Europe
Austria travel guide
Austria mixes imperial cities with Alpine scenery. Vienna, the former Habsburg capital, has palaces, world-class museums, classical music and its famous coffee houses.
Photo: Valentin Ivantsov / Pexels · Pexels License
Austria at a glance
- Currency
- Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small cafés and market stalls.
- Language
- German. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V.
- Emergency number
- 112
- Entry
- Part of the Schengen area. Check official entry rules for your passport before you travel.
- Getting around
- ÖBB trains are fast and frequent: Salzburg is about 2.5 hours from Vienna, and Melk in the Wachau valley about 1 hour.
City guides for Austria
Vienna
Vienna was the Habsburg capital for centuries, and it shows. The compact old town (Innere Stadt, the 1st district) inside the Ringstrasse holds St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg and the State Opera, all within walking distance. Schönbrunn Palace and the Belvedere are a short metro or tram ride away. Public transport is excellent, so three days is plenty for the highlights.
If you only have one day in Vienna
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom): Vienna’s Gothic landmark. The south tower is 136 m high and the Viennese call it “Steffl”. The roof is covered with 230,000 glazed tiles in a zigzag pattern, including a double-headed eagle.
- Hofburg Imperial Palace: The Hofburg has been the seat of power since at least 1279: first the Habsburgs and, since 1946, the Austrian president. Within its walls are the Imperial Apartments, the Treasury, the Spanish Riding School and the Austrian National Library.
- Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens: The Habsburgs’ Baroque summer palace and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The palace tour covers the rooms of Maria Theresa, Franz Joseph and Elisabeth. The huge park is free and climbs to the Gloriette, which has a view over the city.
- Best time to go
- April–June and September–October. Christmas markets run from mid-November; July–August can be hot.
- From the airport
- Cheapest: an ÖBB train for €5.50 (€2.30 from the airport to the city boundary plus €3.20 for Vienna). Until the end of October 2027, rail works mean the REX7 runs to Wien Hauptbahnhof (about 20 min) and the S7 only goes as far as St. Marx. The City Airport Train (CAT) currently runs as an express bus to Wien Mitte (€14.90 one way). Checked October 2026.
Austria travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Vienna?
Two days covers the old town, the Hofburg and Schönbrunn. Three days adds the Belvedere, a museum and the Prater at a relaxed pace.
Is Vienna expensive?
It’s mid-range for Western Europe. Public transport is good value, and many palace gardens and squares are free; museum tickets add up.
Travelling to Austria?
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