Erasmus in Vienna: Guide for students

As you may already know, Vienna is the capital of Austria and it is a very important student city, mainly because of its prestigious universities. In this guide  for students we give you all the information you need to know for your Erasmus in Vienna.

Accommodation for students in Vienna

One of the first tasks you will have to carry out is to look for accommodation. In this section, we will explain to you which are the main accommodation options in Poznan and, on the other hand, which are the best areas to live as an Erasmus student.

Flat or residence?

Whether to live in an apartment or in a residence is a decision that depends only on you and your preferences. However, you should know that most Erasmus students stay in student residences.

In Vienna (and in Austria), most of the student residences are managed by an organization called Österreichischer Austauschdienst (OeAD), i.e. the Austrian Academic Exchange Service. Students fill out a form with the residences, in order of preference. There are different residences and their prices and services may vary. If you want to know more about these residences, check this link.

There are also some other residences such as The Social Hub (TSH), Home4Students, Wihast or Stuwo, among others.

Best areas to live in Vienna

When it comes to the best areas to live in Vienna, we recommend that you live close to the city center or your university, so you can save time and money. There are many TU Wien and University of Vienna faculties that are located in the city center, but it is important to check the location of your faculty. For example, the University of Agronomy Vienna is located in the north of the city, a bit far from the city center.

Gastronomy in Vienna

Gastronomy in Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a delicious blend of tradition and modernity. The city offers a wide variety of typical dishes and restaurants that will satisfy all tastes. Here are some dishes that you have to try during your Erasmus in Vienna:

• Wiener Schnitzel: This is one of the most emblematic dishes of Vienna and all of Austria. It consists of veal filets breaded and fried until golden brown and crispy. It is traditionally served with lemon slices and accompanied by potatoes or potato salad.
• Sacher Torte: This is one of Vienna's most famous cakes. It is a chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a shiny chocolate coating. It is served with whipped cream and is a treat for chocolate lovers.
• Apfelstrudel: Apple strudel is a classic Viennese dessert. It consists of a thin, crispy dough filled with apples, cinnamon and raisins. It is served warm and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
• Viennese Coffee: Vienna is famous for its coffee culture. Viennese cafés are historic places where you can enjoy carefully brewed coffee accompanied by a wide selection of pastries and desserts.
• Vienna Wine: Vienna is one of the few European cities that produces its own wine. The "Heuriger" is a type of tavern where you can taste local wines, especially white wines, along with typical dishes of the region.

Leisure and Erasmus parties in Vienna

Vienna receives thousands of international students, so there is always a great student atmosphere in this city. If you like to party, take out paper and pen, because we have prepared a small list of pubs and discos where Erasmus students usually go:

• Prater Dome. This is one of the most important clubs of the city, located next to the Prater park.
• Disco-Club Volksgarten. It is located in the historical center of Vienna, in the middle of a garden.

Some other discos and clubs of the city are: O Klub, Loco Bar, Travel Shack.

Cost of living in Vienna

As for the cost of living, we are not going to deceive ourselves: Vienna is not exactly an economic city. Both the city and Austria in general, has a higher cost of living than Spain. Even so, in Vienna you will find a wide variety of entertainment venues at affordable prices. In addition, you will be able to save some money thanks to the great amount of discounts for students that you will be able to find in the city.

The average cost of a student will depend on four variables: accommodation, shopping, transportation and leisure. The cost of living for a student in Vienna can be around 800 euros per month, but it can vary depending on the lifestyle you lead in the city and other factors, such as the type of accommodation you choose. A room in a shared apartment can cost around 500-600 euros per month. On the other hand, a shared room in a student residence costs around 350-400 euros per month.

As for the transport pass, you should know that there are six-month and annual passes. The annual pass costs 235 euros and the semester pass is only for students under 26 years old. It is valid from September 1 to January 31 for first semester students and from February 1 to June 30. The semester pass costs 75 euros if purchased online from the WienMovil website, and is available as an e-ticket or PDF. You can also buy the season ticket once you are in Vienna for 78 euros at a ticket sales point, arranged at different metro stations. You can check here.

Places you can't miss

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city rich in history, culture and architectural beauty. There are many places you can't miss during your visit to this city. Here is a list of some of the highlights:

• Schönbrunn Palace: this is one of the most impressive palaces in Vienna and one of the main tourist attractions. You can visit the state rooms, the beautiful gardens and the Schoenbrunn Zoo, which is the oldest zoo in the world.
• St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom): This Gothic cathedral is an icon of Vienna. You can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
• Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper): This is one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. Even if you don't attend a performance, you can take a guided tour to explore its opulent interior.
• Hofburg Palace: The former Habsburg imperial palace houses several museums, including the Sisi Museum, dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
• Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek): This library is one of the most beautiful in the world and houses a vast collection of ancient books and manuscripts.

Schönbrunn Palace

These are just some of the places that make Vienna a fascinating city to visit. The city is full of history, art and culture, so there is something for everyone. Be sure to explore its charming streets, sample the delicious Viennese food and immerse yourself in its rich musical and cultural tradition. immerse yourself in its rich musical and artistic tradition.

Travel from Vienna

One of the best parts of Erasmus is the possibility to travel and get to know other places in Europe.

Vienna is located in the center of Europe, so you can easily move to other cities. One of the best options to move to other European cities is through Flixbus, a bus company that operates practically all over the continent and with very cheap prices. In addition, through student associations you can get discounts on the price.

Vienna also has the Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat). From there flights depart to more than 100 different destinations and low-cost companies operate, so it is also a good option to travel quickly and cheaply from Vienna.

In this guide for Erasmus students in Vienna we have also included trips nearby, to know other places and cities with a great tourist attraction.

• Bratislava: is only a short train or boat ride down the Danube from Vienna. You can explore its historic old town and castle, as well as enjoy Slovak cuisine.
• Budapest: also close to Vienna and accessible by train or bus. You can visit its famous thermal baths, the Hungarian Parliament and the Buda Castle.
• Prague: is an iconic city of Central Europe and is about 4 hours by train from Vienna. The city is famous for its medieval architecture and well-preserved old town.
• Salzburg: Mozart's hometown, Salzburg is about 2.5 hours by train from Vienna. You can explore its old town, the Mirabell Palace and enjoy classical music.
• Hallstatt: This picturesque alpine village is about 3 hours by train from Vienna and is famous for its natural beauty and traditional charm. It is an ideal place for hiking and enjoying the lake views.

Prague

Tips for Erasmus students in Vienna

Finally, some tips we give you for your Erasmus in Vienna:

• Become a member of the student associations in Vienna, as you will be able to benefit from discounts in a lot of places. In addition, the associations themselves organize events, parties and even trips with international students, so it will also be a perfect opportunity to meet other students.
• Meet other students going on Erasmus in Vienna and find roommates on the Erasmus Play app.
• Apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) well in advance. If you don't have it yet, here we explain how to apply for this card for free step by step.

So much for our guide for Erasmus students in Vienna. We hope this series of tips will help you to enjoy the experience of your Erasmus+ scholarship in Vienna, one of the best destinations to do Erasmus.