A warm WHALECOME to Linz fellow Resistance Agents!
We are very pleased to have you in Linz. This guide shall help you to get around in Linz and feel a little bit like a local.
Many airlines offer direct flights to Vienna International Airport "VIE". It's a small airport so you can leave the airport quickly. From VIE to the central train station in Linz you can go by train - which is directly connected to the airport in Vienna. It takes you about 1h41min to go to Linz central train station.
Another nice plane connection is via Salzburg Airport (SZG) and connecting trains. It's a bit nearer than Vienna, though you have to get via bus to Salzburg main train station, and then take the train to Linz. There are also cheaper Westbahn trains to Linz, where you can buy tickets directly in the train.
Additionally you can reach Linz Airport (LNZ) directly from the airports in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, London Stansted and of course from Vienna.
Taxis: A ride from the airport in Linz to the central train station will cost approximately 30€. There are cheaper possibilities if you book it in advance (google is your friend).
Bus: From the airport in Linz take Bus 601 to get to the central train station in Linz.
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Linz has very good express train connections. The central train station is located near the city center (approx 20 minutes walking).
You have the option to go to the very city center by tram as well (lines 1, 2, 3 and 4).
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Linz is offered as a destination of long-distance buses from eg Prague, Munich, Berlin and many more.
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Before entering Austria by car on a motorway you have to pay motorway toll by buying a "Vignette" and stick it completely to your windscreen.
You can get it at all gas stations close to the border and at the border itself. The Vignette for 2018 is red and costs 9€ for 10 days, 26,20€ for 2 months and 87,30€ for the whole year. Fines are high (up to 3000€), there are regular checks and they don't allow any excuses.
As an alternative you can buy the "Vignette" online at ASFINAG - https://shop.asfinag.at/en. It's important to buy it 19 days in advance, if you'd like to buy online!
More Infos available at https://www.asfinag.at/toll/vignette and https://www.asfinag.at/toll/vignette/digital-vignette
Be aware that the city center and the surrounding districts are available for short parking only (marked by blue lines on the pavement)- which means you have to buy a ticket from Monday to Friday 8 am to 6:30 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm (noon).
Yellow lines on the pavement indicate a no parking zone!
More information is available at https://portal.linz.gv.at/Serviceguide/viewChapter.html?chapterid=122179 and https://portal.linz.gv.at/Serviceguide/viewChapter.html?chapterid=122157
You can drink the water in Linz directly from the tap - no need to go to grocery stores for mineral water (soda). Linz draws its water from a total of 6 supply systems directly from the groundwater. The hardness is about 18 ° dH (hard, calcareous).
Linz is a very safe city - there are no areas in town which have to be avoided and we wouldn't recommend to go to. But as in every bigger city there may be problems with pickpockets in crowded places. Make sure that zippers of your backpacks,... are properly closed. In case you get into trouble - dial the European emergency number 112 or contact the nearest police station.
Only Austrians are not obligated to carry their ID with them.
If you are a foreigner you MUST carry your ID (ID card / passport / drivers licence) with you all the time and if asked you have to show it to the police.
In general all shops are open from 9 am to 6 pm from Monday to Saturday and they don't have any lunch break (some small shops might have a lunch break). Supermarkets open at around 7:30 am (depends on the company) and close on weekdays between 6:30 pm and 7 pm, on Saturdays they close usually at 6 pm (some smaller ones earlier). A shopping possibility on Sunday is at the central train station. Banks are open from 8 am to 3 pm in general, some branches until 5 or 6 pm from Monday to Friday. There are many ATMs where you can withdraw money (0-24 o'clock).
Drinking alcohol in public is legal. You have to be 16 and over for light alcohol like beer and wine. For drinking liquor (and drinks mixed with liquor) you have to be 18 and over. Just in case: keep your ID available and show it to the police if you are asked for it. Even some bars and supermarkets ask for your ID before selling alcohol to you.
