Page 572 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

570  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

Practical & Travel Information Facilities for the Disabled
Awareness of the needs of the
Austria is well equipped for tourism in both winter and disabled is growing in Austria.
summer. The extensive winter-sports facilities mean that even Wiener Tourismusverband has a
in the mountainous west of the country, communications are good online information service
good and most roads are kept open all year. Public transport, with details of the ease of wheel­
chair access at tourist sights,
especially the train services between the main cities, is hotels, and public restrooms.
reliable, and banking and exchange facilities are widely
available. The country is generally safe for visitors except for a Etiquette
few unsavory bits of Vienna. Hospitals are of a high standard
and, for lesser ailments, pharmacists are highly respected. Austrians are a conservative
people and formal in their
modes of address. Waiters are
Tourist Information pickpocketing are quite summoned with a deferential
Austria has a wide network of common at the Prater funfair “Herr Ober,” and greetings in the
local and regional tourist offices at night. street are accompanied by the
and the Austrian National In case of emergencies while use of titles, such as “Herr
Tourist Office has branches in on vacation, the appropriate Doktor,” and much handshaking.
many countries abroad. In the services to call are listed in the
busier skiing resorts in winter, Directory opposite.
local offices often stay open Banking and Currency
as late as 9pm. In Vienna, The euro became the unit of
Wiener Tourismusverband is Health Issues currency in Austria in January
a very helpful organization, It is best to take out full health 2002 (see p23).
especially with regard to insurance which also covers Banks are usually the best
forthcoming events and flights home for medical places to change money. Most
booking accommodations. reasons. This is true even for are open Monday to Friday from
visitors from EU countries such 8am to 12:30pm and from
as Great Britain. There is a 1:30pm to 3pm (5:30pm on
Visa Requirements reciprocal arrangement with Thursdays). Some banks,
Citizens of the US, Canada, Austria whereby emergency generally those at main train
Australia, and New Zealand hospital treatment is free upon stations and at airports, stay
need just a passport to visit presentation of a British open longer and do not close
Austria. No visa is required for passport, but obtaining free for lunch. Though major credit
stays of up to three months. treatment can involve rather cards are accepted at most large
Most European Union (EU) a lot of bureaucracy. stores, hotels, and restaurants,
visitors need only a valid identity In the case of a medical they are not used as frequently
card to enter the country. emergency, call an ambulance as, for instance, in the UK or
(Rettungsdienst) or the local France, so it is a good idea to
Doctor on Call. For minor carry some cash with you.
Personal Security
ailments or injuries, visit an Alternatively, payment by debit
Although crime in the cities is Apotheke (pharmacy). All card is widely accepted.
rare, there are a few parts of pharmacies display a distinctive
Vienna that are best avoided red “A” sign. When closed, they
at night, especially around the give the address of the nearest Communications
Wien Nord station. Fights and open pharmacy. The Austrian telecom muni ca­
tions network is run by Telekom
Austria. Calls are among the
The Climate of Austria most expensive in Europe.
VIENNA
Altitude obviously plays an Public phones are slowly being
important role in the climate of °C/ºF phased out, since most people
Austria, the Alpine part of the have cell phones, but you can
country experiencing lower 25/77 make long­distance calls from
temperatures and receiving more 13/55 15/59 13/55 most post offices. The cheapest
rain and snow than Vienna and the 5/41 6/43 way to use your cell phone is to
east. Snow cover in the Alps lasts 2/36 buy a pay­as­you­go SIM card in
-2/28
from November to April. Daytime 5.5 8 4.5 1.5 Austria, thereby avoid high
temperatures in summer can be hrs hrs hrs hrs international roaming charges.
high, especially in the towns, 51 74 40 38 Numbers starting in 05 can be
but the evenings are cool. There mm mm mm mm dialled from anywhere in Austria
is a risk of thunderstorms from month Apr Jul Oct Jan at a local call rate. The postal
June to August. service is reliable, verging on
the pedantic, and posting a

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