Travel to Austria — everything you need to know
When to go to Austria?
- Apr – Jun — Ideal : Mild spring, blooming meadows, crowds still reasonable. Perfect for Vienna and the lakes.
- Sep – Oct — Very good : Golden autumn, grape harvest in the Wachau, magnificent light over the Alps.
- Dec – Mar — Skiing & Christmas : World-class ski resorts in Tyrol and around Salzburg. Sumptuous Christmas markets in Vienna.
- Jul – Aug — High season : Fine weather but large crowds at tourist sites and higher prices.
Weather in Austria
Check the weather city by city, starting with Vienna.
- Vienne: daytime highs from 4 to 27 °C depending on the season, 56 mm of rain per month on average.
- Innsbruck: daytime highs from 7 to 27 °C depending on the season, 76 mm of rain per month on average.
- Salzbourg: daytime highs from 6 to 25 °C depending on the season, 100 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Austria?
Austria is a jewel at the heart of Europe, where the imperial grandeur of the Habsburgs blends with breathtaking Alpine landscapes. Vienna, the former capital of a vast empire, overflows with baroque palaces, legendary cafés and an unmatched musical heritage — from Mozart to Beethoven, from Klimt to Schiele. Salzburg, Innsbruck and the lakes of the Salzkammergut complete a picture of extraordinary cultural and natural richness.
Vienne
Vienna is an imperial city of incomparable elegance, whose baroque Habsburg splendour is preserved in every street of the first district. The Kunsthistorisches Museum, the State Opera, Schönbrunn Palace and the Vienna Secession illustrate the capital's unique cultural density. Viennese cafés — Landtmann, Schwarzenberg, Central — are an institution in themselves, inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list.
Highlights : Schönbrunn Palace — Habsburg summer residence with 1,441 rooms, Kunsthistorisches Museum — one of the largest art collections in the world, Belvedere — baroque palace housing Klimt's The Kiss, Vienna State Opera — temple of classical music, tours and performances.
Salzbourg
Mozart's birthplace and the filming location of The Sound of Music, Salzburg is one of Europe's most beautiful baroque cities. Its historic centre, entirely listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is dominated by the Hohensalzburg Fortress overlooking the Untersberg and the Salzach river. The Salzburg Festival, held every summer, is one of the most prestigious musical events in the world.
Highlights : Hohensalzburg Fortress — the best-preserved medieval castle in Central Europe, Mozart's Birthplace — museum on Getreidegasse street, Mirabell Palace and its gardens — with a view of the fortress, Hallstatt — fairy-tale lakeside village in the Austrian Alps.
Salzkammergut
The Salzkammergut region is home to some sixty Alpine lakes of a spectacular blue-green colour, nestled among limestone peaks. Hallstatt, the emblematic lakeside village, is often called the most beautiful village in the world and even inspired an entire replica village in China. Hiking, swimming, sailing and salt mines are the highlights of this region listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Highlights : Hallstatt — lakeside village listed as a World Heritage site, Dachstein — limestone massif with ice caves and via ferrata, Wolfgangsee — lake with crystal-clear waters, century-old steamboats, Bad Ischl — former imperial residence of Franz Joseph.
Tyrol & Innsbruck
Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, is an Alpine city of rare beauty where the golden roofs and colourful facades of the Altstadt stand out against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. It is one of the few cities in the world where you can ski in the morning and visit museums in the afternoon. Ambras Castle, the Golden Roof, and the Nordkette cable cars let visitors enjoy every facet of this Alpine destination.
Highlights : Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) — 15th-century balcony covered with 2,657 gilded tiles, Nordkette — quick cable car access to Alpine peaks from the city centre, Ambras Castle — Renaissance art collection of the Tyrolean Habsburgs, Swarovski Kristallwelten — spectacular crystal world near Innsbruck.
Travel budget for Austria
Austria is slightly cheaper than Switzerland but comparable to Germany and France. Vienna remains affordable with good mid-range hotels. Tyrol's ski resorts are more expensive, especially in high season.
- Backpacker : 60–80 €/j — Hostel, Mittagsmenü and street food, public transport
- Comfort : 130–180 €/j — 3-star hotel, evening restaurants, opera and museums
Practical tips for travelling to Austria
- Flight from Paris : Paris–Vienna: 2h flight. Many direct connections (Air France, Austrian, easyJet). Also accessible by night train.
- Visa : No visa required for EU/Schengen citizens. An ID card is sufficient.
- Currency : Euro (€). Cards accepted in most shops. Carry cash for markets and small villages.
- Language : Austrian German. English is widely spoken in Vienna and tourist areas.
- Electricity : Type F (Schuko, 2 round pins). 230V / 50Hz. Compatible with French plugs.
- Health : Excellent healthcare. European Health Insurance Card valid for EU nationals.
- Viennese coffee : Viennese coffee culture is listed on UNESCO's intangible heritage list. A Melange (with milk) or an Einspänner (with cream) is a must.
- Classical music : Book opera and concert tickets in advance. Standing-room tickets are available the same evening for a symbolic price.
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