Living in Vienna

For years, Vienna has been named the most livable city in the world. It scores with its very good medical care and an extremely broad range of cultural and leisure activities. Worth noting is Vienna's high safety record, its modern and seamless public transport system, and environmental factors such as low pollution and lots of green space. And even though Vienna is the capital of one of the richest countries in the world, the general cost of living is not that high compared to other European cities.

Cost of Living

All costs listed here are estimates only and are intended to help students plan their financial resources. Actual expenditures will vary depending on individual spending habits.

Students may need to budget an average of 980-1,030 EUR per month to cover accommodation costs, costs of utilities, meals, city transportation, instructional materials, some personal expenses, and incidentals.

Accommodation

Students in Vienna live either in student dormitories or private accommodations. There are numerous possibilities for finding housing that meets your needs but make sure to not leave looking for a room for the last minute. One of the most popular ways of accommodation is private share flats (called Wohngemeinschaften in German, or just WG). Students share an apartment, and everyone has their own room, but the kitchen and bathroom are shared. The rent is also split between the occupants.

Public Transport

Vienna has a great public transport system consisting of underground lines, bus services, trams, and a city train network. For longer stays and frequent use of the Viennese public transport system, it is advisable to purchase one of the following Wiener Linien zone cards.

Food

You will find in Vienna many discount supermarkets that provide goods at affordable costs. There are many self-service student cafeterias so-called "Mensa", where you may get a decent meal for a reasonable price. However, making your own meals is always the most cost-effective option.