Smoking is legal in Austria from age 18 (starting with May 1st 2018). The rules for smoking in bars and restaurants is a little bit confusing. In general each bar and restaurant has to offer the main area smoke free and if they have a smoking area this has to be a separated area. But there are many exceptions for smaller bars and restaurants and in protected historic buildings. Smoking is prohibited in all public buildings. At train stations and airports there are designated zones for smoking.
Tipping is not a crime! Since most people in the hospitality industry earn only minimum wages they are reliant on tips. Common rule is to give 5-10% of the amount as a tip directly when paying - if you are satisfied with the service.
There are two types of outlets in Austria: Type F (also called SchuKo) and Type C Europlug.
Almost all sockets are of Type F, whereas Type C outlets are rare (may be found in older buildings).
If your power plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel adapter in order to plug in. Travel adapters simply change the shape of your plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for both types.
Electrical sockets usually supply electricity at 230 AC at 50 Hz.
Many public places, bars & restaurants offer free WiFi (or in german WLAN - Wireless LAN). In some cases you have to connect once to a service provider (e.g. Freewave) with a browser and accept their terms and services. Additionally some public places provide free WIFI (mainly provided by Liwest, an Internet service provider).
In general: if you plan to use your phone regularly, roaming is usually more expensive than buying a temporary SIM card. The Austrian prepaid market is extremely cheap and easier to survey than for example Germany. In Austria it is not necessary to identify yourself with an ID when purchasing a prepaid card - you even dont have to sign a contract.
Fortunately, the prices for mobile phone rates and prepaid cards in Austria are quite cheap, so that a prepaid SIM for multi-day stays is usually the better choice.
The online shops of Austrian providers usually deliver only within Austria. But there are still several ways for you to get a prepaid card:
One way is to pay the prepaid card in advance (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) and have it sent directly to your accommodation. Then you pick up the card from the reception of your accommodation.
Another way - and this one is even easier - is to buy a prepaid card directly in the stores. The coverage of mobile phones shops is quite good, but a far greater way is: Austrian mobile operators rely on distribution partners. So you can get prepaid cards in many supermarkets, discounters and at post offices.
If you want to top up your prepaid card, you can purchase credits for it at most supermarkets. You can buy credits for most providers online at www.OnlineAufladen.at
There are currently three physical network providers in Austria: A1, T-Mobile and "Drei". Some of these providers have other brands that access their own network. In the case of A1, it’s BOB and YESSS!, T-Mobile leads Tele.Ring and Ge-Org.
The providers:
It is important that your cell phone is open to all network operators (SIM unlocked). Many vendors sell their phones with a network lock so that you can use it on their network solely. If this is the case, the phone can only be used with SIM cards from the appropriate provider. Check in advance if this applies to your phone before you buy an Austrian prepaid card.
For all tourism related questions, the linz tourism board is happy to help you. You can find them at https://www.linztourismus.at/en/lleisure and in their info center on Linz Hauptplatz, the very heart of the Linz center.
More information about touristic sites and hospitality can be found in the community after registration ;-)
Sadly, for the moment there's no integration of all public transport services in Google Maps.
Online route search can be done via the Linzer Linien website: https://services.linzag.at/efa/index-en.jsf
Alternatively, you can use the Qando Linz App for public transportation routing (available in Apple App Store and Google Play Store).
You'll have to get a ticket for public transport before stepping in the vehicle. Luckily, there are ticket machines at every stop ;)
Tickets for public transport in linz can be obtained in following categories:
For the Pöstlingbergbahn (starting at the main square) you'll need a seperate ticket, which (3,80 € for a single ride) is also available at the ticket machine.
You can do many missions and banners in Linz - some of them are short, some of them a bit longer and one consists of 684 portals to visit (Spacegress - Charles Messier).
In the surroundings of Linz - especially Wels and Steyr - there are more missions waiting for you. Go for them!
Linz offers a plenty of different bars, bistros, pubs,restaurants,... where you get delicious food and some nice drinks - we are sure you won't be disappointed.
Enjoy the famous "Linzer Torte" along with a nice cup of coffee or tea - you won't regret it!