I went to Vienna for the first time. These 4 mistakes drained my energy and bank account.
· Business Insider
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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- It all started when I picked the wrong train.
- Booking the wrong Airbnb didn't help either.
- My mistakes in Vienna had a ripple effect on my health and my wallet.
When my train finally arrived in Vienna, I was ready for bed. It was 7 a.m., but I'd been awake for 24 hours.
Part of me wanted to spend the day exploring the city I traveled so far to visit for just two nights, especially since I'd never been there before. But my body said no.
This was in October 2022, when I spent 48 hours in Vienna during a two-week train trip through four European countries, six cities, and two suburbs.
Vienna's blend of fairy-tale flair, stunning architecture, and artsy public spaces made it my favorite city in Europe. But a few poor decisions along the way cost me time, money, and energy.
These are the regrets that kept me from making the most of my trip to Vienna.
Booking the wrong room on a sleeper train left me scrambling to find a hotel room at 7 a.m.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Back to my arrival in Vienna — I hadn't slept because I booked a reclining seat on an overnight train from Berlin.
I could have booked a bunk in a shared cabin for the 12-hour ride, but I thought I'd save money by booking the OBB Nightjet train's cheapest accommodation: a seat in a cabin with five other people for $40. And I thought I'd save time by traveling through the night.
With minimal legroom, a backpack for a pillow, and a windbreaker for a blanket, I stayed up stirring in my head until morning.
Once I left the train station, I went to three random hotels nearby before finding one with a room available. But to check in at 7 a.m. and leave later than the 11 a.m. check-out, I had to book the room for two nights.
Ultimately, booking a seat for an overnight ride cost me about $200 more than the train ticket. And napping all day left me with less time to explore the city.
"The quality of travel depends not only on the carriages, but also on the route," OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to Business Insider. "We recommend the sleeper or couchette car for night travel. There is enough space to stretch out. Seated carriages are recommended for shorter journeys."
Next time, I'll take the train line's advice and book a bunk for overnight rides.
I wish I'd considered taking a high-speed train during the day.NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images
I slept until roughly 5 p.m. on my first day in Vienna. When I woke up, I couldn't help thinking I might as well have taken a morning train.
According to Austrian Railways, high-speed trains that run during the day get from Berlin to Vienna in about eight hours. The earliest one arrives in Vienna daily just before 3 p.m., which would have given me two hours back. Plus, I would have had a chance to see the views of the places in between.
Booking the wrong accommodation cost me energy and added stress to my trip.The airstream trailer outside of the hotel.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
As I scrolled through Airbnb for a unique accommodation in Vienna before my trip, the luxury Airstream trailer in the parking lot of the boutique Hotel Daniel stood out among the rest. I was surprised to find an accommodation I associated with camping on a busy city street.
Intrigued by the opportunity to easily explore on foot and have an unusual stay, I booked the Airstream for $300 for two nights.
On night one, I realized I'd made a mistake. The Airstream was parked in front of the hotel, right next to the street. Sounds of honking cars, passing footsteps, and strangers' loud conversations bled into the trailer and kept me up way past my bedtime.
I also struggled to sleep because I felt exposed. On the second night, I was startled by pedestrians taking photos in front of the trailer, banging on the door, and attempting to pry it open.
A representative for Hotel Daniel told Business Insider that the Airstream can be noisy throughout the night due to its location. A hotel manager added that this was their first complaint of strangers banging on the trailer door and apologized.
In the future, I'll book a stay inside a building when staying in city centers.
I shouldn't have tried to squeeze so many sights into a two-day trip.Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I have to give myself credit — I covered a lot of ground in just 48 hours, especially considering how much I slept on day one.
I visited multiple 17th-century palaces, frolicked through hedge mazes, and admired street art along the Danube Canal. I traveled from north to south to see the city's most whimsical buildings up close.
In the moment, I felt like I was making great use of my limited time, but in reality, I was missing out on in-depth experiences. Hopping from place to place, I didn't have time to go inside any palaces, cathedrals, or museums — I merely viewed their exteriors.
Booking a longer trip would have solved this problem, but that's not always possible.
If I could have a do-over on my first trip to Vienna, I'd pick one palace and book a tour inside. I'd travel to a couple of whimsical buildings and take time to explore the surrounding blocks. And I'd sit on a bench along the Danube Canal rather than rushing past.
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