Page 348 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

346  Sur viv al Guide

Personal Security and Health

austria is one of europe’s safest countries. Tourists are unlikely
to encounter any violence (though there has been an increase
in petty crimes such as pickpocketing in busy tourist areas)
and the police and emergency services are easy to contact.
Pharmacists are respected and their advice is often sought by
locals. a visit to the pharmacy, unless the problem is serious,
is probably the easiest choice if you are feeling unwell.
above all, this is a peaceful country, a land of historic sights,
works of art, and beautiful, stunning scenery. Typical SOS sign seen on a regular
U-Bahn platform
Accidents and
DIRECTORY or large gatherings. Don’t Emergencies
become an easy target for
Emergency Telephone thieves: never leave items Britain has a reciprocal
Numbers visible in a car; carry money arrangement with Austria
and documents safely. Women whereby emergency hospital
Ambulance should avoid placing bags treatment is free if you have a
Tel 144. on the floor in cafés, bars British passport. Visits to doctors,
and restaurants. dentists or outpatient depart-
Emergency Medical In case of a theft, report it ments are also free of charge,
Assistance without delay to the nearest but getting free treatment can
Tel 141. Can be consulted Polizeiwache (police station). involve a lot of bureaucracy.
evenings, nights, Saturdays, If you lose traveller’s cheques, Britons should be sure to get a
Sundays and public holidays. seek help at the nearest bank, European Health Insurance
which will stop them. Credit Card, available from post offices
Fire Service
Tel 122. and debit card thefts should or the Internet, before travelling.
be reported immediately to It is also a good idea to take out
Flying Ambulance Service your credit card company or full health insurance.
Tel 401 44-0. bank. Contact your consulate Visitors from other countries
if you lose your passport, or should establish what is
Mobile Telephone if it is stolen. required to cover their medical
Emergency Line treatment either with their
Tel 112. home embassy or with their
Lost Property
Police medical insurance company.
Tel 133. Go to the nearest police station If you are ill, it is best to go
in the first instance. If they do to a clinic at a state hospital. In
Roadside Assistance not succeed in restoring your Vienna, the main hospital (and
Tel 120. property within seven days, then the largest in Europe) is the
try the lost property bureau Allgemeines Krankenhaus
(Fundbüro). For property lost (General Hospital)
Police
on railways or the Schnellbahn, in the ninth district.
In Vienna, in the provincial go to the Westbahnhof in People without
capitals, and in all the larger Vienna and enquire in person. insurance or money
towns, public order is maintained
by the Polizei. The police also
run lost property departments
(Fundbüro), which can be found
in any district police station. In
the provinces, policing is carried
out by the Gendarmerie.
Personal Security
and Property
There are few places in
Austria to steer clear of,
even at night. However,
it is as well to be careful.
Avoid areas around
stations at night and pay
extra attention at funfairs Police motorcycle Policeman

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.6)
Date 7th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm