Essential Austria Travel Advice – From a Local

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To make planning easier, I’ve put together a curated Austria Travel Resources page featuring the tools I personally use and recommend for flights, accommodation, trains, tours, and essential travel services across Austria.

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What You’ll Find in This Guide

Language in Austria

The official language is German, but Austrians speak their own variant called Österreichisches Deutsch (Austrian German).
This includes unique vocabulary, pronunciation differences, and subtle grammar variations.
Across the country, you’ll also encounter regional dialects that can sound quite distinct from standard German.

English is widely understood in major cities, tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants, so travellers can usually get by comfortably even if they don’t speak German.

Emergency Phone Numbers in Austria

Austria has a reliable and well-organised emergency system, making it easy for travellers to get help if needed.

The main emergency number across the European Union is 112, which connects you to police, fire, and medical services.

Within Austria, you can also call specific services directly:

  ♦  133 for the police
  ♦  144 for ambulance — for life-threatening emergencies, serious accidents, severe injuries, or acute health problems.
This 24/7 service dispatches paramedics and, if necessary, an emergency doctor for on-site care and transport to a hospital.
  ♦  141 for medical emergencies — for non-life-threatening health issues that still require urgent attention, particularly outside regular doctor hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  ♦  122 for the fire department— call for fires, rescues, or other urgent safety situations.

Keep these numbers handy when travelling, and remember that most operators speak English in major cities and tourist areas.

International Dialling From Austria

If you’re calling outside Austria from a mobile or landline, you’ll need to use the international dialling format.
The general structure is:

 + [country code] [area code without leading zero] [local number]
The plus sign (+) replaces the international access code (00) and works on mobile phones. On landlines, you can also dial 00 instead of +.

 Examples for common countries:

• United States / Canada: +1 [area code] [local number]
• United Kingdom: +44 [area code without 0] [local number]
• Australia: +61 [area code without 0] [local number]
• New Zealand: +64 [area code without 0] [local number]

 Tip for mobiles: Most smartphones let you press and hold the 0 key to get the + sign. Once saved in your contacts with the + and country code, the number will work in Austria and elsewhere.

Calling Austria from abroad:

To call Austria from outside, dial +43 followed by the area code (without the leading zero) and the local number.

Cash and Credit Cards in Austria

Electrical Plus and Power in Austria

Austria uses 230 V electricity at 50 Hz, with plug types C and F, which are standard across much of Europe.

Visitors from the UK, Australia, India, and many other countries will need a plug adapter to use Austrian sockets.

Visitors from North America will need both an adapter and a voltage converter, as their appliances typically operate on 110–120 V at 60 Hz.

Top Tip: Many modern electronics such as phone chargers and laptops are dual voltage (110–240 V), so often only a plug adapter is needed rather than a full converter.

Transport Basics in Austria

Getting around Austria is straightforward thanks to the country’s highly efficient transport network.
Trains connect all major cities and scenic regions, buses cover towns and rural areas, and taxi services can fill in the gaps. Tickets are generally easy to buy at stations, online, or via apps, but it’s helpful to understand how different services work, when to book in advance, and what passes or discounts may be available.

Austria’s public transport is reliable and punctual, making it easy to plan city-to-city travel or regional day trips.

Driving is an option, particularly if you want to explore smaller villages or the Alps, but parking and winter conditions can be challenging.

For more detailed advice and step-by-step guidance, check out:

➡️ Your complete Austria Transport Guide
➡️ Everything you need to know about Austria Trains
➡️ Austria Public Transport Guide
➡️ Driving in Austria – what to know before you hit the road

Shopping and Opening Hours in Austria

Shops in Austria are closed on Sundays and public holidays, although souvenir shops in tourist areas may remain open.
Restaurants, cafés, and bakeries are allowed to operate on Sundays and holidays, but most other stores—including grocery stores—are closed.
Grocery stores in transit hubs like airports, train stations, petrol stations, or in tourist regions such as ski resorts may open reduced hours on Sundays.

