Austria Travel Budget Guide

Discover Austria your Way

Flights 

If you are travelling from outside Europe to Austria, your flight costs are usually the largest expense of your trip.

According to experts, the lowest fares are generally found around seven weeks to three months before you travel.
The most expensive times to fly to Austria are normally during the summer season, from early June through the end of August, and the Winter Ski season, from December to the beginning of March.

If you’re not using a travel agent to book your flights, your first step is to research your options.

Internal EU Flights

Budget Airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz, Eurowings and others offer flights between major European cities for 50-200€.

To get the lowest fares, book in advance.  Most budget airlines charge for extras like seat selection, checked luggage, and onboard refreshments and have strict luggage limits.  Luggage fees and any add-ons (seat selection, extra legroom etc) are discounted when you book online with your flight reservation. Basic fares normally only include a personal item (handbag), and not meeting the luggage results in hefty charges at the gate.

Flight search websites such as Skyscanner, Omio, and Google Flights, which compare fares available at multiple airlines, are the best places to start. You can also use the monthly price view to see the average fares and to see how adjusting your travel dates affects your flight options and fares.

It is recommended that you use these sites as a research tool and book your tickets directly on the airline’s website. Booking your flights through a third party can make it more challenging to select seats, add extras or special requests, or rebook in case something changes.

Where we stay in Vienna
♥ Perfect for families, we loved staying in a Maisonette (two bedrooms over two floors) at the König von Ungarn -directly in the centre of Vienna behind Stephansdom.
♥  Motel One Staatsoper, a great mid-range choice one block from the Opera and close to everything.
♥  I also love staying at the Hotel Pension Museum in Spittelberg, directly across from the U3 Metro Stop and Museums Quartier and Theaterhotel & Suites Wien in the 8th district- where I used to live, so this hotel feels like home.
You can find more hotel recommendations in our Vienna Hotel Guide

Where we Stay in Salzburg
♥ As one of the hotels we always dreamed of staying at, we loved the famous luxury Hotel Goldener Hirsch, located directly on Getreidegasse.
♥  I enjoy staying at the charming 3-star Altstadt Hotel Hofwirt, located on the Linzer Gasse pedestrian zone-  close to everything.
♥  For budget-conscious travellers, I recommend staying at the Gästehaus im Priesterseminar. I recently stayed in the Seminary Guesthouse located less than 5 5-minute walk from Mirabell Palace and Gardens.  It offers great value close to all the major sights.

Where we Stay in Hallstatt
♥ We stayed at the fabulous Seehotel Grüner Baum, in a suite with a lakeside balcony -Perfect for romantic escapes, couples and families.
♥  Budget: I have stayed multiple times at Gasthof Simony, located next door to the Seehotel Grüner Baum. The B&B is lakeside, in the centre of Hallstatt.  There are rooms with shared bathrooms, but I recommend the Double Room with Balcony, Lake View and a private bathroom.
Check out some other  Hallstatt recommendations.
Romantic Hotels | Family-Friendly Hotels | Guest Houses and Pensions

Food & Drink 

Average prices of a two-course meal per person at a restaurant, excluding drinks

€: less than 15€

€€: 20-50€

€€€: 50-75€

€€€€:  100€+

• Glass of wine 4-12€
• Bottle of wine at a restaurant: 20€+
• Liter of the house wine: 8-20€
• Domestic Beer (0.5L): 5€
• Imported Beer (0.33L bottle): 4-8€
• Coffee: 4-6€
• Soft Drink: 4€
• Bottled water: 3-5€

Inexpensive Meals:

• Würstelstand (Sausage stand): 4-6€
• Leberkäse Semmel from the deli at a Grocery Store: 3€
• Kebab: 5-8€
• Pizza: 12-20€
• Menu (two-course daily special): 10-15€

Transportation 

Transportation costs will depend on the number of destinations you visit and how you plan to get around.

Vienna Airport to City Centre

Public Transport:

Single trip public transport ticket:  1.20 -3€

Vienna transport:  24 hr pass: 8€   72 hour or 1 week pass: 17.0€

Salzburg 24 hr public transport ticket:  4.50-6.50€

Innsbruck 1 week public transport ticket:  25.50€

Trains

ÖBB

Last minute ticket: Vienna to Salzburg 60€

Sparschiene ticket bought at least 15 days prior:  Vienna to Salzburg start at 19.90€

ÖBB Einfach-Raus day tickets for regional trains

36€ for 2 people, 40€ for 3 people, 44€ for 4 people and 48€ for 5 people

Children up to 6 ride free

Up to 15 years old on ÖBB trains: 50% of adult price

Westbahn

Last-minute ticket: Vienna to Salzburg 62€

Westsuperpreis fare booked online at least 2 weeks prior: Vienna to Salzburg 25€

Children up to 6 ride free

Up to 15 years old:  2€/child/journey

If you need information and essential tips– check out our Austria Train Guide, and our Austria Public Transport Guide. 

