Vienna (Wien) : Austria
Road traffic
Like the train lines, Bundesstraen leave the city in a star shaped pattern. They are designated after their final destination (Prager Strae—to Prague, Linzer Strae—to Linz, Triester Strae—to Trieste and Brnner Strae—to Brno). Bundesstraen can be compared to Federal Highways in the United States, being two-lane in rural areas and multi-lane in urban areas.
Three national autobahns leave Vienna in the westerly (A1), southernly (A2), and easterly directions (A4). Similar to the rail lines, they are commonly referred to after their exit direction (Westautobahn, Sdautobahn, and Ostautobahn). In addition, several spur and branch autobahns circle around the southern and eastern areas of the city. The western and northern areas were left mostly untouched because of the Wienerwald protected forest.
Air traffic
Southeast of Vienna is Vienna International Airport. In 2004, there were over 224,809 separate flights departing or arriving, and the airport was used by 14.8 million passengers.
Water transportation
Vienna is connected to water by the Rhine-Main-Danube canal via the port in Rotterdam and its nearby German Industrial areas, as well as Eastern European countries up to the Black Sea. The planned Danube-Oder canal remains unfinished.
Leisure activities
Nightlife
Vienna has a variety of nightlife options. Its low crime rate and extensive public transportation network make going out at night safe and convenient. Regular public transportation (subway, tram, and bus) runs until approximately 12:30. After this, nighttime bus lines provide service every half hour (fifteen minutes on some segments). Almost all night lines circle the inner city before heading outbound. Most lines are numerated the same as their corresponding daytime line. For example, if you take the 60 tramline followed by the U4 subway into the city, you can take the N60 bus directly from the city back out. At approximately 5 a.m. the daytime lines resume. Day and night lines now use the same tickets.
Starting in the 1980s, the pedestrian zone between the St. Ruprecht’s Church (the oldest in Vienna) and the Bermuda Bru microbrewery became the now-popular “Bermuda Triangle.” It is the one area of the inner city district where relative loud music and noise is tolerated. Many bars and small clubs are located in this neighborhood.
The First District in general has an abundance of night life options for any budget. There are many Irish pubs with pint prices starting at 2. On the other side of the price-spectrum are bars such as Sky Bar and Do & Co., which are frequented by the Austrian elite. Opening hours vary essentially by neighborhood noise ordinance agreements. In the summer, bar’s outdoor seating often has to be vacated by 11 p.m. Generally there is an abundance of establishments open until 4 a.m. or later, especially on the weekend.
