I'm planning a European trip on a tight budget. The current plan is to fly into Venice in mid-July, stay 5-6 days, go to Munich for 2-3 days, then to Vienna.
It seems to be generally agreed that Venice is very hot & humid, and that most people want air conditioning there. However, Vienna is a fair bit north. Would I be horribly uncomfortable in a 2-star hotel with a fan?
To give some context, I'm an Atlantic Canadian who certainly doesn't have A/C at home--but who does in a place that hardly ever tops 30C? I know I could never have slept without it in Toronto or New York in August. However, temperature graphs don't tell the whole story: the nighttime temperature drops in Calgary meant I was fine living there without A/C for 3 years.
So, could some "cold climate" visitors give their opinion of Vienna summers? I'd love to save $ on accommodations that I could spend on dinner or shopping--but not if I'm losing sleep and stumbling around Vienna exhausted.

>I'm an Atlantic Canadian who certainly doesn't have A/C at home--but who does in a place that hardly ever tops 30C?

You just gave a perfect description of a summer in Vienna.

Hi; We have been to Vienna in both July and August. We needed A/C both times while sleeping. It's all in your tolerance for heat. We like it cool. Everyone here can give you various opinions. For me, if you like it cool sleeping, get A/C. iris1745/dick

A/C in Vienna anytime of the year equals a total waste of money, even for a Canadian. (It's cold at night!)

Hi; Not when we were there. iris1745/dick

Hi, but not on the other 364 days of the year. Coooold, rain. If it just were a little warmer, just a little tiny but. If you feel it's too warm, open the window, like EVERYBODY else does. . All natural A/C cooling you down to 13C or below at night even in August.

!n July 2006, we stayed at the Hotel Austria, a gem on a quiet street, and, based on my email request, they made sure we were not in a top floor room and we were provided a fan, which was quite sufficient for our comfort. It was around 85 F every day for five days.

Then again, we spent just two days in Vienna in 2000 in July and it rained each day and was around 50 F.

We were in Vienna in June of 2008. The evening was extremely muggy. We did not have air conditioning and it was pretty miserable (even with the windows open). Now you are down to 363 days.

Sorry logos; We were there 3 days each visit. And it was hot. So, reduce that to 362 days so this person can make a decision. Anyways, an independent thought. www.visitingvienna.com/weather/weather iris1745/dick

While Vienna is farther north then Venice it doesn't have a climate similar to Canada. We've been a couple of times in the summer and ran into some days in the 90's - to me intolerable without AC. But, it depends on how much you mind hot weather. (The only place I wouldn;t look for AC in the summer is Scandinavia - which usually has highs around 70.)

Well, actually, your six plus my one and we are really down to 358 days.

I'm adding in 4 days at 90 degrees with high humidity so we're down to 354. I was miserable in Vienna one July during 90 degree days. I was there again in July and it was a pleasant 80. Personally....I wouldn't chance it.

Yes, a/c is needed for Vienna in mid-July.

We were there as well last June.

The first night we stayed was hot, but bearable if you could get a breeze.

When we returned for two nights it was over 90F, humid, and not a breeze to be found until the violent thunderstorms. We were really glad we had serious a/c those nights. Folks without a/c were trying to sit out in the cafes until the storms drove them inside.

So, luck of the draw.

A few years ago I was in Stockholm in June during a heat wave too (seem to follow me around--was in Sydney for their heat wave this January) and everyone was staying outside to avoid the sweltering indoor temps. So, though I had been in Scandinavia for several weeks without a/c, I was glad I picked a spot with minimal a/c for the weekend I was in Stockholm.

Yeah, those heat waves in central Europe . They must be an entirely north american thing of changed perception of their environment. Hopefully at least some Canadians can cope with the the totally different climate and the unbearable heat. (-2C at this moment) I always recommended full body spacesuits as mandatory for every american when leaving the country. The problem still is how to manage food intake and disposal of surplus body fluids. (Promised, I'll find a solution.)

But how do those Austrians manage to stay alife without A/C? For the last few decades it has been F***ing cold during most of summer except for a few warmer days.

Another interesting thing about "staying outside in the evening until late when it's a warmer day".

Well, actually that's a cultural thing. Contrary to common belief it's not that we central Europeans don't dare to go inside because it too hot and muggy to sleep.

No actually that is not the case and I know you won't believe it when I say. (Pssst, not to loud, others may hear it).

"We actually enjoy staying outside until later in the evening, because it's still warm". (I know, it's weird and bizarre thing). Well as I said, it can be that it's a cultural thing or maybe we just enjoy a fow warmer days in a place where it's wet and cold during the rest of the year.

Happy travels, the spacesuits will be marketed once I solved a few minor handling issues.

hi, nfldbeothuk,

several of the hotel search engines have a button for a/c, which would be a good place to start. then arrange them in "price - lowest first" and see what you get.

but only you know whether this is an essential for you. I can only say that when we went to Iceland last year, [YES, ICELAND] it was so hot and clammy at night that we barely slept at all for the first three nights til the weather broke.

I would have killed for A/C by then.

regards, ann

There is a 50% chance that you will need a/c in mid-July. 50% is pretty much, IMO. I would never book a hotel without a/c in mid-July in Vienna.

It all depends on your tolerance. Most of the time we've had no AC where we stayed. However, we lived without AC except for 3 years in Houston. After 28 years in SF, we appreciate the AC when we have it but can live without it. We were in Paris without AC on the hottest day of the year during their infamous heat wave a few years back.

avg hi in July 75 low 57

July is the warmest month