Car Rental 

Driving is a great way to see the towns and villages of Austria.

Expect to pay ~25-100€+€/day for car rental

Prices will depend on:

• The size of the vehicle
• Class of vehicle
• Extra charges such as travel outside of Austria, Ski racks, GPS, etc.
• Also be aware that manual transmissions are more plentiful and cheaper to rent than Automatic vehicles.

Compare car hire options HERE

Tours, Sights and Activities

Austria is beautiful with so many sights and activities to see and do- From museums to palaces and natural attractions.

Expect ~20-30€ per adult for museum and attractions tickets.

Here are some examples (current as of June 2024)

• • Kunsthistoriche Museum (Vienna):  21€ adult  kids under 19 free
  • Schönbrunn Palace  (Vienna)  Grand Tour:  32€ adults – children 6-18 :  23€
  • Schönbrunn Zoo (Vienna) :   27€  15.50€ (6-18)  children under 6 free
  • Vienna State Opera Tickets:  Stehplatz (standing Room) from 15€  Seats 50-250+€
  • Concerts:  from 30€
  • Hohensalzburg Fortress (Salzburg):  from 14.40€ (adult) / 5.90€ (child)
  • Salt mine tour (Hallstatt): 28€/ 12.50€ (children 4-15 yrs old)
  • Großglockner High Alpine Road:  Day ticket for car 43€
  • Gondola to summit of a mountain in Summer:  20-35€ (adult)
  • Ski pass:  35-70€

Tours

• • Basic 24-hour sightseeing bus ticket: from around €35
  • 4 hr group tour: 60€
  • All-day trip tour prices: ~150€ per day
  • Private day trip:  1500€-2000€+ (6 to 8 people)

City Cards

City cards may be more economical, depending on the many activities and sights.

Average prices for one day per adult

• • Vienna Pass:   80€
  • Salzburg Card:  24€
  • Innsbruck Card:  53€

Vienna Highlights

♥ Guided tour Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments at the Hofburg
♥ Schönbrunn Palace  ♥  Visit the Spanish Riding School. Have a look behind the scenes of the 60-minute Guided Tour, witness a Spanish Riding School training session of the Lipizzaners and their riders, or see a Spanish Riding School Performance.
Vienna Concerts
♥ Vienna's Opera House is world-class. Tickets go on sale two months in advance on the first day of the month and sell out quickly.  Book Vienna Opera Tickets directly
♥ The Musikverein, Vienna’s premier concert hall and home of the Vienna Philharmonic. Book Musikverein Tickets directly.
♥ Popular concerts include Vivaldi-Four Seasons by Orchestra 1756 Concert at Karlskirche and the Mozart Concert in the Golden Hall of Muzikverein.

Find more Vienna Tour and Concert Recommendations 

Salzburg Highlights

♥  Festung Hohensalzburg  Pre-book your tickets to visit the 900-year-old Salzburg Fortress- perched upon Festungberg Hill. The medieval fortress is one of the largest and best preserved in Europe.
♥ Sound of Music Tours  Find where the 'Hills are alive with the Sound of Music' on the Panorama Bus Tour (Read our Bus Tour Review).
I highly recommend the Fräulein Maria Bike Tours for a fantastic day exploring the sights in Salzburg.

♥ Concerts Enjoy classical music, operas, performances- and of course Mozart in breathtaking venues such as Mirabell Palace and Best of Mozart at the fortress.

♥ Cooking Classes and Food Tours Learn to cook Austrian Classics such as Schnitzel and Apple Strudel, Food tours and Wine or Beer Tastings 

Find more Salzburg Tour and Concert Recommendations 

Insurance 

You should always include travel and medical insurance in your travel budget. 

The cost will depend on your country of residence, coverage, age, existing conditions etc.
If you plan on going skiing, ensure your policy covers you for skiing and winter sports.

It is also recommended if you plan on hiking in the mountains to also have mountain rescue included in your policy. Twisting your ankle and requiring transport off the mountain can cost 5000€+.

Österreichische Alpenverein (Austria Alpine Club) membership provides worldwide mountain rescue insurance. Membership is 64€/year

Souvenirs & Shopping 

Do not forget to include in your budget souvenirs and shopping.  From chocolates, schnapps, and porcelain, to buying your own lederhosen or Dirndls and Swarovski crystal. 

Incidentals 

When you budget, you should factor in 20-50€/person for incidentals such as:

Internet costs: Many mobile carriers offer eSIMS (digital SIM cards), such as Airalo, which starts at ~5€ for 7 days.
Tipping:  Austrians do not tip large amounts; they normally add 5% to 15% to the bill, so it’s rounded up to a convenient number. For example, if the bill was 12.50€, you pay 14€.
Luggage Storage:  24-hour storage at Train stations are from 2-5€/piece

Public Restrooms at train stations/petrol stations:  50¢- 1€

Laundry:  Self-service laundromats are not popular in Austria.  Hotel laundry services tend to be expensive.
Parking: