Counting Pennies in Vienna

Q: My husband and I are going to Vienna, Austria for five days in June. Could you advise us on some affordable hotels that are centrally located? Is public transport easily available? And is it as expensive as many people say it is? - Ingrid Botha

A: Being a major European capital, Vienna is not cheap. It ranks 24th on the list of the world's most expensive cities, but is more affordable than cities like Copenhagen, Paris, Oslo, Helsinki, Moscow, Zurich and Geneva. The survey last year found that lunch at a restaurant cost 25 US dollars, a can of beer from a grocer 1.42 US dollar and a movie ticket 12 US dollars. Vienna has a very well-developed public transport system and you can get anwhere in the city using the network of buses, trains, trams and underground trains. A single ticket permits you to travel one way in one zone, such as the centre of the Vienna. A single ticket costs 1.80 Euro. However, you can also buy tickets covering 24 hours, (5.70 Euro) 48 hours (10 Euro) and 72 hours (13.60 Euro). Tickets are available at the ticket sales offices of the Vienna Transport Authority, at tobacconists and from vending machines in the underground stations. You could also buy a Vienna Card, which entitles you to 72 hours of free public transport, as well as 210 discounts at museums, theatresm, shops, restaurants and concerts. The card a discount on tickets between the city and the airport. The Vienna Card costs 18.50 Euros is available at the tourist information centre on Albertinaplatz and at the airport, as well as at sales points on the Vienna Lines. You can also buy by credit card ( tel: +43-1-798 44 00-148). When it comes to hotels in Vienna, you should try to stay in the inner city (the 1st district), which means you can walk to all the most important attractions. Look for the postal code 1010 when booking hotel. Another great area to stay in is the "Biebermeister" section of Spittelberg. Located in the 7th District of Neubau, the areas has lovely hotels on cobblestone streets and a number of interesting museums and restaurants. You could also try the Museums Quartier or the Schwedenplatz, the area fronted by the Danube Canal. A good budget choice is the Vox Apartment Hotel, which is located in the historic city centre. It is a two-minute walk from the first district and an underground station. A double room will cost you 90 US dollars on www.booking.com. The four-star Mercure Wien Europaplatz Hotel is centrally located right across from the Western Train Station and next to Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna’s biggest shopping street. A double room will cost you 96 US dollars on www.booking.com. If you want to splash out, then the five-star Radisson Blu Style Hotel makes a great choice. The stylish art nouveau hotel has been beautifully refurbished, with classy rooms and an open fireplace in the marble-and-wood wine bar. The location is unbeatable as you are in the cafe area and just down the cobbled street from the Imperial Palace. A double room is available on www.booking,com for 216 US dollars (R1490). Another great choice is the luxurious Das Tyrol Hotel. It is situated on the longest shopping street in the heart of Vienna, only 100 meters from the Museum Quarter. A double room is available on www.expedia.com for 210 US dollars (R1400) per night. (20/3/11)