Highlights
Vienna, the imperial capital, is a city of grand palaces (Schönbrunn and the Hofburg), the Baroque St Stephen's Cathedral, opera and classical music, and legendary coffee houses where you linger over Sachertorte. Its museums, from the Kunsthistorisches to the Belvedere (home to Klimt's 'The Kiss'), are world-class.
Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and the 'Sound of Music' city, charms with a Baroque old town beneath a hilltop fortress, framed by mountains. Nearby, the Salzkammergut lake district — with the fairytale village of Hallstatt reflected in its lake — is postcard Austria.
The Tyrol and Vorarlberg deliver the Alps at their finest: Innsbruck ringed by peaks, and premier ski and hiking resorts like St Anton, Kitzbühel and Ischgl. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a spectacular mountain drive, and the Wachau Valley along the Danube adds vineyards, abbeys and river cruising. Graz, a UNESCO-listed second city, rounds out a rich itinerary.
When to go
December to March is prime for skiing and Christmas markets in the Alps, with reliable snow at altitude. May, June and September offer ideal sightseeing and hiking weather — green Alpine meadows, mild days and fewer crowds.
Summer (July-August) is warm, busy and perfect for lakes and mountain hiking, with cities hosting festivals. Autumn brings golden vineyards and clear mountain views. Winter in the cities is cold but magical around the Christmas markets. Choose winter for the slopes, and late spring or early autumn for the best all-round balance of weather and calm.
Visa & entry
This country is part of the Schengen Area. Many nationalities (including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and others) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. The EU's ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors is being phased in, so check whether it applies by your travel date. A passport valid at least three months beyond your stay is required. Always confirm the current requirements for your nationality and the ETIAS status on official EU/national sources before you travel.
Health & safety
Austria is a very safe, orderly and prosperous country with low crime. The main issue for visitors is petty theft and pickpocketing in busy tourist spots in Vienna and Salzburg (stations, crowded sights) and on public transport, so keep valuables secure.
The genuine risks are in the mountains: alpine weather changes fast, and skiing/hiking demand proper preparation, avalanche awareness in winter, and respect for marked routes. Healthcare is excellent. Roads are good, but alpine passes require care and winter tyres. Check your government's advisory before departure, though Austria is consistently low-risk.
Getting around
Austria has superb public transport. Fast, comfortable trains (ÖBB, including Railjet services) link Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz and connect seamlessly to neighbours; regional trains and post-buses reach mountain valleys and villages. Vienna's metro (U-Bahn), trams and buses are excellent and easy with a day/multi-day pass.
For the Alps, lakes and scenic drives like the Grossglockner, a hire car adds flexibility (winter tyres are legally required in snow, and some passes are tolled/seasonal). The Austria-wide KlimaTicket offers unlimited public transport. Overall, trains suit city-hopping, a car suits deep mountain exploration.
Money
Austria uses the Euro. It is largely card-friendly in cities, hotels, restaurants and shops, though a cash culture persists more than in Scandinavia — some smaller cafés, bakeries, mountain huts and markets still prefer or require cash, so always carry some. ATMs are widely available.
Austria is moderately expensive, especially ski resorts and Vienna dining. Tipping is customary — round up or add roughly 5-10% for good service in restaurants and cafés, handing it directly to the server rather than leaving it on the table, and rounding up for taxis and porters.
Austria