How To Get Around In Villach
Once you have arrived in Villach, you can easily get around the city by using the public transport system, which consists of buses and trains. The main bus station is located at the Bahnhofplatz, near the main train station. From there, you can catch buses to various destinations within and outside the city, such as the Ossiach Lake, the Faaker Lake, the Dobratsch Nature Park, and the Gerlitzen Ski Resort.
The main train station is also located at the Bahnhofplatz, and it is a major hub for regional and international trains. From there, you can catch trains to other cities in Austria, such as Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna, as well as to neighboring countries, such as Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.
If you prefer to explore the city by car, you can find several car rental agencies in the city center, as well as at the main train station and the airport. However, you should be aware that parking in the city center can be difficult and expensive, especially during peak hours and events. Therefore, it is advisable to use the park and ride facilities, which are located at the outskirts of the city, and then take the bus or the train to the city center.
Alternatively, you can also explore the city by bike, as Villach is a bike-friendly city, with many bike paths and lanes. You can rent a bike from several locations in the city, such as the main train station, the tourist office, and some hotels. You can also join guided bike tours, which will take you to some of the most scenic and interesting places in and around the city.
Get Around - By Car
Driving through Villach may be terrifying. Things move slowly in the center, especially in the morning and later in the day. Furthermore, all parking spots in the center are designated as short-term parking zones. There are, however, a handful of parking places where you may park for an extended period of time. These are pricey. A nice option is the Willroider car park on Drauboden, which is located above the railway station. You may park for free here. Coming from the Ossiach line, take the first right after the train station to arrive to this parking lot. If you’re coming from the northern bypass, turn left in front of the station. It is simply a 15-minute walk to the center from here. Line 10 of public transportation in Villach departs from the old town every half hour.
If you decide to drive in Villach, you should be aware of the traffic rules and regulations. You need a valid driver’s license, an international driving permit (if your license is not in German), and a car insurance. You also need to pay a toll sticker (vignette) to use the motorways (autobahns) and some expressways (schnellstrassen). The speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on open roads, and 130 km/h on motorways. You should also follow the signs and signals, and respect the pedestrians and cyclists.
Villach now has around 4,480 parking spots, of which 2,490 are private, metered parking spaces and 840 are public, metered parking spaces, 790 are public, metered parking spaces in short-term parking zones, and 360 are free parking spaces in short-term parking zones.There is a twenty-minute parking time limit in the city center that may be utilized for free.Since January 2019, you may park for free in the city center’s short-term parking zones on Saturdays beginning at 9:00 a.m.Furthermore, beginning at 10:00 a.m., the loading zones can be used as parking places.
In addition to the 45 parking ticket machines installed in the short-term parking zone area, parking tickets may now be purchased with a mobile phone (mobile phone parking) since 2011. The CityBonus scheme is another alternative. Following each purchase, points may be put onto a key fob or card in around 100 city center stores and turned into parking time at any parking ticket machine in the city center. In 2018, 15,000 users utilized the system
Get Around - By Public Transport
Villach has a well-developed public transport system that consists of buses, trains, and taxis. You can use the same ticket for all modes of transport within the city and the surrounding areas. You can buy tickets from machines, kiosks, or online. You can also use the Villach Card, which gives you unlimited access to public transport and discounts on various attractions and services. The Villach Card costs 10 euros for one day, 15 euros for three days, or 20 euros for seven days.
The buses in Villach are operated by Stadtwerke Villach (SVV) and Verkehrsverbund Kärnten (VVK). They cover most of the city and connect to the main train station, the airport, and the nearby towns and villages. You can find the bus routes and timetables on the SVV and VVK websites or apps. The buses run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays, and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The fare is 2.40 euros for a single trip, or 4.80 euros for a day ticket.
The trains in Villach are operated by Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) and Südbahn. They connect Villach to other major cities in Austria, as well as to Italy, Slovenia, Germany, and Switzerland. You can find the train schedules and prices on the ÖBB and Südbahn websites or apps. The trains run from 4 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, and from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekends and holidays. The fare depends on the distance and the type of train. You can also use the ÖBB Vorteilscard, which gives you discounts on train tickets and other benefits.
