Booking Accommodation In Austria: A Step-By-Step Guide

Austria has a range of accommodation options, from budget to luxury, across various cities and resorts. Hotels, inns, and pensions (boarding houses) are classified by the government into five categories with corresponding star ratings. While a five-star rating indicates a deluxe experience, a one-star designation represents a simple inn or hotel. Booking platforms like Booking.com and KAYAK offer a convenient way to search for and compare accommodations based on price, location, and guest reviews. Additionally, local tourist offices can assist with reservations, ensuring alternatives if your preferred choice is unavailable. For a more intimate experience, pensions, bed-and-breakfasts, and rental properties are also available, with platforms like Pego offering weekly to yearly rentals. Understanding the local accommodation terms, such as Doppelzimmer for a double room, can help you navigate your options effectively.

How to book a hotel in Austria online

Booking a hotel in Austria online is a straightforward process. There are many websites that allow you to compare and book hotels in Austria.

Finding a hotel

First, you will need to decide where in Austria you would like to stay. Popular destinations include Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz. You can use a travel website such as Booking.com or KAYAK to search for hotels in your chosen destination. These websites allow you to filter your search results by factors such as price, location, and amenities.

Reading reviews

Once you have found a hotel that you are interested in, it is a good idea to read reviews from other guests. Both Booking.com and KAYAK feature verified reviews from guests who have actually stayed at the property. Reading reviews can give you a sense of what the hotel is really like and help you make an informed decision about whether to book it.

Booking the hotel

Once you have found a hotel that you are happy with, you can book it directly through the travel website. You will usually need to create an account and provide your payment information. Some websites, such as Booking.com, will allow you to leave a review after your stay.

Other options

In addition to hotels, there are also other types of accommodation available in Austria, such as apartments, vacation rentals, and family-run hotels. These can be found on the same travel websites, or you can try specialist websites such as Austria Hotel Collection, which features curated lists of charming family-run hotels, luxury spa resorts, and cosy private apartments.

How to find cheap hotel rooms in Austria

Austria is a country full of stunning landscapes, historic cities, and cultural attractions. When visiting, it's important to find the right accommodation to suit your needs and budget. Here are some tips on how to find cheap hotel rooms in Austria:

Use Online Platforms:

Utilize online platforms such as KAYAK, TripAdvisor, and HotelsCombined. These websites allow you to compare prices, reviews, and photos of various hotels in Austria. KAYAK, for example, searches hundreds of travel sites to help you find the most affordable options, with prices starting from $14 per night.

Consider the Location:

When looking for cheap hotel rooms, consider the location. Vienna, Salzburg, and Tirol are popular regions to visit in Austria, but prices can vary within these areas. For example, a hotel in the heart of Vienna, such as Hotel Sacher Wien, may be more expensive than a hotel located on the outskirts of the city.

Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates:

Hotel prices can fluctuate depending on the season and local events. Try to avoid peak travel seasons, such as summer or winter holidays, as prices tend to be higher during these periods. Instead, consider visiting during shoulder seasons, like spring or fall, when you can find better deals.

Look for Special Offers and Packages:

Keep an eye out for special offers, discounts, and packages that can make your stay more affordable. Some hotels may offer deals like "stay 3 nights, pay for 2" or include additional perks like free breakfast or sightseeing passes. These packages can help you save money overall.

Choose the Right Type of Accommodation:

Opt for budget or mid-range hotels that offer good value for money. Look for accommodations that provide essential amenities without the frills, as these tend to be more affordable. Additionally, consider staying in a hostel or renting a room through platforms like Airbnb, as these options can be significantly cheaper than traditional hotels.

By following these tips and doing some careful research, you can find cheap hotel rooms in Austria that fit your budget without compromising on comfort and convenience. Remember to read reviews, compare prices, and be flexible with your choices to make the most of your trip to this beautiful country.

How to find accommodation with a fitness centre

When booking accommodation in Austria, you can choose from hotels, inns, pensions (boardinghouses), guesthouses, hostels, and rooms in private homes or farms.

If you want to stay in a place with a fitness centre, there are several options to choose from. Here are some tips on how to find accommodation with a fitness centre in Austria:

• Check online booking platforms: Websites like Booking.com, Hotels-with-gym.com, and TripAdvisor provide detailed information about accommodation options in Austria, including the availability of fitness centres. You can use filters to narrow down your search to only show properties with fitness centres.
• Consider the location: If you want to be close to specific attractions or areas, you can search for accommodation in those specific regions. For example, if you want to explore Vienna, look for hotels or apartments in the city that offer fitness centres.
• Look for larger hotels or resorts: Larger hotels or resorts are more likely to have fitness centres and other leisure facilities to cater to a variety of guest needs. These may include hotels with higher star ratings or well-known chains.
• Read reviews: When researching accommodation, read reviews left by previous guests. They often mention the availability and quality of fitness centres, spas, and other wellness facilities. This can help you make an informed decision about which property to choose.
• Contact the local tourist office: The local tourist office in any Austrian city or resort can assist you in finding accommodation that meets your specific requirements, including the availability of a fitness centre. They can provide recommendations and help you make reservations.
• Consider alternative options: If you're open to unique accommodation options, consider staying in a converted Baroque palace or hilltop fortress, some of which may offer fitness centres along with a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

How to find a bed and breakfast in Austria

There are several ways to find a bed and breakfast in Austria. You can either book online or in person.

Booking Online

You can book a bed and breakfast in Austria online through various websites. Websites such as bedandbreakfast.guide and bedandbreakfast.eu offer bed and breakfast options in Austria. These websites provide information on the location, amenities, and reviews of the bed and breakfasts. You can also book through online travel agencies such as Booking.com, which offer a wide range of accommodation options, including bed and breakfasts.

Booking in Person

If you prefer to book in person, you can look for signs that say "Zimmer Frei" attached to the front of a house or a short post at the front yard, gate, or driveway. These signs indicate that the proprietors rent rooms on a bed-and-breakfast basis. You will find these signs along Austria's highways and scenic byways. The local tourist office can also assist you in finding bed and breakfast accommodations. They can help you make reservations, and if your desired accommodation is fully booked, they can suggest alternatives.

How to find accommodation with airport transfers

When booking accommodation in Austria, it is important to consider how you will get from the airport to your hotel, especially if you are carrying lots of luggage or bulky items like ski equipment. Luckily, there are several companies offering airport transfers in Austria.

Taxi

AtoB offers a cheap taxi service from airports across Austria, with options ranging from economy to first-class. They also offer ski transfers, which will pick you up from the airport and take you and your ski equipment to the slopes. Austria Airport Taxi Transfer also offers a service with English-speaking drivers, which can be booked online.

Shuttle

HolidayTaxis provides a cost-effective shared shuttle service with up to eight stops, which will take you from the airport to your hotel. They also offer private minibuses and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

Train

If you would prefer to take the train, the City Airport Train (CAT) connects Vienna Airport with the city centre (Wien Mitte station) in just 16 minutes. Railjet national trains travel direct to Wien Hauptbahnhof (Vienna's main railway station), and ÖBB Austrian Railways offers train connections from Munich and Zurich to all major cities in Austria.

Bus

The Vienna Airport Lines operate buses between Vienna-Schwechat Airport and important transport hubs.

Frequently asked questions