Visit Austria: Mistakes to Avoid on Your Vienna Vacation
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Vienna Austria. While many travel blogs will tell you what to do in Vienna, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Vienna vacation!
Vienna Public Transportation
After a few trips on the train in Vienna, you start to realize that they don’t always check your ticket. You might start to think you can get away without purchasing a ticket. It is sort of on the honor system, but there are employees who will do random checks for tickets. If you don’t have a ticket, you can get a heavy fine. It’s not worth the risk. In two weeks, I was asked to show my ticket three times, so it does happen. Not only do you need to buy a ticket, but you also need to validate it before you board the train. If you are caught without a ticket, they won’t care that you’re a tourist. So, don’t try to cheat the system when it comes to public transportation in Vienna.
Tip: If you buy the Wochen ticket, which is a weekly ticket, it is not necessarily good for seven consecutive days. It is good for Monday through Sunday! If you arrive on a Friday, you’ll need a new Wochen ticket the following Monday.
Missing Out on Vienna’s Cafe Culture
Vienna is all about cafe culture; it’s practically a religion in Vienna! Many tourists are trying to cram a lot of Vienna sightseeing into their trip and they don’t take the time to sit down, relax and enjoy the cafe scene. Whether you prefer coffee, tea or hot chocolate, it’s a bit of a ritual to enjoy your hot drink, along with a slice of Sacher Torte or Apple Streudel, and watch the world go by. A huge part of the cafe culture is enjoying some of the many desserts that Vienna is famous for. My go to is Apple Streudel and hot cocoa (Heisse Schokolade).
Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Vienna
Expecting Friendly Service in Vienna
As pleasant as the cafe experience is, the service in Vienna is actually not that friendly. While the servers are knowledgeable and do a good job, they aren’t overly solicitous or friendly like you might expect if you are from the US or the UK. The servers in Vienna made a good wage and don’t go out of their way to get that extra tip, even though you are expected to tip in Vienna. One thing you’ll notice is that you have to ask for your check when you are done eating. They won’t automatically bring it to you. Because of the cafe culture, patrons often linger for several hours, so they won’t be rushing you out of your table. And if you want to stay and linger no one will pressure you to hurry and leave your table, unless you are being loud.
Not Carrying Cash
Many places are becoming almost cashless societies, so I see a lot of Vienna visitors trying to pay with a credit card everywhere they go. While many places in Vienna will take credit cards, there are still places that do not take cards. So, you really need to carry some cash when you visit Vienna. Cafes, hotels, and restaurants will usually accept cards, but if you want to grab some street food, or buy something at a market stall in Naschmarkt, you will need cash.
Tip: It’s also easier to tip in cash, otherwise you have to communicate the amount of your tip to be included when they run your card; you can’t just write it in on the receipt.
European Currency: Travel Money Tips & How to Exchange Money
Underestimating the Amount of Vienna Sightseeing
There is an unbelievable amount of culture and history in Vienna. This is the home of the Holy Roman Empire, with hundreds of years of culture. Music and the arts are huge in Vienna. From concert halls to opera houses, and then you have all of the amazing museums. There are several palaces in Vienna, many with beautiful gardens and parks. Deciding what to do in Vienna can be overwhelming because you have so many choices. If you are only planning a short Vienna vacation, then you really need to do some research ahead of time and prioritize your Vienna sightseeing because you just can’t see everything in one trip.
Vienna has a special place in my heart. I went to school here, and I’ve returned with my family many times over the years. I hope this helps you know some of the things to avoid doing when you visit Vienna. Looking for more of our Austria vacation tips? Check out these blog posts!