There is no 24-hour shopping in Austria.
Most shops close by 18:00–19:00 (6–7 pm).

Many restaurants and cafés have a Ruhetag, or rest day, often on Mondays or Tuesdays, so it’s wise to check opening hours before planning your visit.

Austrian grocery stores are smaller than those in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, but they stock everything you need.
The main chains are Billa, Spar, Lidl, and Hofer (Aldi in Austria).

 Important Tips for Austria Supermarkets:

 You’ll need to purchase a reusable bag at the checkout, costing 0.50–2 €.
Cashiers do not pack groceries for you, so be ready to pack your items quickly.
A simple trick is to place your items back in your shopping trolley or basket and pack them after paying.

➡️ Learn more about shopping in Austria in my Austria Grocery Store Guide

Sales Tax (VAT) Austrian prices are inclusive of taxes, so the price displayed is what you will pay.
Most products and services include VAT (Value Added Tax), typically 10–20%.

For international travellers, some shops offer a VAT refund on goods you’re taking out of Austria.
Always ask the salesperson if tax-free shopping applies, and make sure to keep the receipts for customs when leaving the country.

Tipping in Austria

Tipping in Austria is not as ingrained as in the US and is never mandatory.

Most people do leave a tip for good service, usually around 5–15%, often by rounding up the bill to a convenient number.

For example, if your bill is €12.50, you might hand over €14 and say “stimmt so” (it’s alright) or “passt schon” if you don’t want the change.
This applies in restaurants, cafés, and taxis.

Local Customs and Etiquette in Austria

Understanding Austrian customs can make your trip smoother and help you feel more confident interacting with locals.

Austrians value politeness, punctuality, and personal space.

Greeting shopkeepers, café staff, or restaurant servers with a simple “Grüß Gott” is customary in many regions, particularly in smaller towns.

Smoking is officially banned in most public places, but attitudes are more relaxed than in countries like the US, UK, or Australia. You may still notice people smoking in cafés, bars, or outdoor areas where restrictions exist, so be prepared if you are sensitive to smoke.

Queuing is expected and respected, whether at a bakery, tram stop, or ticket counter.

Loud or disruptive behaviour is generally frowned upon, especially in public transport or formal settings such as churches, museums, and concert halls.

Healthcare and Pharmacies in Austria

Healthcare: Austria has one of the best healthcare systems in Europe, and medical care is widely accessible.

EU visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or e-card) for direct access.

Non-EU tourists can access healthcare but usually need to pay upfront, with reimbursement possible through travel insurance.

If you feel unwell or are injured, you can visit a hospital (Krankenhaus) or a doctor (Arzt/Arztin).
Consultations typically cost €50–100, and most doctors and nursing staff speak English.
Your hotel or accommodation provider can help you locate the nearest hospital or doctor’s office.

If you have a non-life-threatening medical issue that requires urgent attention, such as a minor injury or acute illness outside regular office hours, you can call 141 to reach medical emergency services.

Pharmacies, called Apotheken in German, are marked by a green cross on a white background.

Medication—including painkillers—can only be purchased at Apotheken.

Standard opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:00–18:00, sometimes closed for lunch between 12:00–14:00, and Saturday 8:00–12:00.

Outside these times, a Nachtapotheke (night or weekend pharmacy) operates for emergencies.
A list of the nearest open pharmacies is usually displayed outside, or you can check on this Website for list of open Nachtapotheke

For non-urgent care, pharmacists can advise on minor ailments, over-the-counter medication, and basic health concerns—making Apotheken a helpful first stop if you don’t need a full doctor’s consultation.

Religion in Austria

Austria is predominantly Catholic. There are also smaller communities of Protestants, Muslims, and other religions, reflecting the country’s growing diversity.

Religious holidays, traditions, and festivals can influence local opening hours, so it’s helpful to be aware of key dates when planning your trip.
➡️ Check Austria’s Public Holidays and key dates 

Safety in Austria

Austria is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, with low crime levels and reliable public services.
Violent crime is rare, but petty theft can occur, especially in airports, busy tourist areas, and on public transport.
Always take sensible precautions to protect your passport, money, and credit cards, and be aware of your surroundings.

