37.8 € (2,742.5 ₽) –minimum budget for a day in Vienna 🇦🇹. This is enough for a good budget hostel, two trips on public transport and food (the amount is equal to two lunches in inexpensive cafes).

This amount does not include the cost of flights and insurance. A round-trip ticket from Moscow can be found for 8-10 thousand rubles. Subscribe to the telegram channel @samokatus so as not to miss great offers.

Insurance can be selected on the service, prices start from 1 € per day.

From Vienna Airport you can get there in the following ways:

• High-speed train City Airport Train to Wien Mitte station: 11 € one way, 19 € round trip. Travel time is only 16 minutes, from 5:36 to 23:39 with an interval of half an hour.
• Train Railjet to Wien Hauptbahnhof (central train station). Travel time is about 20 minutes. One way ticket 4.1 €.
• Electric train to Wien Mitte and further to the 21st district of Vienna (Floridsdorf): Travel time - 25 minutes. One way ticket 2.4-4.4 €.
• Buses Vienna Airport Lines with three lines to different parts of the city: 8 € one way, 13 € round trip. The line to the center of Morzinplatz/Schwedenplatz also has several night departures.
• Taxi will cost approximately 27-30 €, travel time is 20 minutes without traffic jams.
• Private transfer(price from 35 €) can be ordered on the website.

How to get around the city?

How much does public transport cost?

Tickets in Vienna are the same for different types of transport (bus, tram, metro). You can buy it at kiosks and vending machines.

• Ticket for one trip (one direction with transfers within the same zone): 2.4 €
• Day pass – 5.8 € (valid until 1 am).
• Pass for 24 hours (8 €), for 48 hours (14.1 €), for 72 hours (17.1 €)
• One week pass (Monday to Monday): .1-1 €
• Travel pass for 8 days (not necessarily consecutive plus can be used by several people, that is, one segment - one day for one person): 40.8 €

You can use Google Maps or the WienMobile app to plan routes.

How much does a taxi cost?

The price of a taxi in Vienna depends on the time of day and day of the week. Daily rate: landing – 3.8 €, kilometer – 1-1.4 €. Night rate plus Sunday: landing – 4.3 €, kilometer – 1.2-1.6 €. A short trip of five kilometers will cost 9.5-10.8 €. Uber operates in Vienna, the trip will cost a little cheaper.

How much does gas and parking cost?

A liter of gasoline 92 in Vienna costs an average of 1.15 €. In the central districts of Vienna (districts 1-9 and 20), street parking is paid on weekdays from 9 to 22. You can park for up to two hours, half an hour of parking costs 1.05 €. To pay for parking, you must purchase a voucher and place it under glass. Vouchers can be bought in the same place where tickets for public transport are, at tobacco kiosks, and some gas stations. Even for short-term parking (for example, to unload luggage) you need a free voucher for 15 minutes.

In underground parking an hour will cost 3-5 €. The best option is park-and-ride (P+R): a day of parking will cost 3.4 €.

In Vienna's CityBike public bike sharing system, registration costs €1 (credited to your account). The first hour of each trip is free, the second hour costs 1€, the third hour costs 2€, each subsequent hour costs 4€.

How much does housing cost in Vienna?

For tourist purposes, it is convenient to live in districts 4 to 9. In the very center (district 1), housing is expensive and noisy. Inexpensive and convenient options can be found in districts 10, 12, 15, 16. In summer, it is worth choosing districts 2 or 20 for the proximity to both the center and the canal.

Hotels: In the off-season, further from the center (most of these options are in the 17th district), you can find an apartment or room in a three-star hotel from 35-40 € (for example, Hotel Carina or Hotel Geblergasse). In more central areas (from 2 to 9) a room will cost from 50-55 €, as in chain hotels ( MEININGER Hotel Wien Downtown Franz or Ibis budget Wien Messe), as well as ordinary ones (for example, Hotel Mocca or Hotel Mozart). In the very center (1st district) a room will cost from 68-80 € (for example, Pension Dr. Geissler, Hotel Pension Residenz or Pension Neuer Markt).

During the season, prices rise by about a quarter, but if you book at least a month in advance, you can find options in areas 2 to 9 for 50-55 € (for example, Arthotel ANA Katharina, Art Hotel Vienna or Pension Hargita).

