Vienna to Beijing Flights

  About Vienna

Austria's capital, Vienna, is recognised as one of the most romantic and historically rich cities in the world. The city is known to have contributed significantly to the intellectual and art world with legends like Mozart, Sigmund Freud and Beethoven, the architecture is pristine. With the Danube river flowing through the city of Vienna, there are impeccable locales that should be visited. The Hungarian city is a big hit among tourists around the world. In Austria, Vienna is easily the economic, political and cultural hub for the country. It is also the sixth-largest city in the European Union. Predominantly a German-speaking city, Vienna has a thriving food culture that deserves to be checked out. The city experiences a great number of tourists every year. Not to mention how Vienna is also recognised to be one of the liveable cities in the world.

Best time to visit Vienna

Vienna's backwaters can best be experienced in the months April to May and September to October. Although the summer months are a big hit among a majority of tourists who flock over to enjoy the cool but fresh summer breeze, spring and autumn are ideal. During spring, which falls on the months of April and May, the city experiences chilly weather transiting to hot summers. The temperatures vary between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, which is ideal for engaging in touristy activities. As the peak season for tourists is later in the summer, this time makes it perfect for checking out some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the long queues. It is also the best time to book hotels in Vienna as the prices are quite cheap and affordable. Even the flights flying to Vienna are cheap and come with impeccable deals. You should know though that the summers are when some of the best festivals take place, and the city streets are full of lively purveyors. Events such as Vienna Festival, Rainbow Parade and Danube Island Festival keep the spirits high of the locals as well as the tourists.

September to October, which is fall in Vienna, is again a lovely time to visit the city. Even though the temperatures fluctuate between 14 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it still manages to maintain a favourable climate that would keep the tourists happy. It is advised that you book your hotel rooms in Vienna a few weeks in advance to avoid any surge in price. In fact, it would be ideal to even get your flight tickets to Vienna booked so that you don't have to worry about the expensive prices. Don't worry, though as you will find some astounding rooms facing breath-taking views to elevate your experience in the city. Plus, the city also witnesses some big festivals such as Vienna Fashion Week, Viennale Vienna International Film Festival and Long Night of the Museums, that attract a lot of crowds. Hence, even though the city might not be too hot for tourists to enjoy the weather in the city, it certainly would give them quite the experience. Winters are also good, provided you are okay with the chilly breeze and the frigid weather.

Places to visit in Vienna

Vienna's fame doesn't just come from the personalities that the city offered to the world (Mozart, Sigmund Freud, to name a few), but also the rich history and architecture that it preserves. You should start your trip from St Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic structure that has seen various times of history as it was constructed back in the 12th century. You should also visit the Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the artwork of European stalwarts Velasquez, Rubens, Titian and Van Dyke. Another important location would be the Schönbrunn Palace, which has historical significance for being a hunting lodge turned palace. House of Music (Haus der Musik) is another famous location in the city where revered musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Haydn and Strauss once lived. It is a fascinating museum that cherishes the life and works of the elite musicians of Vienna. While in the city, do not miss Tiergarter, known to be the oldest zoo in the world which houses over 750 animal species ranging from lemurs to tigers. Hofburg Palace is also a beautiful structure that should check out when in the city.

Things to do in Vienna

From Vienna, you can take up a day tour to the Danube Valley and Melk Abbey as a way to unwind from the city's tourist attractions. These places are more nature-friendly and bring about calmness and serenity to a person. You should also try to book yourself a ticket and catch a show at the Vienna State Opera for it holds a very important position in Austria. Another fun activity to indulge in would be to check out the Naschmarkt. It is known to be a big market that comes together for the sale and purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are some food stalls and joints here too that will amaze you. Vienna sells history, and you should try to soak in as much as you can. The place bustles with beautiful palatial structures and cathedrals with stunning architectural works. It would be a shame to not explore more of the city. You can rent a bicycle to do the same.

Food and restaurants in Vienna

Austrian cuisine is predominantly meat-based. The city's cuisine is something one should definitely indulge in, but it might be difficult for a vegetarian to survive. Much if their dishes come from their love for meat, which is something that a vegetarian cannot enjoy. Hearty meals such as Austrian taverns, also known as beisls, are basically hefty portions of boiled beef (tafelspitz), goulash (a stew prepared from potatoes and beef) and a schnitzel (deep-fried wiener). To get the best and authentic flavours of an Austrian meal, you should check out Lugecj and Ofenloch, located within Innere Stadt. Of course, if you need to save some money because you're following a strict budget, then you should leave Innere Stadt and walk up beyond the city centre. Innere Stadt is quaint and extremely posh, which would only work for you if you have to the bucks to splurge.

