The majestic and calm Vienna never ceases to attract tourists. It is a city of architecture, museums and music. It is also famous for the fact that prices here bite. How to save money on accommodation, transport and entertainment in Vienna?
Cheap flight
Air tickets are an important expense item and must be treated responsibly. There are ways to get cheap flights to the Austrian capital. Firstly, the Austrian Airlines company several times a year runs promotions to reduce the cost of tickets. If you subscribe to a company's mailing list, you can easily track them. Secondly, it is better to start purchasing tickets in advance. Low-cost airlines start selling them in six months or more. If you use the help of a search engine, but based on the specified parameters, it will choose the best offers. Thus, you can buy a ticket 3-4 times cheaper. Thirdly, there is an option to get to other European cities, and from there continue your journey. For example, comfortable buses go from the capital of Slovakia to Vienna. The trip will cost 7.5 euros. If you choose the scenic route along the Danube, the travel time will take 4 hours and will lighten your wallet by 21 euros.
From airport
The most economical way to get from the airport to the Austrian capital is the city train. It is more profitable to buy a ticket directly on the platform for 4, 2 euros. At the checkout, it costs a quarter more. Electric trains run every half hour, travel time is 25 minutes. An alternative can be a bus route, in which case the travel time will increase to 40 minutes. Taxis await those who love comfort at the airport; for convenience, you will have to pay 40 euros. Here you can also rent a car and use it during your stay in Vienna.
Transport
The surest way to save money is to buy the Vienna Card. It guarantees free travel on all types of public transport, on the sightseeing bus and over 200 discounts at museums, shops and restaurants. The card is valid from 24 to 72 hours and costs 17-25 euros. There are no turnstiles in Viennese transport, and controllers are rare. But the fine is quite high - 60 euros, for violation of the threat of being brought to the police.
Food
The highest food prices are traditionally in tourist centers. The quality of the set meals offered does not always match the cost. The tourist should remember the rule: the further from the tourist trails, the lower the price. The cheapest products are sold in supermarkets, the most popular are Billa and Spar. There are especially many such shops in the city center. Products are sold on the market as well. Prices are overpriced, but the choice scatters eyes. Here you can also buy a bottle of white wine, which Austria is famous for, the price ranges from 5 to 15 euros. There are Radatz butchers and eateries scattered throughout the capital. The cost of a ham sandwich will be 1, 3 euros, it will be nicely complemented by a cup of coffee. Tourists buy ham and other meat products with them; Austrian housewives willingly use the services of the shop.
The famous Viennese sausages deserve special attention. A portion of the dish flavored with ketchup, mustard or pickled cucumber will cost 3-5 euros, and you can enjoy it right at the counter - this is how the locals eat fast food.
Pure Alpine water flows in the city water supply, so you can drink it directly from the tap, in Austrian it sounds like Leitungswasser.
Museums
Entrance for viewing the exposition in Vienna museums is paid, and, moreover, not cheap. In many, you can save money thanks to the Vienna Card. A number of museums have set days and hours when admission is free. So, the Museum of Applied Arts can be freely accessed on Thursdays from 18 to 22 hours. On the first Sunday of the month, the Museum of Vienna is open to everyone, the same schedule is in the Museum of Military History and a number of others. By the way, all cathedrals and churches in Vienna are open without admission fees.
Opera
Usually tickets to the Vienna Opera are sold for 50-100 euros, but there is an opportunity to get in for a purely symbolic fee of 5-11 euros. Before the start of the performance, a box office opens, where they sell standing tickets, one at a time. Some people buy it to take a photo against the background of the famous interior. But there are true lovers of classical music among those who want to get into the theater. There is little to be seen in the gallery, but you can hear it well. If you are unlucky, the theater is open the next day for tourists for 7, 5 euros, you can even get backstage.
Tours
The list of free excursions to the sights of Vienna is small. The most popular route is the Town Hall. The tour takes place three times a week in German, less often in English. Using the discount card, you can take a city tour on a yellow tram for 8 euros. A visit to the Schönbrunn Palace will cost 13 euros, and you can walk along the park alleys without a ticket.
Where to stay
The cheapest option to stay in Vienna is in a hostel. The population density is high, but the range of services provided is extensive. When planning a trip, a seat from 11 euros can be booked in advance. If you are traveling with a large company, it is better to rent an apartment or apartment for 30 euros and more.
Free Wi-Fi is available in different parts of the city. There are such places not far from the Town Hall, near the Mozart cafe, in a number of museums.
Even in a city as expensive as Vienna, you can save on costs and make your trip more enjoyable.
