Can anyone please suggest the best area to stay in Vienna for ease of getting around and looking at main attractions? We arrive into Vienna by plane and hire a car from there to leave but won't have a car during our 3 night stay so somewhere accessible by transport to travel to see main sights. Would prefer in area with shops, restaurants, etc as travelling with 2 children so would be great to be able to go out to eat without having to take transport. Someone has given us details of a private inner city apartment in Paris that is rented out at a very reasonable rate - wondering if Vienna has similar that you know of?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Getting into the city from the airport is pretty easy. Take the S7 train to Wienmitte for about €4. Takes about 30 minutes. (A more expensive option is also available: CAT train for €10. Takes about 15 min.) The 1st district (the area within "the ring") is where most tourists gravitate. That's where the cathedral and most of the main attractions are. A google search will get you numerous hotels. That having been said, the public transit system is so darned good that even staying outside the ring is not a bad option. You might get a better deal in the 2nd district (right across the canal), etc. The area near Mariahilfer Strasse (the main shopping street popular with the locals) is also a good place to stay. Both are conveniently on public transit. There are numerous restaurants in all these areas. That will not be a problem. (P.S., when my kids were small they liked the schnitzle.) You asked about apartments. See the following link. Disclaimer: I have never used them, so I cannot rate them one way or another. http://www.duschelapartments.com/en/ I hope you have a good time in Vienna. It's a wonderful city.
Pension Sacher
K&T Boardinghouse has a price and location that's impossible to beat. It was always good for Rick Steves on his trips to Vienna. Now, Tina and Kaled have a second location close by. Their accommodations are modern and very clean.
The subway is out the front door and a large grocery is across the street.
Apartments Augarten. Beatrix is a wonderful landlady.
http://www.appartements-augarten.info/