What to wear in Austria during Nov/Dec???
Oct 4th, 2007, 02:09 AM
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What to wear in Austria during Nov/Dec???
My husband and I don't really love the cold, but we are thinking of staying in Vienna during the months of November and December. If we do this, can you tell me what type of clothing we would need to pack? Should we go out and buy snow clothes or can we get away with tennis shoes, jacket, and jeans? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Oct 4th, 2007, 07:32 AM
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The weather can vary greatly during this time period. Not a great chance of snow but one day can be warm the next cold and windy.
I would suggest clothing that can be layered for warmth if needed or much less if it is warm- no real need for snow clothes.
shirts, sweaters,vest, scarf, hat, jeans, coat.
I would not recommend tennis shoes.
Comfortable and waterproof walking shoes are much better. Nothing is worse than wet cold feet in my feeling.
Fortunately, Vienna is a city of cafes.
Great places to get warm get dry eat and drink. They are found everywhere and good places to miss the showers.
Also no need to worry if you forget something- shops of all styles and prices can offer what you need.
I would suggest clothing that can be layered for warmth if needed or much less if it is warm- no real need for snow clothes.
shirts, sweaters,vest, scarf, hat, jeans, coat.
I would not recommend tennis shoes.
Comfortable and waterproof walking shoes are much better. Nothing is worse than wet cold feet in my feeling.
Fortunately, Vienna is a city of cafes.
Great places to get warm get dry eat and drink. They are found everywhere and good places to miss the showers.
Also no need to worry if you forget something- shops of all styles and prices can offer what you need.
Oct 4th, 2007, 07:48 AM
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I agree with Molker... dress in layers. Make the outside layer something that sheds water and consider either waterproof shoes or get some waterproofing stuff from some place like REI to keep the water away from your feet.
Oct 4th, 2007, 08:10 AM
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It will be pretty cold - expect temperatures well below freezing. And heavy rain. And snow.
Tennis shoes are certainly the wrong choice. We wear sturdy shoes, jeans and thick, rainproof coats. Do not forget to pack gloves.
Otherwise, Vienna in wintertime is very beautiful. The city hall will be illuminated for christmas, and if the city is covered with snow, everything looks wonderful. It may be nasty outside, but inside cafes and restaurants it will be warm and cozy.
December will be better than November.
Tennis shoes are certainly the wrong choice. We wear sturdy shoes, jeans and thick, rainproof coats. Do not forget to pack gloves.
Otherwise, Vienna in wintertime is very beautiful. The city hall will be illuminated for christmas, and if the city is covered with snow, everything looks wonderful. It may be nasty outside, but inside cafes and restaurants it will be warm and cozy.
December will be better than November.
Oct 4th, 2007, 08:20 AM
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Don't you own any shoes other than tennis shoes? Where do you live? YOu need real shoes, especially in winter.
You could get by with a jacket if it's a very heavy one, although when it is real cold I don't like my rear end freezing off and need one thigh-length or just above the knees, unless skiing. Actually, some ski parkas are at least hip-length now, not just to the waist. Down is good as it is lightweight but warm, and you can get various thicknesses.
You could get by with a jacket if it's a very heavy one, although when it is real cold I don't like my rear end freezing off and need one thigh-length or just above the knees, unless skiing. Actually, some ski parkas are at least hip-length now, not just to the waist. Down is good as it is lightweight but warm, and you can get various thicknesses.
Oct 4th, 2007, 08:32 AM
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Thanks for all the responses. We are currently in Rome and have been traveling to and from various countries within Europe for the past 3 months. We each only have a 22" suitcase and a backpack and haven't had the need for winter clothes, scarves, jackets, boots, etc. just yet. Italy is pretty warm right now so shorts, tanks, sandals, and tennis shoes are what fill most of our suitcase space. We could always send home the tanks, shorts, and sandals and purchase winter clothes when we get to Vienna, but I'm concerned about the space in our luggage being taken up very quickly by heavy boots and jackets. Anyway, thanks for letting us know that it is COLD in November and December. We can handle COLD, but aren't so into stormy, rainy, windy weather. Hmmm....I'll have to really think about whether we want to spend those months in Vienna or not. Thanks again...
Oct 4th, 2007, 09:30 AM
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Tennis shoes are fine as long as they're waterproof.
