Due to the large selection of hotels, searching for accommodation in Vienna can be quite lengthy. However, if you know how to focus your search, you can significantly shorten the time and also find an ideal and pampering place for your trip. Of course, we have also compiled a variety of recommended hotels in Vienna based on travelers’ recommendations to make your search easier.
If you are still looking for a good place to stay, you should consider the following:
1. Stay in the Center – How is Vienna Divided? Where Exactly is the Center?
Before choosing suitable accommodation in Vienna, it’s a good idea to have a rough understanding of how the city is divided into districts and where the main attractions are located. To give you a clearer picture of the city, we have prepared a very detailed article on all the attractions throughout Vienna and in which districts they are located.
For those who haven’t yet read our detailed article on Vienna, here’s a brief explanation of the city’s layout:
The city is divided into 23 administrative districts (in German: Wiener Gemeindebezirk), and each district is numbered accordingly. The district number appears on every street sign before the street name.
The heart of Vienna is, of course, the first district (District 1), called Innere Stadt in German (marked with the number 1010). The district is located exactly in the geographical center of the city. This district is bordered by a central street called the Ringstrasse (Ring Road), which surrounds it like a ring on all sides (hence its name).
You can identify the district’s location by finding the Ringstrasse on a map or by mapping the area enclosed by the Danube Canal (Donaukanal) to the north, the Hofburg Palace to the southwest, and the City Park (Stadtpark) to the southeast.
Besides the 1st district, which is the very heart of the city, there are adjacent districts that are considered by locals to be part of the city center. These districts are:
- The 2nd district (marked 1020) in the part close to the Danube Canal and the Schwedenplatz area.
- The 3rd district (marked 1030), where the Wien Mitte subway station is located (where the train from the airport arrives), as well as the Belvedere Palace and the Hundertwasser House.
- The 4th district (marked 1040), where St. Charles’s Church and Resselpark are located.
- The 6th district (marked 1060), where the Naschmarkt is located.
- The 7th district (marked 1070), which includes part of the Mariahilfer shopping street and the MuseumsQuartier.
- The 8th district (marked 1080), located behind the City Hall, with quiet, old streets.
- The 9th district (marked 1090), where the Votivkirche (Votive Church) is located.
Any of these districts can be ideal for accommodation. In fact, the first district can be noisy and crowded even in the evening/night. If you choose a hotel in the other districts, you can save a bit on the cost and also be in quieter areas. If you are looking for a cheap hotel, here is a list of affordable accommodation options in Vienna.
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2. Don’t Be Afraid of Public Transport in Vienna – It’s Excellent and Easy to Understand!
Vienna is really simple to navigate and get from place to place, thanks to the wonderful public transport system that operates in the city. The extensive transport system includes subways, trams, and buses, allowing for simple and fast access to every corner of the city, day and night (there are night lines throughout the week, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the subway runs all night).
When looking for accommodation, it is worth noting its proximity to a subway station, as this will make it much easier to get around the city to distant attractions such as Schönbrunn Palace, Kahlenberg Mountain, or Therme Wien spa.
You can identify subway stations on the map by the “U” symbol.
In Vienna, it is not essential to sleep in the city center, but of course, staying in the first district is an experience in itself. When you stay in the city center, you can visit more places on foot and enjoy the historic streets and ancient buildings. In any case, remember to be close to a subway station, and you’ll be all set.
3. Get Air-Conditioned Rooms in the Summer
The summer months in Vienna can be very hot, so it’s worth not compromising and getting a room in a hotel with air conditioning. Many popular hotels offer air conditioning in the rooms, so it’s not a problem to find a central hotel with A/C. We have prepared a list of air-conditioned hotels.
4. You Don’t Have to Get Breakfast at the Hotel
Breakfast in many hotels in Vienna is of a modest European standard. Don’t expect a large and varied breakfast like in some other countries, as this is not the European eating culture. You might be able to save a little on the room cost if you book a stay without food and have breakfast at a local café instead.
To Sum Up…
If you haven’t found a place you like on the list of recommended accommodations, don’t worry, there are certainly many other places worth checking out in the city.
Just remember to look for a hotel or apartment near a subway station, and it is especially recommended to be in districts 1-9 (with the exception of certain parts of the 5th district).
