Austria has an excellent healthcare system. Medical care is comprehensive — even in alpine regions, there are doctors, hospitals, and rescue helicopters. For EU/EFTA Citizens With the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to medical care under the same conditions as Austrians. Vis

Austria has used the Euro (€) since 2002. Travelers from Germany and other Euro countries avoid exchange fees. Swiss must exchange francs for euros — cheapest at exchange offices in border towns or by credit card. Cash Austrians love cash — significantly more than Germans. In many traditional inns,

Austria offers a mix of international chains, traditional specialty stores, and local specialties. Supermarkets Billa / Billa Plus (formerly Merkur) — Austria's largest supermarket, found everywhere Spar / Eurospar / Interspar — second largest chain, often a good selection of regional products Hof

On public holidays, shops, banks, and authorities are closed. Supermarkets in train stations and tourist areas often have special permits. Restaurants usually remain open. DateHolidayNote January 1New YearEverything closed January 6EpiphanyStar singers go from house to house Variable (March/April

Austria has good mobile network coverage and fast internet — even in most Alpine valleys. However, there may be dead zones in very remote mountain huts and valleys. For EU Citizens Thanks to the EU roaming regulation, you can use your German mobile contract in Austria without extra charges — calls,

Climate & Best Travel Time

Austria's climate is moderate Central European with significant regional differences — the Pannonian lowlands in the east have different temperatures than the high Alps in the west. Seasons Spring (April–May) — mild, changeable, cherry blossom in the Wachau. Perfect for city trips and hikes in low

Austria is a largely tolerant travel destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Equality has significantly improved in recent years. Legal Situation Marriage for all — since January 2019, following a Constitutional Court ruling Adoption rights — same-sex couples can adopt together Anti-discrimination prote

The most important emergency numbers in Austria: NumberService 112Europe-wide emergency call (forwarded) 122Fire department 133Police 144Ambulance / Emergency doctor 140Mountain rescue 130Water rescue 141Doctors' on-call service Embassies & Consulates German Embassy Vienna: Metternichgasse 3,

Austrian German vs. Federal German

Austrian German is a distinct variety of the German language — not a "dialect," but an equal standard language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Since joining the EU in 1995, 23 Austrian terms have even been recognized in EU law as official variants (the famous "Protocol No. 10").

Viennese — Introductory Course

Viennese is more than a dialect — it is a way of life. The Viennese dialect has absorbed influences from Czech, Hungarian, Yiddish, and Italian, creating something entirely unique. Here are the most important expressions: VienneseMeaning BeislSmall tavern (from Yiddish) GspusiLove affair, fling (

Greetings & Politeness

The right greeting opens doors in Austria — and the wrong one closes them. Here are the most important formulas: Greeting ExpressionUsage Grüß Gott!Standard greeting, suitable everywhere, not meant religiously Guten Morgen / Guten TagFormal, more in business contexts Servus!Informal, among friend

Ordering in the Coffeehouse

The coffeehouse is a ritual — and like any ritual, it has rules. Here are the most important terms to order with style: Coffee Vocabulary Order...You get... "Eine Melange, bitte"Espresso with frothed milk (similar to cappuccino) "Einen Kleinen Braunen"Espresso with a dash of milk/cream "Einen Gro

Austrian menus are full of terms that leave even native German speakers puzzled. Here's the translation aid: Menu Decoder On the MenuMeaning BeilagenSide dishes (potatoes, dumplings, salad, etc.) ErdäpfelsalatPotato salad (warm, with vinegar-oil dressing) HäuptelsalatHead lettuce VogerlsalatLamb'

Important vocabulary for everyday life on the go in Austria: Transport & Orientation AustrianMeaning BimTram ÖffisPublic transport TrafikKiosk / Tobacco shop (also tickets, newspapers) Einser, Zweier...First, second... district in Vienna GasseStreet (in Vienna, most streets are called "Gasse") Ri

Useful Expressions & Phrases

Those who know these expressions will be rewarded with an approving smile from Austrians: Everyday Expressions ExpressionMeaning "Des is leiwand!""That's super!" (Viennese) "Na geh!""Oh come on!" / "Not really!" (Astonishment) "Geh bitte!""Oh come on!" / "You can't be serious!" "Passt scho!""It's

Home Travel GuidesAustria

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Travel Guide Austria

Your complete travel guide for the heart of the Alps

Capital:Vienna

Language:German

Currency:Euro (€)

Entry:EU ID Card

Best Travel Time:Jun–Sep (Summer) / Dec–Mar (Ski)

Flight Time:1 – 1.5 Hours

Last updated: 10 March 2026 · 15 Chapters · 108 Sections

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Austria Highlights

14 Days

The grand tour through Austria: from the imperial city over lakes and Alps to Lake Constance. Perfect for first-time visitors.

