What to Pack for Travelling to Vienna: Tips from Experienced Travellers

Vienna is one of Europe's oldest and most exciting cities regarding tourism. The Austrian capital offers various activities: informative visits to museums and galleries, theatre performances, entertainment in amusement parks, and meeting exotic animals in the zoo or botanical garden.

Kidpassage has compiled a list of recommendations on what to take with you when visiting Vienna. We've researched what documents, clothes and medications you'll need on a family trip, so you can pack as compactly as possible and remember the essentials.

The list of required documents is not too long:

• Passports for all family members, ID cards, EU social security/health care ID card (for EU citizens, optional)
• Child's birth certificate (you may be asked to show this at the border).
• Visa. For citizens of countries without a visa-free regime with the European Union.
• Flight tickets.
• Travel insurance policy.
• Tour operator's voucher for reception and service or hotel confirmation and apartment booking (electronic or paper) for the whole trip period.
• Flight ticket if you are travelling to Vienna as part of a package holiday.
• Driving licence, vehicle registration and green card if you travel by car.
• Money and bank cards.

Kidpassage recommends you make copies of all documents and store them separately from the originals. If you lose the sources, you will have fewer problems with the police.

• The best family-friendly hotels in Vienna
• Vienna: travel guide for families

Are you planning a trip to the Austrian capital with your children? If so, the amount of luggage will increase considerably, and it is essential to catch everything. To make things easier for you, Kidpassage has put together a list of things you should take with you to Vienna.

• What to do and what to see in Vienna

The season, the trip's length and purpose, and the young traveller's age will all play a part in determining what a child will need in Vienna. The whole family should wear sportswear for sightseeing, casual clothes for museums and galleries, and evening wear for the theatre or the Vienna Opera.

We've picked out the best items for taking the kids to Vienna, focusing on a week's holiday.

For a summer trip to Vienna, we recommend this list:

• Underwear and socks: seven days, seven pairs;
• Bathing clothes if you plan to visit the Therme Wien;
• T-shirts. For younger children, it is advisable to take one for each day of stay. For older children, one T-shirt is enough for several days;
• Boys need to bring shorts and summer trousers. A tracksuit or light jacket will be helpful for cooler days;
• Girls need to take a sundress, dress, shorts, trousers, jeans, and windbreaker;
• 2-3 caps, panama hats;
• Pyjamas;
• Shoes suitable for long walks. Walking through the city's cobbled streets will be tiring if it proves uncomfortable.

What should you take with you if you plan a trip to Vienna during the cold season? For long walks and excursions, choose warm clothes for your child that won't hinder their movement. Kidpassage has put together a sample list of items for your child:

• At least two sets of thermal underwear and socks;
• Several pairs of waterproof and lightweight winter shoes;
• Fleece sweater;
• Hat and scarf (preferably two sets);
• Warm mittens;
• Winter outwear;
• A swimsuit will come in handy in winter if you plan a thermal bath trip.

In autumn and spring, the weather is fickle. Even when the sun is shining, a hat, warm coat, windbreaker or jacket is not out of place. An umbrella and a raincoat are helpful in rainy weather.

It's a good idea to think about washing your baby's clothes so you don't have to take unnecessary items. Take a set each day if you are going on holiday with a toddler. For an older child, one set is enough for 2-3 days. Take only familiar and comfortable clothes for a child, made from fabrics that dry quickly. It's preferable to not new shoes. They will not rub little travellers' feet on long walks.

It's a good idea to think about washing your baby's clothes so you don't have to take unnecessary items. Take a set each day if you are on holiday with a toddler. For an older child, one set is enough for 2-3 days. Take only familiar and comfortable clothes made from quick-dry fabrics for a child. It's preferable to avoid wearing new shoes. They will not rub little travellers' feet on long walks.

When travelling with children, it is essential to consider the characteristics of the Austrian capital.

Stock up on accessories before you leave so you don't have to search for shops that work when you arrive.

