Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PRACTICALITIES
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Seasonal opening hours
Opening hours can vary significantly between the high season (April to October)
and winter - many sights and tourist offices are on reduced hours from November to March. Opening hours we
provide are for the high season, so outside those months it can be useful to check ahead.
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Seasonal prices
In mountain resorts, high-season prices can be up to double the prices charged in the low sea-
son (May and November, which fall between the summer and winter seasons in mountains). In other towns, the
difference may be 10% or less.
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Concession prices
Many sights have concessions for families and for children (generally under 16 years).
Some places also have reduced student and senior citizen admission prices, which are generally slightly higher
than the child's price. Children under 12 years usually receive a substantial discount on rooms they share with
parents. Ask when booking. Children also travel at reduced rates on public transport.
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Smoking
Unless a separate room has been set aside, smoking is not allowed in restaurants, wherever food is
served or in all but the smallest, one-room drinking venues. That's the theory. In practice Austria is a smoker's
paradise as controls are lax. Look for the stickers on doors saying whether smoking is allowed in all or part of a
place. It's legal to smoke anywhere on outdoor terraces. Most hotels stick to the smoking ban.
Children
Practicalities
FACILITIES
Facilities for travellers with kids are good. Some museums (especially in Vienna) have a children's play area; restaur-
ants offer child portions and have high chairs; and many hotels have rooms that are connected by a door, making them
especially suitable for families. In most hotels and
Pensionen
children under 12 years receive substantial discounts.
Midrange and better hotels have cots (but book ahead). Family - or child-friendly hotels are highlighted in reviews.
RESTAURANTS
Most midrange restaurants have a child's menu or will prepare smaller portions for children if you ask. A few have a
play area.
TRAVELLING WITH BABIES
Breastfeeding in public won't cause eyelids to bat. Everything you need for babies, such as formula and disposable
nappies, is widely available in
Drogerien
(drug stores).
GETTING AROUND
Rental-car companies can arrange safety seats. Newer public transport, such as trams and buses in Vienna, are easily
accessible for buggies and prams, but the older models can prove a nightmare. Children under six years usually travel
free on public transport, or half-price until 15 years of age.
RESOURCES
Log on to
www.kinderhotels.at
for information on child-friendly hotels throughout the country.
