Bregenz is located at the northern edge of the Alps, between Lake Constance (the Bodensee) and the local mountain, the Pfänder (3,490 ft). To the southwest lies the Rhine delta, a huge valley divided between Switzerland to the east and Austria to the west. To the south lie the mountains of Switzerland and southern Vorarlberg. To the north, overlooking Lake Constance, are the alpine foothills of the Allgäu Bavaria and the quaint villages of Baden-Württemberg in Germany.

Bregenz is the capital of Austria`s most prosperous province. The shore of Lake Constance, one of the biggest lakes in Europe, is minutes from the small downtown. It is highly advisable to go down to the lake in the evening and check out the beautiful sunset. Inhabitants of Vorarlberg are said to be very friendly and open.

Plane: The closest airport is 25 miles north in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Local trains run to Bregenz several times per day. Tickets start at around €11.

Another option is to fly into Zurich airport in Switzerland and take a train, which takes about an hour and a half, to get to the center of Bregenz.

Train: Bregenz has regular trains to and from Vienna and Zurich that arrive at the Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) on Fritz-Mayer-Platz. The Central station is located in the north of the city, close to the lake and the city center.

Car: Take the A14 autobahn to Route E43. Traffic can be heavy, especially if you are coming from Germany, so travelers on a time crunch should look for other transportation options.

Bus: Buses run from Friedrichshafen Airport (FDH) to Bregenz eight times during the week and twice on Saturday. Regular lines also run from Vienna, Berlin, Munich, and Milan.

Bregenz has five public bus routes. The cost is around €2 for a single trip.

Taxis in the region usually charge a flat rate of €5.30 plus €2.25 per 0.62 miles (accurate when published in Nov. 2019).

It`s easy to cycle or walk around Bregenz, but if you`re planning on making day trips, renting a car is a good option. The average cost is about €34 per day.

Parking: At approximately 30 locations, there are electronic information boards that are real time and simplify the search for a parking space. On the electronic display surfaces, free parking spaces are updated by the minute. In this way, thanks to the outstanding parking guidance system, you are guided to a free parking space.

The parking spaces are divided into three zones: the charge-based short-term parking zone, fare zone A and fare zone B. Note is to be taken of the different charges and the variable parking times with the parking spaces.

The Kaiserstrasse is a pedestrian shopping street where you can buy everything from high-end hosiery to locally made cheese. Expect to pay higher prices than you would in the US.

In general, stores are open Monday to Friday from 9am to noon and from 2pm to 6pm, Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

VAT (Value-Added Tax): Standard rate is 20%, however there are many variations to these rates.

The currency of Austria is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

ATMs are common in major cities and larger towns and this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. It is a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, otherwise, the credit card might be put on hold due to unusual activity. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

It is recommended to park the car at the parking lot `Kaiservilla`, as there is hardly any parking spaces available in the center of town.

The currency of Austria is the Euro, US dollars are not accepted.

Under the euro system, there are seven notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. Notes are the same for all countries. There are eight coins: 1 and 2 euros, plus 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.

ATMs are common in major cities and larger towns and this is one of the easiest ways to get cash. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. It is a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, otherwise, the credit card might be put on hold due to unusual activity. We recommend you record all your credit card numbers, as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen.

Best Times to Go to Bregenz is June through August, when you will have pleasant temperatures and little rainfall. The highest average temperature in Bregenz is around 74°F in July and the lowest is 35°F in January.

The famous Bregenz Festival takes place in July and August each year and due to this festival, this is the most popular months to visit. Make sure to arrange lodging reservations well in advance if you plan to visit during these months. September is also becoming a very popular time to visit Bregenz.

July and August are the most popular months to visit Bregenz. Because of the festival, tourists are advised to make lodging reservations well in advance. September is also becoming a very popular time to visit Bregenz.

German is the official language spoken in Bregenz. You will find only a minority of locals that can answer questions in English. We suggest you get a good English-German guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

This spectacular performing arts festival is held annually in July and August and is a major event in the calendar of Bregenz and Austria. The festival has been held ever since 1946 and has developed over the years to what it is today. This is one of Europe`s most popular festival, featuring prominent operatic figures and major musicians and institutions.

There are several different venues including the floating stage and barges surrounded by amphitheatres, and theatres where operas are performed. The most prominent contributor to the festival is the world-renowned Vienna Symphony Orchestra who performs every year.

If you happen to be in Bregenz during the months of the festival you should definitely get tickets for one of the performances - The quality is fantastic.

Austrian cuisine is well known to be homely, hearty and filling, with typical dishes like the Tiroler Grostl (A Bacon, onion and potato fry-up), the Styrian Pot Roast or the Tafelspitz (Boiled Veal). What better way to sample some authentic Austrian culture than to have some traditional food at one of many restaurants in Bregenz.

There are more than 120 restaurants, inns, bars and cafés in Bregenz between mountain and lake, most with a pub garden or terrace. Local delicacies are found on numerous menus, whether freshly caught whitefish from Lake Constance, tender trout from the Bregenzerach or delicate venison from the Pfänderstock. The cheese from the nearby Alps also traditionally plays a major role in the regional cuisine. Gourmets particularly appreciate the unmistakable personality of the establishments and the perceivable attention to detail.

Emergencies - For police assistance, call tel. 133. For an ambulance or the fire department, call tel. 144. The general EU emergency number is 112.

Hospital - For medical assistance, go to the hospital Ph: +43 5574 4010.