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Travel Essentials › Austria

Travel Essentials

Austria: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types C and F (European two-pin), 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 133, Ambulance 144, Fire 122. Tipping: Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants and cafés, stating the total to the server when paying. Tap water: Generally safe to drink.

Open The Austria Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and F (European two-pin), 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: gov.uk

Tipping

Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants and cafés, stating the total to the server when paying.

Water And Health

Tap water

Generally safe to drink

Vaccines

Routine vaccines; hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers under 60; tick-borne encephalitis for people with extensive exposure to ticks

Malaria

None

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov

Apps To Download Before You Go

• ÖBB: The Austrian railways app for tickets and timetables on the punctual, scenic network including Railjet and Nightjet.
• WienMobil: Vienna's public-transport app for tickets on the U-Bahn, trams and buses, plus city bikes and car sharing.
• Scotty (ÖBB): The nationwide journey planner combining trains, regional buses and city transport.
• Bolt / Uber: Both operate in Vienna and larger cities, working with licensed taxis at regulated fares.
• WhatsApp: Standard for contacting hosts, ski schools and guesthouses.
• ASFINAG: Buy the digital motorway vignette required for driving on Austrian highways.
• Westbahn: The private operator on the Vienna-Salzburg-Innsbruck line, often cheaper than ÖBB.
• Bluecode: An Austrian mobile-payment app; contactless cards work almost everywhere, though some mountain huts and small inns take only cash.
• Foodora: The dominant food and grocery delivery app in Austrian cities, alongside Wolt.

Customs And Etiquette

Formality. Use titles (Herr/Frau plus surname) until invited to use first names; a firm handshake is standard.

Punctuality. Arriving on time is important for both social and business occasions.

Quiet hours. Sundays and evenings are traditionally quiet (Ruhezeit); loud activity (including some shopping) is limited.

Safety And Scams

Austria is very safe with low crime rates overall.

Pickpocketing in tourist areas. Stay alert around Stephansplatz, major transit hubs and crowded markets.

Overpriced restaurants near landmarks. Restaurants immediately next to major sights can be overpriced; check menus before sitting down.

Women travelers. Very safe, including solo travel at night in most areas.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Safe

Legal with strong protections; same-sex marriage has been legal since 2019, and Vienna has an active LGBTQ+ scene with an annual Pride event.

What Things Cost

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

May-June and September are ideal: mild and less crowded. July-August is warm with festival season but busier and pricier; December-March is ski and Christmas-market season.

Do You Need A Visa?

Austria visa requirements by nationality

Phrases

Basic German phrases · Basic Bavarian phrases

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