Hostels: during the non-tourist season, prices for a place in a shared room start from 12-13 €, but most of these options are far from the center and with low ratings. Convenient options can be found at prices ranging from 14-16€ (for example, Do Step Inn Central or Boutique Hostel). From May to September it is worth booking in advance, otherwise prices rise to at least 20€. A double room in a hostel will cost from 40-50 €.

AirBnb: A room can be rented for 20-30 €, depending on the location and season. With a successful combination of circumstances, you can find an apartment for 40 €, but in general, below 60 € you can’t count on decent options.

If you don't have an AirBnb account, you can get €36 off your first booking by signing up using this link.

Thus, good budget accommodation in Vienna will cost you 14-25 € per night per person.

How much does the connection cost?

All operators offer tariffs with calls and internet included, minimum options: 4GB for 14 € (Drei), 8GB for 19.99 € (Telekom).

There is an option for a prepaid SIM card HoT, which can be purchased at the Hofer supermarket chain. Take the SIM card and a plastic card for it at the checkout (minimum 10 €), in exchange for which the cashier will give you a check with a replenishment code. Activate the HoT fix tariff, within which you will have 1000 minutes/SMS and 5GB of internet. With this package you can travel to other neighboring countries without any problems, since there is no longer intra-European roaming.

A way to save on communications is to order a SIM card for travelers DrimSim in Russia. Why we like Drimsim:

• cheap internet. ~10 € per 1 GB in many countries of the world (with the exception of third world countries rarely visited by tourists)
• The SIM card will work already on the plane: you can immediately order a taxi or write to the host.
• Billing is based on megabytes, i.e. for 100 MB you will pay ~1 €. If you are traveling to a country with inexpensive internet for more than 3-4 days, you should buy a local SIM card; if less, then you should take a closer look at a travel SIM card.

Delivery of the card costs 10 €, and by ordering it using this link you will receive 7 € on your account as a gift. The minimum top-up amount for Dreamsim is 25€. Please take this into account.

In Austria, 1GB of internet from Dreamsim costs 10€.

WiFi. There are also public Wi-Fi points in the city, but not as many as we would like.

How much does food cost in restaurants?

• Lunch in an inexpensive cafe: 10 €. For example, Centimeter. A selection of inexpensive cafes.
• A selection of vegetarian establishments.
• fast food:
  • kebab 4 €.
  • Bratwurst 3.5 €. For example, Würstelstand.
• beverages:
  • cup of cappuccino 3 €. For example, Coffee Pirates. A selection of classic coffee shops and third-wave coffee shops.
  • glass of beer 4 €. For example, WUK. A selection of bars and a guide for beer lovers.

How much do groceries cost in the supermarket?

Here are some of the most popular excursions from Sputnik:

The Vienna Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off bus has 4 lines (6 in summer) and 50 stops. A 24-hour ticket costs 28 € (you can buy it on the website with a discount for 25.2 €). In addition to the bus itself, combined tickets are offered that include a boat ride, such a ticket costs 39 €. Their competitors Big Bus have only 2 lines. A 24-hour ticket costs 29€ (if purchased online 26.1€). But their combined ticket for three days with a river cruise and an overnight walking tour costs only 49 € (44.1 € on the website).

To save money, you can purchase the Vienna City Card. It includes free travel on public transport and discounts at more than 200 establishments. A card for 24 hours costs 17€, for 48 hours – 25€, for 72 hours – 29€. You can recoup its cost only by intensively visiting several museums a day.

Another option is Vienna PASS. The price includes a Hop-on Hop-off bus pass and free entry to more than 60 attractions and museums. For one day the card costs 59 €. There are also two, three and six day options. The site sometimes offers a 10% discount.

At the Vienna Opera, prices for seated seats start from 7-13 €, and standing seats can be purchased for 2-4 €. A tour of the Opera costs 9€. You can watch “The Third Man” at the Burg Kino cinema for 9.5 €. A ride on the Ferris wheel will cost 12€. You can climb the tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral for 5 €.

How much do souvenirs cost?