WienWachauSalzburgSalzkammergutHallstattInnsbruckVorarlberg

Alpine Tour

10 Days

The most beautiful alpine passes, glacier roads, and mountain valleys — for nature and hiking enthusiasts.

InnsbruckÖtztalArlbergBregenzerwaldGroßglocknerKärntner SeenSalzburg

Vienna & Surroundings Intensive

5 Days

Experience the capital thoroughly: museums, coffee houses, wine taverns, a Wachau excursion, and a side trip to Bratislava.

Wien ZentrumWachauWienerwaldBratislava (Tagesausflug)Wien Ausgehen

Ski Safari

7 Days

Six top ski resorts in one week — from the steepest slopes to the legendary après-ski.

InnsbruckStubaier GletscherSt. Anton am ArlbergKitzbühelSaalbach-HinterglemmObertauern

Family Austria

10 Days

Child-friendly highlights from the capital to the mountains — with swimming lakes, mountain railways, and adventure playgrounds.

Wien (Prater, Tiergarten)SalzburgWolfgangseeHallstattWörtherseeInnsbruck (Alpenzoo)

All Chapters

Planning· 2 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to Austria

5 Sections

Chapter 2

Arrival & Transport

4 Sections

Regions· 6 Chapters

Chapter 3

Vienna

10 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 4

Salzburg & Salzburg Region

9 Sections

Chapter 5

Tyrol

9 Sections

Chapter 6

Carinthia & Lakes

7 Sections

Chapter 7

Salzkammergut

8 Sections

Chapter 8

Vorarlberg & Bregenzerwald

6 Sections

Understanding· 5 Chapters

Chapter 9

History of Austria

5 Sections

Chapter 10

Society & Mentality

5 Sections

Chapter 11

Food & Drink

8 Sections

Chapter 12

Nature & Alps

5 Sections

Chapter 13

Art & Music

6 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 14

Practical Info A–Z

14 Sections

Chapter 15

Austrian Language Guide

7 Sections

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Regions at a Glance

Vienna

Imperial splendor, coffee house culture, world-class museums, and a vibrant scene between the Ringstrasse and the Danube Canal.

St. Stephen's CathedralSchönbrunnMuseumsQuartierNaschmarkt+1

Wien

Salzburg & Salzburg Region

Mozart's birthplace with a baroque old town, framed by the peaks of the Alps and the gateway to the Salzkammergut.

Old Town (UNESCO)Hohensalzburg FortressSalzburg FestivalGroßglockner+1

Salzburg Zell Am See

Tyrol

The heart of the Alps: Innsbruck as a metropolis between peaks, along with Kitzbühel, Arlberg, and the Ötztal.

InnsbruckKitzbühelSt. Anton am ArlbergÖtztal Alps+1

Innsbruck Kitzbuehel St Anton

Carinthia & Lakes

Austria's sunny south with turquoise swimming lakes, Mediterranean flair, and the border to Italy and Slovenia.

WörtherseeMillstätter SeeKlagenfurtVillach+1

Woerthersee Klagenfurt

Salzkammergut

Postcard Austria: Hallstatt, emerald green lakes, imperial summer retreats, and the cultural capital 2024.

HallstattWolfgangseeBad IschlTraunsee+1

Hallstatt

Vorarlberg & Bregenzerwald

Austria's westernmost state surprises with avant-garde architecture, cheese culture, and Lake Constance.

Bregenz & SeebühneBregenzerwaldLech-ZürsMontafon+1

Bregenz

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Strukturierte Daten · verifizierbar · nicht kopiert

Schlüsseldaten

Daten: Wikidata

Einwohner: 8.979.894(2022)
Fläche: 83.858 km²
Hauptstadt: Wien
Währung: Euro, österreichischer Schilling, Reichsmark
Amtssprache: Deutsch, Österreichische Gebärdensprache
Vorwahl: +43
Zeitzone: Mitteleuropäische Zeit
Gegründet: 1918-11-12

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