Money
The currency that is used in Vienna and Austria is the euro. There are a lot of banks, ATMs and exchange offices in the city where you can exchange the currency. Also, big number of restaurants and shops take credit cards, so you don’t have to worry much about the currency.
Phones and Internet
The country code for Austria is 0043 or +43,phone code of Vienna is 1 and then you type in the rest of the number. There are also phone booths in Vienna, some of them use coins, other phone cards. Phone cards can be purchased in post offices or you can make calls in the post office. Also, you can buy a prepaid phone number that costs not more 10 euros. When it comes to the internet, you can get the password if you are sitting in a cafe or a restaurant, some charge it, other don’t. Also, a place where you are staying will probably have their own Wi-Fi and there are always internet cafes where you can spend as much time as you want, but you have to pay for it.
Business Hours and Holidays
Usual business hours for banks are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with one hour lunch break around noon. They are closed on weekends, but there are ATMs and some exchange offices that work weekends. Shops are also open during weekdays including Saturdays, usually from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., some stay open even longer. Gas stations in big cities like Vienna are open 24/7. Some cafes, restaurants and shops have a particular day in the week when they close, so don’t let that surprise you. When it comes to public holidays, banks and shops are closed and some attractions like museums have reduced hours. Public holidays in Austria are January 1, January 6, Easter Monday, May 1, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Corpus Christi, August 15, October 26, November 1, December 8, December 25 and 26.
Local laws and Tips
Vienna is a pretty safe city and there is no need to worry about your safety much. Like in every big cities that you don’t know well, avoid small and abandoned streets and alleys, tunnels and bad neighborhoods. There can always be someone who practices pick-pocketing, but that usually happens in big crowds. Number for police is 133, fire 122 and ambulance 144.
Essential Phrases in German Language
It is considered very decent and friendly if you are trying to speak hosts language, and even though most of Viennese speak English, they will much rather help you if you are trying German. So, here are some phrases that might help you.
Good day (formal)
Guten Tag means Good day and is pronounced as Goo-ten tahk.
Bitte means Please and is pronounced Bee-tuh.
Danke schön means Thank you and is pronounced Dan-kuh shurn.