Souvenirs in the Inner City will cost more than outside of it. On average, prices are as follows:

• Basic souvenirs: postcard 1-1.5 €, magnet 5 €, T-shirt 10 €.
• Special souvenirs: Mozart liqueur from 4€, marzipan candies from 3€, souvenirs with Klimt reproductions from 5€

Museums in Vienna

In most famous museums in Vienna, entrance tickets cost 13-16 €. (For example, the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Albertina, Leopold Museum, Hofburg and others). Several small museums, as well as museums in urban areas, have free entry, and some museums can be visited for free on the first Sunday of the month.

How much more expensive is Vienna compared to Moscow?

Prices for holidays in Vienna are significantly higher than in Moscow. Prices in cafes and restaurants are higher by 45%, in supermarkets - by 87%. Travel by public transport and taxi will also cost more. More details at

Events in Vienna in January

Calendar of events in Vienna: festivals, concerts, exhibitions.

Daily Evening Classical Music Concerts at the Schönbrunn Orangery
January 2019
(except 12.01 and 30.01)


Music of Strauss and Mozart
Popular excerpts from operas by Amadeus Mozart will be performed, as well as polkas, waltzes and arias from operettas by Johann Strauss.
Concert starts: 20.30
Ticket price:
- category C - 50 euros
- category B - 70 euros
- category A - 80 euros
For an additional fee it is possible to add dinner and a tour of the palace.
to buy tickets

Figure skating at the winter skating rink near the Town Hall. Vein.
16.11.2018 – 06.01.2019
18.01.2019 – 03.03.2019
In Vienna, on November 16, the opening of the winter season will take place at the skating rink at the Town Hall. Starts at 19:00. From now on, everyone can go ice skating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Entrance ticket price – 7.5 Euro/person. Discounts are available for children and families. Rent of skates and luggage storage - for an additional fee.
Venue: Town Hall Square,
date: 11/16/2018 – 03/03/2019
duration: 3.5 months
contacts: ...

Exhibition of paintings and drawings by Pieter Bruegel
02.10.2018–13.1.2019

Viennese balls in January
- 17.01.2019
Vienna Confectioners' Ball (held in the Hofburg)
- 18.01.2019
Blumenball Flower Ball (held at the Town Hall)
- 18.01.2019
Army Officers' Ball (Ball der Offiziere) (held at the Hofburg)
- 24.01.2019
Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Ball der Wiener Philharmoniker). Held in all Musikverein halls.
- 26.01.2019
PR People's Ball (Piaristenball). Held at Palais Auersperg.
- 26.01.2019
Gay Rainbow Ball (Regenbogenball) (held at Parkhotel Schonbrunn)
- 28.01.2019
Hunter's Ball (held in the Hofburg)
(other balls in Vienna throughout the year...)

Current exhibitions at the Albertina

Permanent exhibition from the Butliner collection
The permanent exhibition includes exhibition "From Monet to Picasso"
All year round

The collection, donated to the museum by Herbert Butliner, includes about 500 paintings by famous artists who lived and worked over the past 130 years.

Exhibition at MAK. SAGMEISTER & WALSH: Beauty

24.10.2018 - 31.03.2019

Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh created a visually impressive multimedia installation.
Their exhibits, scattered throughout MAK, explore why people feel drawn to beauty and how it can influence them. Using examples from graphic design, product design, and architecture, Sagmeister and Walsh show us how beautiful objects can be not only pleasing, but also functional.
Venue: Vienna. Museum of Applied Arts.
date: 10/24/2018 - 03/31/2019
duration: 5 months
contacts: ...

"Das Rheingold" will be performed on the stage of the Vienna Opera on January 8, 2019
Opera by Richard Wagner under the direction of Axel Kober.

From 18:00 to 21:15.
Ticket prices: from 17 to 259 €.
...

Ball season in Vienna
From the New Year until the last day of Maslenitsa, more than 300 balls take place in Vienna. The ball season opens on December 31st. On this day the Imperial Ball takes place at the Hofburg Palace. Favorite melodies from the times of the empire always sound here, and guests who come to the ball admire the performances of singers and actors of the best Viennese opera houses; during an elegant banquet, guests are served by waiters dressed in livery.
An equally famous event of the ball season is the State Opera Ball, which is usually held in the first half of February. This ball is always in the center of public attention. It opens with the performance of a polonaise, and 186 couples take part in this dance, for whom the ball is a kind of debut in Viennese society.
The Coffee Ball (first half of February), held in the Hofburg Imperial Palace, has its own highlight. The owners of Viennese cafés invite guests and their partners to this ball, which offers the opportunity to taste countless types of coffee (which will undoubtedly encourage dancing).
It is known that Empress Elizabeth of Austria (Sisi) loved the costume ball “Rudolfina-Redoubt” (the first half of February). She hid her face under a mask, and when the “white dance” was announced, she chose her partner. (RIA News")
location:
date: January-March
duration: 3 months
contacts:

New Year's concert at the Vienna Kursalon January 1, 2019


Concert starts: 17.00 and 20.15
Ticket price:
- category C - 63 euros
- category B - 77 euros
- category A - 90 euros
- VIP category - 130 euros

In January, Vienna is not so popular among tourists, but the musical capital of Europe still has something to offer its guests. Tour-Calendar will readily tell you what this city can offer you at the height of the winter season, and how financially profitable the trip will be.

Weather in Vienna in January

A January trip to Vienna promises many unforgettable impressions. However, less than kind weather can shake the spirit of active fans of educational tourism. The thing is that mid-winter is the coldest period of the year, when the thermometer drops to slightly negative values. However, with the right “equipment,” no frost is scary, because the climate of the Austrian capital is much milder than what prevails in the eastern part, and even more favorable than that prevailing in Moscow. On the road, it is better to take with you clothes that protect not only from the cold, but also from the winds, which tend to get stronger in winter. In addition to a down jacket and a scarf, gloves and a hat won’t hurt, even if it’s not typical for you to wear them: participating in excursions and walks will require spending a lot of time outside. It would be a good idea to take an umbrella with you: despite the fact that in January there is stable snow cover throughout the country, it may rain in the city. According to weather forecasters, there are up to 9 days with precipitation. But snow (often wet) is not a rare guest. It can melt after a certain time, or it can last a whole month.

It all depends on the temperature background. The average daily value of absolute maximums is about +2 °C, while short-term thaws cannot be ruled out when the air warms up to +5..+6 °C. At night there is a slight frost down to -2..-4 °C. Although extremely rare, there are serious cold snaps - down to -10..-15 °C. A distinctive feature of January weather conditions in the capital is their lack of stability. Blizzards and multi-day snowfalls caused by a sharp drop in temperature are perhaps the most common natural metamorphoses. Poor visibility and paralyzing snow on the roads also occur. For the same reasons, there are disruptions to airport operations almost every winter season, so if you are heading to Vienna by air, we advise you to start monitoring the status of your own flight a couple of days before departure. As for solar heat, there is not enough of it: for about half of the month, the sky is covered with continuous clouds.

The brightness of Vienna January comes mainly not from the sun's rays, but from the cultural events of the month.

What to do in Vienna in January?

Vienna is such a diverse and exciting city that there is always something to do and a place to go, even during the least climatically attractive period of the year. In fact, there are very few people who purposefully come to the Austrian capital in January for sightseeing. As a rule, it is visited as part of a 1-2-day tour during a holiday at ski resorts. This is a unique opportunity to see Vienna in its true form, without the fuss and large influx of guests, as during the New Year festivities or during the summer season. Two thousand years of history awaits you, framed by ancient streets, architectural monuments, museums and galleries. Winter Vienna is the same city of balls, but in order to discover this side of it, a couple of days will not be enough. It’s worth coming for at least a week, since a lot of preparation for this event is required.

Entertainment and excursions

A tourist planning a January trip to Vienna should adhere to two rules: dress warmly when going out, giving preference to multi-layered outfits (if it suddenly gets hot, you can always take off one “layer”), and plan excursions for the first half of the day with a morning start from the hotel, since daylight hours are very short - it starts to get dark at 16.10-16.50. In principle, the winter season does not impose any restrictions on sightseeing. Except that river trips along the Danube Canal are no longer available, but otherwise everything is as always.

Without any doubt, the city's "must see" list is still topped by the winter residence of the Habsburgs - the Hofburg palace complex. It is worth visiting the imperial apartments and the Empress Sisi Museum, as well as admiring the equestrian show from the Spanish Riding School, located in the eastern wing of the palace (children under 3 years old are not allowed to attend the show). In addition, it would be outright bad manners to ignore the national symbol of the whole - the Cathedral of St. Stephen, in whose dungeons lie the remains of its founder and many great Austrian emperors.

