Österreich

Top 5 Orte

1. Schönbrunn Palace · Vienna

   Habsburg summer palace with state rooms, large gardens and the Gloriette viewpoint.

2. St. Stephen's Cathedral · Vienna

   Gothic cathedral in the centre; climb the south tower for city views.

3. Salzburg Old Town · Salzburg

   Baroque old town, Hohensalzburg Fortress and Mozart's birthplace.

4. Hallstatt · Hallstatt

   Lakeside village in the Salzkammergut with salt mine tours; very crowded at midday.

5. Innsbruck and the Nordkette · Innsbruck

   Alpine city with a cable car from the centre up to mountain hiking and skiing.

Unterwegs vor Ort

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  WienMobil (Wiener Linien)

  Official Vienna app for U-Bahn, trams and buses: route planning, tickets and 24/48/72-hour passes. It also links Citybikes and some taxis. A 72-hour pass is usually cheaper than single tickets if you ride a few times a day.

• Züge

  ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)

  Main way to travel between cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz). Buy in the OBB app; early Sparschiene fares are cheapest. Westbahn is a cheaper private option on Vienna to Salzburg.

• Fahrdienst-App

  Uber

  Operates in Vienna and some other cities. Since 2021 Vienna ride apps follow a regulated fare band, so prices are close to taxis; upfront price shown in app.

• Fahrdienst-App

  Bolt

  Available in Vienna and Graz; often a little cheaper than Uber. Also offers e-scooters in Vienna.

• Taxi

  FREENOW / taxi 40100, 31300

  Official metered taxis can be booked by app or phone. Airport taxis can be pre-booked at fixed prices. The City Airport Train and the cheaper S7 train also link Vienna airport to the centre.

• E-Scooter

  Lime / Bolt / Dott

  Dockless e-scooters in Vienna and other cities, paid per minute in the app. Riding on sidewalks is banned.

• Bikesharing

  WienMobil Rad (Citybike)

  Vienna's docked bike share, rented through the WienMobil app.

Geld und Bargeld

Währung: EUR · Euro

Austria is still fairly cash-oriented. Cards and phone payments work in most shops, hotels and city restaurants, but some cafes, Heurigen (wine taverns), market stalls and mountain huts are cash only. Carry some euros. Use bank ATMs (Bankomat) and choose to be charged in EUR.

Wechselkurs nach EUR prüfen

Trinkgeld

Tipping is customary but modest in Austria: round up or add about 5-10% for table service. Menu prices already include service and VAT, so there is normally no service-charge line on the bill. Tip by telling the server the total you want to pay when you hand over money or before the card is run.

Nützliche Sätze

• Zahlen, bitte. The bill, please.
• Stimmt so. Keep the change.
• Machen Sie zwanzig, bitte. Make it twenty, please.

Umgangsformen

• Greet when entering shops and small restaurants: 'Grüß Gott' or 'Guten Tag', and say 'Auf Wiedersehen' when leaving.
• Use titles and surnames in formal settings; Austrians value politeness and punctuality.
• In coffee houses it is normal to sit for a long time over one coffee; ask for the bill when you are ready to leave.
• Most shops close on Sundays and public holidays; plan grocery shopping ahead.
• Jaywalking and crossing on red are frowned on and can be fined.
• Saunas are usually nude and mixed; towels are sat on, swimwear is often not allowed.
• Cover shoulders and remove hats in churches; keep quiet during services.

Maschen und wie du damit umgehst

• Overpriced 'Mozart concert' tickets

  Wo: Kärntner Straße, Graben, outside the State Opera and St. Stephen's, Vienna

  So funktioniert’s: Sellers in Mozart costumes sell tickets to tourist concerts in minor venues for 70-120 EUR, much more than the show is worth.

  So vermeidest du es: Book concerts directly with venues (Musikverein, Konzerthaus, State Opera standing places) and compare prices before buying.

• Fake police or ticket inspectors

  Wo: Tourist areas, trains and stations

  So funktioniert’s: People posing as police or ticket checkers ask for your ID and wallet, then return it with cash missing.

  So vermeidest du es: Ask for official ID, do not hand over your wallet, offer to go to a police station. Real Wiener Linien inspectors carry an official badge.

• Fake charity collectors

  Wo: Outdoor cafes and tourist streets

  So funktioniert’s: People with clipboards claiming to collect for deaf or disabled people ask for cash; the clipboard can also cover a phone on your table for theft.

  So vermeidest du es: Say no and keep phones off tables. Real charities do not collect cash this way.

• Three-cup (shell) game

  Wo: Busy tourist spots and bridges

  So funktioniert’s: A dealer and fake winners invite you to bet on which cup hides a ball; you never win.

  So vermeidest du es: Walk past. Watchers in the crowd are accomplices.

• 'Free' gifts and bracelets

  Wo: Streets and squares in Vienna and Salzburg

  So funktioniert’s: Someone hands you a flower, bracelet or blessing (sometimes posing as a monk), then demands money.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not accept items from strangers. If something is pushed on you, hand it back and walk away.

• Holiday rental fraud

  Wo: Online listings

  So funktioniert’s: Fake listings at low prices ask for payment by bank transfer before you see the flat.

  So vermeidest du es: Book on reputable platforms and pay only through the platform.

• Distraction pickpocketing

  Wo: U-Bahn, stations, cafes, Christmas markets

  So funktioniert’s: One person bumps or distracts you while another takes a wallet or phone.

  So vermeidest du es: Keep valuables zipped in front, especially getting on and off trains.

Sicherheit

• Crime is generally low; pickpocketing is the main risk in city centres, on public transport and in city parks after dark.
• Watch luggage when boarding and leaving trains and coaches; thieves use distraction.
• Vienna hotspots: Westbahnhof, Hauptbahnhof, Praterstern, Karlsplatz, U-Bahn lines U1 and U6, Christmas markets.
• Drinks in bars can be stronger than you expect; do not leave drinks unattended or accept them from strangers.
• In the mountains check weather and avalanche bulletins, and keep to marked ski runs. Mountain rescue is 140.
• Some motorways need a vignette (toll sticker or digital) if you drive.

Wie verbreitet Englisch ist

Widely spoken in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and ski resorts, and by younger people; less common among older people in rural areas. Austrian German has its own words (Erdapfel for potato, Servus for hi/bye).

Quellen

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Austria, safety and security
• Wikivoyage: Austria
• The Local Austria: Six tourist scams to be aware of in Austria
• Vienna Tourism: Vienna tipping guide
• Vienna Tourism: Vienna taxi and ride-sharing guide

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