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Austria

Austria is able to surprise any tourist, even if he has already traveled around the world. Lovers of antiquity will appreciate the medieval streets and architectural sights of Vienna, and active travelers will be delighted by the natural beauty of the Austrian Alps. 

In winter, the country welcomes millions of visitors to its ski resorts, of which there are more than four hundred. In the summer months, people come here to relax on the lakes, go mountaineering, and attend music festivals. The country is interesting from the point of view of gastronomic tourism – here you can try world-famous dishes and taste rare local wines. In addition, Austria is located in the very center of Europe, so it is often included in the program of complex excursion tours. 

The main thing about the country

According to tourists’ experience , a comfortable night’s stay in Austria costs 117 EUR. This includes food (30 EUR) and local transport (20 EUR). The cost of staying in a comfortable hotel for a couple is 123 EUR. In hostels, prices are half as much. 

The time difference with Moscow is minus 2 hours in winter and minus 1 hour in summer. The country switches to winter and summer time. 

The official language of Austria is German, but the country speaks the so-called Austro-Bavarian dialect, which does not prevent residents of other German-speaking countries from understanding Austrians well. The vast majority of the local population knows English. 

More than 70% of Austria’s population is Catholic. Due to the influx of migrants, the country has legal restrictions on preaching any type of religion. 

Austria is one of the main centers of European culture. The country gave the world composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. One of the most prominent representatives of the Art Nouveau style in painting is the Viennese artist Gustav Klimt, and the country is famous in world literature for its writers Franz Kafka and Stefan Zweig. Financing cultural institutions is an important item in the state budget. 

Two-thirds of Austria’s territory is occupied by the Alps. Mountain ranges stretch from west to east, peaks over three thousand meters high are covered with glaciers all year round. The Inn, Salzach and Enns rivers are located in longitudinal valleys, along the banks of which railways and highways run. Agricultural lands are concentrated on the flat part. The widest valleys are in the Danube and Vienna basin. Forests cover more than 40% of the country’s area, and a large number of glacial lakes are concentrated in the foothills. 

The climate of Austria is moderate, continental in the mountains and in the east with cold winters and warm summers. In January, the thermometer rarely drops below -4 °C on the plains, but in the mountainous part at this time there are frosts of -18–20 °C. Snow lies on the slopes 7–8 months a year. The average monthly temperature in the summer months is +26 °C, in the valleys in June there can be heat up to +35 °C. A characteristic feature of the Austrian climate is a warm and dry wind from the mountains, which can raise the air temperature by 10–14 °C in a matter of hours.

Tourists feel extremely comfortable in Austria. Locals are friendly to travelers and will always show you the way if you get lost.

When to go to Austria

The high season at Austrian ski resorts lasts from December to March. The largest influx of tourists is observed during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when fairs and festivals are held throughout the country. November, October and April are considered the low season. At resorts close to glaciers, the snow does not melt until the beginning of May, and snowboarding is possible as early as the second half of October. Most excursion trips take place in the summer months, when the water in the lakes warms up and the air temperature allows for long walks in the mountainous areas. 

In winter, take ski equipment and boots with you if you don’t want to bother with choosing shoes of your size at rental points. All other equipment can be rented. Choose your wardrobe depending on the season and your activity level – sportswear is useful for cycling and horse riding, a swimsuit – for visiting thermal complexes and beach holidays. In summer, comfortable shoes are needed – there are many cobbled streets in the old quarters. Consider more closed clothes for visiting cathedrals and churches. Be sure to take cream with a high SPF and dark glasses to avoid sunburn in the mountains. 

Holidays and non-working days

  • January 1 – New Year;
  • January 6 – Feast of the Three Holy Kings;
  • From March to April: Monday after Easter Sunday;
  • May 1 – Labor Day;
  • 40th day after Easter – Ascension of the Lord;
  • 51st day after Easter – Trinity Monday;
  • Easter + 60 days – Corpus Christi;
  • August 15 – Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
  • October 26 – National holiday – Day of the adoption by parliament of the constitutional law on the permanent neutrality of Austria;
  • November 1 – All Saints’ Day;
  • December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary;
  • December 25 – Christmas;
  • December 26 – St. Stephen’s Day.

Currency

The country’s currency is the euro (EUR). The dollar to euro exchange rate in the country is not very favorable, so it is worth exchanging money before the trip. Bank offices and exchange offices charge a commission for the transaction, which varies depending on the rules of the institution. The most unfavorable rate is in currency exchange machines. Traveler’s checks are cashed at train stations, airports and banks. Cards are accepted everywhere, but there may be restrictions on the type of payment method. Check in advance whether your card is suitable for payments in Austria.

