I am an older fellow and have planned a trip to Vienna (and Budapest) for August 6-16, but I am becoming very concerned about being able to manage if there is a heat wave. I know I can find an air conditioned hotel, but is A/C fairly common in public venues in each place? Also, does anyone know which specific museums are air-conditioned each place? If there is a heat wave and I need to escape to a cooler area, does anyone have any suggestions from each place? Thanks in advance.
Posted by
1916 posts
Most museums have A/C, less to comfort you, but to protect the artwork. Well known restaurants tend to have A/C, smaller and older ones not so often. A/C is very uncommon in private apartments, especially in historic houses (i.e. built before 1945).
If you need an immediate cool down just enter a bus and have a ride from one end to the other, watching parts of the city you normally wouldn't go to. The bigger the bus, the more powerful the A/C. I can recommend lines 48A or 13A. All public busses have A/C, but not all trams and subway trains. Don't expect chilly temperatures inside like in the US; the A/C in public transport is to be set 5°C (about 10°F) lower than the outside temperature. Walk through the bus and feel the coolest spot, mostly in the back of the bus.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17956 posts
BUDAPEST
The AC in retail of any type, even hotels is there but the expectation is 78F and little humidity control.
AirBnb with AC in the historic district is fairly common these days.
Good news is even on hot days the mornings and evenings are very comfortable.
I will be there in a few days. The mornings and evenings are so enjoyable that I think I will survive the afternoons; after all it was 110F here today.
And my Airbnb has AC
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1441 posts
In Vienna, it's hard to find AC, even in hotels.
In Budapest, AC is far more common.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1438 posts
If you go to www.Trivago.com and enter “Vienna” and select “Filters” and check the box for “AC” you will see dozens of accommodations in the old city
of Vienna and central Budapest for $125-$175 that have AC.
On the hottest days there are 38 municipal swimming pools of all sorts in Vienna and cool pools among the warmer ones at the Gellert and Szechenyi baths in Budapest to cool off in.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
City of Seattle
1785 posts
A) I love the go swimming tip. Vienna is a superb city for a swim in many different kinds of venues, and it certainly is a cultural experience getting in there with the locals
B) be a little bit skeptical of hotels that claim to have AC. I've been in scores of European hotel rooms that reportedly had A/C, but it didn't work, barely worked, and/or was a swamp cooler. If you really want good A/C pick a chain business hotel.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17956 posts
Hank has a good idea. Here are some ideas other than the traditional thermal spas. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.budapestbylocals.com/budapest-beaches/amp/