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WEATHER

Vienna’s free ‘cooling centre’ lets you avoid Austria’s stifling heat

Vienna's Red Cross has set up a 'cooling centre' with airconditioning and rest areas for when the heat is too high - and other locations to help you keep cool.

Vienna cooling centre Austria heatwave
There are several places to cool off from the extreme heat in Vienna, including a dedicate "cooling centre" in the 21st district (Amanda Previdelli / The Local)

As temperatures near 40C in Vienna, people might be looking for areas where they can cool off, especially since not many apartments and houses in Austria are prepared to handle such scorching temperatures.

Vienna’s Red Cross has set up a free “cooling centre” where people can enjoy a quiet climate-conditioned room to recover from the heat stress.

The centre is located inside the Shopping City Nord, in Vienna’s 21st district, and it’s open when heat days are expected. You can check the dates on their website, which is updated weekly.

READ ALSO: Heatwave in Austria: How hot is it getting this week and where?

Besides the cool air, people can find tables to sit and work, beach chairs to relax, and a water supply. In addition, the Red Cross has partnered with brands to offer a few “gifts” like a straw hat and a pamphlet with tips for hot days.

The establishment is free and everyone is welcome, particularly those who suffer from the heat the most, like older people and people with chronicle diseases.

People can also bring their pets, as long as they don’t cause disturbances.

Pets are welcome in the cooling centre the Red Cross has set up in Vienna (Photo: Amanda Previdelli / The Local)

Tips for visiting the cooling centre

The Red Cross recommends that people suffering from extreme heat plan to stay at least two to three hours resting there – but adds that any other period of time is possible during opening hours (from 12 pm to 5 pm).

They recommend you take something to pass the time with, like a book, crossword or mobile phone – there are a few drawing books and crayons for kids.
People can also bring food and drinks (as long as they don’t disturb other guests) and tap water is available.

Red Cross’s tips for staying cool despite the heat

The Red Cross also has a brochure with tips for the heat days.

They include recommendations such as “drink lots of water even if you are not thirsty”, ventilating your apartment, caring for other people (especially neighbours or family members that might be part of the risk group), avoiding being outdoors and freshening up your body with a cool (not cold) shower, for example.

READ ALSO: How to stay cool in Austria as the heatwave hits

The organisation also suggests people wear light and bright clothes, eat light and fresh meals, search for cool places to be and do not leave people or animals in parked cars.

The cooling centre offers tap water, beach chairs, tables, and even some drawing books – but the Red Cross recommends people bring their own entertainment (Photo: Amanda Previdelli / The Local)

Other places to cool off in Vienna

Vienna has many places where you can cool off and spend some of the hottest hours. For example, many of its historical buildings with thick walls and made of stone (like most churches) can be very cool during the day even without air conditioning.

A word of caution, though: the beautiful St. Stephens Cathedral is a big exception to this rule, as it is usually packed with people, gets loads of hot sunlight, and its doors are always open, bringing hot air in.

READ ALSO: Heatwave: Nine of the coolest places in Austria

You can also visit some of the city’s museums or cafes for some extra dose of culture and cake while the sun is blazing outside.

If things are too hot to handle, there is always the polar area in the Schönbrunn Zoo, where you can spend some quality time in (not quite) subzero temperatures with the penguins.

READ ALSO: Austrian heatwave: Six tips to get a better night’s sleep

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VIENNA

Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna

If you want to rent a car in Vienna, you can choose from a variety of options, including car-sharing services, rental companies, and platforms for comparing offers.

Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna

In the Austrian capital, you can find different types of car-sharing services. In fact, the city operates its own affordable car-sharing service with many different sustainable cars ready to be used.

If you prefer a rental company, there are alternatives to choose from with multiple pick-up locations all over the city.

Car sharing services

WienMobile Auto is a car-sharing service offered by the city of Vienna and operated by Wiener Linien, Vienna’s public transportation company. This service offers flexibility with all-inclusive packages and stations all over the city where you can pick up the cars. The service mainly offers electric and hybrid cars at an affordable price starting from €2.60 per hour.

Through the service, you can rent a car for a couple of hours, one day or maximum a weekend (Friday to Monday). You are only allowed to drive inside of the state of Vienna. 

If you plan to rent the cars more often, you can sign up for a membership and pay a monthly fee which gives you discounts on your rentals.

Gomore.at is another platform for car sharing. Here, you can rent a car directly from its owner. The platform offers convenient filters to help you find the type of car you search for. After reserving the car, the owner will confirm whether the days are available and then send you the necessary information. 

The car owners tend to be flexible, and you can rent cars for just a few hours, a couple of days, or even a week or two.

You are usually allowed to drive the cars outside of Vienna, and maybe also outside of Austria, it depends on the specific terms and conditions set by the car owner.

SHARE NOW is a car-sharing service also operating in Vienna. Using a mobile app, you can easily locate and rent cars for short periods. The service offers a wide range of cars, including compact cars and electric and hybrid cars, making it convenient for various needs. You can unlock the cars through the app, drive to their destination, and drop off the car at any designated parking spot around the city. 

Through the service, you can rent a car for just a few minutes or even up to two weeks. You are in general allowed to drive wherever you feel like, although with some reservations. To make sure that your planned trip is accepted, contact the service directly to ask.

READ ALSO: The best websites for buying a used car in Austria

Cars on a road during sunset in Austria. Photo by Michael Pointner on Unsplash

Car rental companies

Vienna’s many car rental companies offer a wide range of options. They also offer loyalty programs where frequent car renters can get special deals. 
 
 
With a car from a rental company, you can travel wherever you want and rent the cars for extended periods, even for weeks.
 
Here we list Vienna’s five most popular car rental companies:
 
Avis Car Rental offers a wide selection of different cars at multiple locations across Vienna, including the airport. The service also has a loyalty program, where you can enjoy different services and rewards for frequent rentals. Booking is made through the company’s website or mobile app.

Sixt Rental has a great variety of cars. You can book and manage your rental easily through their app, and they often have special deals. The company is flexible with how long you can rent a car, and they offer extra services such as GPS monitors if you need it.

Budget Car Rental offers affordable rental options with pick-up locations all over Vienna. Here, you can choose from a wide range of cars to fit various travel needs and preferences, from compact cars to SUVs and vans. Booking is easy through their website or mobile app.

Hertz has lots of different types of cars available to rent in Vienna, and you can find them in many places around the city. If you sign up for their loyalty program, you can get faster service and maybe even a better car without paying extra. The company is also known for being reliable.

Europcar is another company offering a great variety of different cars for rent. You can easily choose how long you want to rent them for, and the rental locations are found in various places all over Vienna, including larger train stations. If you join their loyalty program, you can get free rental days and other benefits.

Compare rental offers

If you want to compare offers from multiple car rental companies, it is a good idea to use platforms such as Expedia, Rentalcars.com, and Kayak.

Here, you can compare different offers and find the most suitable one in terms of price, location, and other factors.

The platforms also often present you with discounts and promotions.

READ NEXT: Everything you need to know about Austria’s driving exam

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