For just 4 euros you can get to its observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the capital. And, of course, the city is invariably associated with the world-famous Vienna Opera (Staatsoper). In winter, her concert hall attracts full houses. This is a musical heart, the beat of which every capital guest is obliged to feel. Those who do not consider themselves fine connoisseurs of opera can only take part in a 40-minute tour of its luxurious building. In January, tours to thematic balls (for example, balls of hunters, doctors, restaurateurs and even flowers), held in the Hofburg and in the City Hall, are very common. However, in order to feel involved in such a beautiful centuries-old tradition, it is not necessary to resort to the help of travel agencies. All you need to do is purchase entrance tickets, which are sold directly on the Internet. However, this should be done in advance (preferably in the fall), as they sell out very quickly. The same January (approximately the middle of the second decade) is notable for the opening of a giant skating rink in front of the Vienna City Hall with an area of ​​6,000 square meters. m.

Due to its incredible size and the amazing decorative lighting on the facade of the Vienna City Hall, which is switched on in the evenings, this project was called the “Vienna Ice Dream”. This is a real fairy-tale empire, where fun and good mood always reign. Every day from 9.00 to 22.00 you can draw elegant loops on the ice to the rhythms of a melodic waltz and fiery disco of the 80s. Nearby there are tents offering to refresh yourself with delicious dishes and warm up with hot alcoholic (fragrant punch, mulled wine, grog) and non-alcoholic drinks. Those who want to spend their winter holidays exclusively in a relaxing environment will most likely prefer to relax in the country's largest thermal complex, Therme Wien Oberlaa. Wellness fans will find spa salons, saunas, swimming pools and restaurants here.

Holidays and festivals

Do not think that Vienna in January is less interesting than in the pre-Christmas period. This month, the ballroom season is rapidly bursting into the measured life of the city, transforming it beyond recognition. It opens on Sylvester, on the night of December 31 to January 1, with the Imperial Ball in the Hofburg, after which the baton is picked up by numerous trade unions (florists, restaurateurs, engineers, pastry chefs, police officers, etc.) and higher educational institutions.

Almost no city institution remains on the sidelines. In addition, on January 1, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra gives a festive concert, which is traditionally broadcast on radio and television in many countries around the world. Fans of classical music have the opportunity to enter the Golden Hall of the Vienna Music Assembly, but to do this they must book tickets in advance. Also at the Vienna State Opera, the winter opera season is in full swing, always presenting a lot of premieres. In turn, the city exhibition center hosts the now traditional Vienna Auto Show.

What are the prices for holidays in Vienna in January?

The cost of tour packages to Vienna is almost constant throughout the year, with the exception of holidays. If you are limited in funds, we recommend purchasing tickets for the second half of the month, when prices after the New Year stabilize and become 60% -100% lower. Compared to the beginning of December, vacations from the 15th may be 10% more profitable.

In January, Vienna will not delight you with warm sunny days, but your mood will be wonderful anyway, because this month is full of events on an international scale, which will be the envy of almost the entire world cultural community. Tour-Calendar wishes you a successful trip!

1. Well, we are in the capital of Austria - Vienna. We will explore the sights of Vienna on our own, although there are more than enough offers for Russian-speaking guides. Austria - Member of the European Union since 1995. Austria was almost the very first country in a united Europe to switch to a single currency, the Euro. But Austria is not a member of NATO, nor are Sweden, Switzerland, or Ireland. The language in Austria is German, but with an "Austrian dialect".

   Vienna has a population of about 2 million people; about a quarter of the country's total population lives in the city and its surroundings. Vienna is a European cultural center. The city is located on the Danube River. And in, and in, and in Vienna - the Danube is everywhere. Vienna, along with Geneva and New York, is one of the headquarters of the UN. Year after year, Vienna ranks honorably first (or close to first) in the world in terms of quality of life. They say that it is impossible to piss off the Austrians, they are so balanced. Well, here it is: I don’t know - I didn’t try (I didn’t output).

   According to the territorial structure, Vienna is a circle, in the center of which is the Ring (Ringstrasse) ring line. Statistics show that it is often hot in summer and that Vienna is a sunny city. And so it was. During the entire time we were there, the daytime temperature was steadily in the thirties and not a cloud in the sky.

   We're going to check in right away. We decided all questions regarding searching and booking accommodation in advance.