Prices in Austria

All-you-can-eat cafes are common in Austria, where guests are offered a buffet for a fixed price. Prices start at 6.8 EUR, but drinks must be paid for separately. A cup of coffee in a coffee shop will cost 2.8 EUR, a portion of strudel 3 EUR*. A meal in a mid-range restaurant with wine will cost 60 EUR for two. Products are cheaper in European chain supermarkets: Lidl or Hofer. A liter of milk will cost 1.05 EUR, a kilo of cheese 6 EUR, and a two-liter bottle of Pepsi-Cola 1.5 EUR. A ticket for public transport in Vienna costs 2.4 EUR and is valid for an hour after purchase. The cost of a 6-day SkiPass varies from 130 to 215 EUR. The pass gives the right to use ski lifts, cable cars and public transport. 

* all prices are valid for April 2022

Resorts of Austria

Austria is the birthplace of alpine skiing and one of the world’s centers of alpine skiing. The country has more than 22,000 trails designed for a wide range of skill levels. Austria’s ski resorts offer active tourists a well-developed infrastructure, including equipment rental points, freeride trails, fun parks for snowboarders, glacier skiing areas, and winter hiking trails. Experienced skiers consider Sölden to be the best resort, while Saalbach-Hinterglemm tops the popularity ratings among beginners.

The resort area of ​​Carinthia is often called the “Austrian Riviera”. The lakes here are replenished by mountain springs, and therefore are distinguished by their crystal clearness. The water warms up to +27 °C in the summer months, so it is comfortable to swim and do water sports. Tourists combine beach holidays with mountain walks, visiting caves and paragliding. The only downside of the resort is the overly active sun.

Attractions

Vienna has retained the appearance typical of an 18th-century European city. A month is not enough to see all the local sights, so tourists often limit themselves to a stroll through the old quarters. The best route for one day runs from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Prince of Savoy Palace. The capital’s main Christian church was built in the 13th century, and elements of late Romanesque architecture have been preserved to this day. The Winter Palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Europe.

Salzburg was founded by the ancient Romans, who called it the “abode of the god of heaven.” The city’s must-see attractions include the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Cathedral Square, Residenzplatz, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and the Rupertinum Museum of Modern Art. A place of pilgrimage for tourists is the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born, as well as the building where the composer’s family moved in 1773. 

People visit Graz to stroll along medieval streets, attend street performances and concerts, and sit on the verandas of numerous cafes. The city’s main attraction is Eggenberg Castle, built by Italian architects in 1625.

Innsbruck is famous for its early and late Gothic buildings, which look impressive in the surrounding mountains. Among the city’s interesting sights are the House with the Golden Roof, the City Tower, the cathedral painted by Lucas Cranach the Elder, and the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, which displays a collection of old peasant clothing and furniture. 

Entertainment

Austria is one of the leading European centers of musical culture. Tourists from all over the world come to Vienna to visit the opera house and listen to the boys’ choir Wiener Sängerknaben, known for its high vocal standards. The Salzburg Music Festival is held annually and attracts tens of thousands of classical music and opera lovers. 

Active tourists visit Austrian national parks, among which the Donai-Auen is in first place, where the only floodplain landscape in Europe untouched by human activity has been preserved. Of no less interest are the Gastein thermal baths, located near Salzburg. The resort area contains 18 underground springs with water rich in radon. Here you can bathe in lagoons with warm thermal water, swim in the pool, visit the saunas, play sports and watch a light show without leaving the spa complex. 

Austria is famous for its white wines, which are considered a rarity in Russia. You can take part in gastronomic and wine tours without leaving the capital. As part of group and individual excursions, tourists visit vineyards in the Thermenregion, which is located half an hour from Vienna. The tour of the wineries ends with a tasting. Of particular interest are Rotgipfler and Ziefandler – wines from autochthonous grape varieties that are on the verge of extinction. 

Cuisine of Austria

Austrian cuisine is commonly called Viennese. Since Vienna was the center of the Danube Monarchy for several centuries, recipes were borrowed from all the peoples living in the territory from Bohemia to the Balkan Peninsula. Most Austrian dishes are hearty and hearty. Lunch usually begins with soup, which is cooked with beef, chicken or game. Potato, tomato, pumpkin and champignon puree soups are common. Asparagus is the most popular vegetable, served as a cold appetizer, added to salads, boiled and baked. Asparagus is usually washed down with white grape wine. 

