The Austria Travel Guide
Welcome to Austria Wanderlust – your trusted Austria travel guide, created for DIY travellers who want to experience Austria like a local.
Austria is a land of alpine peaks, world‑class cities, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences — and this Austria Travel Guide is your starting point to plan an amazing trip.
IF planning your dream trip feels overwhelming
IF generic, one-size-fits-all tours don’t match your travel style?
IF you’re craving authentic experiences beyond the tourist trail
You’re in exactly the right place.
Don’t just visit Austria—experience Austria like a local.
This Austria travel guide is designed for English-speaking travellers who want clear, practical advice backed by local knowledge.
Packed with up-to-date information, realistic itineraries, and insider tips, it helps turn travel dreams into well-planned, memorable journeys.
Don’t just visit Austria — experience it properly, with confidence and curiosity.
We believe unforgettable holidays aren’t created by overseas travel agencies or generic algorithms—they’re crafted with local insight, personal experience, by someone with a genuine passion for sharing the real Austria.
Skip the cookie-cutter impersonal tours and discover an Austria that few travellers truly get to know.
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Discover Austria Your Way
Welcome to Austria Wanderlust, your trusted Austria travel guide for planning an unforgettable trip — without the stress.
Whether you’re dreaming of alpine scenery, historic cities, cultural treasures, Christmas markets, scenic train journeys, or all of the above, everything you need to plan with clarity and confidence lives right here.
Meet your local Austria Travel Expert
Hi! I’m Tammy, founder of Austria Wanderlust, and your local guide to exploring Austria beyond the guidebooks.
I live in Austria, in the heart of the Austrian Alps, and spend my time travelling across the country uncovering magical cities, hidden valleys, majestic mountains, scenic lakes, breathtaking scenery, rich traditions — and very important culinary discoveries (yes, cake counts as research).
I have a deep understanding (and love) of what makes Austria truly special – and I’m here to help you discover it too.
👉 Read more about me & my story
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Exclusive travel tips, seasonal highlights, and local secrets to help you plan your perfect trip.
Getting Started: Plan Your Austria Trip Step by Step
Not sure where to begin? Planning a trip to Austria doesn’t have to be complicated.
This Austria travel guide is structured to walk through the process step by step, making it easy to move from early ideas to a well-organised itinerary.
Every traveller plans differently, which is why flexibility matters.
Your Austria Trip, Your Way — Plan It Yourself or Get Expert Support
Some travellers love diving into research and planning every detail.
Others prefer reassurance and step-by-step guidance from someone who knows Austria inside out.
Both approaches work beautifully — and this Austria travel guide supports them equally.
Austria Wanderlust exists to make planning easier, travel richer, and experiences more meaningful. However the journey takes shape, this Austria travel guide is here to help every step of the way.
DIY Austria Trip Planning – Start Here
For travellers who enjoy planning independently, this Austria travel guide offers clear, practical resources to help plan confidently and efficiently from start to finish.
1️⃣ The best place to begin is the Complete Guide to Planning a Trip to Austria.
It covers timing, logistics, budgeting, visas, and the key decisions that shape a smooth and enjoyable holiday.
2️⃣ Understanding when to visit comes next, as timing can completely change the experience.
Alpine regions shine in spring and summer, while cities such as Vienna and Salzburg feel magical all year.
Seasonal guides explain the best months for scenery, festivals, skiing, Christmas markets, and avoiding crowds.
👉 Unsure whether to visit in summer, winter, or shoulder season? The When to Travel to Austria guide makes it easy to decide when to travel.
3️⃣ Choosing where to go is often the most exciting part.
While Austria’s famous cities are iconic, some of the most memorable moments happen in small towns and mountain valleys.
The Top 16 Places to Visit in Austria guide blends must-see highlights with lesser-known gems, helping create a balanced and rewarding itinerary.
4️⃣ Transport planning ties everything together.
Austria’s rail and road networks are excellent, particularly when planned in advance.
Our Transport Guides explain how to use trains, how easy it is to drive in Austria, and how to get a Vignette (road Toll) pass to help you plan with confidence, making it easy to travel between cities, lakes, and alpine regions.
5️⃣ The Free 14-Day Best of Austria Itinerary
Get your 14-day itinerary for Austria, packed with top destinations, must-see sights, and practical travel tips.
Perfect for first-time visitors or those who want a structured plan without the guesswork, this itinerary helps you experience the very best of Austria in two weeks.
Sign up to receive it instantly and start planning your dream Austrian adventure.
Free 14-Day Austria Itinerary
Together, these resources form the backbone of a reliable, easy-to-use Austria travel guide designed to support independent travellers at every stage.
You can find more information to plan your Austrian Adventure in the following hubs
Planning your trip to Austria yourself?
This section gives you everything you need to plan confidently, from step-by-step travel guides and destination insights to practical tips, inspiration, and ready-to-use itineraries.
Explore each area to build your perfect Austrian adventure at your own pace.
Austria Travel Planning Made Simple
Start with the Austria Travel Planning Hub. From step‑by‑step guides to essential travel logistics and insider tips, you’ll find clear, experience‑based guidance to help you travel with confidence.
Start with planning your itinerary, learn the best time to visit, understand entry requirements, and make decisions with ease — all in one central hub.
