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Austria
Ready to plan your trip? Here’s the ultimate Austria trip planner!
Top Places to Visit in Austria
GrazTypical Costs When Traveling
Exchange Rate
The currency in Austria is the Euro. Exchange rates are subject to fluctuations, so be sure to check this as your trip approaches. On average, €1 is equal to about £.87 British Pounds and $1.10 U.S.
Accommodation
A hostel or budget hotel room is in the range of €15-40 a night (£13-34.75, $16.50-$44). A mid-range hotel will be around €60–120 a night (£52-104.25, $67-$133). More luxury hotel rooms will start at €150 a night (£131, $167) and can go up to thousands of dollars a night.
Airbnb prices average around €52 (£45, $58) a night.
Food
Food from a street stand or market will be around €5 (£4.25, $5.50). A quicker casual meal at a cafe will be about €10 (£8.75, $11). A multi-course dinner at a gourmet restaurant will be between €20-40 (£17.50-35, $22-$44.50). And a meal in an elegant or top-rated restaurant will start at around €75 (£65.25, $83.50) and can go up to hundreds of dollars per dish.
For alcohol, plan on around €10 (£8.75, $11) per beer or glass of wine into your budget. If you’re going to have several drinks or are with a group, getting bottles or pitchers to share could save you money.
Transportation
Public transportation within a city’s limits will be between €5-7 for a day pass (£4.25-6, $5.50-7.75) a day. Transportation between towns can range from €40-150 (£35-130, $51-103) depending on where you’re traveling, what class and amenities you want, and how far in advance you book your ticket.
Renting a car will be about €75 (£65.25, $83.50), and you’ll need to pay for tolls, gas, and parking. Please keep in mind that gas can be double or triple the price in the U.S. If you’re planning to be mostly in larger cities, I wouldn’t recommend a car. Parking rules are strict, spaces are scarce, and parking is expensive.
Taxi fares are standardized, but they vary from city to city. The base fee will be €2-3 (£1.75-2.60, $2.20-3.30), then €1-3 (£.87-2.60, $1.10-3.30) per kilometer. Surcharges may apply at night and for larger vehicles or bulky luggage. Some taxis accept cards but be prepared to pay with cash. It’s customary to tip drivers 10% rounded to the nearest euro.
Uber is only available in Vienna, and Lyft doesn’t operate in Austria.
Other Expenses
I’d budget around €45 a day (£40, $50) for entrance fees, tours, guides, snacks, tips, and souvenirs.
ATMs are readily accessible in cities, but they’re not as common in smaller towns. Only use larger international bank ATMs; otherwise, you’ll pay excessive transaction fees.
Cash is king in Austria. International hotel chains, high-end restaurants, and boutique or department stores usually accept Mastercard and Visa, but be prepared to pay with cash everywhere else.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% of the bill (always check to see if this is automatically included in the check).
Porters: 1-2 Euros per bag.
Housekeeping: 1-5 Euros per night.
Room service: 1-2 Euros.
Private Tour Guides & Drivers: 30 Euros per person for a half-day, 50 Euros per person for a full day.
Small-group guides: 5-10 Euros per person.
Taxis Drivers: 10% rounded to the nearest euro.
Suggested Daily Costs
These budget estimates include eating and drinking out at least once a day and a couple of train rides between cities.
Lower End: €110 a day (£96, $122). Midrange: €120-200 a day (£105-174, $134-223). Higher End: €250 a day and up (£217, $278).
MONEY SAVING TIPS
1
Free Admission to Museums
Most museums have designated days with free entry. So if there's a museum you want to visit, check to see if it has a free admission day, and plan accordingly.
2
Street Food
Food from street vendors can still be a hearty, large-portion, full-meal for much cheaper than restaurants.
3
Drink Local Beer & Wine
Buy local beer and wine brands instead of the more expensive international brands.
4
Buy Train Tickets in Advance
Book your train tickets between cities and towns as soon as possible. Rates will increase closer to your travel days.
How to Prepare for Austria
Vaccinations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the following vaccinations: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.
Passport Health has additional information on current vaccinations and diseases in Austria, and I recommend visiting their website for the most up-to-date travel requirements.