To get some cheap and affordable food that continues to express the culture of Austria, then you should visit Gmoakeller in Landstrasse and Motto in Weiden. Although it is recommended that you savour in as much Austrian, you can indulge in some international cuisine too. In the city, you will find Asian and Italian cuisine to continue your food expedition. Remember to carry enough cash for your food as most of their restaurants and food establishments do not accept credit or debit card. Vienna's streets have cafes, desserts and patisseries galore which would leave you in awe of their gugelhupfs (Bundt cake) and apple strudel. Everything they consume is incomplete without wine, so do not hesitate to pick a fine wine for your dining. Or you can call for some beer too to complete your meal.

How to reach Vienna

There is an abundance of flights available that fly to Vienna from India. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Vienna from India. However, thanks to some of the airlines, there are layovers and connecting flights that fly to Vienna. Airlines such as Lufthansa, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, to name a few, have regular flights to Vienna. The most popular route to Vienna often picked by tourists is the one connecting from Istanbul. The duration via this route is the least and hence, is the most convenient. Some of the other cities where layovers take place are Warsaw, Doha, Munich, Cairo, Frankfurt, Muscat and Dubai. The duration of flights to Vienna from India is close to 11 hours from Mumbai. However, depending on the airlines that you pick, the duration can extend accordingly. The flight tickets to Vienna are also decently priced, but it might be steep for you if you have a lot of other cities in Europe that you plan to travel to from Vienna. Flight deals to Vienna might be available online provided you book in advance and get more miles.

As a holiday destination, there is a high demand for Vienna from India. People mostly opt to travel to a plethora of cities as part of their European trips. Hence, they start from one place in the EU Union and then travel within the continent. When using this method, Vienna is best reached via Munich by train. Either Munich or Zurich, there are fancy trains that traverse to the beautiful Austrian city. Booking your hotels in Vienna is key to getting great discounts and cheap deals. The city is always crowded with tourists, thanks to its popularity. It is also one of the cheaper vacations one can look for, which makes the accommodations a tad bit difficult to find. If you are planning for a trip, especially during peak season, it is best advised to book rooms in Vienna to avoid the surge in prices.

  About Beijing

Beijing is China's political and cultural hub with a lot of tourist attractions. It is also where the famous Great Wall of China is. It is one of the most important tourist spots in China. The city also boasts of a very happening nightlife that will give you nasty hangovers but fun night. Imperial Palace, Coal Hill Park, Beihai Park and Heavenly Temple are some of the popular tourist attractions. It also has amazing places to go shopping and dining. Beijing also has a rich history and historical sites that you just cannot miss when you visit the city. You can also head to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the National Museum of China to get to know the city better. While you are at it, you can even learn a few words in Mandarin. It will certainly spice things up during your vacation. China is also known for its diverse and unique cuisines, although it will be quite a task to find restaurants that serve vegetarian food.

Best Time to Visit Beijing

It would be best if you kept a lot of things in mind before you plan a trip to Beijing. If you are on a budget, it is best to avoid festival days and national holidays since booking a hotel in Beijing during this time will only burn a hole in your pocket. However, summer is the most popular tourist season in the city. June to August is the summer and peak season for travellers to fly to Beijing. The flight tickets to Beijing will be considerably higher if not booked in advance. The city also experiences heavy rainfall in July and August so make sure you also carry an umbrella with you. If you are planning your trip to Beijing in June, do not miss the Dragon Boat Festival. The temperature ranges from 18 to 31 degree Celsius during summer. If you are ready to bear with the scorching heat along with the rains, you can choose to travel to the city in summer.

September and October are also great months to plan your trip to Beijing. The hotel prices drop a little bit, and the weather is quite pleasant, owing to the disappearing humidity. You might want to steer clear of travelling to Beijing on the National Day if you are on a budget. But if you are already in the city, head over to the Great Wall of China to catch the festivities and celebration. The temperature ranges from 7 to 26 degree Celsius.

The city sees a dip in the number of tourists during winter, from November to February. This is a great time to fly to Beijing if you are on a tight budget. You will get cheap flight tickets to Beijing, and you can also book a hotel in Beijing at a lower cost. Not to mention, since there are fewer tourists in the city, you won't have to wait in queues or suffer the inconveniences that you might get with a lot of tourists buzzing around. While the temperature is quite pleasant during the day, it drops considerably at night. January-February is also Chinese New Year, and the celebrations are grand in the city. The temperature ranges from -9.4 to 4 degree Celsius in winters so pack all of your warm clothes and some more to fight the cold weather.

