Practical A–Z

EU Citizens

As an EU citizen, you need no visa. Austria is a Schengen member and Euro country — a valid ID card or passport is sufficient.

Swiss Citizens

Same rules as EU citizens (Schengen Agreement). Passport or ID is sufficient.

Currency

Austria uses the Euro (€) — the same currency as Germany. Credit card payment is possible almost everywhere, even at sausage stands and wine taverns. However, cash is still preferred in some traditional places.

Time Zone

Austria is in the Central European Time Zone (CET) — same as Germany. No time difference.

Vienna is one of the world's safest capitals — violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Pickpocketing occurs but is significantly less frequent than in Barcelona, Paris, or Rome.

Hotspots for Pickpockets

• Subway — Especially U1 (Stephansplatz–Praterstern) and U6.
• Kärntner Straße & Graben — Tourist centers with crowds.
• Naschmarkt on Saturday — Flea market crowds.
• Prater — Amusement park, especially in the evenings.

General Safety

Vienna is so safe that you can walk through the Inner City, the Prater, or Vinohrady at night without any problems. The only areas that can be a bit less comfortable at night: the Gürtel (especially the Westbahnhof area) and Praterstern. But even there, the risk is low.

Mobile Internet

Thanks to EU roaming, you can use your German mobile contract in Austria without additional costs. 4G/5G network coverage is excellent in Vienna.

WLAN

Free WLAN in most cafés, hotels, and museums. The city offers Vienna WLAN at public hotspots.

Language

German is spoken in Vienna — but the Viennese dialect can puzzle even Germans. Some important differences:

• Paradeiser = Tomatoes
• Erdäpfel = Potatoes
• Schlagobers = Cream/Whipped cream
• Marillen = Apricots
• Beisl = Pub/Inn
• Schmäh = Viennese humor (affection disguised as insult)
• Grüß Gott = Good day (DO NOT say "Guten Tag" — it sounds stiff in Vienna)
• Pfiat di = Goodbye (informal)
• Oida! = Universal word for everything (surprise, annoyance, joy — context matters)

English is widely spoken in Vienna — no problem in hotels, museums, and restaurants. As a German-speaking tourist, you naturally have no language advantage, but the Viennese dialect provides amusing moments.

Recommended Apps

• WienMobil: Official public transport app — routes, real-time data, and digital tickets.
• Wien zu Fuß: Walks and routes through the city.
• Google Maps: Download offline maps.
• Too Good To Go: Leftover food from restaurants and bakeries at a bargain price.

What to pack?

• Comfortable shoes: Vienna's pavements are smoother than Prague's, but you'll walk a lot — good sneakers are a must.
• Layers: Even in summer, it can get chilly in the evenings — bring a light jacket.
• Elegant clothing (optional): For opera, concerts, or an upscale restaurant. Vienna values style — a minimum dress code is common at the State Opera (no shorts, no flip-flops).
• Umbrella: Vienna's weather is changeable — a compact umbrella is advisable.
• Warm clothing (winter): Vienna's winters are cold — hat, gloves, and a warm coat for the Christmas markets.
• Water bottle: Vienna's tap water comes from the Alps (high spring water pipeline!) and is of top quality — better than any bottled water. Refill everywhere.
• Travel adapter: Not needed — Type C/F like in Germany.

Important Notes

• Tip: 5–10% in restaurants — when paying, say "Stimmt so" or round up. In coffee houses: leave small change on the silver tray.
• Sunday opening: In Austria, shops are closed on Sundays — supermarkets too! Exception: train stations (Vienna Hbf has a Spar and a Billa) and some gas stations. Plan ahead!
• Smoking ban: Since 2019, there is a comprehensive smoking ban in Austria's gastronomy — even in coffee houses (which has changed the charm).
• Wiener Schmäh: If the waiter in the coffee house is grumpy, it's not bad service — it's Wiener Schmäh. The grumpy friendliness is part of the experience. Take it with humor.