The taxis in Villach are available 24/7 and can be hailed on the street, booked by phone, or ordered online. You can find the taxi companies and their contact details on the Villach Tourism website or app. The taxis are metered and charge a base fare of 3.50 euros, plus 1.50 euros per kilometer, and 0.50 euros per minute of waiting time. You can also negotiate a fixed price for longer trips or special services.
Buses
The Villach transport firm Kowatsch operates the city’s regular bus service. The city buses run from Monday to Saturday, from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The buses also link the city center and the major railway station to Villach’s suburbs, such as Warmbad, Vassach, Völkendorf, Auen, St. Martin, Fellach, Judendorf, and Federaun.
The bus fares depend on the distance and the number of zones you travel through. You can buy single tickets, day tickets, weekly tickets, or monthly tickets from the bus drivers, the ticket machines, or the Kowatsch office at the main station. You can also use the Carinthia Card, which gives you unlimited access to the buses and other attractions in the region.
The Kowatsch bus lines serve the following lines:
- Line 1: Hochfeldstraße – Hauptbahnhof – KTS/SKA (via Therme Warmbad)
- Line 2: Vassach – Hauptbahnhof – Völkendorf – Infineon
- Line 3: Central Station – State Hospital – Central Cemetery – Technology Park – Ortisei
- Line 4: Central Station – ATRIO – Auen
- Line 5A: Main station – St. Martin – Untere Fellach – VEZ
- Line 5B: Main station – Stadthalle – Neue Fellach – Goritschach – St.Georgen – Pogöriach – Fellach – VEZ
- Line 6: Central Station – State Hospital – Central Cemetery (KELAG settlement) – Maria-Gailer-Straße – Infineon – KTS/SKA
- Line 7: Vassach – Hauptbahnhof – Infineon
- Line 8: Technology Park – BHF Seebach – Hauptbahnhof – Infineon – Tschinowitsch
- Line 9: main station – Judendorf – Möltschach
- Line 18: Central Station – Federaun – Unterschütt – Oberschütt
- Line 50: October 10th Street – Central Station – Annenheim – Sattendorf am Ossiachersee
Trains
The major train station in Villach serves as a center for national and international train connections, as well as rapid transit lines S1, S2, and S4 and regional bus services to Drautal, Gegental, Gailtal, Rosental, Lake Wörthersee, the area surrounding Villach, and Italy.
The national trains are operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and offer fast and comfortable travel to Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, and other cities in Austria. You can also take the international trains to Munich, Venice, Ljubljana, Zagreb, and other destinations in Europe. You can book your tickets online, at the ticket machines, or at the ÖBB office at the station.
The rapid transit lines are part of the Carinthian S-Bahn network, which connects Villach with the neighboring towns and villages. The S1 operates every 30 minutes from Spittal a der Drau to Sankt Veit a der Glan through Klagenfurt and every hour to Friesach. Every hour, the S2 operates from Faak am See to Rosenbach and every hour from Feldkirchen in Carinthia to St. Veit a der Glan. The S4 connects Arnoldstein to Hermagor through Arnoldstein. You can use the same tickets and cards as for the buses for the S-Bahn.
You can find more information about the train routes, timetables, and fares on the ÖBB website.
Get Around - By Bike
One of the best ways to explore the city and its surroundings is by bicycle, as Villach is well-equipped with bike-friendly infrastructure and scenic routes. Whether you are looking for a leisurely ride along the river, a challenging mountain bike adventure, or a convenient way to get around the city center, cycling in Villach is a great option for everyone. In this article, we will give you some tips and information on how to get around in Villach by bicycle.
One of the advantages of cycling in Villach is that you can easily rent a bike from various locations in the city. There are several bike rental shops that offer different types of bikes, such as city bikes, mountain bikes, e-bikes, and tandems. You can also use the Nextbike system, which allows you to borrow and return bikes at any of the 20 stations across the city. You can register online or via the app, and pay by credit card or PayPal. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, and then you pay 1 euro per hour or 5 euros per day.