The temperature ranges from 7 to 26 degree Celsius in April and May. It's quite the relief from the extremely cold winter in Beijing. The hotel prices also start increasing as the months are inching closer to summer. You can also catch the Beijing International Film Festival if you are planning to visit in April.

Places to Visit in Beijing

The Imperial Palace, also called Forbidden City, dates back to the Yuan dynasty of the 13th century and is one of the most important tourist attractions in Beijing. Until a long time, the palace was not open to ordinary citizens at all, which is how it got its name, Forbidden City. A guided tour of this beautiful palace is highly recommended on your trip to Beijing. The Great Wall of China is about an hour away from Beijing and a historical monument. It is a popular tourist destination in all of China. It was ideally built for military reasons and went on to become one of the most visited tourist attractions. Since it is not possible to cover the entire thing, it is recommended that you see certain parts of it, just for the experience. Summer Palace is another tourist attraction that you cannot miss at all. It has one of the biggest imperial gardens in China and is accessible to the Kunming Lake. Make sure you go early in the day to explore the palace before the tourist crowd kicks in.

Tiananmen Square is another tourist spot that sees a lot of tourists. It's closer to attractions like The Great Hall of the People, National Museum of China, Forbidden City and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It was initially built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Chinese Republic back in 1958. Don't miss the Gate of Heavenly Peace while you are here. Beihai Park is close to the Imperial Palace and a must-visit if you are here. It was created in 1166 AD. If you want to know more about China's history and culture, head over to the National Museum of China, which is quite close to Tiananmen Square. The Temple of Heaven is one of the most sacred buildings in Beijing that dates back to 1420. The rectangular and semi-circular shrines and temples together symbolise the earth, and you will find a lot of peace in the temples here. Beijing National Stadium is popular for hosting the Summer Olympics in 2008 and is also called Bird's Nest. You can opt for a guided tour of the stadium and everything near it. Beijing Zoo is another highlight of the city that houses approximately 15,000 animals of 1000 species. You will find pandas here along with snow leopards, South China tigers, red-crowned cranes and so on. The Zoo also has an aquarium if you want to witness marine life.

Things to do in Beijing

You can take a tour of the museums and palaces by going for one of the tour packages, or you can make your itinerary on your own. Beijing has quite a few palaces and Chinese temples of great significance that you must visit. It is recommended that you hire a guide to most of the palaces and museums so you can know more about the history and importance of the city. If you want to add a little bit of an adventure on your visit to the Great Wall of China, you can hike to the place. There are quite a few tourists and tour groups that can help you arrange for a hiking trip. Try to catch the sunset from the Great Wall of China. It will be the experience of a lifetime. Beijing is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and you can certainly go clubbing if you want to let loose and have fun a little bit.

Food and Restaurants in Beijing

Since Beijing is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, it offers a plethora of different kinds of cuisines for tourists. Peking Duck is a very popular dish in Beijing that you must try. You can also try the dumplings that are sold at local street stalls or fancy restaurants. Zhajiangmian is a Beijing speciality that is made with wheat noodles and has radish, cucumbers, a special sauce made of pork belly and sweet bean paste. The View 3912 is a popular restaurant that serves French, European and Fusion food. You can also try F Bistronome - FB or TRB Forbidden City for authentic French and European cuisines. Alice's Tea House also specialises in Asian and Beijing cuisine along with serving healthy fast food. Head over to King's Joy for some delicious Chinese food and The Lounge at Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel for the vibrant nightlife experience.

How to reach Beijing (Transportation)

Beijing Capital International Airport is one of the largest airports in China and 32 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Beijing from India is excellent. Cathay Pacific and Dragonair fly quite frequently to and from Beijing with layovers in Beijing. If you book in advance, you might come across great flight deals to Beijing online. If you are lucky, you will even get cheap flight tickets to Beijing. The Beijing airport is well-equipped with lounges for passengers, decent waiting areas, dressing rooms, duty-free shopping areas, currency exchange, restaurants and cafes. You will also get taxis, buses and shuttle services right from the airport to your hotel and vice versa. The staff is quite helpful, and you will also find a couple of tour packages at the airport, in case you haven't made your itinerary or want to add more attractions to it.