Hot dishes are largely borrowed from Hungarian cuisine, but have acquired their own special flavor. The most popular in Austrian restaurants are:

  • Viennese schnitzel is a thin, plate-sized piece of veal breaded with flour, eggs and wheat breadcrumbs;
  • tafelspitz – boiled beef with apple and horseradish sauce;
  • Viennese chicken – breaded chicken fried in a large amount of butter;
  • Krautfleckerl is an unusual dish made from stewed cabbage, caramelized onions and pasta;
  • boishel – stew made from beef, goat or lamb lungs;
  • Roast beef with onions – roasted meat is finished in the oven and served with sauce, potatoes or spaetzle pasta.

Austria has a lot of coffee houses (Café Konditorei), where Viennese coffee is served with pastries: strudels, pies and cakes, among which the most famous is the chocolate “Sacher” – an invention of the Austrian pastry chef Franz Sacher. Kaffehaus are common in the country – establishments for men, where visitors drink coffee, wine and schnapps with light snacks, and also play chess and billiards. 

Souvenirs

Russian tourists prefer to bring gastronomic souvenirs from Austria: wines, liqueurs, cheeses, chocolate and confectionery. Original memorable gifts can be found at the Vienna flea market, where many antiques are sold.

Travelers usually buy: 

  • beer glasses;
  • crystal snow globes;
  • Tyrolean costumes;
  • enamel jewellery from Frey Wille;
  • Swarovski jewelry;
  • decorative cowbells;
  • figurines of a white horse – one of the national symbols.

Transport

There is air service between cities in Austria, flights are operated by Austrian Airlines Group. However, in most cases, ticket prices correspond to business class, so it is more profitable to travel by train or bus. Austrian Railways is part of the pan-European system, trains of various types run, including high-speed ICE international trains with seats. Buses run strictly on schedule and depart from railway stations. From Schwechat Airport to Vienna, you can get by high-speed and regular electric trains, bus or take a taxi (the cost of the trip is at least 40 EUR).

Public transport in Austrian cities is well developed and runs strictly on schedule. Residents and visitors to the capital can use electric trains, the metro, trams and buses. A ticket costs 2.4 EUR and is valid for an hour after purchase. If you plan to stay in Vienna, Salzburg or the Lake Constance region, it is more profitable to purchase tourist discount cards that operate on the principle of “transport + museums”. The cost depends on the number of days – for example, the price of the Vienna City Card for 24 hours is 17 EUR, for 48 hours – 25 EUR. For this amount, you will receive the right to free travel on all types of public transport and can take advantage of a discount when visiting museums, theaters, concert halls, restaurants and shopping centers. Cards can be paid for online and received on site.

Safety

Austria has a low crime rate. However, it is worth following basic safety rules. Most often, tourists encounter pickpocketing, theft of unattended handbags, and theft from cars. You should be vigilant during excursions through the historical quarters of Vienna, on public transport, and in shopping centers.

Medicine

Medicine in the country is paid, the cost of a regular visit to the doctor can reach 200 EUR. An insurance policy with a coverage amount of at least 30,000 EUR is a mandatory document for entry into Austria. Contact companies that have a permanent representative office in the country. When visiting ski resorts, take out insurance for trips with an increased level of danger. For emergency care, you must contact the nearest medical facility yourself.

Traditions of Austria

Austria is a country with a high standard of living, where there are many wealthy people. However, it is not customary to emphasize one’s wealth. All Austrians go to coffee shops, regardless of their income level. The country’s residents are educated, polite and punctual people. Conversations on religion are not welcome here, since a special permit is required to preach. Tourists are expected to comply with European standards of behavior. It is forbidden to litter, smoke in unauthorized places, and appearing on the street in a state of alcohol intoxication is punishable by significant fines.

Internet

Wi-Fi is available in Austrian cafes, restaurants, hotels and hostels. However, in hotels, the Internet is often only available in lounge areas. Tourist SIM cards with a prepaid package are offered by operators A1, Magenta and Drei. The amount of traffic depends on the price, 5-7 GB costs 5-6 EUR, for unlimited Internet you will have to pay 20 EUR. SIM cards are sold without documents and are active for 30 days.

Interesting facts

  • The voltage in the electrical network is 230 volts, type F sockets are used, suitable for Euro plugs.
  • All major European car rental companies operate in Austria, including Hertz and Eurocar. You can book a car online in advance.
  • Russian citizens can drive a car with a national driver’s license; an international license is not required.
  • Travel on certain sections of the road must be paid for. The length of toll roads in the country is 141 km, the highways are located in areas with difficult terrain.
  • Austrian shops are open until 6pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. The exception is supermarkets on duty.
  • There is no fixed tip size in Austria. In inexpensive establishments it is customary to round up the bill, in bars to leave 1-2 EUR. The standard reward for a waiter for taking drinks to an open terrace is 5 EUR.
  • Vienna has a well-developed network of public toilets, the cost of visiting is 0.5 EUR.