   Brief summary of the topic (Sights of Vienna):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   We are entering Vienna...
   
   

   Last edited: Sep 17, 2017

2. Where is the best place to stay in Vienna relatively inexpensively?

   Hotels in Vienna are not cheap. If you are closer to the outskirts, then you could still find hotel options for four at a more or less reasonable price. There are twenty-three districts in Vienna. It is better and more convenient to stay closer to the center. I think that there is no problem getting to the city center from its outskirts, since the transport network is well developed. But I immediately considered not a hotel, but apartments. This will give us the opportunity to save on the cost of living, live almost in the center and get acquainted with the everyday features of life in the city.

   I looked at different options when choosing where to stay in Vienna. Either the area is incomprehensible, or I can’t get through it due to the price. In the end, I chose apartments that are located in a modern complex like ours. The buildings of the complex host various exhibitions, events, and conferences. But there is no fuss near the buildings. And people are not particularly noticeable, mainly due to the organization of space. This modern “city within a city” is designed in such a way that all traffic and parking are underground. Underground is a complex system of interchanges, passages to buildings and parking spaces for each sector. By the way, the navigator under these underground junctions does not plot the route, so I had to use my wits. All passages are through electronic keys and buttons, a kind of “smart home”. The apartments were cozy, naturally modern, with all the necessary equipment. At the same time, the equipment is expensive, mostly Miele. And on the first floor of the residential block, a sauna and a gym were available to us around the clock, which, by the way, were also mega-modern.

   So, we need to explore Vienna in three days. What sights to see and where to go - we had some route planned. But after talking with the landlady, we adjusted it a little. Indeed, we will quickly get tired of running the standard route from point A to point B. Therefore, we will simply walk around interesting places in Vienna.

   We left the car to rest in a private free underground parking lot, we rested for a couple of hours after the road, and we will move around Vienna by public transport. The metro from our “home” was a five-minute walk.

   Our complex:
   
   
   
   

3. Metro in Vienna: how to use? Fare

   In this part I’ll tell you a little about what the metro in Vienna is and how to use it to get to the desired station.

   The Vienna Metropolitan is a convenient mode of transport; it includes five lines, distinguished by the color and number of the lines. All of them will one way or another pass through the city center. There is no pomp in the station lobbies. Everything is simple, clear and clean. The metro in Vienna is designated by the letter "U".

   Vienna metro map:

   Until what time does the Vienna metro operate?

   On weekdays, the city of the Austrian capital begins work from five in the morning until midnight. On Saturdays and Fridays, as well as on holidays, the Vienna metro changes its operating hours to around the clock. The decision on the non-stop operating schedule of the Vienna metro on weekends and holidays was discussed and adopted in an official popular referendum of residents. This Austrian “correctness” is present in everything. I was told by the Vienna metro schedule that the operating hours of different lines may differ slightly, this needs to be clarified. And the interval between metro trains in Vienna is slightly longer than in Moscow.

   Austrians believe that their metro is not an expensive pleasure. Let's figure out how much the metro costs in Vienna? One trip will cost €2.2. But we had no intention of buying a one-time ticket. I was interested in the travel pass option. A metro pass in Vienna is not only convenient, but also significantly more economical than individual tickets. We count from the time of the first entrance to the metro: for a day (24 hours) - €7.6, for two days (48 hours) - €13.3, for three days (72 hours from the moment of the first entrance) - €16.5 . Moreover, these metro passes are valid for any type of public transport: buses, trams, and commuter trains on the “S” lines.

   By the way, this is our metro station, let's go sightseeing in Vienna
   
   
   
   
   The trailers themselves, note rush hour! Compare with Moscow...
   

   If you plan to actively use public transport in Vienna, then you definitely need to buy a pass. Just be sure to validate it the first time you enter (validating machines are installed at the entrance to the metro) and do not lose your ticket while using it. Sometimes there are inspectors in subway cars, but we didn’t come across them. But the fine for traveling without a ticket is just over $100 per person. And if there are four of you, and you either forgot to validate the tickets at the entrance or cannot find them, the fine will be more than 400 €, however! And if you do not pay immediately, then within three days the fine increases by 30 percent.

   How to buy a metro ticket in Vienna?