We offer a sample list of essential hygiene items and accessories that will come in handy when travelling with your baby:

• Nappies for 2-3 days. The rest can be bought;
• Wet wipes;
• Disposable cot sheets;
• Hygiene products that your baby is used to. They will not cause allergic reactions and will make you feel more comfortable in your new environment;
• Sunscreen (in warm weather);
• Manicure set, comb. For girls — hairpins, hair bands and bows;
• Water bottle (collapsible water bottles take up less place)
• A sling or ergonomic backpack. Some children are more comfortable in a stroller. In this case, choose one that folds up. Streets, public transport and driveways in Vienna are well-adapted to strollers;
• Baby food, 2-3 pacifiers (if necessary)

The smartphone is at the top of the list of must-haves for your holiday. The extra features of a smartphone can replace a camera, camcorder or TV. A laptop or tablet will be okay if there's room in your luggage. It's an extra toy for a child to watch cartoons, films or favourite shows. Foldable headphones with good sound insulation are recommended.

Remember to pack a portable battery charger and phone charger. A power strip and extension cord are only necessary if you are taking a lot of gadgets.

Don't take your whole arsenal of toys on a trip, just a few of your favourites. It could include rattles, a bouncy ball or a teddy bear. Older children may enjoy painting and drawing — take the necessary materials with you. Educational books, puzzles and jigsaws are also helpful. Pack new toys in your hand luggage to keep them occupied during the trip.

We have already mentioned that shops in Vienna close very early. For this reason, tourists visiting on a day off or at night should take a small supply of food with them. Generally speaking, finding a café or restaurant in the Austrian capital with a menu suitable for a child is not difficult. However, if you prefer to cook for yourself, no problem.

There are several supermarkets and mini-markets in every district of Vienna. It is a good idea to mark the shops near your hotel or apartment on a map before you leave.

What else should you take with me on holiday? If your child is on a diet or you're worried about allergic reactions to unfamiliar foods, ensure you have all the food you'll need for the whole trip. It will save you time, and you will not have to wander the streets looking for a place to buy food.

• Vienna food prices at cafes and restaurants

Tourists in Vienna sometimes encounter unforeseen difficulties with the opening hours of the city's pharmacies. They are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On weekends they are only available until noon. There are not many pharmacies open 24 hours a day.

Kidpassage advises you to take essential medicines to Vienna and ensure you have insurance coverage.

A sample list of items a traveller's first aid kit should contain:

• Antipyretics and painkillers
• Motion sickness pills;
• Throat lozenges, ear drops;
• Anti-allergy medicines;
• Anti-diarrhoea medicines;
• Antiseptics for wounds;
• Medicines for children with chronic illnesses with a prescription in English;
• Wound dressings, bandages, thermometers

The list of things to take with you can be added to and changed if particular medicines are needed. Talking to your doctor in advance will help ensure that you have the right medicines for everyone in your family.

How much money to take with you to Vienna is a question that many tourists ask themselves. The official currency in EU countries is the Euro. You can pay for your purchases in cash or with bank cards: MasterCard, American Express, Visa and Diners Club.

Remember to inform your bank about your trip. Otherwise, card payments may be blocked. We recommend that you carry some cash and some cash on your card. It is not advisable to take €500 notes as they may be difficult to exchange.

A customs declaration is required for amounts over €10,000. There are exchange offices at railway stations and hotels, but they charge a high fee.

Banks are the best places to withdraw cash. They are open on weekdays from 8.00 to 15.00. On Thursdays, banks are open until 17.00. There is a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:30. The money you should take with you depends on your plans.

Transport tickets can be purchased from special vending machines from the carrier's official website. The cost of a travel document depends on the ticket type and the city area to which you are travelling.

If you buy the Vienna City Card, you do not need additional public transport tickets. Travel on public transport in Vienna included

What not to bring to Vienna? Kidpassage has prepared a list of things you can leave at home or buy on arrival:

• The hotel usually provides towels, bathrobes and slippers.
• The baby potty can be replaced with a toilet seat cover.
• Large quantities of food and nappies are unnecessary.
• Toiletries such as shampoo and soap can be bought in Vienna.
• An iron and hairdryer are usually available in hotels and apartments.
• If you have a smartphone, you will probably not need a camera or a paper book.
• You can avoid fancy dress (unless you are planning a trip to the Vienna State Opera or the theatre).

We've gathered up-to-date information on what you should bring to Vienna. We hope you pack your bags easily and that your trip will be exciting and memorable.