General Tips
Conditions of entry to Austria
Before coming to Austria please check, in good
time, that you possess all the necessary documents and can comply with
the conditions of entry to Austria. Be sure to contact the Austrian
Consulate or Embassy in your home country for up-to-date details.
Currency
Austria's currency unit is the Euro (EUR).
There are bank notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and
500 Euro; coins are in denominations of 0,01; 0,02; 0,05; 0,10; 0,20;
0,50 Cent and 1 and 2 Euro. One Euro is made up of 100 Cent.
Banks and post offices
Banks in Vienna are open from Monday to Friday,
8.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. - 3.00 p.m. On Thursdays they are
open until 5.30 p.m. Cash and eurocheques can be changed at any bank.
There are post offices in every district; generally they are open Monday-Friday
8.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Shop opening hours
Shops are generally open Monday to Friday
9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Some shops stay open until 8.00 p.m. On Saturdays
most shops close at 5.00 p.m.
Public transport
Vienna has an extensive public transport network
with an excellent underground system (U-Bahn), trams, suburban railway
(S-Bahn) and bus services.
Electricity:
220 volts
Water:
Tap water is of drinking quality in Vienna and
has an excellent flavour.
Telephone calls:
If your parents wish to call you, the best
time is at meal times: breakfast: 8.00 - 9.00 a.m., lunch: 12.20 - 1.30
p.m., dinner: 5.45 - 7.00 p.m. There are a number of phone-card operated
pay phones at the school. Phone cards are available from teachers or
at any tobacconist's. These cards are available in denominations of
EUR 3,60 and EUR 6,90.
Laundry service:
Students can have their clothes washed at a
launderette. One load costs approx. EUR 7. Parents should clearly mark
items of clothing that will need washing.
Swimming
Together we visit the Stadionbad
which is located close to the Prater stadium (tram 21, bus 83A, 77A, 80B).
The Stadionbad was opened in 1931 and is one of the largest swimming pool
complexes in Europe. It offers a wealth of facilities for water enthusiasts
(e.g. double water slide, wild-water canal and geysers, etc.).