   There are ticket vending machines at every station. The selection menu has Russian! Everything is very simple, so buying a metro ticket in Vienna is no more difficult than in Moscow. We chose the two-day option, which means it will be valid for 48 hours from the first entry.

4. I don’t really understand what the problem is with Russifying a ticket sales machine if it’s a regular computer with a touch screen. Otherwise, in the Netherlands, Russian letters cannot be found during the day.

5. Sanctions are to blame!

   The city is both clean and beautiful. I looked at the population - 1.5–1.8 million people have been living there for a hundred years. No demographic shocks.

6. St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna

   St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is a landmark and symbol of all of Austria. The cathedral was built in the Gothic style, the height of the tallest tower is more than 130 meters. The cathedral looked like it does now in the 16th century.

   The place where many people begin their acquaintance with the city is St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. The history of the Cathedral began back in 1137, when the Austrian ruler of that time, Leopold XIV, laid the first stone at the foundation. But the first building was destined to burn down, this happened two hundred years later. On the site of the burnt church, a new one was built and consecrated. The day of the consecration of the church is celebrated today on April 23. Austrian rulers replaced each other, and the construction of the church continued for several centuries. Today, the restoration of the Cathedral is being actively carried out. The fact is that lime walls are very susceptible to destruction. Restorers closely monitor this process, sometimes replacing individual coverings or sculptures on the facade.

   Located in the very center of the Austrian capital, the cathedral is beautiful both outside and inside. The interior is decorated with various sculptures, stained glass windows and religious mosaics, and art objects. Under the cathedral is the tomb of the Austrian rulers and their loved ones. Large Austrian church officials are still buried there. The true decoration of the cathedral is the largest organ in Austria. And the only bell installed above the cathedral is one of the largest in Europe. There are observation platforms on the towers of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

   Stefansplatz itself.
   

   St. Stephen's Cathedral, address:

   The famous Vienna Cathedral is located in the central area at Stephansplatz 1. Getting to the Cathedral is very easy. You need to get to the very central Vienna metro station Stephansplatz and follow the signs to the city.

   St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, opening hours:

   The cathedral opens unusually early in the morning and closes late in the evening.
   Opening hours are from 6 am to 10 pm.
   On Sundays and holidays the cathedral opens a little later, from 7 am. On Sundays, people flock to the Cathedral to listen to Sunday Mass.

   St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, official website:

7. Plague Column Vienna

   Another landmark of Vienna on the city square near St. Stephen's Cathedral is the Plague Column or the Plague Monument in Vienna.

   Europe, in principle, suffered greatly from the plague, and Vienna lost a third of its population from this plague scourge. In the Middle Ages, medicine was powerless against the plague, and sanitary and hygienic standards of life were far from modern standards. And people had only one hope in the Lord God. And when the epidemic subsided, people erected such plague columns as gratitude. In 1678, the plague was raging in Europe. The first wooden Plague Column in Vienna did not help at this place; the epidemic took over the entire city. The new stone column took more than ten years to build. Gradually, the epidemic receded, and at the beginning of Graben Street in the center of the Austrian capital, a composition in the Baroque style with a statue of the Virgin Mary remained standing, as a thank you to the Lord for deliverance from the plague.

   From the square in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral we walk along Kärntnerstrasse. The street is wide, on both sides there are shops, cafes, souvenir shops. Beautiful, of course. But in principle, it’s just a central street; it feels like there are a lot of tourists. At the end of Kärntnerstrasse on the right we see the building of the Vienna Opera House.

8. Opera House in Vienna

   The Opera House in Vienna is well known among music lovers and connoisseurs; it had the status of a court theater even during the ruling Habsburg dynasty. The building was built in 1861. And the acoustic capabilities of the hall are still recognized today as one of the best in the world.
   The opera house offers tours for tourists. You can get acquainted with the interior and even see how the scenery is being assembled for the upcoming performance. Tours are held daily and last about an hour.

   Ticket prices for performances vary greatly: from several tens to several hundred or thousand euros per ticket. You also need to know that the letters indicate the categories of performances: A - the most expensive productions, where stars of the opera stage participate, B - these are medium in price: the main part of the repertoire, C - for lovers of light performances, tickets here are the cheapest. There is an opportunity to save on tickets. To do this, you need to approach the opera house one hour before the performance. At this time, cheap (2.5 €) tickets are “thrown away”. These tickets are for standing room and are limited in number. And, judging by the reviews, it is better to come for standing tickets not an hour in advance, but two or five, it depends on the popularity of the performance.

