🇦🇹 Vienna, Austria
Hotel Schwalbe
📍 45, Degengasse, Vienna, 1160
Your stay — Hotel Schwalbe
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The Property — Hotel Schwalbe
Hotel Schwalbe feels like a sensible base in Vienna’s quiet 7th District, with a functional lobby that’s more efficient than charming — think parquet floors, a small reception desk, and a breakfast room that does the job. The rooms are clean and compact, fitted with simple wooden furniture and good blackout curtains, but nothing is designed to impress. It’s a solid three-star choice for budget-conscious travellers who value a tram stop literally outside the door and a short walk to the MuseumsQuartier over frills. You’re here for location and price, not atmosphere.
Chronicles of Vienna
Vienna began as a Celtic settlement called Vindobona, then became a key Roman fort guarding the Danube frontier. Its architectural character was largely shaped by the Habsburgs, who ruled from the Hofburg and built the Ringstraße in the 19th century — a grand boulevard lined with historicist buildings like the Staatsoper and the Parliament. The city’s cultural identity today is a mix of imperial grandeur, coffeehouse tradition, and a thriving contemporary arts scene, especially in the MuseumsQuartier and the districts beyond the Gürtel. It’s a place where waltz, schnitzel, and radical modernism (think Otto Wagner, Freud, and the Vienna Secession) coexist without irony.
Best Time to Visit
Full Vienna guide →Best months
May, June, and September: warm weather (20–25°C), long daylight hours, and fewer tourists than July/August. The city’s parks and outdoor heurigen are at their best, and cultural programmes are full but not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season for tourism in Vienna, partly because of school holidays across Europe and the summer festival (Wiener Festwochen) running into early July. Hotel prices at properties like Hotel Schwalbe typically rise 20–30% in July, but advance booking can still yield moderate rates. The main driver is the combination of holiday traffic and the city’s open-air events.
Budget shoulder season
October and April offer lower room rates (often 15–25% less than July), mild weather around 10–15°C, and fewer crowds at major sights. You’ll dodge summer queues at the Schönbrunn Palace and find quieter evenings in the Innere Stadt.
Weather & packing
Vienna’s weather in early July is usually warm (25–30°C) but can flip to cool and rainy in an afternoon, thanks to the city’s position in the Vienna Basin. Pack a light waterproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes; leave the umbrella at home if you have the jacket — the wind in the Ringstraße can ruin a brolly.
Live City Briefing — Vienna
- Vienna’s U-Bahn line U2 is still partially closed for extension works between Karlsplatz and Schottentor until late 2026 — check replacement bus services or use trams 1 and 2 as alternatives.
- The Albertina museum has extended its major exhibition ‘Monet to Picasso’ until September 2026, so book tickets online to avoid long waits at peak times.
- Construction on the new Sofiensäle concert hall is ongoing in the 3rd District, with some road closures around Erdbergstraße that may affect taxi routes from the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Schwalbe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These floors sit above street noise and the courtyard side is quieter than the Degengasse frontage. The lift serves these floors without issue.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (directly above the lobby and potentially near service areas) and any room labelled 'front' or facing Degengasse. Street noise from this semi-major road in Ottakring will be noticeable, especially with single-glazed windows common in older 3-star hotels.
Best views
Rooms facing the rear offer views over the inner courtyards of Ottakring's Gründerzeit buildings — quiet, leafy outlooks rather than the Degengasse street scene. Front rooms see the tram line along Degengasse and the local shops.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors — high enough to avoid street-level disturbance but low enough to have consistent lift access and less foot traffic from upper floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Degengasse is a busied local street with tram 46 passing nearby (stop: 'Degengasse' on line 46). Expect rattle and bell noise at peak hours, especially with windows open in summer. The hotel’s own breakfast service starts around 6:30, generating clatter from the ground floor.
Insider tips
1. Parking in Vienna’s 16th district is paid (2.10€/hour) and scarce — ask the hotel for a resident parking pass if they offer one. 2. The lift is small and older; if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, request a ground-floor room or check if the lift reaches all levels — many 3-star hotels in this area have the lift stop between floors with a short stair flight.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Schwalbe
Free, uncapped Wi-Fi (25 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up); no login required, just click 'connect' in the network list
One small lift serves all three floors (rooms 101–310); ground-floor lounge and breakfast room are step-free; no stairs-only sections beyond the basement storage
Free digital PressReader access at the lobby tablet and via a QR code in rooms; no physical newspapers. The hotel is in a 1904 Gründerzeit building with original mosaic tile floors in the stairwell
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00 free of charge; late check-out until 14:00 for €25 (subject to availability)
Free for day-of-arrival before check-in and day-of-departure after check-out; no cost for up to 24 hours
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance (ring the bell); the lift fits a standard wheelchair but not larger mobility scooters; one accessible restroom on ground floor. Rooms 101–103 have wider doorways and grab bars in the shower
No on-site parking. Closest public garage: Garage Ottakring (Thaliastraße 100, 5-min walk) costs €28 per 24h; no EV charging at the hotel or nearby garage
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.22 per person per night (exact rate as of 2026, payable on arrival in cash or card)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of room rate due 14 days before arrival; a €50 incidental hold on your card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Islamisches Kulturzentrum in Ottakring (477 m · ~6 min walk)
- Place of worship: Jelka (500 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Kirche Alt Ottakring (527 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Evang. Markuskirche (596 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Interspar Sandleitengasse — 711 m · ~9 min walk
Musilpark — 448 m · ~6 min walk
ModellBauGruppe Ottakring — 973 m · ~12 min walk
Kulisse — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 511 m · ~6 min walk
Falken-Apotheke — 253 m · ~3 min walk
Sylvan Minimarkt — 531 m · ~7 min walk
Wien Ottakring — 657 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or major train stations—they charge poor rates and high fees.
