How to Pay for Taxi in Vienna
 

Here's a question that a search didn't answer for me:

We arrive late in Vienna and plan to take a cab to the hotel. We won't have cash yet; often, we ask the hotel to pay the cab driver upon our arrival and put it on our tab. Or we pay by credit card.

Would that work in Vienna, or does anyone have a better suggestion?

Thanks!

Get cash from the ATM upon arrival at the airport.

You'll need it in the morning anyways.

Both the airport and train stations will have an ATM, I would take money out before entering a taxi.

I don't know about Vienna, but it is easy to find a cab at CDG (Paris) that accepts credit cards. I can't imagine that Vienna would be any different. I prefer to get cash at the airport ATM but had to do this once when the most convenient ATM at CDG was not working.

Hi S,

You could convert about $100 to Euro at your departure airport. It will cost about $3 more than if you got the money from an ATM in Austria.

((I))

You can book a taxi from a kiosk at the airport in the arrivals area and I *think* you can pay by credit card at the kiosk. But if you arrive very late, the kiosk may be closed, so you'd have to take a taxi from the rank and I don't know how many of them take credit cards. I've taken many taxis in Vienna and haven't noticed a high number taking credit cards.
As for the hotel paying and billing you, you'd have to discuss that in advance with the hotel. Speak to the manager. But you run the risk that the late night staff might not be aware of the arrangement and would refuse to accommodate you.
I think your best solution is to get some money changed at the departure airport, as ira suggests. I would not depend on the arrival ATMs, you could have the bad luck to be there on the day the system is down or there's some unexpected problem with your card.

Just get some cash from the airport ATM while waitiung for your bags.

And in the slight (very slight) chance that alll the airport ATMs are down - walk ten steps to the adjoining bureau de change and exchange $50-$100 for €

no big deal . . . .

The Vienna airport is not overflowing with ATMS. Also, perhaps Molker can answer, are the currency exchange desks open 24/7? I remember them being closed when I happen to arrive late at night.
I have had experiences with some Vienna ATMs when all they would give was 100 euro notes. Taxi drivers aren't particularly thrilled to receive those.

If one asks for an odd amount (other than divisable by 50 or 100) you will get smaller notes. If you ask for a round number you will get the largest notes that work.

so ask for €70 or €75 or or €190 some other number that will automatically produce a mix of bills.

sfamylou: What time are you landing? By late, if you mean midnight or something like that, I might get a few € at my departure airport just to be on the safe side. But otherwise, arriving like 9 or 10 p.m. you can get € at the airport.

Umm, janisj, I DO know how to get money from an ATM machine. However, I have had experiences with ATMs in Vienna that were out of everything EXCEPT 100 euro notes. You could ONLY ask for money in the 100s. And it would ONLY give you 100 euro notes in return.

BTilke: I knew you are more than familiar w/ ATMs in Europe. My comment was mainly for sfamylou and others possibly only familiar w/ US ATMs where most only allow taking amounts divisable by $20. Whereas in Europe you can ask for just about any amount.

In your example - if one asked for €175 and got a message that only amounts divisable by €100 was permitted - then walking to an adjacent change bureau will solve the problem.

Just for informsation-

The Airport
Bank
Bank in Departure Hall ( one floor above Ariivals) - it is open weekdays until 3 PM.

Money Exchange - in Arrivals Hall to the left side - open 6AM - 8:30 PM only Try to avoid using this service -poor exchange rate.

ATMs several places in the airport including Arrivals.
I have never used one in the airport as I always return home with euro -must assume they are like others in Vienna- standard procedure for obtaining euro.

You can push a selection button ( 100,150,200 etc.) to obtain that cash amount or type in the amount you want in the area for this.

The ATMs are sometimes loaded with larger bills ( 50 or 100 ) some with notes as small as 5 euro.
I would believe that any taxi could make change for a 50 and most likely a 100 easily.
Taxi cost will be 35 - 40 euro depending upon destination. Thus not a huge amount of change.

Why worry-
make a transfer reservation - cheaper 23- 28 euro to city center and they take credit cards ( note payment method when reserving). Driver will meet you in Arrivals and assist with luggage. Naturally he looks for a small tip.

try www.airportservice.at

www.ck-airportservice.at

Some taxis will take credit cards but not that many as BTilke notes.

I have never seen an arrangement to have taxi billed to hotel unless the hotel makes the prior arrangement for pick up.

As mentioned above you can always get a small amonut of euros before leaving home- for no worries, but money withdrawl with ATM in Vienna is easy.

If arrival is by train- ATMs available in stations also.