Visas
For entry, nationals of the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Great Britain will need a passport valid for at least three months beyond your return date. EU nationals will need a valid passport or national identity card for the length of their stay, but it doesn’t have to be valid beyond your trip. Most other nationals should have a passport valid for at least six months past their stay.
Most nationals don’t need visas when visiting Austria for less than 90 days. And EU nationals can stay indefinitely without a visa.
The World Travel Guide has more information on Austria’s visa and passport requirements.
iVisa is an incredibly helpful resource for obtaining visas. iVisa makes the usually complicated and confusing process of getting a visa easy by taking care of everything for you. You fill out a simple online application, and then iVisa takes care of everything else.
Etiquette
Shake hands when meeting for the first time and when saying goodbye. When shopping, you should say Grüezi (hello) to the employees when entering and Adieu (goodbye) when leaving.
Being late is considered extremely rude.
Greet fellow hikers on trails with a hello: Grüezi (singular) or Grüezi mitenand (plural).
If you’re toasting, look your toasting partner in the eye when clinking glasses and say Prost (cheers). Locals think a lack of eye contact when toasting will bring bad luck!
For Planning Your Trip
When To Go
Austria’s high season is June through August when tourists and prices are at their peak. December – March is the high season for ski resorts and snow sports.
The shoulder seasons in Austria are from April – June and September. There are fewer tourists, lower prices, and moderate temperatures during these months. Spring is the best time to see those iconic Alpine flower fields, and the Fall is when you can see the grape harvests. Austria is one of the best destinations to visit in September.
The low season is October – March for everywhere in the country that isn’t a ski resort. It’s cold during these months, and most places are open fewer days a week and for shorter hours a day. But travel costs can be up to 50% less during these months.
Because some trails and sites close during the winter, if you’re thinking about going in the winter (especially if you don’t want to do snow sports), make sure your top destinations and attractions will be open.
What To Pack
In addition to your usual travel essentials, you’ll want these items in Austria:
Day pack, water bottle, and hiking shoes since you’ll probably be hiking at least one trail. If you’re doing any long treks, make sure you have any specialized clothing or equipment you might need.
Rain jacket because there’s always a chance of rain. If you’re here in the winter months, you’ll want several warm layers and a waterproof outer layer for rain, sleet, or snow.
But even if you’re here in the Summer months, you’ll want a lightweight fleece, sweater, or mid-weight jacket. It can be chilly year-round in the mornings and evenings in the higher elevations.
Electrical outlets in Austria are Types C and F. So if you’re from the EU, you won’t need an outlet adaptor. But British, U.S., and other travelers will need an adaptor.
What To Wear
A professional personal appearance is important to locals in Austria. So to dress like the locals, pack practical dressy-casual clothes. Long or capri pants, skirts, and dresses for women and long pants for men. You won’t see locals wearing shorts unless they’re about to jump in a lake.
Now, you can wear athletic gear, white tennis shoes, or graphic tees, but your appearance will single you out as a tourist. I’ve found that when traveling, it’s usually better to blend in. It’s also respectful to dress more as the locals would.
It’s smart to have a layer on hand when you’re visiting churches or other religious sites to cover your shoulders out of respect.
Bring your most comfortable shoes! You’ll be walking A LOT, and you’ll spend a lot of time on trails and cobblestone sidewalks or streets.
Have you been here? Comment below with anything you’d add to this Austria trip planner!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to go to Austria?
Austria’s high season is June through August when tourists and prices are at their peak. December – March is the high season for ski resorts and snow sports.
The shoulder seasons in Austria are from April – June and September. There are fewer tourists, lower prices, and moderate temperatures during these months. Spring is the best time to see those iconic Alpine flower fields, and the Fall is when you can see the grape harvests.
The low season is October – March for everywhere in the country that isn’t a ski resort. It’s cold during these months, and most places are open fewer days a week and for shorter hours a day. But travel costs can be up to 50% less during these months.
Because some trails and sites close during the winter, if you’re thinking about going in the winter (especially if you don’t want to do snow sports), make sure your top destinations and attractions will be open.
How many days in Austria is enough?