➡️ Start planning your Austria trip with our Travel Planning Guide
Discover Austria’s Top Places to Visit
Austria’s diverse regions offer dramatic alpine landscapes, historic cities, serene lakes, and charming villages.
Whether you’re dreaming of Vienna’s imperial grandeur, the romantic streets of Salzburg, or alpine towns nestled in the mountains, our destination guides help you decide where to go and what to see
➡️ Explore Austria’s Destinations
Smart Travel tips for Austria
Skip the generic advice — get practical, insider tips that make travelling in Austria easier and more enjoyable.
Learn how to save money, navigate local customs, and avoid common travel mistakes from someone who knows Austria firsthand.
➡️ Read Austria Travel Tips
Adventure & Seasonal Inspiration
From Christmas markets and winter skiing to autumn forests and summer lakes, find inspiration for every season and style of travel. Explore guides that help you experience Austria’s best seasonal highlights and immersive activities.
➡️ Find Austria Travel Inspiration
Wanderlustria’s Austria Trip Planning Help
For those who want reassurance or personalised support, private trip planning consultations offer expert guidance tailored to individual travel styles, priorities, and comfort levels.
Whether the dream involves summer lakes and alpine hikes, winter scenery and Christmas markets, ski holidays, or Vienna’s cafés, palaces, and culture, consultations help turn ideas into realistic, well-paced itineraries.
Alongside this, free planning resources and templates are available through email sign-up, offering helpful tools and insider tips to support planning at every stage.
Expert advice to help you plan your Austria holiday.
We help you plan your dream Austrian holiday.
Book an Austria Trip Planning Consultation
The Wanderlustria Trip Planning Service provides advice on everything you need to know about planning your holiday to Austria- from hotels to tours, where to get the best tickets, train and road trips and share our favourite places and activities to ensure your Austria holiday is memorable.
Find the perfect Austria Travel Consultation for you
Travel Resources & Guides
Explore travel products, digital guides, and planning tools that make your Austria itinerary easier to build and execute — from packing lists to printable planners and more.
➡️ Visit the Austria Wanderlust Shop
Connect with Fellow Travellers
Join our vibrant Austria Travel Planning Facebook Group and newsletter, to get updates, tips, questions answered by fellow Austria lovers, and real travel stories that help you plan smarter.
Meet your Austria Travel Guide
Hi, I’m Tammy — founder of Wanderlustria and the Austria Travel Planning Facebook group.
I’ve lived in Vienna and now in an Austrian ski resort, travelled across this country, and lived on three continents.
I know how confusing travel planning can be, and I’m here to make it easier for you with local insight and real travel experience.
➡️ Learn more about us
Austria Wanderlust
Explore Our Newest Austria Travel Guide & Articles
Planning inspiration is always evolving. The latest Austria travel guides and blog articles appear here, featuring fresh ideas, updated advice, and seasonal inspiration to help travellers stay informed and inspired as plans come together.
Austrian Ski Tips: 28 Must-Know Essentials for Your Trip
Planning an Austrian ski holiday? These 28 essential tips cover ski hire, lift passes, weather, safety, and local customs to help you ski smarter and enjoy Austria with confidence.
Skiing in Austria: Best Resorts Near Salzburg
Salzburg is the perfect base for skiing in Austria, offering quick access to world-class resorts. From snow-sure glaciers to family-friendly slopes, explore the top ski destinations, insider tips, and practical planning advice for an unforgettable alpine holiday.
Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Austria
Discover where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Austria, from Vienna’s elegant balls and public celebrations to alpine fireworks, music-filled towns and magical winter settings.
Austria Ski Destinations- The Austrian Glacier Ski Resorts
Looking for snow-sure skiing in Austria? Explore Austria-Glacier-Ski-Resorts, with seven high-altitude destinations offering epic slopes, panoramic views, and long ski seasons from October to June.
How to Plan a Ski Trip in Austria
Planning a ski trip to Austria is an exciting step towards world-class slopes, alpine scenery and welcoming mountain culture.When you plan a ski trip here, you are choosing a destination renowned for reliable snow, excellent ski schools and well-organised resorts...
Austria at New Year’s: Magical Traditions
Experience Austria at New Year’s like never before, with dazzling fireworks, traditional music, festive city celebrations, and alpine winter magic for every traveller.
14 Reasons Why You Should Ski in Austria
Austria is one of the most popular Ski destinations in the world. Austria has unparalleled scenery and breathtaking mountain panoramas, excellent snow-sure slopes, first-class infrastructure and great value for money. Here are 14 reasons why you should plan your next ski trip in Austria.
14-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: The Ultimate Adventure
Experience the magic of Austria in winter with this 14-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary. From Vienna’s imperial charm to Salzburg’s music-filled squares and Innsbruck’s Alpine beauty, this route blends culture, tradition, and festive cheer for the ultimate Austrian Christmas adventure.
Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: 5, 7 & 14 Day Routes for a Magical Holiday
Discover the ultimate Austria Christmas Market Itinerary with 5, 7 and 14-day routes through Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and beyond. From glittering palaces to alpine villages, this festive guide helps you plan the perfect winter holiday through Austria’s most enchanting Christmas markets
7-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary: Highlights of Vienna, Salzburg & Innsbruck
Experience the festive magic of Austria with our 7-Day Austria Christmas Market Itinerary, a perfect route through Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. This itinerary is designed to provide a well-rounded holiday, combining the sparkle of Austria’s most famous Christmas...