Travel Alert: Austria Trip, Cancel Or Continue?

There are many reasons why you may want to cancel your trip to Austria, such as unfavourable weather conditions, changes in travel plans, or issues with your bookings. It is important to consider factors like the cancellation policies of your bookings, the flexibility of your travel plans, and the potential for unexpected delays or cancellations. Additionally, staying informed about the latest travel advisories, entry requirements, and health regulations can help you make an informed decision. Ultimately, the decision to cancel your trip depends on your specific circumstances and preferences.

Travel insurance and refunds

Travel insurance is not mandatory for U.S. citizens travelling to Austria, but it is strongly recommended. Travel insurance can protect you from financial losses due to unforeseen events such as trip cancellations, delays, medical emergencies, and lost or stolen baggage. When choosing a travel insurance plan, consider your specific needs and concerns, such as health-related benefits or hazardous sports coverage for alpine skiing.

When purchasing travel insurance, look for key coverage components such as emergency medical evacuation, trip cancellation insurance, trip delay insurance, and trip interruption insurance. Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you need to cancel due to illness, injury, or family emergencies. Trip delay insurance can cover additional expenses such as accommodation and meals if your trip is delayed due to weather, air traffic, or staffing issues. Trip interruption insurance covers similar expenses if you need to cut your trip short due to unexpected events.

Additionally, consider adding "cancel for any reason" coverage to your travel insurance plan. This optional upgrade allows you to cancel your trip for any reason up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure and typically provides a 75% reimbursement on prepaid trip costs.

When it comes to refunds, it's important to review the cancellation policies of your specific bookings. For example, some train tickets in Austria may be refundable, depending on the tariff and whether the PDF ticket has been downloaded. Flight refunds depend on the airline and the type of ticket purchased. Be sure to check the cancellation and refund policies of your travel providers before making any decisions.

Passport validity

To enter Austria, your passport must meet the following criteria:

• It must have an issue date that is less than 10 years before your arrival date. If you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may be valid for longer than 10 years.
• It must have an expiry date that is at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Austrian citizens need a valid passport or national identity card to leave and enter the country. Children must also carry their own passport or ID card during the journey.

Border control requirements

Austria's government has imposed stricter quarantine and entry rules to halt the spread of new contagious variants of COVID-19. The country's authorities have also announced the prolonged border controls with the Czech Republic and Slovakia due to the pandemic situation. Here are the border control requirements you should be aware of:

• Persons entering Austria must undergo a mandatory quarantine period of ten days. Previously, arrivals could leave quarantine after five days with a negative COVID-19 test result.
• Travellers entering Austria are required to present a negative PCR or antigen test result upon entry and fill out an online form.
• Cross-border commuters are exempt from quarantine rules but must register with the authorities and show a negative PCR test result once a week.
• Austria has closed three border crossing points with Slovakia due to the rapid spread of new COVID-19 variants.
• Austria's Ministry of Interior has extended internal border controls with Slovenia and Hungary until May 2021, and similar measures may be in place for other neighbouring countries.
• For stays in Austria up to six months, third-country nationals do not need a residence permit, but they need a visa. For stays up to 90 days within 180 days, some third-country nationals may not require a visa, depending on their citizenship.
• If you plan to stay in Austria for more than six months, you will need a residence permit. Different types of residence permits are available, depending on your specific situation.
• To obtain a residence permit, you must meet general requirements such as adequate means of subsistence, health insurance coverage, adequate accommodation, and not pose a threat to public order, security, or Austria's relations with other countries.

Transport disruptions

When considering whether to cancel a trip to Austria, it is important to be aware of potential transport disruptions and how they may impact your plans. Here are some key points to consider:

Firstly, when it comes to train travel within Austria, it is generally recommended to purchase tickets directly from the national railway companies, such as Deutsche Bahn, rather than through third-party sellers. This is because train tickets are typically flexible, allowing you to take any train on the route you have purchased. In the event of train cancellations or disruptions, your ticket remains valid for alternative services on the same route. However, if you have purchased a discounted fare, you may not be able to cancel or change your ticket without incurring additional costs. It is always a good idea to check the cancellation policies and terms and conditions of your ticket before finalising your purchase.

Secondly, for air travel, it is important to be aware of your passenger rights, especially in cases of long delays, flight cancellations, or denied boarding due to overbooking. According to European Union regulations, passengers are entitled to certain rights, including reimbursement, re-routing, and compensation in such situations. If your flight is delayed by a certain number of hours, the airline is obliged to provide meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary. In the case of cancellations, passengers have the right to choose between a refund or re-routing under comparable transport conditions. Additionally, passengers may be entitled to compensation, depending on the circumstances and the length of the delay. It is worth noting that these regulations apply to flights departing from airports within the European Union or operated by European Union air carriers.

Lastly, when considering a trip to Austria, it is important to keep in mind that transport disruptions can occur due to various factors, such as weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. These disruptions can affect both train and air travel, potentially causing delays or cancellations. Therefore, it is always a good idea to stay updated on the latest travel advisories and notifications from official sources, such as government websites or transport authorities, to make informed decisions about your trip.

Local laws and restrictions

Austria has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe, and violent crime is rare. However, crimes of opportunity involving theft of personal property do occur, especially in tourist areas. Beware of pickpockets on public transportation and in bus or train stations.

If you are a victim of crime, you can call the police at 133. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Some local laws and restrictions to be aware of in Austria include:

• It is illegal to possess, use, or traffic illegal drugs. Violators face long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Austria prohibits the importation of any pharmaceuticals that contain narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
• Austria has strict traffic laws. For example, it is against the law to use a handheld cell phone while driving, turn right on a red light, or drive without displaying an "autobahn vignette" highway tax sticker. Penalties for driving under the influence are stricter than in many U.S. states.
• Austrian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities, and these laws are enforced. However, accessibility may be limited in older buildings, including restaurants, cafes, hotels, castles, and other tourist attractions outside of major cities.
• Austria has strict COVID-19 entry requirements, which have changed over time. As of May 2022, all entry restrictions were lifted. However, it is recommended to check for updates before travelling.

Frequently asked questions