Vienna's own thermal baths (Thermalbad Oberlaa)

Member Name: Morgenhund

Product:	Thermalbad Oberlaa
Date:	25/10/09 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Convenient, easy to reach, good facilities and plenty of warm water.

Disadvantages: Gets very busy at weekends other than around meal times.

The Thermalbad Oberlaa is the kind of place for me - in that I like a dip in the pool sometime but do not want to swim lengths backwards and forwards. The Thermalbad Oberlaa is located at the edge of the city in the 10th district - and can be reached easily by public transport - the 67 tram from Reumannplatz (the southern terminus of the U1) runs to the Thermalbad Oberlaa and there are regular trams out there and back.

If I am in Vienna on a Sunday and am not eating a main meal at lunchtime, I tend to head there around lunchtime as it is a lot quieter - most people seem to start coming at about 2pm onwards. Meaning that I can enjoy the thermal baths in relatively peace. Sensibly the pools are divided up - into quiet pools and "noisy" pools - meaning that you don't have to live in fear that some children will ruin your quiet soak. There are some areas which are for adults only - e.g. the sauna is for over 15s only and admission for children is only with an accompanying adult.

I tend to plump for the thermal pools, the water is usually around 34-36° outside, and this is particularly pleasant when the air temperature is considerably lower than that. The two main pools outdoors both have assorted massage jets around the sides to allow you to get an invigourating massage of your joints - there are multiple stations there and you move from one to the next every two to three minutes.

Admission is more expensive than a normal swimming pool - many adults might baulk at paying at least EUR 10 for a trip to the pool. There are lockers in the changing room facilities and separate valuables lockers (against a returnable EUR 2 deposit). The admission covers the first 2 hours and thereafter you pay EUR 0.75 per half hour - the good thing about this is that you don't have to commit in advance to staying for a long time, but can stay as long as you wish, since you pay when you leave.

If you are going, I would recommend taking a pair of flipflops with you - as there are lots of tiled surfaces around the place. Towels can be hired if you don't have one. The changing facilities are good - although the cubicles very cramped not one for the claustrophobic, and there are enclosed cubicle showers etc. as well as a separate sex changing areas, if you don't choose to have a cubicle, and also hairdryers.

There are also coffee shops, a bar and cafeteria in the complex, and sunloungers to relax on if you jut fancy reading a book and taking a break. This is a leisure pool, but for those who do want to swim lengths, there is also a swimming pool reserved for this purpose.

The facilities are good and there are special evening events often - e.g. whenever there is a full moon there is an evening event outside. The opening hours are generous - until late into the evening, although last admission is at least two hours before closing time. If you are in Vienna, it is a cheaper alternative to a daytrip to Baden or Laa/Thaya or to some of the places in Hungary, and all of this little more than 30 minutes away by publica transport from the very centre of town.

Summary: For those who like to go to the pool but don't wish to do lengths.