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Austria is a year-round destination with memorable experiences for every season. The best time to visit depends on your interests, budget, and how long you plan to stay. If you're looking to ski, visit in winter; for hiking and exploring the countryside, choose summer; for a quieter trip, opt for spring or autumn. Austria is well-connected by train to its neighbours, so it's easy to combine your trip with visits to nearby countries. Vienna is a good base for your trip, with its museums, music scene, and famous coffee houses, but be sure to explore beyond the capital, too.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planning | Start the process 3-6 months in advance |
| Time of year | Austria is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your interests. Summer is popular for sightseeing and outdoor activities, while winter is great for Christmas markets and skiing. Spring and autumn are good for fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation. |
| Budgeting | Austria caters to all budgets, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly options. Estimate costs for transportation, accommodation, and food, and check for any visa or passport requirements. |
| Transportation | Austria is well-connected by train, with an extensive railway network. Consider travelling by train if you're planning a bigger European trip. The ÖBB Nightjet connects to over 25 cities in seven countries. Within Austria, you can use the ÖBB "SimplyGo!" app to navigate public transportation. |
| Food and drink | Try traditional pastries (Gebäck) and open sandwiches (Jause). Visit local bakeries and cafes, and enjoy the famous Viennese coffee house culture. Autumn is a great time to visit wine country. |
| Attractions | Vienna and Salzburg are must-visits, with their music scenes, museums, historical monuments, and cafes. Explore smaller towns like Steyr, Leoben, Lake Millstatt, Hallstatt, and St. Wolfgang. Don't miss the Christmas markets if you're visiting in winter. |
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What You'll Learn
Budgeting for your trip
Budgeting for a trip is an important part of planning for your holiday in Austria. The country offers a range of experiences to suit different budgets, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly adventures. Here are some tips to help you budget for your trip:
Transportation
Austria has an extensive and well-connected railway network, making it a great option for travelling around the country. The ÖBB Nightjet provides connections to more than 25 cities in seven countries, and Sparschiene tickets offer discounted travel on certain days and times. If you plan to take multiple train journeys, the Vorteilscard entitles you to a 50% discount on all train journeys operated by ÖBB (except night trains) for a year. Additionally, you can use the ÖBB's "SimplyGo!" app to find the cheapest ticket options and pay for your journey. If you're visiting during the winter, you can also consider visiting ski resorts, which are easily accessible from cities like Salzburg.
Accommodation
Austria offers a range of accommodation options, from 5-star hotels to budget-friendly alternatives. The length of your stay and the type of accommodation you choose will impact your budget. If you're visiting during the peak season, such as summer or winter, accommodation prices may be higher. However, during the spring and autumn shoulder seasons, you can expect cheaper accommodation rates.
Food and Drinks
Austria is known for its delicious food and beverage options. Dining in restaurants and cafes can vary in price depending on the establishment. Traditional Austrian pastries, coffee, and wine are must-try experiences. Additionally, Austria's tap water is of excellent quality, so you can refill your reusable bottle and avoid the cost of buying bottled water.
Activities
Austria offers a wide range of activities to suit different budgets. Visiting museums, exploring historic cities like Vienna and Salzburg, and enjoying the natural scenery of the Alps and lakes can be done on a budget. If you're interested in skiing, the spring season offers fewer crowds and more affordable rates. For music lovers, the fall season is ideal for catching new symphony, orchestra, and opera productions in Vienna and Salzburg.
Planning and Timing
It is recommended to start planning your trip at least 3-6 months in advance. This will give you time to research and book any necessary travel or accommodation in advance, which can often result in cost savings. Additionally, consider the time of year you wish to visit. Summer is popular for sightseeing and outdoor activities, while winter attracts visitors for Christmas markets and skiing. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn offer a balance between fewer tourists and more affordable accommodation options.
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Choosing the best time to visit
Austria is a year-round destination with memorable experiences for every season. There is no wrong time to visit, but depending on your interests, one time of year may suit you better than another.
If you're interested in winter sports, you may want to visit during the winter months. Austria is surrounded by the Alps, so there are countless opportunities to head to a ski resort. You could even try snowboarding. The winter months are also the perfect time to visit Austria's Christmas markets, which are considered some of the best in Europe. You can enjoy hot wine, freshly-baked goods, and cities blanketed with snow.
Spring is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. During this time, many of Austria's famous attractions will be much easier to access. If you love getting dressed up, you could attend a Viennese ball.
If you're a music lover, you may want to visit in the fall. This is when new symphony, orchestra, and opera productions are debuted in cities like Vienna and Salzburg. It's also a great time to visit Austrian wine country and the family-owned wineries in the woods around Vienna's city centre.
Summer is a popular time for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the mountains and countryside. However, this is also the peak travel season, so you may experience more crowds.
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Getting around Austria
Austria has a well-developed public transportation network, making it quick and easy to get from place to place. The country is well-connected train-wise, with the national operator ÖBB boasting a network of over 5000km (3107 miles) that connects the nine federal states. There are plenty of options during the day and connections to more than 25 cities in seven countries with the ÖBB Nightjet. Railjet, Intercity, and EuroCity services are accessible for wheelchair users, and around 400 train stations across Austria have lifts, ramps, and mobility aids. Public transport in major cities is barrier-free.
