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As well as most European airlines which offer services to the Austrian capital, there are also three Austrian-based airlines: Austrian Airlines, Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways, which offer flights from Europe and the US.

Vienna’s international airport is 20km (12.5 miles) southeast of the city. Taxis to the centre cost about €32.00; the airport bus costs €6. A commuter train on the S7 line also operates between 5am and 10:15pm and is a cheaper option at €2.00. The CAT (City Airport Train), every 30 minutes from Wien Mitte and Rennweg, costs €9.

Vienna has several main railway lines that link up to most major European destinations. Details of train times can be obtained from the Austrian train company the ÖBB.

Vienna has three main railway stations. From the Westbahnhof, trains head mainly to western Europe (Germany, Switzerland and Hungary); there are also good links to tram and underground lines (U3, U6). Trains from the Südbahnhof head mostly eastwards (Croatia, East Germany and Italy) while the Franz-Josef-Bahnhof has train connections to Berlin, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Coach (long-distance bus) services are often the cheapest way to reach Vienna, although not the quickest or most comfortable. Many services operate to eastern Europe, from the Wien Mitte station. The Austrian ÖBB bus service has excellent links with the rest of the country.

Although landlocked, Vienna is accessible by high-speed hydrofoil or ship from a number of cities along the Danube, including Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary) and Passau (Germany).

If you are visiting from Germany or Switzerland you will arrive on the Westautobahn (A1). Drivers coming from the south will arrive on the Südautobahn (A2). A toll-sticker is needed on all Austrian motorways, purchased when entering the country. Price depends on length of stay.

In Vienna many of the districts, including the 1st–9th and 20th, are short-term parking areas for which special tickets are required. The tickets allow you to park for 90 minutes from 9am–7pm Monday to Friday in the 1st district and elsewhere for 120 minutes from 9am–8pm Monday to Friday. But beware of special signs and different times in shopping areas. Tickets range from €0.40 to €1.20 and can be bought from newsagents, some banks, railway stations and at most public transport ticket offices. Disabled people can park for free. Hotels in short-term parking areas offer free tickets to guests.

All visitors travelling to Austria need a valid passport or form of ID. Some non-EU residents may require a visa – for more information contact your Austrian embassy before leaving home.

For EU travellers there are no restrictions on importing cigarettes, spirits and perfume into Austria. From outside the EU, you can import duty-free 200 cigarettes or equivalent, spirits up to 2 litres, 50gm of perfume, and up to €175 in other goods.