Hotels in Vienna

Vienna has some of the greatest hotels in Europe, but finding a room can be a problem if you arrive without a reservation, especially in August and September. During these peak visiting months, you might have to stay on the outskirts, in the Grinzing or the Schönbrunn district, for example, and commute to the Inner City by streetcar, bus, or U-Bahn. If you're looking to cut costs, staying outside the Inner City is not a bad option, as you can pay a fifth to a quarter less for a hotel in the areas outside the Ringstrasse, and the public transportation into the center is super speedy.

High season in Vienna encompasses most of the year: from May to October or early November, and during some weeks in midwinter, when the city hosts major trade fairs, conventions, and other cultural events. If you're planning a trip around Christmas and New Year's Day, room reservations should be made at least 1 month in advance. Some rate reductions (usually 15%-20%) are available during slower midwinter weeks -- it always pays to ask.

Note: All hotel rooms in Vienna are nonsmoking rooms. The city's smoking ban encompasses all public spaces, so the lobby is off limits to smokers as well.

Seasonal Hotels in Vienna

From July to September, a number of student dormitories in Vienna are transformed into fully operational hotels. Three of the most viable and popular of these are the Academia Hotel, Pfeilgasse 3A; the Avis Hotel, Pfeilgasse 4; and the Atlas Hotel, at Lerchenfelderstrasse 1. All are within a block of one another, and each is a rather unimaginative-looking, angular, 1960s-style building. They're comfortable and reasonably priced alternatives, only a 20-minute walk west of St. Stephan's. The lodgings will definitely take you back to your college dorm days, though each room has a phone and a private bathroom. Many of them are booked well in advance by groups, but individual travelers are welcome if space is available.  Breakfast is included in the affordable nightly rates. Bookings at all three hotels are arranged through the Academia Hotel, which functions as the headquarters for the entire Academia chain. For reservations and information, go to the website, call tel. 01/401-76-55 or email reservation@academiahotel.at. To get to the Academia and Avis hotels, take the U-Bahn to Thaliastrasse, and then transfer to tram no. 46 and get off at Strozzistrasse. For access to the Atlas Hotel, take the U-Bahn to Lerchenfelderstrasse.

Short-Term Apartment Rentals in Vienna

For travelers who like to have more space than an average hotel room, there are options through Airbnb.com and VRBO.com. Just remember to factor in all the fees before booking, as the nightly rate may not end up being cheaper than a hotel stay.