Monday 22nd October 2018
We discovered today just how easy it was to use the transport system into Vienna, as well as travelling around the city, especially using the U-Bahn, underground system. Not only that, the service was efficient, clean, affordable and frequent.
As we were just outside the city transport zone of Vienna we had to use the S-Bahn (S40) to access the U-Bahn, alighting at Heiligenstadt or Spittelau stations. Single tickets were easy to purchase at our local station Klosterneuburg and were validated on purchase.
We also opted for a 24 hour transport ticket, which was valid on any form of public transport within the city limits but did not purchase this until after our tram trip, as validation on purchase meant we would be able to use it again the following morning.
On arrival at Schwedenplatz, which we were familiar with, we decided to take the Yellow Vienna Ring Tram. This tourist tram runs every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour and includes commentary and a map at a cost of € 9 each. There is also a combi ticket with the Hop On Hop Off bus tour which is available for € 30.
The Vienna Ring is an Austrian World Heritage Site and it is possible to use the city’s tram service to enjoy this majestic boulevard which circles the centre of the city. Trams number 1 & 2 travel around the Ringstraße, although neither makes a complete circuit so some hopping on and off the trams will be required, but the cost is considerably less using this method.
In our opinion we were glad we took the tram, as we were able to cherry pick those sights we wished to re-visit during our one day visit and learn a little more about the history of the city.
Armed with a comprehensive map of the city with major sights and a map of the underground which we picked up at one of the underground station offices of Wiener Linien we headed off to enjoy Vienna.
U1 to Stephansplatz station.
We walked through the pedestrianised shopping area towards Michaelerplatz, St Michael’s Square and the Hofburg imperial palace.
Onwards to Michaelerplatz where you can see an open display of the excavated ruins of a Roman wall and village settlement in the city square. You will also find the Spanish Winter Riding School located in the Hofburg.
After heading through the large central arch we were in Heldenplatz and facing the ÄuBeres Burgtor or Heroes Gate as well as the magnificent Kaiser Franz I statue.
During our visit we were aware of a high military presence around Heldenplatz as well as at the Burgtheater and subsequently learned that this was all in preparation to commemorate Austria National Day on 26th October.
Across the Burgring road was the Maria-Theresien Platz and the museum quarter.
If you enjoy a museum this area of Vienna is peppered with them and you could certainly spend all day just here!
We hopped on the U2 off to the Rathaus & Rathaus Park and the Burgtheater. As well as lots more vehicles, tanks and personnel around the Burgtheater scaffolding and large metal railings were being removed from around the Rathaus and the Park, which we were unable to access.
A short walk from here past the Vienna University brought us to the Sigmund Freud Park, a great spot to sit in the city centre and admire the Votivkirche, draped with a huge banner.
From the Schottenring station, easily accessed from here, we boarded the U2 to Karlsplatz and the State Opera House or Wiener Staatsoper. Although we didn’t go inside the opera house we have seen photographs of the interior and it looks fantastic.
After a break for lunch opposite the theatre we made our way back on U4 to Stadtpark, as we had passed this on our tram tour and we interested to see the statues in the park.
To say we were disappointed would be an understatement. The park was not what we had expected and many of the statues had suffered the curse of graffiti. Several tourists thought it okay to clamber onto the statues to have their ‘selfie’, despite notices not to climb on them.
The gardeners were hard at work tending the winter flower beds and sweeping leaves but the park was definitely in need of some TLC.
We got back on the U4 bound for Heiligenstadt and our connection on the S40 back to Klosterneuburg. The underground runs so frequently that you don’t have to wait long for a train.
We would be back on the train later tonight, as we had purchased tickets for a Vienna Mozart Concert in the world famous Wiener Musikverein. We were excited as it was taking place in the Gold Hall, one of 5 halls in the building but the one we have seen many times on the TV, as it is the venue for the New Year’s Concert.
Arriving back at Karlsplatz and walking the short distance to the Concert Hall we made our way to the downstairs bar area, partaking of a glass of fizz and a canapé each before entering the hall half an hour before the start of the concert to take some photos and soak up the atmosphere.
The classical concert was everything we had hoped. The 90 minute programme, with a 15 minute intermission included a couple of fantastic operatic solos as well as a duet, concluding with two of our favourites, The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II and the Radetzky March by Johann Strauss I.
Despite paying over the top for our tickets, we enjoyed the extra leg room and superb views of the orchestra and didn’t regret the extra expense. A fantastic finale to our Vienna day out.