What is the best time to visit Austria?

The best time to visit Austria depends on your priorities. Many travellers visit year-round, though spring and autumn typically offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds at popular attractions like Schloss Schönbrunn. Check weather patterns for Europe before booking.

What currency does Austria use?

Austria uses the euro (€). Exchange at banks or airports, and withdraw from ATMs with your debit card. Credit cards are accepted in most tourist areas.

What food should I try in Austria?

Wiener Schnitzel is one of Austria's most iconic dishes. Other must-try foods include Sachertorte and Tafelspitz. Eat where locals eat for the best experience.

How many countries can visit Austria visa-free?

93 countries can enter Austria without a visa, typically for up to 90 days. Check the full list and your specific requirements above.

Is Austria safe for tourists?

Austria is generally safe for tourists with normal precautions. As in any country, stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying expensive items, and use registered transport. Check current government travel advisories before your trip.

Austria

Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe…

Capital

Vienna

Language

German

Currency

euro (€)

Population

9.2M

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Visa-free access

93 countries

Travelling to Austria

Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, of which.

Austria is located in Central Europe, Europe. The capital is Vienna, and the official language is German. The local currency is the euro (€). With a population of 9.2M, Austria is a smaller country in Europe.

Austria offers visa-free entry to 93 countries, with most stays allowed for up to 90 days. The remaining 105 passport holders need to apply at an embassy.

Top places to visit in Austria

Schloss Schönbrunn

The 1;441-room Baroque summer residence of the Habsburgs represents the zenith of imperial grandeur; the Great Gallery features gilded stucco and frescoes by Gregorio Guglielmi completed in 1761; walk the gravel paths toward the Gloriette at 7 am before the gates open to the general public; the light hits the ochre facade with a clinical; golden precision while the scent of pruned boxwood hangs in the humid morning air.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

One of the largest fully preserved medieval castles in Europe; this 1077 stronghold dominates the Festungsberg at 506 metres elevation; the Golden Hall features late-Gothic woodcarvings and twisted marble columns; stand on the Kuenburg Bastion at dusk when the Salzach river reflects the fading violet sky; the sound of cathedral bells from the Altstadt below rises as a rhythmic; metallic echo against the limestone walls.

Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut

A 7;000-year-old salt mining landscape where timber-framed houses cling to a precipitous strip of land between the Hallstätter See and the Dachstein massif; the skywalk at 350 metres offers a vertical perspective of the glacial fjord; arrive at the northern waterfront at sunrise when the mist peels off the black water; the silence is so absolute you can hear the creak of wooden oars from a distance.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

An 1891 Neo-Renaissance temple of art built to house the primary Habsburg collections; the Imperial Staircase features a ceiling fresco by Mihály Munkácsy and works by Klimt; stand in the Bruegel Room at 10 am when the natural light from the high clerestory windows illuminates the tactile details of The Hunters in the Snow; the smell of floor wax and old oil paint defines the hushed; cavernous galleries.

Stift Melk

A massive Benedictine abbey perched on a granite outcrop overlooking the Danube; rebuilt in the 18th century as a Baroque masterpiece of yellow and white masonry; the Library contains 100;000 volumes beneath a Paul Troger fresco; enter the Marble Hall at noon when the sunlight strikes the gilded altarpiece; the scale of the gold-leaf ornamentation is aggressive enough to overwhelm the visual field.

Großglockner Hochalpenstraße

A 48-kilometre high-alpine road peaking at 2;504 metres; cutting through the Hohe Tauern National Park toward Austria's highest peak; the Pasterze glacier appears as a fractured; blue-grey river of ice below the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe; drive the hairpins at 6 am to catch the marmots emerging on the tundra; the air is thin; biting; and smells of cold shale and ancient snow.

See all 20 places in Austria →

What to eat in Austria

Explore all Austria dishes →

Austria visa requirements

Visa-free

105

Visa required

Countries that can visit Austria visa-free

93 countries can enter without a visa, usually for up to 90 days.

Europe

Asia

United Arab Emirates90d

Americas

Oceania

Before you go to Austria

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Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. Austria immigration may refuse entry otherwise.

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Proof of onward travel

Carry a return or onward flight ticket. Airlines and border officers may ask to see it before allowing you to board or enter.

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Currency: euro

The local currency is €. Exchange major currencies at the airport or city banks. ATMs are widely available in urban areas.

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Language: German

German is the primary language. English is spoken in tourist areas and major cities.

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Power & connectivity

Check Austria's plug type and voltage before packing. Buy a local SIM card at the airport for affordable data.

Power plug guide →SIM card guide →

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Check your visa for Austria

Select your passport for an instant result.

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Austria 7-day itinerary

AI-generated day-by-day travel plan.

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Explore Austria

20 places, 5 dishes, and more.

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FAQ · Austria

Austria — your questions

It depends on your passport. 93 countries can enter Austria visa-free. Everyone else needs an embassy visa. Use the WorldCurio visa checker for your specific passport.