If you plan to take multiple train journeys in Austria, you can sign up for a Vorteilscard online. It costs €66, is valid for a year, and entitles you to a 50% discount on all train journeys operated by ÖBB (except for night trains). Keep an eye out for Sparschiene tickets, which are discounted tickets for certain days and times. You can also check out ÖBB’s “SimplyGo!” app, which allows you to activate your journey online before you get on the train, bus, or tram, and then deactivate it when you arrive. You will be billed the next day.
High-speed trains, buses, cable cars, and bikes are also available as transport options. In Austria, you can hop on any train or tram (and even most buses) without having to show a ticket, as it's a trust-based system. Vienna and Salzburg have public bike rental schemes, and mountain bike, road bike, and e-bike hire services are widespread across the country.
If you're driving, you must display a physical Vignette toll sticker or get a digital sticker online. Short-term parking zones across all provinces are pay-and-display. Drive on the right and overtake on the left; speed restrictions are 130km/h (80 mph) on motorways, 100km/h (62 mph) on expressways and open roads, and 50km/h (31 mph) in residential areas. Legal requirements include always carrying your driving license and insurance papers, keeping a high-vis jacket in the car with a warning triangle and a first aid kit, and using compulsory seatbelts.
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Where to stay and for how long
When it comes to where to stay in Austria, there are plenty of options to choose from, depending on your budget and interests. From 5-star hotels and luxury experiences to family-friendly holidays and budget adventures, Austria has something for everyone.
If you're looking for a city break, Vienna, the capital, is a great choice. Well connected to major cities, it offers several palaces, museums, famous historical monuments, lively streets, street markets, and a vibrant nightlife. You can easily spend several days in Vienna, exploring its rich culture, music scene, cafes, and wine gardens. While in Vienna, don't miss the chance to visit St. Stephen's Cathedral and Hofburg Palace, and indulge in the city's famous pastries and coffee.
Salzburg, about three hours by train from Vienna, is another charming city. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and with the Salzach River flowing through it, Salzburg offers a blend of history and culture. You can explore Mozart's birthplace, ancient fortresses, and several "Sound of Music" sites. Three days would be ideal to explore the city and take some day trips to nearby attractions, such as St. Gilgen and St. Wolfgang.
For those seeking a more tranquil experience, Hallstatt is a picturesque town nestled in the Austrian Alps. With its serene environment and spectacular views, it has become one of the most popular places to visit in Austria. Innsbruck is another colourful and picturesque city surrounded by mountains. It is a great choice for those interested in skiing, as it offers easy access to ski resorts.
The length of your stay in Austria will depend on your interests and budget. A week-long trip is a good starting point, allowing you to explore the country's highlights. However, if you have more time, you can consider a longer trip, especially if you plan to visit multiple destinations or take advantage of specific seasonal experiences. Spring and autumn are great seasons to visit, as you'll find fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation prices. If you're interested in skiing, visiting a Viennese ball, or experiencing the Christmas markets, winter can be a magical time to visit. On the other hand, summer is perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring the mountains and countryside.
No matter where you choose to stay in Austria, you'll find a range of accommodation options to suit your needs and preferences. Remember to plan your trip in advance, allowing yourself at least three to six months to prepare, and consider the different transportation options available, such as trains, ferries, and bikes.
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What to eat and drink
Austria is a culinary delight, with traditional dishes and drinks aplenty, as well as new-wave foodie experiences. The country's capital, Vienna, is a great place to start your culinary journey. Here, you can sample the famous Wiener Schnitzel, a flattened, breaded veal cutlet, served with potato salad. This classic dish was first served in 1905 and is now a signature dish of the city. Another favourite is Tafelspitz, a dish of boiled beef, served with roasted potatoes, vegetables, and horseradish sauce. Tafelspitz is said to have been a favourite of Emperor Franz Joseph I.
For dessert, try the traditional Viennese Apfelstrudel, a pastry filled with apples and raisins, served with cream or warm vanilla sauce. Or, for a real sugar kick, opt for Strauben, a sweet, fried batter dipped in cinnamon and sugar. If you're looking for something more savoury, Tiroler Gröstl is a hearty dish of sliced potatoes, onions, and meat, fried in butter and topped with a fried egg. Speckknödel are another Austrian classic: dumplings packed with bacon and served in a warm broth or with sauerkraut and salad.
Austria is also known for its cheese, and you'll find a variety of cheese noodle dishes, such as Kasspatzln, made with local cheeses like Bergkäse or Graukäse. If you're feeling adventurous, try Beuschel, a traditional stew made from calf's heart and lungs, simmered in a dark brown sauce. This dish is usually found in old-school eateries that specialise in traditional cuisine.
When in Austria, you'll also want to sample the local drinks. Austrian tap water is ranked among the best in the European Union, so you can refill your water bottle straight from the tap. If you're looking for something stronger, Austria is known for its wine, and there are many wine taverns where you can enjoy a glass or two. Don't forget to try the local beer, too!
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