Should You Exchange Money Before Visiting Austria?

do I need to exchange money in austria

Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union, which means that the common currency used there is the Euro. This means that if you are travelling to Austria from another Eurozone country, you will not need to exchange money. However, if you are travelling from a country with a different currency, you will need to exchange money or withdraw Euros from an ATM when you arrive in Austria. Euros can be withdrawn from ATMs in Austria using both Austrian and foreign cash cards.

Characteristics Values
Currency in Austria Euro
Euro Symbol
One Euro is made up of 100 cents
Euro Bank Notes 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros
Euro Coins 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1 and 2 Euros
Exchange Rate between Euro and other major currencies Quite steady
Euro compared to US Dollar Euro is slightly more valued
Exchange Offices at the Airport or in Hotels Unfavourable rates
Exchange money in banks Yes
Exchange money in bureaux de change Yes
Exchange money in post offices Yes
Exchange money in ATMs Yes
Exchange money in Vienna The Change Group, Interchange Austria

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Where to exchange money in Austria

As a member of the European Community and the Economic and Currency Union, Austria's currency is the Euro. This means that if you are travelling from another country within the Eurozone, you won't need to exchange any money.

If you are travelling from outside the Eurozone, it is advisable to exchange some money before your trip, as it is wise to have some cash on hand in Austria. You can exchange money at banks, bureaux de change, and post offices. It is worth comparing exchange rates to avoid high fees.

In Vienna, banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm to 3 pm, and until 5.30 pm on Thursdays. In the city centre, most banks are open over lunchtime.

If you are unable to exchange money before your trip, you can withdraw cash from ATMs, which are located all over Austria. You can use both Austrian and foreign cash cards, including Maestro, MasterCard, American Express, Visa, and Diners cards. However, fees may apply.

Card payments are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, but it is recommended to check before you go to avoid being caught out.

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Using cards in Austria

As a member of the European Community and the eurozone, Austria's official currency is the euro. This means that if you are visiting from another eurozone country, you can pay in your usual currency. However, if you are visiting from a country with a different currency, you will need to exchange money or use your cards.

Major credit cards and debit card providers such as American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Diners Club are widely accepted at major restaurants, stores, and hotels in Austria. However, it is less common for cards to be accepted at smaller shops, cafes, and grocery stores, so it is wise to always carry some cash with you.

ATMs are very common in Austria, particularly in retail centers in larger cities such as Vienna and Salzburg. You can use foreign debit cards to withdraw euros from ATMs, although fees may apply. Major banks don't usually charge ATM fees to foreigners, but privately-operated ATMs may charge high fees. The machine should warn you about any charges, and you can choose to cancel the transaction before committing to it.

When using your card to make purchases or withdraw cash, you may come across something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). The merchant or ATM will offer to charge you in your home currency rather than euros. This may seem convenient, but you will likely be marked up in price for this service, so it is better to opt to be charged in the local currency.

It is important to always choose to be charged in the local currency, as your home bank will give you a better exchange rate. Additionally, be sure to inform your bank that you will be travelling, to avoid any issues with your card being locked due to suspicious activity.

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Carrying cash in Austria

Austria's official currency is the Euro, which has been used since 1999 or 2002, depending on the source. One Euro is made up of 100 cents. The Euro is a common currency used by many European countries within the Eurozone.

If you are visiting Austria from a non-Eurozone country, you will need to exchange your money for Euros. It is not recommended to bring large amounts of cash with you, as you may lose out due to poor exchange rates. Exchange bureaus at the airport or in hotels will often have unfavourable rates, so it is better to exchange only a small amount of cash at these locations and then find a more reasonable rate at a bank downtown.

ATMs are very common in Austria, especially in large cities such as Vienna and Salzburg. You can use foreign debit cards to withdraw cash from ATMs, but you may be charged a fee. It is also possible to exchange foreign currency at banks and exchange bureaus. However, it is important to compare rates to avoid high fees.

It is advisable to carry only small amounts of cash in case of theft. You will need some cash for small purchases, as credit cards are not widely accepted in small shops, cafes, or grocery stores. Some sources suggest that cash remains popular in Vienna, and it is recommended to carry some cash for the Christmas, Easter, and New Year markets.

If you are carrying 10,000 euros or more in cash, you must declare the sum to Customs to comply with European Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005.

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Exchanging money at the airport

As a member of the European Community and the Economic and Currency Union, Austria's currency is the euro. This means that if you are travelling from another eurozone country, you won't need to exchange money. However, if you are travelling from a country with a different currency, you will need to exchange money before or during your trip.

If you need to exchange money at the airport, it is recommended that you only exchange what you will need before reaching an exchange centre in the city with a more reasonable rate.

  • Compare rates to avoid high fees.
  • Avoid exchanging too much cash at the airport or your hotel.
  • Ensure your banknotes are damage-free, as merchants in Austria may refuse to accept damaged banknotes.
  • If you know someone with a bank account in Austria, transfer money ahead of time for better savings.
  • If you plan to use a credit or debit card, always choose to be charged in the local currency to avoid poor exchange rates.
  • Tell your bank you will be travelling to avoid any blocks on your card due to suspicious activity.

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The currency in Austria

Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union, and the Eurozone, so the official currency is the Euro. Euros are subdivided into 100 cents, and are available in coins ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros, and notes from 5 euros to 500 euros.

Euros are the only currency accepted when paying with cash in Austria, and it is advisable to carry some cash on you, as card payments are not accepted everywhere. Credit cards are accepted in many places, but not as widely as in the UK or USA, for example. Debit cards are very common, and can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, which are widely available.

If you are travelling to Austria from outside the Eurozone, you will need to exchange your currency. You can do this at banks, bureaux de change, and post offices, as well as at ATMs. It is worth comparing rates to avoid high fees. Exchange rates at the airport and in hotels are often unfavourable, so it is better to exchange only small amounts at these locations.

If you are bringing large amounts of cash into Austria, there are some things to bear in mind. If you are bringing 10,000 euros or more in cash, you must declare it to Customs. Also, damaged banknotes may be refused by merchants, so make sure your notes are in good condition.

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