Austria Welcomes Indian Tourists: What You Need To Know

Austria is a popular destination for Indian tourists, with Vienna being a top choice for honeymooners and young travellers. To visit Austria, Indian citizens need a valid passport, a visa, and travel insurance. The type of visa depends on the purpose and duration of the visit. Tourist visas are required for visits longer than 90 days, and there are different types of visas available, including short-term and long-term options. The application process involves filling out forms, providing necessary documents, paying fees, and sometimes, attending an interview. Austria has world-class healthcare facilities, and Indian tourists can enjoy its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and romantic settings.

Austria's romantic destinations for Indian tourists

Austria is a romantic country with breathtaking experiences and picturesque landscapes. Here are some of the most romantic destinations in Austria for Indian tourists:

Vienna

Vienna is a popular honeymoon destination for Indians. The city is known for its imperial heritage, with hundreds of palaces, dozens of castles, and royal gardens. The Vienna Woods, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a great getaway for locals and tourists, with abundant flora and fauna. The city is also known for its coffee house culture, with more than 2000 coffee houses, some of which are listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage sites. Vienna is also home to classical music and opera, with the famous Vienna Opera House being a must-visit attraction.

Salzburg

Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is a charming city surrounded by rolling green meadows and majestic historical buildings. The old town Aldsten, with its stunning baroque architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city also boasts captivating churches and abbeys, quaint cafes, and cobbled streets.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a picturesque town nestled between dramatic mountains and glistening waters. The town has colourful buildings, charming streets, and lush mountains in the summer, and Christmas markets and winter wonderlands in December. Innsbruck also has romantic dinner spots and offers gentle activities in the surrounding hills for an unforgettable fairytale experience.

Hallstatt

Hallstatt is a lakeside haven set in breathtaking scenery. It offers a slightly remote feel, with tall trees along the shoreline, a rocky backdrop, and the spire of the Lutheran Church. The pretty houses with small balconies create a storybook picture. Hallstatt is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the fairytale-like atmosphere, colourful architecture, and aromatic delights of strudel.

Grossglockner and the Austrian Alps

Trading the bustle of city life for the wilderness of the Austrian Alps sets the perfect scene for a romantic journey. Discover breathtaking scenery, rugged mountains, and stunning panoramic views as you drive along the High Alpine Road. Charming Alpine-style accommodations and glassy lakes make Grossglockner an ideal romantic getaway.

Vienna: the world's most liveable city

Vienna, Austria's capital, is a popular destination for tourists, with a record number of visitors in 2015, including a 50% increase in Indian tourists. But what makes Vienna so attractive to visitors? And why is it considered the world's most liveable city?

Rich History and Culture

Vienna has a rich imperial heritage, with hundreds of palaces, dozens of castles, and royal gardens. The city's late 19th-century Austro-Hungarian empire history, ruled by the House of Habsburgs, is a significant drawcard for tourists. The city also boasts a traditional coffee house culture, with over 2000 coffee houses, some of which are recognised by UNESCO.

Romantic Setting

The city's imperial heritage and romantic attractions have made it a popular choice for honeymooners and young travellers. Vienna's beauty, with its palaces and royal gardens, combined with its emotional appeal, has drawn many Indian tourists, including filmmaker Karan Johar, who shot his film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" in the city.

Well-Connected Transport System

Vienna International Airport is the main international hub for Austria, with connections to major international airports worldwide. The city is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from Delhi and connecting flights from other Indian metro cities. Once in Vienna, the well-maintained rail network with free Wi-Fi and international connectivity makes it easy to get around. The rail system offers stunning views of the city and provides access to magical tunnels and bridges.

Safe and Accessible

Austria has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and violent crime is rare. Vienna offers a range of accessible transportation options, including buses, trains, and bicycles for exploring the city. The city is also known for its excellent healthcare facilities, with world-class hospitals and medical staff.

Vibrant Tourism Industry

Vienna offers a range of attractions for tourists, including historical museums, cultural institutions, and the famous Christmas markets. The city's tourism industry is well-regulated, with professional staff and appropriate signage for hazardous areas.

