General Information about Vienna and Austria
From IFToMM - 7th International Conference on Rotor Dynamics
Contents |
Geography
Austria is the third largest landlocked country of the European continet, situated in the very heart of Europe. It is bounded by Switzerland, the German Federal Republik, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy and Liechtenstein. 7.5 million people live in an area of 32,389 square miles. Three quarters of the Austrian territory is covered by mountains. The highest elevation is the Grossglockner (12,454 ft).
1 mile = 1.6 km; 1 foot = 0.3 m.
Language
German is the mother tongue of the Austrians; English is widely understood and spoken.
Time
Central European Time (MEZ), one hour ahead of Geenwich Mean Time (GMT), is used in Austria except during the period between late March and the end of September, when daylight saving time is in force (GMT + 2 hours).
Entry Regulations
Nationals of most European and many overseas countries need no visa to enter Austria; an identity card or a passport expired within less than 5 years is sufficient. Foreign nationals need no customs documents for their own cars when driving into Austria. Recognition is accorded to most driving licenses and registration documents issued in other countries. Motor vehicles must be covered by third-party insurance. Information may be obtained from all automobile clubs.
Access from the Vienna Schwechat Airport to Vienna city centre
Shuttle bus to the Schwedenplatz Vienna
Departure from the airport: every 30 min.
(Price: EUR 6,00 one way)
CAT – City Airport Train
every 30 min. , Wien Mitte - Airport / Airport - Wien Mitte
(EUR 9,00 one way / EUR 16,00 both ways)
Schnellbahn“ (railway)
to City Air Terminal/Hilton Vienna or stop „Wien Nord“ Departure from the airport: at least every 30 min.
(Price: EUR 3,00 one way)
Taxi
(approx. EUR 40,00),- from the airport to the city)
More Information
For more detailed information please view: http://english.viennaairport.com/bbpp.html
Limousine Transfer
We are pleased to offer Limousine transfer for EUR 36,00 one way. For further information please contact MONDIAL CONGRESS.
Public transportation within the city
We urgently recommend visitors to make use of the underground, tram and bus network wherever possible since it is the most convenient, comfortable and fastest link between almost every famous place in Vienna and the Hilton Hotel.
Electricity
Austria uses 220-volt AC current at 50 cycles/second. Some hotels stock adapter plugs but not power converters. Electric clocks, record players and tape recorders, however, will not function well, even if equipped with an adapter.
Banking hours
in Vienna are 8.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Thursday (head offices are open without break); banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.)
In the Federal Provinces banking hours vary regionally. The exchange counters at airports and railroad stations are generally open from the first to the last plane or train, which usually means 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. seven days a week.
Credit cards Mastercard/Eurocard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club are widely accepted in shops.
But it is necessary to carry some cash.
Food in Austria
Usual dining hours
Breakfast: 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. Lunch: 12.00 noon to 2.00 p.m. Dinner: 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.
What to eat and drink
The Austrian cuisine is a world -famous blend of specialities from all the countries that once belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Hungarian, Serbian, Bohemian and Polish dishes, as well as the excellent thought less sophisticated genuine Austrian food have been adapted by masters of Viennese cookery. Pastries and desserts are superb in Austria and are available in a fascinating variety. Austria´s wolrd-known white wines have a fragrant bouquet and call for the highest appreciation by connoisseurs. Beer is extraordinarily good. "Schnaps", distilled from a variety of fruit, is usually fairly potent but can be quite tasty (and inexpensive). Coffee was introduced to the western world through Austria and comes in a variety of versions, all worth trying.
Restaurants and Coffee Shops
The Viennese Coffee Shops (Café) are a cultural institution which has been a landmark for the past 300 years. The Café was and still is a place of encounter for the Viennese. And there are also special pastry shops where you can buy delicious Viennese pastry and taste it "on site". Please find a list and recommendations of the many different restaurants in Vienna at the Mondial desk.
Heurigen - Austrian Wine Taverns
These wine taverns owe their popularity not only to the excellent wine and the relaxing atmosphere, but also to the typical Heurigen music.
Concerts, Operas, Theaters, Festivals
In Austria the opera and theater season lasts from September to June; some theaters, particularly in Vienna, continue during July and August. The official concert season extends from October to June, but there are a large number of concerts during the summer months too.
For programme and tickets please contact Mondial Congress.
Shopping
For foreign tourists Austria is a treasure trove of high quality, valuable, pretty and very often hand-made articles: Austrian glassware, fancy jewelry, petit-point handbags, chinaware, lingerie, clothing, mountain and skiboots, skis and other sports equipment and traditional dress ("Austrian look") appeal by their tastefulness and the use of the finest materials.
Usual shopping hours:
Weekdays: 09.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. Saturdays: 09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.
Refund on Value-Added Tax ("Tax -Free-Shopping")
A 10% or 20% value-added tax is included in the list price of items for sale in Austria. Tourists of Non-EC-Countries must pay this V.A.T. ("MWSt") at the time of purchase but may obtain a refund of the tax on unused merchandise which is taken with them when they leave Austria.
Additional Links
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austria - Wikipedia-Article about Austria
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna - Wikipedia-Article about Vienna
- http://www.tuwien.ac.at/pr/tu_info/tuinfo_travelling.shtml - Travelling Information from Vienna University of Technology
