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!

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.

June to August is the peak travel season, so be prepared for high prices and crowds. Book your accommodation and tours as early as possible to save money and ensure availability. Summer has warm daytime temperatures in the 80s, but rain is always possible, so bring rain gear.

December is also a peak travel month because of the holidays, Christmas markets, and festivities. So if you plan to visit this month, bundle up, and book early.

September and October are shoulder months. Temperatures will be pleasant during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. Vienna is significantly less crowded during these months, so accommodation rates will drop, and you can get pictures at the famous spots without competing with crowds. These are also the harvest months for nearby vineyards in the Wachau Valley.

November and January – March is the off-season when you can have Vienna practically to yourself. Snow is expected from November – March, so bring your warmest layers and sturdiest boots. Many tour companies and restaurants will be closed or have limited hours, so you’ll need to research any activities you want to do in advance. You can also score great accommodation deals during these months.

April and May are shoulder months when wildflowers and the city’s gardens start attracting visitors again. Daytime temperatures will be in the 40s – 60s, and you’ll want layers for the cold mornings and evenings. Rain is common during these months, so always have a rain jacket.

Vienna and Prague are both incredible destinations, and they will give you very different scenery and experiences. I highly recommend visiting both of these incredible cities for at least three days each!