parking ticket machine!
Jun 6th, 2015, 03:35 AM
#7
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most locals in Vienna buy their parking tickets for on-street parking via a text message or app with their mobile phones. Just because you did not see a paper ticket in the next car does not mean that the owner has not paid.
But I agree that it is complicated to pay with a non-Austrian SIM card, not because of roaming, but because you have to text a special number which is not accessible for non-Austrian users.
The signage with the parking regulation is by zones. Just like in Germany, when you enter an area that gives regulations by "zone" (e.g. speed limit 30), there is only that one sign when you enter the zone, but no further signs while you are IN the zone.
In Vienna, that one zone is more or less the whole city, and you see the respective sign when A1 from Salzburg/Munich turns into a regular city thoroughfare at the Vienna city limit sign.
In general, it is very easy to find parking garages in Vienna as you have digital displays at the major arteries guiding you to the next available garage or showing that there are no spaces available at your garage of choice so you can drive to another one.
But I agree that it is complicated to pay with a non-Austrian SIM card, not because of roaming, but because you have to text a special number which is not accessible for non-Austrian users.
The signage with the parking regulation is by zones. Just like in Germany, when you enter an area that gives regulations by "zone" (e.g. speed limit 30), there is only that one sign when you enter the zone, but no further signs while you are IN the zone.
In Vienna, that one zone is more or less the whole city, and you see the respective sign when A1 from Salzburg/Munich turns into a regular city thoroughfare at the Vienna city limit sign.
In general, it is very easy to find parking garages in Vienna as you have digital displays at the major arteries guiding you to the next available garage or showing that there are no spaces available at your garage of choice so you can drive to another one.
Feb 15th, 2018, 10:28 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shame
first time i come to visit viena was very bad.
really it is first and last time for me
no parking signs.when i parked the car in a street i just was searching for any place to buy ticket and didnt found.
anyway i let the car without park ticket
I just went to visit center of viena and when i was returning i didnt see my car there.I aske help in a shop in front of parking that i let the car and they helped me.
police got car with tow truck.
I have paid 274€ fine for this and really a shame.
i will never visit again this city.
really shame
i was agreed with a parking fine because i disnt got a ticket but not with this
really it is first and last time for me
no parking signs.when i parked the car in a street i just was searching for any place to buy ticket and didnt found.
anyway i let the car without park ticket
I just went to visit center of viena and when i was returning i didnt see my car there.I aske help in a shop in front of parking that i let the car and they helped me.
police got car with tow truck.
I have paid 274€ fine for this and really a shame.
i will never visit again this city.
really shame
i was agreed with a parking fine because i disnt got a ticket but not with this
Feb 15th, 2018, 01:57 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vienna is strict - several folks have complained about huge fines on S-Bahns and trams because they did not know they had to cancel their own tickets or something. Usually a contoller knowing that they are obvious naive tourists may give them a pass but not in Vienna it seems. Now excessive fines for parking with no signs saying anything. Vienna has no brook for tourists making honest mistakes. And in all the years of European travel the only jay walking ticket I ever got was in Vienna on a deserted street.
Feb 16th, 2018, 12:30 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all, this thread is three years old.
On-street parking in the city center has a two hour maximum anyway, so it's more or less useless for tourists who wish to explore the city.
It's all designated short-term parking - except for some of the outer districts where you still have free on street parking (or free but with a time limit).
If you must take your car to Vienna, you find P+R lots at the edges of the city where you can park your car for the whole day for little money and have easy access to public transport to get in and out of the city center.
In "downtown" Vienna, you find dozens of parking garages, several right in the heart of the 1st district.
Big electronic displays on the streets in the central districts guide you to the nearest available garage and give advance notice of the number of available spaces.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkle...nce_system.jpg
Even for foreign visitors who do not speak German this signage looks pretty much self-explanatory.
If you still think you need on street parking and can live with the 2-3 hour maximum, you can stop at many gas stations in Vienna to buy the tickets.
On-street parking in the city center has a two hour maximum anyway, so it's more or less useless for tourists who wish to explore the city.
It's all designated short-term parking - except for some of the outer districts where you still have free on street parking (or free but with a time limit).
If you must take your car to Vienna, you find P+R lots at the edges of the city where you can park your car for the whole day for little money and have easy access to public transport to get in and out of the city center.
In "downtown" Vienna, you find dozens of parking garages, several right in the heart of the 1st district.
Big electronic displays on the streets in the central districts guide you to the nearest available garage and give advance notice of the number of available spaces.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkle...nce_system.jpg
Even for foreign visitors who do not speak German this signage looks pretty much self-explanatory.
If you still think you need on street parking and can live with the 2-3 hour maximum, you can stop at many gas stations in Vienna to buy the tickets.
Feb 16th, 2018, 01:41 AM
#11
A first time poster, who probably dug up this thread to add their complaint. I can not say that I am terribly sympathetic to someone who spends money to rent a car but decides not to spend time to investigate parking restrictions. With that fee, the person parked in one of the following, "No Parking" zones (translated), any of which should seem obvious to a driver in a major city.
Parking in second lane. (This typically means the car blocked a Straßenbahn from passing safely, and the tracks should be a clue!)
In front of a house entrance
In a loading or taxi zone or
In a peak holding and parking ban
Parking in second lane. (This typically means the car blocked a Straßenbahn from passing safely, and the tracks should be a clue!)
In front of a house entrance
In a loading or taxi zone or
In a peak holding and parking ban
