Europe · Destination guide
Austria
Capital: Vienna
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: Cards accepted in cities. Cash preferred in smaller villages and mountain areas.
ATMs: Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, and UniCredit Austria ATMs reliable.
Tipping
5–10% in restaurants. Round up for taxis. Not obligatory but appreciated.
💬Language
German
Good in Vienna, Salzburg, and tourist areas. Limited in rural Styria and Tyrol.
Useful phrases
- ·Danke — Thank you
- ·Bitte — Please / You're welcome
- ·Grüß Gott — Hello (literally 'God greet you' — Austrian greeting)
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Learn some German before you go
Good in Vienna, Salzburg, and tourist areas. Limited in rural Styria and Tyrol. — even basic phrases open doors and locals appreciate the effort.
Start with these
- 1.Danke — Thank you
- 2.Sprechen Sie Englisch? — Do you speak English?
- 3.Entschuldigung — Excuse me
- 4.Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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🔌Electricity & plugs
Standard European plug.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.Grüß Gott is the standard Austrian greeting — more formal than German 'Hallo'.
- 2.Quiet hours (Ruhezeiten) are taken seriously: no noise after 22:00, no power tools on Sundays.
- 3.Viennese café culture is an art form — sitting for hours with one coffee is normal and expected.
- 4.Mountain hiking: start early, check weather, and tell someone your route. Alpine weather changes rapidly.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: A1, Magenta (T-Mobile), and Drei (3). EU visitors: free roaming included.
WiFi: Good in Vienna and cities. Mountain areas limited.
🛡️Safety
Very safe. Mountain safety is the primary concern for active visitors.
💉Health
No vaccinations required. Excellent medical care.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
133
ambulance
144
fire
122
mountain rescue
140
🚗Driving
🚆 Getting to the circuit in Austria
Train, shuttle, and race day transport guide
Explore Austria