You need 7-10 days to explore Austria thoroughly by train or car. The Best Places To Visit in Austria:
1. Graz
2. Hallstatt
3. Innsbruck
4. Kehlsteinhaus (the Eagle’s Nest)
5. Olpererhütte Suspension Bridge
6. Salzburg
7. Vienna
8. Wachau Valley
9. WerfenHow do I plan a trip to Austria?
SUGGESTED DAILY COSTS
These budget estimates include eating and drinking out at least once a day and a couple of train rides between cities.
Lower End: €110 a day (£96, $122). Midrange: €120-200 a day (£105-174, $134-223). Higher End: €250 a day and up (£217, $278).
WHAT TO PACK
In addition to your usual travel essentials, you’ll want these items in Austria:
Day pack, water bottle, and hiking shoes since you’ll probably be hiking at least one trail. If you’re doing any long treks, make sure you have any specialized clothing or equipment you might need.
Rain jacket because there’s always a chance of rain. If you’re here in the winter months, you’ll want several warm layers and a waterproof outer layer for rain, sleet, or snow.
But even if you’re here in the Summer months, you’ll want a lightweight fleece, sweater, or mid-weight jacket. It can be chilly year-round in the mornings and evenings in the higher elevations.
Electrical outlets in Germany are Types C and F. So if you’re from the EU, you won’t need an outlet adaptor. But British, U.S., and other travelers will need an adaptor.
WHAT TO WEAR
A professional personal appearance is important to locals in Austria. So to dress like the locals, pack practical dressy-casual clothes. Long or capri pants, skirts, and dresses for women and long pants for men. You won’t see locals wearing shorts unless they’re about to jump in a lake.
Now, you can wear athletic gear, white tennis shoes, or graphic tees, but your appearance will single you out as a tourist. I’ve found that when traveling, it’s usually better to blend in. It’s also respectful to dress more as the locals would.
It’s smart to have a layer on hand when you’re visiting churches or other religious sites to cover your shoulders out of respect.
Bring your most comfortable shoes! You’ll be walking A LOT, and you’ll spend a lot of time on trails and cobblestone sidewalks or streets.
Is it expensive to vacation in Austria?
Austria’s travel costs are relatively expensive, but it’s significantly cheaper than its neighbor, Switzerland.
SUGGESTED DAILY COSTS
These budget estimates include eating and drinking out at least once a day and a couple of train rides between cities.
Lower End: €110 a day (£96, $122). Midrange: €120-200 a day (£105-174, $134-223). Higher End: €250 a day and up (£217, $278).
BUDGET TIPS
Free Admission to Museums – Most museums have designated days with free entry. So if there’s a museum you want to visit, check to see if it has a free admission day, and plan accordingly.
Street Food – Food from street vendors can still be a hearty, large-portion, full-meal for much cheaper than in restaurants.
Drink Local Beer & Wine – Buy local beer and wine brands instead of the more expensive international brands.
Buy Train Tickets in Advance – Book your train tickets between cities and towns as soon as possible. Rates will increase closer to your travel days.
Which is the most beautiful city in Austria?
The Best Places To Visit in Austria:
1. Graz
2. Hallstatt
3. Innsbruck
4. Kehlsteinhaus (the Eagle’s Nest)
5. Olpererhütte Suspension Bridge
6. Salzburg
7. Vienna
8. Wachau Valley
9. WerfenIs Vienna worth visiting?
Yes! Vienna is one of the best destinations to visit in Austria!
Which is better to visit Austria or Switzerland?
Austria and Switzerland are both incredible destinations, and they will give you very different scenery and experiences. I highly recommend visiting both of these countries!
What is the best area to stay in Austria?
You need 7-10 days to explore Austria thoroughly by train or car. The Best Places To Visit in Austria:
1. Graz
2. Hallstatt
3. Innsbruck
4. Kehlsteinhaus (the Eagle’s Nest)
5. Olpererhütte Suspension Bridge
6. Salzburg
7. Vienna
8. Wachau Valley
9. Werfen
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This Austria trip planner is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this Austria trip planner are entirely my own. Some of the links in this Austria trip planner are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this Austria trip planner.
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September 21, 2022
