A Birthday Gift · 2026
Happy Birthday,
Mam
Seventy · Five · Years
Your Gift · The Main Event

André Rieu in Vienna

& his Johann Strauss Orchestra
Friday 6 November 2026 · 7:30 pm  •  Wiener Stadthalle, Vienna
Rang 1 seats
The Journey
5–9 November 2026
Thu 5 Nov
Cork → London HeathrowAer Lingus EI0710 · 07:40 – 09:00
Fri 6 Nov
London Heathrow → ViennaBritish Airways BA692 · 07:05 – 10:20 · check in to the Meliá Vienna (2 nights, B&B)
Fri 6 Nov
An evening with André RieuWiener Stadthalle · 7:30 pm
Sat 7 Nov
A Danube cruise & imperial ViennaA boat trip on the Danube, palaces & the great coffee houses
Sun 8 Nov
A last day in Vienna, then home to LondonBritish Airways BA699 · Vienna 19:00 → London Heathrow 20:30
Mon 9 Nov
London Heathrow → CorkAer Lingus EI0715 · 14:00 – 15:25
In Vienna — the plan
a gentle guide for the weekend
Fri 6 NovArrival & André Rieu
10:20
Land at Vienna AirportBritish Airways BA692 from Heathrow · Terminal 3
~11:15
Meliá driver to the hotelpre-arranged transfer · meets you in arrivals
~12:00
Drop bags at the Meliá Vienna, Donau Cityrooms from 3:00 pm; reception stores luggage
Afternoon
St Stephen's Cathedral, the Graben & a first Viennese coffeeCafé Central or Demel
~5:30 pm
Early dinner, then to the concert~25 min taxi to the Wiener Stadthalle (easiest at night)
7:30 pm
André Rieu & his Johann Strauss Orchestra · Rang 1~2½ hours with encores, then a taxi back
Sat 7 NovImperial Vienna & the Danube
~9:30 am
Schönbrunn Palace — Grand Tour, gardens & the Gloriette caféU1 → U4, ~35 min · book a timed ticket ahead
4:00 pm
Danube city cruise from Schwedenplatz75 min · U1 direct · or the 2:30 pm sailing
~5:30 pm
Coffee & SachertorteHotel Sacher, Demel or Café Central
Evening
A traditional Viennese dinnerPlachutta or Figlmüller · early Christmas markets may be open
Sun 8 NovA last morning, then home
Morning
Breakfast & check out before noonleave bags at reception · a coffee house, a stroll, or the Belvedere for Klimt's The Kiss
~4:00 pm
Meliá driver to Vienna Airportcollect bags first
7:00 pm
British Airways BA699 · Vienna (T1) → London Heathrowarrives 20:30
Getting Around
trains, trams & tickets — made simple
Your line is the U1

The Meliá is 200m from Kaisermühlen-VIC on the U1 — one straight line, no changes, into the heart of the city: Schwedenplatz (old town & the boat pier), Stephansplatz (the cathedral) and Karlsplatz (the Opera). About 10–15 minutes.

Getting there & back

Airport ↔ Hotel

Meliá private car — pre-arranged both ways; the driver meets you in arrivals. The easy choice with luggage.

Taxi / Uber / Bolt — 25–35 min, door to door.

By train — the S7 or CAT to Wien Mitte, but with changes out to Donau City. Not ideal on arrival day.

U-Bahn Tickets

Single trip — for a one-off hop across the city.

24-hour — best for the busy Saturday of sightseeing.

7-day — the simplest option for the whole trip. Buy on the WienMobil app; keep a valid ticket — inspectors check.

Good to Know

Book ahead

Schönbrunn Palace — the Grand Tour or the State Apartments. Timed slots, mornings fill early. imperialtickets.com

Danube city cruise (DDSG) — from Schwedenplatz. ddsg-blue-danube.at

Where to eat

By the concert — Stadthallenbräu, or the 57 Restaurant on the 57th floor of the Meliá.

A proper dinner — Plachutta (Tafelspitz) or Figlmüller (the famous schnitzel).

Coffee & Sachertorte — Café Sacher · Demel · Café Central.

A Few First-Timer Notes

Weather & what to pack

Early November is cold, about 4–9°C, often grey — a warm coat, scarf and comfortable shoes.

The Christmas markets start opening around 6–14 Nov for punch and roasted chestnuts.

Money & essentials

Cards are widely accepted, but it's handy to carry a little cash for the markets.

Tipping ~5–10%. English is widely spoken. Plugs are Type C/F, 230V.