Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
24 hours ahead of travel (48 hours ahead for international services). No special service is available at unstaffed sta-
tions.
The detailed pamphlet Accessible Vienna is available in German or English from Tourist Info Wien
( www.wien.info ). A comprehensive list of places in Vienna catering to visitors with special needs can be downloaded
on www.wien.info/en/travel-info/accessible-vienna . In other cities, contact the tourist office directly for more informa-
tion.
Some of the more expensive hotels (four stars or above, usually) have facilities tailored to travellers with disabilities;
cheaper hotels invariably don't.
There is no national organisation for the disabled in Austria, but the regional tourist offices or any of the following
can be contacted for more information:
Behinderten Selbsthilfe Gruppe ( 03332-65 405; www.bsgh.at ; Sparkassenplatz 4, Hartberg, Styria) Maintains a
database under www.barrierefreierurlaub.at with hotels and restaurants suitable for those with disabilities.
Bizeps ( 01-523 89 21; www.bizeps.at ; Schönngasse 15-17, Vienna; Messe-Prater) A centre providing support
and self-help for people with disabilities. Located two blocks north of Messe-Prater U-Bahn station.
Faktor i ( 01-274 92 74; www.faktori.wuk.at ; 05, Rechte Wienzeile 81, Vienna; Pilgramgasse) Faktor i offers
information to young people with disabilities. Located just north of the Pilgramgasse U-Bahn station.
Upper Austria Tourist Office ( www.barrierefreies-oberoesterreich.at ) Information and listings for people with disab-
ilities tavelling in Upper Austria.
Visas
Visas for stays of up to three months are not required for citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA),
much of Eastern Europe, Israel, USA, Canada, the majority of Central and South American nations, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, Singapore, Australia or New Zealand. All other nationalities, including Chinese and Russians, require a visa;
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( www.bmaa.gv.at ) website has a list of Austrian embassies where you can apply for
one, and the Austrian embassy in Washington ( www.austria.org/going-to-austria/entry-a-residence-permits ) lists all
visa-free nationalities. Apply at least three weeks in advance.
If you wish to stay longer than three months you should simply leave the country and re-enter. For those nationalities
that require a visa, extensions cannot be organised within Austria; you'll need to leave and reapply. EU nationals can
stay indefinitely but are required by law to register with the local Magistratisches Bezirksamt (magistrate's office) if
the stay exceeds 60 days.
Austria is part of the Schengen Agreement, which includes all EU states (minus Britain and Ireland) and Switzer-
land. In practical terms this means a visa issued by one Schengen country is good for all the other member countries
and a passport is not required to move from one to the other (a national identity card is required, though). Austrians are
required to carry personal identification, and you too will need to be able to prove your identity.
Visa and passport requirements are subject to change, so always double-check before travelling. Lonely Planet's
website, www.lonelyplanet.com , has links to up-to-date visa information.
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