Getting Around Austria
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use efficient trains for Vienna and Salzburg. Rural: Rent a car for Alps exploration. Lakes: Buses and ferries. For convenience, book airport transfers from Vienna to your destination.
Train Travel
ÖBB National Rail
Efficient and punctual train network connecting all major cities with frequent services.
Cost: Vienna to Salzburg €20-40, journeys under 3 hours between most cities.
Tickets: Buy via ÖBB app, website, or station machines. Mobile tickets accepted.
Peak Times: Avoid 7-9 AM and 4-6 PM for better prices and seats.
Rail Passes
Eurail Austria Pass offers unlimited travel for 3-8 days from €109 (2nd class), or ÖBB Vorteilscard €59/year for discounts.
Best For: Multiple city visits over several days, significant savings for 3+ trips.
Where to Buy: Train stations, ÖBB website, or official app with instant activation.
High-Speed Options
Railjet connects Vienna to Salzburg, Innsbruck, and international links to Munich, Zurich, and Venice.
Booking: Reserve seats weeks in advance for best prices, discounts up to 50%.
Vienna Stations: Main station is Wien Hauptbahnhof, with connections to Westbahnhof.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Alps and rural areas. Compare rental prices from €40-70/day at Vienna Airport and major cities.
Requirements: Valid license (EU or International), credit card, minimum age 21-23.
Insurance: Comprehensive coverage recommended, check what's included in rental.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 100 km/h rural, 130 km/h highways.
Tolls: Motorways require vignettes (€9.90/10 days for cars).
Priority: Give way to right unless signposted otherwise, trams always have priority.
Parking: Blue zones require parking discs, metered parking €2-4/hour in cities.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations plentiful at €1.60-1.80/liter for petrol, €1.50-1.70 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Waze for navigation, both work well offline.
Traffic: Expect congestion in Vienna during rush hours and around Salzburg.
Urban Transport
Vienna Metro & Trams
Extensive network covering the city, single ticket €2.40, day pass €8, 24-hour card €13.
Validation: Validate tickets in orange machines before boarding, inspections are frequent.
Apps: Wiener Linien app for routes, real-time updates, and mobile tickets.
Bike Rentals
Citybike Vienna and similar in other cities, €1-5/day with stations throughout.
Routes: Dedicated cycling paths across Austria, especially in Vienna and Danube Valley.
Tours: Guided cycling tours available in major cities, combining sightseeing with exercise.
Buses & Local Services
Wiener Linien (Vienna), ÖBB Postbus (rural), and local operators provide comprehensive networks.
Tickets: €2-3 per ride, buy from driver or use contactless payment.
Lake Services: Buses and ferries connect Salzkammergut lakes, €5-10 depending on distance.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near train stations in cities for easy access, central Vienna or Salzburg Old Town for sightseeing.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for summer (June-Aug) and major festivals like Salzburg Festival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for unpredictable weather travel plans.
- Amenities: Check for WiFi, breakfast inclusion, and proximity to public transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Excellent 5G coverage in cities, 4G throughout most of Austria including rural areas.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from €5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
A1, Magenta Telekom, and Drei offer prepaid SIMs from €10-20 with good coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, supermarkets, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 5GB for €15, 10GB for €25, unlimited for €30/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and most public spaces.
Public Hotspots: Major train stations and tourist areas have free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally fast (20-100 Mbps) in urban areas, reliable for video calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET), UTC+1, daylight saving March-October (CEST, UTC+2).
- Airport Transfers: Vienna Airport 18km from city center, train to center €4.20 (16 min), taxi €40, or book private transfer for €50-70.
- Luggage Storage: Available at train stations (€5-8/day) and dedicated services in major cities.
- Accessibility: Modern trains and metro accessible, many historic sites have limited access due to alpine terrain.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains (small free, large €5), check accommodation policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Bikes allowed on trains off-peak for €3, folding bikes free anytime.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Austria
Vienna Airport (VIE) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Vienna Airport (VIE): Primary international gateway, 18km southeast of city center with train connections.
Innsbruck Airport (INN): Alpine hub 4km from city, bus to center €2.80 (20 min).
Salzburg Airport (SZG): Regional airport with European flights, convenient for western Austria.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for summer travel (June-Aug) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Munich or Zurich and taking train to Austria for potential savings.
Budget Airlines
Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air serve Vienna and secondary airports with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and transport to city center when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available, typical withdrawal fee €2-5, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist area markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted everywhere, American Express less common in smaller establishments.
- Contactless Payment: Tap-to-pay widely used, Apple Pay and Google Pay accepted in most places.
- Cash: Still needed for markets, small cafes, and rural areas, keep €50-100 in small denominations.
- Tipping: Service charge included in restaurants, round up or add 5-10% for excellent service.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchange bureaus with poor rates.