Natural hazards are minimal, though in alpine areas, winter sports enthusiasts should follow local safety advice and check weather conditions before skiing, hiking, or mountain excursions.
Standard safety rules apply in cities and towns: avoid poorly lit streets at night, keep valuables secure, and always follow local signage or guidance.

We recommend registering your trip with your embassy if your home country offers this service, and carrying basic emergency contact information with you.

Internet and Mobile Phones in Austria

Wi-Fi, known as WLAN (“Veelan” in German), is widely available across Austria. Most hotels, cafés, bars, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, making it easy to stay connected while exploring cities and towns.

Austria has a well-developed communications infrastructure, and several mobile providers offer national coverage.
Mobile signal is generally strong in urban areas, but in more remote or mountainous regions, reception can fluctuate.

For travellers, purchasing a local SIM card or an eSIM can be a simple way to ensure reliable data and phone coverage.
I personally recommend Airalo, which provides easy, prepaid eSIMs for Austria and helps avoid high roaming fees.

Before travelling, check data roaming charges with your home service provider, as international roaming can become expensive very quickly.

➡️ Learn more in my Using Your Mobile Phone in Austria Guide

Post and Mail in Austria

Austria’s postal system, Österreichische Post, is reliable, efficient, and affordable.
You can send letters, postcards, and parcels from post offices located throughout cities and towns.
Stamps are available at Post offices as well as at many Tabak shops (tobacconists), which often sell stationery items too.

Post offices generally operate Monday to Friday, 8:00–18:00, and some have limited hours on Saturdays.

For sending postcards or parcels from popular tourist areas, you’ll usually find conveniently located post boxes marked with the orange Österreichische Post logo.

Time Zone and Time in Austria

Austria uses the 24-hour clock, so 2 pm is written as 14:00 and 8 pm as 20:00.

A common linguistic tip for travellers: in German, saying “halb drei” means 2:30, not 3:30 — it literally means “halfway to three.”

Austria is in the Central European Time Zone (CET, GMT+1), which is one hour ahead of London time.

Austria also observes Daylight Saving Time, moving clocks forward one hour in late March and back again in late October, so be sure to adjust when planning travel, train departures, or appointments.

Weights and Measure in Austria

Austria uses the metric system for all measurements.

Distances are measured in metres (m) or kilometres (km), with 1 km approximately equal to 0.62 miles.

Speed limits on roads are posted in kilometres per hour (km/h) — for example, 100 km/h is roughly 62 mph.

Weights are measured in grams (g) and kilograms (kg), with 1 kg equalling about 2.2 pounds.

Understanding these conversions can help when shopping, cooking, or driving in Austria, and ensures you interpret labels, signs, and road rules accurately.

Water in Austria

Austrian tap water is of excellent quality and safe to drink throughout the country.
Unless otherwise advised, you can refill your bottle straight from the tap.

Bottled water is widely available in supermarkets, kiosks, and shops if you prefer.
In Vienna, water refill stations are located across the city, making it easy to stay hydrated while exploring. 

Tip: Most restaurants and cafés will serve bottled water by default.  If you want tap water, ask for “Leitungswasser”.

Ice in drinks is uncommon in Austria, so American travellers accustomed to heavily iced beverages may notice a difference.

Tourism Info Points in Austria

Every Austrian city, town, and tourist region — including ski resorts — has a Tourism Information office and website.
These are excellent sources for maps, event listings, seasonal advice, and guidance on local attractions.

Most websites and offices offer English-language information, along with other languages, making it easy for international visitors to plan their activities.

You can usually find the nearest office by searching online with the city, town, or ski resort name followed by “Tourismus”.

Tourism offices can provide printed city maps, public transport guidance, and seasonal tips, helping first-time visitors orient themselves and make the most of their trip.

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