Vienna in February

It will be cold, possible snow at times. Get the 72 hr transit pass that lets you ride all the excellent U-bahn, trams, and buses. Which train station do you want to get to? You can still walk the city (we stop whenever it gets too cold in one of the numerous cafes for coffee) and all the sights will be open.

Ah-h-h-h-h Alex,
Good! See your advice a lot on this post. Don't know the train station yet. Have no travel documents, but are going to Budapest by train, if that helps. Will get the transportation pass. Where should we buy it? Will visit your site as soon as we can to get your tips on dining, etc. Thanks.

The hotel is right at the fair grounds as can be also be told by the street name. Nearest metro station is Praterstern, about half a mile's walk away right by the ferris wheel. The hotel is located very well for trade fair visitors but - quite frankly - it's a horrible location for tousist. Downtown is just too far away. There is another Austria Trend hotel right behind the town hall and Burgtheater. Can you rebook?

Thanks, Andreas. Am locked in to hotel I think, but info on hotel site says there's a bus stop 1 min. away, and, as you say, U-Bahn 1 & 2 stations are 10 min. walk (1/2 mile?) away. Is the bus stop helpful? Am landing at airport. Will I be able to p/u a city & transportation map there as at most major airports? Also, some tours have been arranged for us: Shonbrunn Schloss, City Tour, and Salzburg. I think one of these tours drops us off in the city center. Any suggestions for how to (or how NOT to) get back to our hotel from there? Thanks again.

Barri, yes, of course you will be able to pick up that public transportation map. If there is a bus stop near the hotel of course it'll be of much help. The bus most likely is going to take you to the metro stop at least. Looking at the map I figured it would be about 800m to the metro station, which is half a mile. It could be a little less. Schönbrunn is great, you'll love it out there. There is a small bar - as a matter of fact the smallest bar of Austria - in a little side street just of Kärtner Str., the main shopping street. You'd have to ask for its name but have a look at it. It really IS small! ;-)

You can buy the transit pass at any rail or U-bahn station ay the easy to use machines, (in English and take credit cards)validate once at the many time stamp machines you will find at the U-bahn stations. Keep your pass with you, they do run checks occasionaly. Take the S-bahn (downstairs from the arrival area)and take the Floridsdorf train, depart at Wien Nord (Praterstern) station. You'll need to buy a ticket for this train as your transit pass does not cover the airport zone, around 1,50-2,00 euro, takes about 35-40 min. Or you can take a taxi for approx. 35 euro. Do not take the CAT train, it will only take you to Wien Mitte station. Andreas is right about the area, but it is not that bad and from Praterstern station you can be in city center within 10 min. Let me know if I can help further. You'll love Wien, it is a jewel.

Barri; Forgot to elaborate; take the Floridsdorf train from the airport and depart at Wien Nord (Praterstern)

Thanks for the helpful advice, Alex. Now another question. We're booked on a few tours around Wien, some of which drop us off in the city center. Is the "city center" the Ringstrasse area? In any case, how should we get back to our hotel from the city center? Sounds as if public transportation is plentiful. Perhaps the bus? Should we walk, if it is at night? Of course, we could just take a taxi, but would rather use public transportation. I have a AAA map of Switzerland and Wien, but not any detail of transportation. Will pick up a trasit map at airport. Am really looking forward to seeing this world class city for the first time!

City center is usually the Stephansdom area, but to others it could be the Ring, no matter,from Stephansdom just take the U-bahn (U1 red line) to Wien Nord (Praterstern) station.If you are on the Ring, you can catch it at Schwedenplatz. From Praterstern, take Tram 21 to Messestrasse, should be a very short walk to your hotel. The area is not that bad, used to be some prostitution around the Prater at night, however, you won't be bothered by anyone. We went to an East European Circus in the area in January and walked the whole Prater area without any problems whatsoever. Make sure you try Gasthaus Hansy across from Wien Nord station, good food, dessert, wine, and locally brewed beer.