Country guides
Europe
With grand palaces and Baroque abbeys on a par with the famous landmarks of Paris and London, Austria is rightly one of the cultural hubs of the continent. Cities such as Vienna and Salzburg have rich cultural histories, and have given birth to symphonies by Beethoven and waltzes by Strauss, as well as ground-breaking intellectuals such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, further enhancing the country's renown for sophistication. The former centre of the Habsburg Empire, Austria's illustrious history is evident not only in its grand buildings and famous cities, but its busy cultural calendar, filled with balls, festivals, and other events that play a major role in the European social calendar.
Outside of the major cities, the rolling landscape of Austria provides endless entertainment through quaint villages and fashionable resorts dotting the valleys and vistas of the Austrian Alps. Skiing in the Alps at resorts such as St Anton and Zell am See is among the most popular activities on a winter holiday in Austria, while the idyllic summers can be spent on cruises on the Danube or cycling the vineyards of rural Burgenland and Styria.
Best time to visit Austria
The weather in Austria is warm and pleasant between April and September. The best time to visit Austria is May and September, which is generally agreed upon by the swarms of tourists who visit during that period. The weather in Austria tends to be a little cooler than other parts of Europe, making the summer months of July and August a good time to visit.
What to see in Austria
-See an opera by Beethoven or Mozart at the Vienna State Opera Theatre.
-Tour Swarovski Crystal World in Innsbruck.
-Visit Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg.
-Watch the magnificent Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.
What to do in Austria
-Go skiing in the Austrian Alps.
-Visit the elegant casino in the Schloss Kleßheim Palace.
-Take a ride in the Giant Wheel in Vienna's Wiener Prater park.
-Tour the immense Imperial Palace.
Getting to Austria
There are plenty of direct flights to Austria from both the UK and the US, mostly landing at Vienna International Airport. The flight from London to Vienna takes a little less than two hours. There are also regular trains to Vienna from all over Europe.
Read
A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis, The Castle in the Forest by Norman Mailer and Requiem in Vienna by J. Sydney Jones.
Listen
The Blue Danube Waltz (Johann Strauss), Symphony No. 9 (Ludwig van Beethoven) and Alle Jahre Wieder (Roland Neuwirth).
Watch
Before Sunrise (1995), The Illusionist (2006), Woman in Gold (2015), Amadeus (1984) and Spectre (2015).
Drink
Rich Austrian hot chocolate
Eat
Apfelstrudel (apple strudel)
Buy in Austria
Swarovski crystals and Austrian lace
Pack for Austria
Dress clothes: Austria can be very traditional, and formal dress is appropriate at many restaurants, clubs and events.
What's on in Austria
The Vienna Ball Season is the highlight of the European social calendar each winter. Thousands of music lovers gather for the Danube Island Festival every June. The Vienna Festival gathers artists, musicians, dancers and theatre performers from all over the world.
Did you know?
-Many world famous composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Liszt, Strauss, Mahler and Bruckner were Austrian.
-The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world, used since 1191.
-More than 60 percent of Austria's electricity is supplied by renewable sources.
A final word
A refined blend of cultures and a proud sense of history make a holiday in Austria an attractive prospect for many travellers.
Things to do in Austria
Scenic, deliciously polished and charming, Austria brings to mind images of skiing in the Alps, exploring Vienna's impressive Baroque architecture and sampling the warm, rich cuisine of the alpine villages and their friendly inhabitants. It is the birthplace of many famous figures, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Sigmund Freud, not to mention Arnold Schwarzenegger. Austria is also home to Swarovski crystals, Lipizzaner stallions and the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, as well as one of the largest youth parties in Europe, the Danube Island Festival.
Austria is a year-round destination, with snowy winters perfect for mountaineering, skiing and snowboarding, and mild summers ideal for sightseeing. The many sights and attractions are made accessible by the national railway system, the U-Bahn, extensive motorways and various ports and harbours. With all these magnificent highlights so easily within grasp, taking a trip to this beautiful country in the warm heart of Europe is guaranteed to be a fulfilling, memorable experience for anyone.
Austria travel info
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are standard.
Language
The official language in Austria is German.
Money
The unit of currency is the euro (EUR). Currency can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change available in all towns, but it may be easier to use the ATMs. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but bureaux de change at airports and major city rail terminals are open seven days a week. Most credit and debit cards are widely accepted though some small hotels and restaurants may only accept cash.