   But during the warm period, from May to October, there is an opportunity to see what is happening on the stage of the opera house on the big screen right here, next to the building. To do this, seats are installed opposite the large screen.

   By the way, there is paid parking next to the theater, so arriving by car should not be a problem...

   Opera House in Vienna, official website

   The season at the Vienna Opera is long, almost ten months. The repertoire includes many different musical works. In general, Vienna and music are two inseparable concepts. The sounds and melodies of classical music accompany you everywhere. Even on the rides in Vienna's Prater Park, classical music is played before turning on the speed or starting the most “scary” part of the test.

   Brahms, Schubert, and Haydn lived and created their great works in Vienna. Mozart in Vienna is actually a national symbol. The words of the Austrian anthem are set to Mozart's music from the Masonic Cantata. I read that Mozart was one of the Freemasons. The city even preserves the house where the great composer lived. He is next to, through the arch. Mozart in his letters called Vienna the best city in the world. In Vienna, hotels, liqueurs, perfumes and even Mozart candies are associated with the name of Mozart. These chocolates, syrup and mixed nuts were created a hundred years after the composer's death, at the end of the 19th century.

   I also cannot help but mention Johann Strauss, an Austrian composer. We are most familiar with Strauss's waltzes. Viennese waltz, Viennese waltzes are quite stable phrases. Strauss's waltzes are performed at the opera house in Vienna during an important social event - the Vienna Ball. How important this event is can be judged by the fact that even the President of Austria may be present. And there is even a rehearsal for this grandiose performance. Men in tailcoats, ladies in beautiful ball gowns. Austrians of any income buy ball gowns to attend one of the string of balls. From the beginning of November until the end of winter, such events take place throughout Vienna, but the most important is the Vienna Opera Ball. So, dresses can be bought both in a cool boutique and in local second-hand ballrooms, for every taste and budget. People from different countries come to the Vienna Ball at the Opera House.

9. City Hall in Vienna

   After visiting the building of the Vienna Opera House, we headed to one interesting place, which was suggested to us by the landlady. We didn’t include it in the Vienna inspection program for three days, because we simply didn’t know about it.

   So, we go down the metro to Karlplatz station. The entrance is opposite the Opera House. We're going to the Town Hall. It is located in the central district of Vienna - the Inner City, metro station Rathaus, line U2. And back to the center from the Town Hall we took tram number 1, the stop is next to the Town Hall, across the park, there is no need to cross the road.

   The City Hall building in Vienna, built at the end of the 19th century, is a striking example of neo-Gothic architecture. At the top there is a figure of a standard-bearer guard in appropriate ammunition and armor, 3.5 meters high. By the way, the City Hall in Vienna does not belong to the church. The city burgomaster (mayor) works here, and members of parliament and the municipal council sit here. Completely social events are held in the interior spaces - concerts, exhibitions, receptions, balls. There is even a restaurant in the Town Hall building. It is aimed more at tourists, with prices like this: apple strudel and coffee 8 euros.

   It turns out that since 1991, almost every day in the warm season at 21.00 near the Vienna Town Hall, musical films, opera and ballet performances and other works of art have been shown on a large 23 m wide screen installed right next to the Town Hall.

   
   
   
   

   These events attract both local residents and visitors to the city. The shows are different every day. We had difficulty finding free seats in the established summer amphitheater on the street. Moreover, many, even if there are free seats, sit specifically on the grass. I honestly don’t know the name of the operetta that was broadcast on the screen, and it was in German.

   I just looked and caught the atmosphere that filled this place. The audience is completely different: from students in appearance to intelligent, gray-haired elderly couples. Well, the sales area here is smart. Immediately behind the amphitheater there is a park with fountains - Rathauspark, where various cafes set up their tents, and the air smelled of sausages, coffee and beer. This is the smell of Austria.

   Such performances at the Town Hall are very comfortable, and this is exactly what you need to see in the evening in Vienna. And in winter, one of the oldest Christmas markets and an ice skating rink operates in front of the Town Hall.

   In the evening, in the apartment, we caught ourselves thinking that familiar melodies of classical music were spinning in our heads. How else? Music is everywhere in Vienna.