Jeans will be warm enough - but take forever to dry when (not if) they get wet. I would wear cords instead.
For outerwear you might get away with a raincoat with liner - if you wear 3 or 4 layers underneath. I would bring my (heavy) leather jacket with liner (and not need the liner some days) and some sweaters and turtlenecks. Or a regular winter jacket.
You are on the central european plain - weather comes in from Russia and it can be chilly - or very cold with snow.
Jeans will be warm enough - but take forever to dry when (not if) they get wet. I would wear cords instead.
For outerwear you might get away with a raincoat with liner - if you wear 3 or 4 layers underneath. I would bring my (heavy) leather jacket with liner (and not need the liner some days) and some sweaters and turtlenecks. Or a regular winter jacket.
You are on the central european plain - weather comes in from Russia and it can be chilly - or very cold with snow.
Oct 4th, 2007, 10:01 AM
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Jeans should be fine but I would wear tights under them to keep my legs warm. My neice was living in Copenhagen a couple of winters ago and she wore jeans all the time, but she did wear tights under, and on the coldest days she also wore leg warmers under them. She were tennis shoes quite often with heavy socks of course. I was there visiting right after Christmas. I had a pair of waterproof, insulated, and lined boots. They were fabulous. They weren't heavy and I could just wear my tights and sometimes a pair of light socks and my feet were never wet or cold. They were ankle height. I will say that my feet would sweat in them sometimes, so that was the downside.
A scarf makes a real difference in comfort level and as mentioned, lined gloves. I had a pair of lined Isotoner gloves that were perfect. They were very warm but not bulky so easy to put in my coat pocket of in my purse. If you can get some silk underwear it would be great. That really helps with warmth but they are so thin and light, they will take up no room in your suitcase. The biggest thing would be your coat but I'm assuming you'd be wearing that most of the time so I don't think you would have to pack it. I love cold weather, but if as you say you and your husband don't like it that much and it will be a lot of trouble to get winter clothing, perhaps wait for warmer weather to see Vienna. There is nothing more miserable than to be cold and wet and trying to walk around and see the sites. I was prepared for Copenhagen, I like the cold AND they had a ton of snow (unusual for Copenhagen) so I was quite happy.
A scarf makes a real difference in comfort level and as mentioned, lined gloves. I had a pair of lined Isotoner gloves that were perfect. They were very warm but not bulky so easy to put in my coat pocket of in my purse. If you can get some silk underwear it would be great. That really helps with warmth but they are so thin and light, they will take up no room in your suitcase. The biggest thing would be your coat but I'm assuming you'd be wearing that most of the time so I don't think you would have to pack it. I love cold weather, but if as you say you and your husband don't like it that much and it will be a lot of trouble to get winter clothing, perhaps wait for warmer weather to see Vienna. There is nothing more miserable than to be cold and wet and trying to walk around and see the sites. I was prepared for Copenhagen, I like the cold AND they had a ton of snow (unusual for Copenhagen) so I was quite happy.
Oct 5th, 2007, 12:03 AM
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Thanks nytraveler. Thanks crefloors. If we do find a place (I'm looking right now) then we'll probably buy some winter clothes when we get there. I've been told by a few friends who have visited Austria during Christmas that tights and/or leggings under the jeans is really helpful so I'll definitely be buying a couple pairs of those. The shoes are the only thing that concerns me, but if they must be waterproof, then they must be waterproof! No, we don't love the cold, but I'm willing to have a better attitude about it, seeing as how we never get snowy cold Christmas' where we are from (Santa Barbara, CA)! It will be a Christmas to remember....
Oct 5th, 2007, 12:44 AM
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No need for exaggerating. Most the time it'll be well above freezing temperatures. Maybe some snow, but still the western winds dominate. It's only December. If you want to go in the mountains, you'll need to be prepared. Other than that you can buy everything you may need locally. Waterproof is good, but more important is a proper insualtion of the sole. However, don't expect snow, but rather lots of rain... In most years the first snow comes in January or late December 
. November is dark and often wet...
. November is dark and often wet...
Oct 8th, 2007, 08:25 AM
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I found a new use for my Rick Steves travel bood last Christmas in Vienna. We stopped to rest on an outside stone bench. I sat on the travel book to insulate me from the cold stone bench. Now I'm going to have to talk to Rick Steves about printing a larger size book.