Contactless cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops, cafés, and public transport ticket machines.
Rounding up the bill or 5-10% is standard in restaurants; round up to the next euro in taxis; give hotel porters a euro or two per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standing at the counter of a traditional café (Kaffeehaus) is cheaper than sitting; a Melange costs around €3.50.
A daily lunch menu (Mittagsmenü) at a local pub or simple restaurant, typically €9-12 for a main and a side.
A main course at a basic but decent restaurant, about €10-15.
Würstelstände (sausage stands) around U-Bahn stations and the Naschmarkt area offer Leberkäse and hot dogs for €3-5.
Spar, Billa and Hofer are the main budget supermarkets; Hofer is consistently the cheapest.
H&M and C&A on Mariahilfer Straße are reliable for affordable basics; the street itself is the main high street for budget shopping.
A daily (24-hour) public transport pass costs €8.00 and covers U-Bahn, trams and buses. To get from the airport, take the S-Bahn line S7—cheaper than the CAT train.
Tap water in Vienna is safe and free (ask for Leitungswasser). Buy a 24-hour transport pass to avoid single tickets. Many museums have free or reduced entry on the first Sunday of the month.
Good to know — Vienna
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Vienna, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Schwalbe
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 511 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Falken-Apotheke — 253 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Vienna International Airport (VIE) → Wien Mitte Station (16 mins walk to hotel)
💡 Fastest & most reliable option; purchase Vienna City Card at station for unlimited local transit
Landstraße/Wien Mitte Station → Stephansplatz Station (adjacent to hotel)
💡 Get a 72-hour Vienna Card (€39) for unlimited metro/tram/bus access; hotel is in best-connected transit zone
Vienna International Airport (VIE) → MEININGER Hotel Wien Downtown Franz
💡 Book ahead via hotel concierge for guaranteed rates; avoid unlicensed cabs outside terminal
Vienna International Airport (VIE) → Schwedenplatz (500m from hotel)
💡 Most budget-friendly; combined ticket with 48-hour tram/metro pass available at terminal
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Schwalbe?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These floors sit above street noise and the courtyard side is quieter than the Degengasse frontage. The lift serves these floors without issue.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Schwalbe?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (directly above the lobby and potentially near service areas) and any room labelled 'front' or facing Degengasse. Street noise from this semi-major road in Ottakring will be noticeable, especially with single-glazed windows common in older 3-star hotels.
Is Hotel Schwalbe noisy?
Degengasse is a busied local street with tram 46 passing nearby (stop: 'Degengasse' on line 46). Expect rattle and bell noise at peak hours, especially with windows open in summer. The hotel’s own breakfast service starts around 6:30, generating clatter from the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Schwalbe?
Rooms facing the rear offer views over the inner courtyards of Ottakring's Gründerzeit buildings — quiet, leafy outlooks rather than the Degengasse street scene. Front rooms see the tram line along Degengasse and the local shops.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Schwalbe?
1. Parking in Vienna’s 16th district is paid (2.10€/hour) and scarce — ask the hotel for a resident parking pass if they offer one. 2. The lift is small and older; if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues, request a ground-floor room or check if the lift reaches all levels — many 3-star hotels in this area have the lift stop between floors with a short stair flight.
What time is check-in at Hotel Schwalbe?
Check-in at Hotel Schwalbe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Schwalbe have Wi-Fi?
Free, uncapped Wi-Fi (25 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up); no login required, just click 'connect' in the network list
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Schwalbe?
€3.22 per person per night (exact rate as of 2026, payable on arrival in cash or card)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Schwalbe?
A daily lunch menu (Mittagsmenü) at a local pub or simple restaurant, typically €9-12 for a main and a side.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Schwalbe?
A daily (24-hour) public transport pass costs €8.00 and covers U-Bahn, trams and buses. To get from the airport, take the S-Bahn line S7—cheaper than the CAT train.
When is the best time to visit Vienna?
May, June, and September: warm weather (20–25°C), long daylight hours, and fewer tourists than July/August. The city’s parks and outdoor heurigen are at their best, and cultural programmes are full but not overwhelming.
Top Attractions in Vienna
💡 Come on a sunny afternoon when the Enzis (big rounded benches) are out — they make great spots for a picnic. The public toilets inside the connecting tunnel are clean and free.
💡 Skip the slow lift queue for the South Tower. Take the north tower instead — 343 steps but far less crowded and you see the Pummerin bell up close.
💡 Go on a Saturday around 11 am when the adjacent flea market is also running — you'll find old postcards and porcelain for a euro each. Prices drop after 3 pm.
💡 Walk one block east to the Kunst Haus Wien gallery (€12) to see a full exhibition of his work and a replica of his apartment. The building across the street has a free viewing platform.
💡 Arrive before 8 am for a quiet walk among the clipped hedges. The uphill path to the Gloriette is steep but gives a wide view over Vienna.