Public Transport System
The public transport system, consisting of subways, streetcars and buses, is the most efficient and cost effective way to travel within Vienna. One day, three day and other tickets can be purchased at every tobacconist and in all subway stations. Devaluation has to be done once when entering a subway station, streetcar or bus. Please see www.wienerlinien.at for more details!

Passports and Visa
Passport-holders from all EU countries as well as from North America and Australia will not need a visa to enter Austria. For some nationalities the visa can be issued at the airport in Vienna upon arrival. Others may have to apply before. If in doubt, please check with your nearest Austrian embassy, consulate (www.austria.org), or your airline.

Climate and weather
In February, the average temperature in Vienna varies between 0 and +5 degrees Celsius. Since the climate is rather cold and often rainy or snowy during this month it is advisable to bring warm clothes with you.
To get information about the current weather in Vienna please click here.

Language
The language spoken in Austria is German, but most Austrians speak English and some French and Italian as well, and are happy to be of service to visitors. The official language of the Congress is English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

Voltage
Electricity in Austria is 220 volts. Foreign appliances could require an adapter.

Local Currency
The Euro (€) is the Austrian currency.
(Euro (€) 1 = 1,33 US $ as per May 2009)

Bank and Exchange
Most Austrian banks will change traveller’s cheques as well as cash. Banking hours in general are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 3:00pm, Thursday 8am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 5:30pm.

Credit Cards / Cash Machines
Major credit cards are accepted by hotels, restaurants and most shops. Please note that American Express credit cards may not be accepted everywhere in Austria. Cash machines are located throughout the city.

Restaurants and Coffee Shops
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. In Austria, lunch is generally served between 12am and 2pm, dinner around 7pm.

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".

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, 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.

Shopping hours are Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9am (10am) – 6pm, Thursday 9am (10am) - 7pm (8pm) and Saturday 9am – 5pm. Except for some tobacconists and small supermarkets at petrol stations and at the main railway stations, shops are closed on Sundays. Luxury shops for an elegant clientele can be found in the pedestrian zone along Graben and Kärntnerstraße (underground U1, U3/Stephansplatz). Street entertainers and outdoor cafes contribute to the special atmosphere of this area. Another well known shopping area is Mariahilferstraße (underground U3/Neubaugasse).

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.

Tips
Service is usually included in the bill in bars and restaurants, but tips up to 10% are welcome.

Getting to know Vienna
If you are interested in taking sightseeing tours, going to the famous Viennese opera or concerts, our partner Travelagency Mondial GmbH & Co KG can help you in choosing where to go. Please visit this link for more information.