Before you go · Vienna
Vienna essentials
The practical things worth knowing before you arrive, checked against official sources on 25 October 2026. Entry rules change: always check the official sources before you travel.
Updated October 2026
Entry to the EU
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) registers travellers from outside the EU electronically at the border.
ETIAS, the travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is not yet in operation: the EU’s official site says it will announce the start date several months before launch. Never pay a third-party site.
From the airport
The City Airport Train runs non-stop between the airport and Wien Mitte/Landstrasse in about 21 minutes, every 12 minutes between 7am and 7pm and every 15 minutes at other times (cityairporttrain.com). ÖBB S-Bahn and Railjet trains also serve the airport.
Arriving by train
Most long-distance and international trains, including the Railjets from Budapest and Munich and the Nightjet sleepers, use Wien Hauptbahnhof, on the U1. See our page Vienna by rail.
U-Bahn, trams and buses
Wiener Linien runs the U-Bahn, trams and buses; trams 1 and 2 circle much of the Ringstrasse. The U2xU5 metro works are under way: check wienerlinien.at before you travel.
Book the big sights direct
Buy tickets for Schönbrunn (schoenbrunn.at), the Spanish Riding School (srs.at), the State Opera (wiener-staatsoper.at) and the Musikverein (musikverein.at) on their own websites.
Customs and etiquette
In a coffee house, sit down and wait to be served; coffee comes with a glass of water, and you can stay as long as you like. In St Stephen’s and other churches, dress modestly and keep quiet during services. Many shops close on Sundays.
Tipping
Vienna’s tourist board says a tip of 5 to 10 per cent is usual in restaurants and coffee houses, depending on the service; there is no obligation, and you can add it in cash or when you pay by card (wien.info).
Emergencies
Call 112 from any phone, 144 for an ambulance, 133 for the police and 122 for the fire service (oesterreich.gv.at). See our health page for hospitals. Carry your EHIC or GHIC, or travel insurance that covers medical costs.
Questions and answers
Do I need ETIAS to visit Vienna?
Not yet: ETIAS is not in operation. The EU will announce the start date several months in advance on its official site.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The City Airport Train runs non-stop to Wien Mitte in about 21 minutes; ÖBB trains also run to the Hauptbahnhof.
What is the emergency number?
112, or 144 for an ambulance, 133 for the police and 122 for the fire service.
Entry rules and transport change, sometimes at short notice. Check the EU’s official sites, oebb.at, wienerlinien.at and your government’s advice before you travel.