Hi. Will be going for a 6 days trip to Vienna, Austria this coming late September (ETA 25/9). Need advice on the following:-

1.Hotel - A choice between NH Atterseehaus Hotel and NH Wien Hotel. Which one would be a better choice in terms of convenience (public transport), location and nearer to tourist attractions?

2.Transfer - What is the best and cost effective way to get from the airport to either one of the hotel?

3.Itinerary: 3 days in Vienna and Day trips to Salzburg/Prague/ Budapest. Not sure whether to join Vienna Sightseeing Tours for the Prague/Budapest/Salzburg or go on my own.... am travelling alone so prefers to join a group.. However, if got better suggestions, would appreciate hearing from you.

4. What would be the places of interest that i must visit before i leave Vienna?

As i do not have much time left.... please help!

In terms of must-sees in Vienna, I enjoyed the Belvedere art museum, Schonbrunn palace, the big open-air market (I think called Nachtmarket?), the bars around the Bermuda Triangle, and seeing an opera at the beautiful Statsoper. It's fun going out of the city a bit to visit a wine garden (heurigen), too. And St. Stephans is magnificent.

HI
If you click at the top of this screen on Destinations you will eventually get to a lot of information on Vienna, including the top sights.

Schonbrunn Palace is a must imo, really lovely. The Hofburg (Imperial Palace, in the center of town) has a lot to offer, apartments, crown jewels, etc.

the Kunsthistoriches museum has many masterpieces, ditto the Belvedre gallery.

On some days there is a guided tour of the Staatsoper (opera house) also very impressive.

But the best of the best to me is St Stephen's Cathedral.

I have a file on Vienna; if you'd like to see it, email me at
[email protected]

Re: 1

Not much difference in the hotels. both are on Mariahilferstrasse and owned by the same company.( Atterseehaus at #78 and Wien at# 32.) Hotel Wien is actually just a little closer to the center and tourist attractions - perhaps 150 meters.
Both provide easy access to the center of the city using the subway ( U-bahn line U-3) 5-10 minutes time.
Mariahilferstrasse is one of the main shopping streets of Vienna and can be conjested at times during the day. Not many good restaurants near by.
You can find hotels with a better location and probably better location.

2. Take the airport bus to the Westbahnhof. This bus runs about every 20 minutes and is found just outside of the arrivals hall. you can pay driver 8 7-9 euros.
The trip to westbahnhof takes 30 minutes. when you arrive at the bahnhof look for U- bahn( big blue U sign.
Take U-3 one stop for Atterseehaus ( Zieglergasse) 2 stops for wien ( Neubaugasse)
You can buy ticket at entrance to U-bahn.

Or just walk east on Mariahilf from Bahnhof 300 meters to hotels.

This way is best done with limited luggage.

3.Traveling alone is easy and quick -good train connections to these cities. When in a group you are confined to the tour pace, times and sights to see. Alone you can take the time you want.
Most attractions have good written descriptions or rentable audios.

I would come to Vienna without a set agenda, then decide on your best use of time after your arrival. It seems that you want to squeeze in too much. I would drop one or two cities.
4.This really depends on your interests.

If you like music - attend concert, opera etc.

visit museums- from art to military.

Visit the palaces- Hofburg , Schonbrunn,

Schonbrunn Gardens

Good way to see the city on the first day - just take the Number 1 or 2 streetcar around the " Ring" This will really help you to learn where things are and what you may like!

Look at the Fodors site for Vienna- formany good suggestions

Vienna is one of my favorite cities! Your going to have a great time. St. Stephens is gorgeous. Take a trip to the top for wonderful views of Vienna. And the pastries are to die for!

The public transportation system is very good. You should have no problems getting around. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with either hotel so I cannot offer any help there.

A couple of comments on your daytrips: Budapest and Salzburg are both doable (albeit tight), but if I'm not mistaken Prague is at least 5 hours from Vienna by train. If I'm remembering corrently, then the trip to and from wouldn't leave much room for exploring Prague.

Tracy

Hi emi,

In the nicest way possible, without intending in any way to act as a grammar policeman, I think it would be of use to you to know that since you are using the Passive Voice, the verb is in the simple past tense: thus

"advice (is) sought for...."

Seek, sought, sought

Since ira broke the ice, I would advise:

"Seeking advice for Vienna trip".

Note that I only used two capital letetrs.

Best wishes,

Rex

emi,

Your three days of daytripping seem a little ambitious to me. Seems like you're trying to advance in all directions at once.

If I were you, I would drop Salzburg and Prague from your daytrip itinerary, and substitute Bratislava. It's on the way to Budapest. Besides, Prague and Salzburg aren't going to change as much in the next few years as Bratislava will, unfortunately. (Yes, I know there's already a TGIF there.)

I lived in Vienna for two years. There's a relatively new museum called the "Leopold" which is a must if you're interested in 20th century art (Klimt, Schiele, etc.)
Two restaurant suggestions:

1) Piaristenkeller, Piaristengasse 45, 8th district. Very atmospheric wine tavern. Estab'd. 17th century by monks.
tel 01-405-91-52.
2) Stomach, Seegasse 26, 9th district. Traditional Viennese fare at reasonable prices. tel.01-310-20-99

Both of these are located outside the pricy 1st district (historical center). Worth seeking out. Accessible by streetcar. Get yourself a good map. Viel Spass! (Have fun!)

You will probably save money by purchasing a 3 day travel pass. It covers trams, buses and U bahn.

topping

Thanks all for your advice.

Molker, thanks for answering my questions. My thoughts were to do just what you suggested. Scout out Vienna first without any fixed agenda and then work out my itinerary.

Will look into Bratislava, Metlc.

I guess i am a bit too ambitious to squeeze too many things into 6 days before heading down to Barcelona. Will be going to Warsaw for a 3 days business trip before flying to Vienna. Have about 6 days free time before joining my tour group for a Mediteranean Cruise ex Barcelona.

Not familiar with Europe... since I'm from Malaysia. Will do more research...

Thanks again.