Tipping
A 10 to 15 percent service charge is normally added to hotel and restaurant bills in Austria, but it is customary to leave another five percent if satisfied with the service. Sometimes, patrons can round off the bill. Bartenders usually expect a rounded-up tip. It is common to give the money to the waiter rather than leave it on the table, but leaving small change for other service personnel is fine. Taxi drivers expect a 10 percent tip.
Health
All eligible travellers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Water and food are safe and medical facilities are excellent; citizens of EU countries can get free emergency medical treatment at public hospitals in Austria on production of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). After Brexit, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for UK citizens. The GHIC allows UK citizens access to state healthcare during visits to the EU. The GHIC is not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, nor is it an alternative to travel insurance.
Safety
Travel to Austria is generally trouble-free. However, visitors are advised to take sensible safety precautions to avoid petty theft, particularly in larger cities.
Local customs
The most common and courteous greeting is the handshake, which is normal regardless of age and gender. Many Austrians value their physical and personal privacy when among strangers, so it's best to respect their personal space. A good conversation topic is the country's regional diversity, as Austrians enjoy talking about their home region. It is compulsory that vehicles are driven with their lights on throughout the year; smoking is not allowed in many public places.
Doing business
Business protocol is very important in Austria and business is formal, structured and conservative, more so than in many other Western European countries. All correspondence should be formal. Dress is conservative yet elegant; Austrians take great pride in their appearance and a good quality, well-fitting suit for men and women should be worn to make a good first impression. Austrians are also very title-conscious, and it's best to always use last names with a preceding title such as Herr (Mr), Frau (Mrs) or Fraulein (Miss), along with their professional or academic title where applicable (e.g. Herr Professor Kaufmann). It is vital to arrive punctually for meetings and to be thoroughly prepared, as meetings are brief and to the point. Foreigners should be prepared to engage in preliminary small talk, including a knowledge of current affairs, before getting down to business. English is widely spoken in business, but printed literature should be in German if possible. Offices open at 8am and close promptly at 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Duty free
Travellers from non-EU countries over 17 years are allowed to bring in the following items without paying customs duty: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these products; 4 litres non-sparkling wine, or one litre of spirits with alcohol content more than 22 percent, or two litres of alcohol volume less than 22 percent; 60ml perfume and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to a total value of €430. Restricted items include pornographic material and fresh foodstuffs such as meat and dairy products. Travellers must have a European Firearms Pass if travelling with firearms.
Communications
The international access code for Austria is +43. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.
Passport & Visa
The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. For most nationalities, passports are required to be valid for three months beyond period of travel. It's recommend that passports be valid for six months from the departure date.
Entry requirements
US passport holders require a passport valid for three months beyond period of intended stay, but a visa is not needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
British passports require at least three months validity beyond the period of intended stay in Austria. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Canadians require a passport valid for three months beyond intended period of stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
Australians require a passport valid for three months beyond period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
South African nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay and a visa.
Irish nationals require a passport but no visa is needed for travel to Austria.
New Zealanders require a passport valid for three months beyond period of intended stay, but a visa is not needed for a stay of up to 90 days.
Useful contacts
Austrian National Tourist Office, Vienna: +43 (0)1 588 660 or www.austria.info
133 (police), 140 (mountain rescue), 144 (ambulance)Embassies / consulates in other countries
Austrian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 6700.
Austrian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7344 3250.
Austrian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 1444.
Austrian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6295 1533.
Austrian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 452 9155.
Austrian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 4577.
Consulate of Austria, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 384 1402.
Embassies / consulates in Austria
United States Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 313 397 535.
British Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 716 130.
Canadian Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 531 383 000.
Australian Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 506 740.
South African Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 320 6493.
Embassy of Ireland, Vienna: +43 (0)1 715 4246.
New Zealand Consulate-General, Vienna: +43 (0)1 505 3021.
Climate in Austria
Austria enjoys a temperate Central European climate with four distinct seasons. Summers, between June and August, are hot with cool nights. In Vienna and other low-lying cities, temperatures during the day can get uncomfortably hot over July and August. Winters are cold and below freezing in January and February. The ski season in the Alps runs from December to April but the mountains are also popular with hikers and climbers over the summer when the weather is usually warm and bright.