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Vienna Information
 Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria. It is the country's biggest city and seat of many international organisations (official UN seat, OSCE headquarters). Its 1.65 million inhabitants live in a space of 414 square kilometres.
Vienna's cultural life is multi-faceted. You have the choice of 50 theatres, four opera houses, two stages for musicals, 100 museums and numerous theatre, music and dance festivals. Vienna is known worldwide as a city of music. Quality orchestras and ensembles are its seal of excellence.
The Viennese climate is mildly continental. Often a moderate western wind blows through the city, which may be responsible for the fact that cool days feel even cooler. However, Viennese appreciate the wind because it brings fresh air from the surrounding Vienna Woods to the city. Some winter days may be icy, and some summer days much too hot - but all in all, on most days the weather is much like the inhabitants of the city: friendly, mild and moderate in any case...
Some useful information:
Bank services - Money matters
Banks open from 8.30 – 12.30 and 13.30 - 15:00 hrs on Monday - Wednesday and Friday, from 8.30 – 12.30 and 13.30 - 17:30 hrs on Thursdays. There are multiple bank machines (ATMs) open 24 hours a day throughout the city that accept all major international bankcards. The official currency of Austria is the euro (€). Major credit cards are widely accepted, but please always check beforehand.
Car Parking
The districts 1 – 9 are short-term parking zones (Mon.-Fri.): 09:00 - 22:00 (max. 2 hours).
Parking vouchers (“Parkscheine”), to be filled in and placed behind the windscreen, are available at tobacconists (“Tabak-Trafik”), railway stations and Vienna public transport offices. The charge is EUR 0,60 per 30 minutes.
Climate
The weather in September is generally nice with temperatures ranging from 12 – 21 degree Celsius, evenings may be cooler and of course occasional rain showers have to be expected.
Currency
The Austrian currency is the Euro (EUR / €).
1 Euro = 100 Euro-Cent.
Currency Converter 
Drinking water
The tap water in Austria is of excellent quality and can be used without concern.
Electricity Supply
230V AC. Connectors can be obtained from your hotel reception or electronic stores.
GSM cell phone roaming
GSM cell/mobile phone roaming is available without any problems for all major international providers. It is advisable to inquire beforehand at your provider which roaming company in Austria offers the cheapest tariffs.
Internet
There are numerous small Internet cafés throughout the city.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are open from 8.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 18.00 hrs on weekdays, from 8.00 - 12.00 hrs on Saturdays. Medicines that do not require a medical prescription may be purchased directly over the counter. If you need advice, do not hesitate to ask the pharmacist. If you usually take some medicine in particular, it is advisable to bring a sufficient amount with you for your trip. There are duty pharmacies open 24 hours a day in all city districts. Outside all the pharmacies there is a list of the nearest duty pharmacies.
Safety - Crime
Visitor safety is generally adequate and Vienna can be considered a rather safe city. Like in any other major European city, you can walk everywhere using common sense.
Pick pocketing in heavily visited tourist zones or in public transport lines might be a concern. Unfortunately experience has shown that basic precautionary measures should always be kept in mind in any city.
Shops
The shops in Vienna open between 9.00 and 19.00 hrs and some close at lunchtime (12.00 - 14.00 hrs). The department stores and hypermarkets do not close for lunch. All retailers, including both small shops and department stores, open on Saturdays (generally 10.00 - 12.00 hrs, some, especially in the city center, until 18.00 hrs) and closed on Sundays, except for a few establishments with special permits.
Smoking Policy
The EBJIS 2009 is a “No-smoking-Conference”.
Please note the smoking is banned from all public buildings. Restaurants and bars may, depending on size, be declared either as “smoking” or “no-smoking” locations or have separate areas and ventilation systems.
Taxis
A taxi is the most comfortable way of getting around the city but also the most expensive. Vienna's taxis do not have a special livery/colour. They are identifiable by their roof-sign which is lit when available. Prices must be displayed inside the cab and meters (which are compulsory in all cabs) will indicate the fare.
Tipping
Tips of 5-10% of the total bill are usually expected in restaurants and bars, although not mandatory. If part of a big group, you may of course ask the waiter to pay separately. Hotel and airport porters will accept tips, depending on the luggage.
Travelling - Accessibility / Public Transport in Vienna
Vienna has a well-developed public transport network. Buses, trains, trams and underground lines will take you almost anywhere in the city in no time at all. Vienna public transport Wiener Linien operates five underground lines, 31 tram and 80 bus lines, of which 21 are night lines. Night lines only operate between 0.30 am and 5 am.
The fastest and cheapest way of moving around Vienna is using public transport. Tickets are available from machines at underground stations (maestro debit cards accepted), at news agents’, or at Vienna Transport Authority’s ticket offices. Tickets bought in advance are cheaper and must be punched in a blue ticket cancelling machine on the tram or bus, or at the barrier before boarding the underground train. Single trip tickets can be used for any single trip within Vienna. You may change lines (and switch between bus, tram, underground, or urban train), but you may not interrupt your journey. Ticket price: EUR 1.70 when bought in advance; EUR 2.20 when bought in the means of transport.
The 24-hour pass is valid throughout Vienna for exactly 24 hours from the time it is punched. Price: EUR 5.70
The 72-hour pass is valid throughout Vienna for exactly 72 hours from the time it is punched. Price: EUR 13.60
The 8-day ticket is valid for any eight days, not necessarily eight consecutive days. It is a rover ticket, which means you can travel all around Vienna. You can also use the ticket for several people travelling together. Simply punch one strip for each person in the group. Price: EUR 27.20 Week-pass valid from Monday to Monday, 09.00 hrs. Price: EUR 14.00
Travelling from and to the Vienna Airport (Schwechat)
Vienna International Airport is located 13 kilometres south east of Vienna.
City Airport Train (CAT)
The train service between the airport and the city centre (City Air Terminal – Station ‘Wien Mitte’) is every 30 minutes and takes 16 minutes. It is covered from 6:05 hrs to 00:05 hrs (Airport to City) and from 5:38 hrs to 23:38 hrs (City to Airport). Tickets may be purchased online, from ticket machines at the airport/station or on board. More information on schedule and fares.
Rapid Train
The S7 is the regional railroad connection of the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB between the Vienna International Airport and Vienna. the journey time from and to the station Wien Mitte / Landstraße is about 24 min respectively, because the S7 stops at several stations along the way. You have good access to the public transport network of Vienna at the stations Wien Mitte / Landstraße (underground lines U3 and U4), Wien Nord / Praterstern (underground line U1) and Handelskai (underground line U6).
Bus
The Vienna AirportLines operate several bus lines between Vienna and the Vienna International Airport. Wien Schwedenplatz - Vienna International Airport The trip takes approx. 20 min. From Schwedenplatz you have access to the underground lines U1 and U4.
Taxis
Fares to the conference venue are about EUR 35.00 and take around 25-40 minutes to the ACV or the city center, depending on the time of the day. There is a taxi rank outside the airport terminal. Night-time fees are slightly higher.
V.A.T.
A value-added tax (V.A.T.) of generally 20% is applied to most products and services (a 10% V.A.T. applies on e.g. books, drinks and a few other items). The VAT is included in the displayed price.
Visa ?
Info: do you need a visa for Austria ?
Visa information in English (Austrian Embassy London)
Visa information in German (Austrian Foreign Ministry)
Links:
Vienna Tourist Information
City of Vienna
City map and address finder
Vienna Card
Public Transport (Wiener Linien)
Vienna International Airport
City Airport Train
Vienna AirportLines
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