Another benefit of cycling in Villach is that you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and nature along the way. Villach is located at the confluence of the Drava and Gail rivers, and surrounded by the Alps and the Karawanken mountains. You can follow the bike paths that run along the rivers, or venture into the hills and forests for more challenging routes. You can also visit some of the nearby attractions, such as the Faaker See lake, the Landskron castle, or the Dobratsch nature park. Villach is also connected to other cities and regions by bike, such as Klagenfurt, Spittal, Tarvisio, and Slovenia.
Cycling in Villach is also a safe and convenient way to get around the city center. Villach has a well-developed network of bike lanes and signs that make it easy to navigate the streets. You can also cycle through the pedestrian zones of the old town, where you can admire the historic buildings and monuments, such as the parish church, the city hall, and the dragon fountain. Villach also has a bicycle coordinator who works to improve the conditions and facilities for cyclists in the city. For example, by April 2018, 800 parking spots with bike racks had been installed.
Get Around - By Foot
Villach is a compact and walkable city that invites you to explore its streets and squares by foot. You can discover the charm and the history of the city, as well as the local shops, cafes, and restaurants. You can also join a guided walking tour, which will show you the highlights and the hidden gems of Villach. You can book a tour online or at the tourist office, or download the Villach Audio Guide app, which will give you audio commentary and directions as you walk. The walking tours cost 10 euros per person, and last for about 90 minutes.
Walking in Villach is a relaxing and rewarding way to experience the city and its people. You can admire the architecture and the art of the city, such as the Villach Main Square, the Villach City Museum, and the Villach Art Gallery.
E-mobility
If you want to drive an electric car in Villach, you will find plenty of incentives and facilities to do so. Since September 2016, the city has supported the purchase of electric automobiles, electric scooters, and e-bikes in addition to the current promotion of electromobility, such as free parking. The city also provides subsidies for installing private charging stations at home or at work. On Maria-Gailer-Straße, Tesla Motors Austria GmbH and Kelag established Austria’s largest e-charging station in 2015. The station has 16 charging points, including four superchargers that can fully charge a Tesla car in 30 minutes. The station is open 24/7 and is free of charge for Tesla drivers.
Car-sharing
If you don’t own an electric car, but still want to use one occasionally, you can take advantage of Villach’s car-sharing options. Car-sharing is a service that allows you to rent a car for a short period of time, usually by the hour or by the day. You can book a car online or via an app, and pick it up and drop it off at designated locations. Car-sharing can save you money, as you only pay for the time and distance you use, and you don’t have to worry about maintenance, insurance, or parking fees. Car-sharing can also reduce the number of cars on the road, and encourage people to use public transport or other modes of transport for their daily commute.
Villach currently has two car-sharing providers. On the one hand, there is BB Rail&Drive, which is part of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). BB Rail&Drive operates directly from the main station, where you can find four electric cars and two hybrid cars. You can use your ÖBB Vorteilscard or ÖBB Businesscard to access the cars, and you can also combine your car rental with a train ticket. On the other hand, there is Motor Mayerhofer, a local car dealer that offers car-sharing in cooperation with the city. Motor Mayerhofer has six electric cars and two hybrid cars, which are located at Hans-Gasser-Platz, Westbahnhof, and Hauptbahnhof. You can register for free on their website or app, and use your smartphone to unlock the cars.
E-scooters
If you prefer a smaller and more agile vehicle, you can try an e-scooter. An e-scooter is a two-wheeled electric vehicle that resembles a kick scooter, but has a motor and a battery. E-scooters are easy to use, fun to ride, and convenient to park. They are ideal for short trips within the city, especially in areas with limited parking space or traffic restrictions. E-scooters can also complement public transport, as you can use them to get to and from bus or train stations.
There has been an e-scooter rental system in Villach since June 15, 2019, thanks to the supplier TIER, who picked Villach as the first non-state capital for their rental system. Between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., 90 electric scooters are available at 30 locations throughout Villach. The locations of the scooters can be found on a map on the provider’s app, which you need to download and register with. You can use the app to scan the QR code on the scooter, and start your ride. The cost is 1 euro for unlocking the scooter, and 15 cents per minute of riding. You can end your ride at any of the designated locations, and lock the scooter with the app. The scooters are collected and recharged at night by TIER staff.
