Costs & Budget
Austria is a high-cost country in Western Europe — comparable to Germany, and in tourist hotspots (Vienna, Salzburg, ski areas) sometimes significantly higher. Away from the main destinations and in the off-season, it is noticeably cheaper.
Daily budget per person
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €40–65 | Hostel (€20–35) / Camping | Supermarket + Würstelstand | ÖBB-Sparschiene |
| Budget | €65–100 | Pension / Private room | 1× Tavern + Snack | Climate Ticket / Sparschiene |
| Mid-range | €100–170 | 3★ Hotel / Good holiday apartment | 2× Restaurant | Rental car |
| Comfort | €170–300 | 4★ Hotel / Boutique | Gourmet cuisine | Rental car + Cable cars |
| Luxury | €300+ | 5★ Hotel / Chalet | Fine dining | Private transfers |
Sample prices (guidelines 2025/26)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Melange in a coffee house | €4.50–6.00 |
| Wiener Schnitzel in a tavern | €14–22 |
| Beer (0.5 l mug) | €4.00–5.50 |
| Apple strudel | €5–8 |
| Viennese Würstelstand (Käsekrainer + Beer) | €7–9 |
| Supermarket shopping (daily needs) | €12–18 |
| Schönbrunn entrance | €22 (Grand Tour) |
| Arlberg ski pass (day pass) | €72 |
| Nordkette cable car (return) | €40 |
| Hallstatt Salt Mines entrance | €24 |
| ÖBB Vienna → Salzburg (Sparschiene) | from €19 |
| Climate Ticket Austria (annual ticket) | €1,095 / €3/day |
| Rental car (small car/day) | €35–60 |
| Hostel bed Vienna | €22–35 |
| 3★ Double room Salzburg | €90–140 |
| 4★ Hotel Tyrol (ski season) | €150–280 |
| Alpine club hut (member, half board) | €25–55 |
Savings tips
- Vienna City Card: From €17 for 24h — free public transport + discounts at over 200 museums and attractions.
- Salzburg Card: €30 for 24h — all attractions included (Fortress, Mozart's Birthplace, Cable cars).
- Innsbruck Card: €47 for 24h — Nordkette, Swarovski, Alpine Zoo and all public transport included.
- First Sunday of the month: Many federal museums in Vienna are free (Art History, Natural History, Belvedere, etc.).
- Standing places: Vienna State Opera from €4, Musikverein from €6. Queue 1.5 hours before the start.
- Hut hiking: ÖAV/DAV membership (approx. €65/year) halves all hut overnight stays — pays off after 2 nights.
💡 Tipp
The ÖBB Climate Ticket is a game changer: For €1,095 per year (or proportionally as a monthly pass), you can travel with all trains, buses, and trams throughout Austria. For travelers staying 10+ days in the country, there are also regional variants starting at €365.
