Fiakers

This question is something that has to be asked.

The flat I rent when I visit Vienna is above a fiaker stand and I’m interested to hear how the fiakers in Vienna are organised. Several questions really!

Are they owned centrally and rented out? Where do they go at night?

Any information about them would be appreciated.

Jeff

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Almost all fiakers are rented to the drivers by several firms at a fixed rate per day.

The stables naturally are not in the center of the city. I know one is near to the Prater and another in the 17 th District I think.

You will see the Fiakers coming in to the Innenstadt early in the morning to get a good place in line for the tourists.

Each fiaker has a number and is registered with the city.

Many new rules for them now including %26quot; Poo Bags%26quot; for the horses, not greeted with much enthusiasm by the drivers.

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Thanks for that.

A question about fiaker etiquette!

Is there any complaint or issue if there is a fiaker queue ie lots of fiakers rather than customers and you really want to take the fourth one say the pink one or say the white one! Do the drivers grumble! Also - there is a price list. Is that really fixed or do the drivers haggle?

Thanks.

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I am not a fiaker expert, but try to tell you what I know.

The drivers like you to take the fiaker from the front of the line. But you are free to pick which one you like no matter where it is.

Some are much nicer than others.

Prices are supposedly fixed for the route taken. However you are free to haggle.

Naturally in %26quot;Tourist High season%26quot; this is much harder than on a slow day for them- especially near the end of the day.

Ask for prices - usually 1/2 hour tour or longer one hour including time on the Ring.

I do not remember current prices 50 euros perhaps?

And one Fiaker is pink- an advertisement for the snack firm Manner .

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I should add that the driver is also known as a fiaker.

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Thanks Vertical. Yes Manner is the pink one.

A few years ago, before they opened the shop on the corner of Rotenturmstrasse and the Stephansplatz, I discovered their Mozart Balls! But then - on subsequent visits - couldn%26#39;t find them - and e-mailed them. Asked them to sell them in the UK! Would you believe they took my address and sent me a large pack full of their balls and biscuits. Now I%26#39;m addicted. What nice people.

I think the longer fiaker ride is around 85 euros and the shorter 50.

Thanks again for the info.

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You are welcome uk2-

nice to see people like these things.I assume that you stay near St. Stephens when in the city. Not too many places to find the Fiaker stands.

Something free from Manner- good marketing

Happy and Healthy New Year from Austria!

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In fact I%26#39;ve never taken a fiaker ride.

My wife - who controls these decisions - says that our first ride will be in the snow in a white one. And it must be without commentary.

Jeff

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.............. I see the %26quot;flat pack%26quot; Christmas is being dismantled around Rathausplatz.

http://www.wiener-maerkte.at/webcam/

Wouldn%26#39;t it be great if there was a webcam at Freyung?

A particularly nice webcam for MÖDLINGER FUSSGÄNGERZONE is at:

www.moedling.at/html/fuzocam/fuzolive.htm

Jeff

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A nice place to visit ( if you have not already been there)is Gumpoldskirchen just beyond Modling on the S- bahn.

Many nice walks in the vineyards on numerous places to eat and drink.