With its rich history, romantic setting, efficient transport system, safety, and vibrant tourism industry, it's no wonder that Vienna has been recognised as the world's most liveable city. Its charm and beauty continue to attract visitors from around the world, including a growing number of Indian tourists.

How to reach Austria from India

As an Indian citizen, you will need a valid passport and a Schengen visa to enter Austria. Many European countries are members of the Schengen Agreement, which allows visa-free travel between the respective countries.

By Air

The fastest way to get to Austria from India is by air. There are direct and connecting flights from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, and Bengaluru to Vienna International Airport (VIA). The only direct flight from India to Vienna is through Air India from Delhi, which takes approximately 9 hours. Connecting flights can take up to 19 hours, depending on the airline.

By Train

There are no direct trains from India to Austria. However, you can board a train from Vienna to visit other destinations within Austria, such as Salzburg and Graz. The Interrail Austria Pass allows unlimited travel on ÖBB trains for up to eight days.

By Road

Travelling from India to Austria by road is not possible or allowed. However, if you are already in Europe, you can drive or use the local public transportation system to get to Austria.

By Sea

There are no direct cruises between India and Austria. However, there are cruises that start from Mumbai and stop at various ports in Italy, from where you can enter Austria by road without a separate visa, as Italy is also a member of the Schengen Agreement.

Visa requirements for Indian citizens

As an Indian citizen, you will need to obtain an Austrian Schengen Visa to enter Austria. Here are the visa requirements for Indian citizens:

Visa Types

Common types of Austrian visas available for Indian citizens include tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and transit visas. Each type has specific eligibility criteria and requirements.

Application Process

The process of applying for an Austrian visa as an Indian citizen involves the following steps:

• Filling out the application form
• Gathering the required documents
• Paying the visa fee
• Scheduling an appointment
• Attending a biometric data collection session at the designated visa application centre

Documents Required

The typical requirements for an Austrian visa for Indian citizens include:

• A valid passport with two blank pages, issued within the last ten years, and valid for at least six months after leaving the Schengen Zone
• Completed application form
• Recent passport-sized photographs taken within the last three months, with no blurred spots and clear visibility of the face and eyes
• Travel insurance covering medical emergencies and expenses during your stay in Austria, with a minimum benefit of 30,000 euros
• Travel itinerary, including proof of accommodation such as hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from a host
• Proof of financial means, such as bank statements or sponsorship letters, demonstrating sufficient funds to cover expenses during your stay
• Return flight tickets or confirmed travel itinerary
• Proof of employment or study, if applicable
• A cover letter explaining the purpose, duration, and other relevant details of your trip
• Additional documents depending on the purpose of your visit, such as business invitations, academic transcripts, marriage certificates, GST, NOC, leave letters, ITR, or medical records

Processing Time and Cost

The standard processing time for an Austrian visa is typically around 10-15 calendar days. However, it is recommended to apply at least one to two months in advance to account for any unforeseen delays. The cost of an Austrian visa for Indian citizens varies depending on the type of visa and is subject to change.

Austria's tourism industry

In 2007, Austria ranked 9th worldwide in international tourism receipts, with 18.9 billion US dollars, and 12th in international tourist arrivals, with 30.8 million visitors. Vienna, the nation's capital, attracts a large portion of tourists, both in summer and winter. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, receives about a fifth of the tourist overnight stays compared to Vienna, making it the second most popular destination in the summer season.

During the winter season, several winter sports resorts in western Austria surpass Salzburg in tourist overnight stays, including Sölden, Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Ischgl, Sankt Anton am Arlberg, and Obertauern. The nation's skiing, hiking, and mountaineering resorts in the Alps, as well as its lakes and castles, are of great touristic importance.

Austria's diverse attractions include:

• The Ars Electronica Center in Linz, which has organized the Ars Electronica Festival and presented the Prix Ars Electronica, a prestigious media art award.
• The Bregenzer Festspiele
• The Vienna New Year's Concert, a traditional concert for classical music
• Internationale Gartenbaumesse Tulln, Europe's biggest flower show
• The largest ski area in Austria and one of the five largest in the world, Ski Arlberg, which stretches over Vorarlberg and Tyrol.

Frequently asked questions