AUSTRIA - Best of Europe 2014 - page 17

readers (Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-13:00, closed Sun, Spiegelgasse 15—see map
on here , tel. [phone], Gertrude speaks English).
Drinking Water: Vienna, in response to—and anticipation of—global warming, is creating
shady spots with benches and installing shiny public water fountains with signs remind-
ing people to stay hydrated. These are especially useful for older travelers and elderly
locals, who'll suffer the most as scorching summers become the norm.
The Viennese are proud of their perfectly drinkable tap water from Alpine springs.
“Leitungswasser” is happily served in any restaurant. You'll spot locals refilling their
little bottles at fountains all over town.
Getting Around Vienna
By Public Transportation: Take full advantage of Vienna's simple, cheap, and super-effi-
cienttransitsystem,whichincludestrams(a.k.a.streetcars),buses,U-Bahn(subway),andS-
Bahn (faster suburban trains). The smooth, modern trams are Porsche-designed, with “back-
pack technology” that locates the engines and mechanical hardware on the roofs for a lower
rideandeasierentry.IgenerallysticktothetramtoziparoundtheRingandtaketheU-Bahn
to outlying sights or hotels. Trams #1, #2, and #D all travel partway around the Ring.
ThefreeViennamap,availableatTIsandhotels,includesasmallerschematicmapofthe
major public transit lines, making the too-big €2.50 transit map unnecessary. (Transit maps
are also posted conveniently on U-Bahn station walls.) As you study the map, note that tram
lines are marked with numbers or letters (such as #38 or #D). Buses have numbers followed
byan A or B (suchas#38A);three-digitnumbersareforbusesintotheoutskirts.Nightbuses,
which start with N (such as #N38), operate after other public transit stops running. U-Bahn
lines begin with U (e.g., U-1), and the directions are designated by the end-of-the-line stops.
Blue lines are the speedier S-Bahns. Transit info: tel. [phone], www.wienerlinien.at .
Trams, buses, the U-Bahn, and the S-Bahn all use the same tickets. Buy tickets from
Tabak-Trafik shops, station machines, marked Vorverkauf offices in the station, or—for
trams or buses only—on board (tickets only, more expensive). You have lots of choices:
• Single tickets (€2, €2.40 if bought on tram or bus, good for one journey with necessary
transfers)
• 24-hour transit pass (€6.70)
• 48-hour transit pass (€11.70)
• 72-hour transit pass (€14.50)
• 7-day transit pass ( Wochenkarte, € 15—the catch is that the pass runs from Monday to
Monday, so you may get less than seven days of use)