Passport, VISA and Border Crossing Information

Nationals of countries which signed bilateral or multilateral agreements on the abolition of visa requirement are visa-free if they stay in Austria for a maximum period of 90 days and do not take up employment. Visas are not required for residents of Australia, Canada, and the United States, among others. For more information, please refer to: www.bmeia.gv.at/en/travel-stay/entry-and-residence- in-austria/entry-and-visa/

Letter of Invitation for VISA Policy

An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the 16th ISDE Congress will be issued ONLY after registration has been completed and full payment received by the Congress Secretariat.

Banks and Currency Exchange

1 EUR = 1.12 USD

Banks are generally open from 9:00 to 18:00, Monday through Friday. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are found throughout Vienna. International credit cards are accepted throughout the country at banks, hotels, resorts and the airport. For up-to-date information, please refer to the Universal Currency Converter at: www.xe.com/ucc/

How to Get to Vienna

By Plane – Vienna International Airport (VIE)

Vienna International Airport is a major airline hub. Over the last decade is has expanded to become one of the fastest growing airports in Europe. Vienna offers a number of major benefits over other airports: an optimal geographic position within Europe, an attractive tariff model for airlines, high punctuality and first rate service with a minimum transfer time of 25 minutes that is unique in European comparison.

City Airport Train (CAT)

With a journey time of only 16 minutes from Wien-Mitte station to Vienna International Airport, CAT is the fastest means of transport. The CAT travels between Vienna International Airport and Wien-Mitte station every 30 minutes between 06:05 and 23:35. In addition, passengers can already check in their baggage at the City Air Terminal at Wien- Mitte and get their boarding passes at the CITY Air Terminal at Wien-Mitte.

Other Airport Transfers:

• Bus shuttle to city center or Westbahnhof every 20 minutes
• Taxis are available at the airport a few meters after customs clearance. Taxis are safe and cheap. A taxi drive from the airport to the major hotels takes approximately 20–30 minutes.
• Suburban railway S-Bahn to city center every 30 minutes

Bratislava Airport

The M.R.Stefanik Airport Bratislava is the principal international airport of Slovakia, with 24 hours operation. Vienna and Bratislava are the two closest capital cities in the world, with only a short 60 km (40 miles) distance. Numerous trains and buses run daily between Vienna city and Bratislava Airport. The transfer time lies between 75 and 120 minutes depending on traffic and additional stops at the Vienna Airport.

By Railway

Vienna occupies a hub position in Europe‘s international rail network. Intercity and international express trains like the ICE connect the capital with all parts of Austria and with all major cities in Europe. The main train station is the newly built Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) which is within easy reach from all major hotels.

By Motorway

Austria‘s expressway network extends right into Vienna, making it convenient and safe to reach the city by car or motor coach from anywhere on the European continent.

Public Transportation

Wiener Linien (Metro – Vienna Transport Authority)

• Most modern and efficient network (5 underground lines, 28 tram routes and 84 bus routes, 23 night buses)
• Short waiting times (at peak times between 3 and 5 minutes, in the evening hours between 5 and 15 minutes, night buses operate at half-hourly intervals)
• Operating hours daily from 05:00 to 00:30, night buses from 00:30 to 05:00
• Safe, clean, efficient, easily accessible and offers good value for money
• www.wienerlinien.at