Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the Alps in the west to the Danube Basin in the east. One of the world's premier skiing regions, it is also noted for its historical buildings, world-class museums and galleries, and breathtaking mountain scenery.

The country's glorious architectural riches include reminders of the once-powerful Hapsburgs, who dominated central Europe for seven centuries. The capital, Vienna, is magnificent with its ornate Opera House and the imperial Hofburg. Austria's other cities are similarly infused with historical magic, notably Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg, with stunning baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, and Innsbruck, in the centre of Austria's Alps.

Austria has produced and inspired a catalogue of cultural figures. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Austria - and, in particular, Vienna - became a focal point of the cultural renaissance. Remnants of Mozart's legacy are everywhere. However, Austria has also yielded people such as artists Klimt and Schiele, composers Mahler and Schubert, psychologists Freud and Rank, and philosophers such as Husserl and Wittgenstein.

Austria is a hothouse of striking contemporary architecture and is at the forefront of engineering, invention and design. It enjoys an enduring reputation for music, literature and the arts; visitors are just as likely to find Alpine New Wave punk-rock as they are yodelling. Gourmet culture is evident in the cafes where coffee-drinking has been raised to a high art. Nightlife is versatile, offering laid-back taverns, beer gardens and excellent après-ski, trendy clubs and dance venues.

Celebrations marking events such as the recent 250th anniversary of Mozart's death and Haydn's 200th anniversary in 2009 underline Austria's desire to embrace its rich past. Yet it also proudly fosters its contemporary cultural and social scene. Regardless, staring at a classic Austrian landscape is a reminder that some things are timeless.

Passport/Visa

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. British nationals whose passport should be valid for intended length of stay.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

Austria is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period, provided passport is valid;
(b) 3. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for the purposes of business or tourism for stays of up to three months. For stays longer than three months an entry permit must be applied for which is valid for up to six months.
(c) 4. holders of the following British passports do need a visa: British subject (without right of abode in the UK); British Dependent Territories; British Overseas Citizens; British Protected Persons.

Money

Currency

Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency Exchange

Foreign currencies and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at all banks, savings banks and exchange counters at airports and railway stations at the official exchange rates.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Major credit cards are accepted in large cities. However, some smaller hotels may require bills to be paid in cash.

Traveller's Cheques

These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in a major currency (Euros, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling).

Banking Hours

Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 0800-1230 and 1330-1500; Thurs 0800-1230 and 1330-1730. Different opening hours may be kept in the various federal provinces. The exchange counters at airports and at railway stations are generally open from the first to the last flight or train, which usually means 0800-2200 including weekends.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Health

Vaccinations

Other Risks

Ticks often live in heavily forested areas during the summer months in some of the more easterly parts of Austria and can create discomfort and, in very rare cases, serious infection to people who are bitten. Tick-borne encephalitis is endemic and travellers likely to find themselves in wooded areas from spring to autumn should take a course of injections. Rabies is present in Austria, although there have been no incidents reported in recent years. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten seek medical advice without delay.

Health Care

If European visitors or any of their dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to Austria, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Full travel insurance is advised for all travellers.

Getting There

Getting There by Air

Austria has two national airlines, both part of the Austrian Airlines Group (website: www.aua.com): Austrian Airlines (OS) and Austrian Arrows (VO).

Approximate Flight Times

From London to Innsbruck is 2 hours, to Salzburg is 1 hour 45 minutes, to Vienna is 2hours 10 minutes; from New York to Vienna is 9 hours.

Main Airports

Vienna (VIE) (Wien-Schwechat) (website: www.viennaairport.com) is 18km (11 miles) southeast of the city. To/from the airport: Airport buses run between the airport and the South Train and West Train Station (journey time – 30 minutes). Rail service is available at frequent intervals to and from stations. Local rail (S-Bahn) services also run to the city centre (journey time – 25 minutes). The City Airport Train travels express from the City Airport Terminal located at Vienna Mitte (journey time - 16 minutes). Taxis are available to the city and can be found north of the Arrivals Hall. A chauffeur-driven car service is also available from the Arrivals Hall. Facilities: Duty-free shops, banks, bureaux de change, post office, restaurants, cafes, left luggage, conference facilities, medical facilities, tourist information, car hire, car park and nursery.

Innsbruck (INN) (Kranebitten) (website: www.innsbruck-airport.com) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) west of the city. To/from the airport: Bus services are available every 10 minutes to the city centre (journey time – 15 minutes). Taxi services are also available. Facilities: Duty-free shopping, currency exchange, restaurant, medical facilities and car hire.
 
Salzburg (SZG) (Maxglan) (website: www.salzburg-airport.com) is 4km (2.5 miles) west of the city. To/from the airport: Bus line 77 connects to the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) in the city centre (journey time – 20 minutes). It is also possible to go by train (journey time - 15 to 20 minutes). Taxis are available from the front of the main building (journey time – 15 minutes). Some hotels have courtesy coaches. Facilities: Duty-free shopping, currency exchange, post office, restaurants and snack bars, bar, left luggage, conference rooms and car hire.

Klagenfurt (KLU) (Wörther See) (website: www.klagenfurt-airport.at) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available. Facilities: Bar, duty-free shop and car hire.

Linz (LNZ) (website: www.linz-airport.at) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxi and bus services are available. Facilities: Bar, duty-free shop, bank and car hire.
 
Graz (GRZ) (website: www.flughafen-graz.at) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. To/from the airport: Taxis are available to the city. Buses operate and there are hourly train services. Facilities: Bar, restaurant, bank and car hire.

Departure Tax

Included in ticket price.

Getting There by Water

DDSG-Blue Danube Schiffahrt (website: www.ddsg-blue-danube.at) operates a passenger service on the Danube from Germany (Passau) to Vienna. 

The German operator Wurm und Köck (tel: (732) 783 607; website: www.donauschiffahrt.at) offers both passenger services and cruises to Linz. Evening and music cruises are available in the summer. 

DDSG-Blue Danube Schiffahrt also operates a hydrofoil service from the Praterlande hydrofoil dock in Vienna to Hungary (Budapest; journey time – 6 hours). Brandner (tel: (7433) 259 021; website: www.ms-austria.at) concentrates its services between Melk and Krems. A regular hydrofoil service also runs daily during the summer months from Vienna to the Slovak Republic (Bratislava; journey time – 1 hour 30 minutes).

International rail tickets are valid on Danube river boats. More information on the above services, and connections to Serbia (Belgrade), Turkey (Istanbul) and Ukraine (Yalta), can be obtained from the Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).

Getting There by Rail

Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (Austrian Federal Railways) (tel: (1) 930 000; website: www.oebb.at) operates a wide network of trains throughout and beyond Austria. International connections from Vienna include trains to Germany (Berlin), to the Russian Federation (Moscow, via Warsaw/Kiev and Minsk), to Romania (Bucharest, via Budapest), to Greece (Athens) or Turkey (Istanbul, via Belgrade) and to Italy (Venice, Milan or Rome). The most common routes are from Brussels or Paris (Eurostar connection from London) to Vienna (see below for further details).

Eurostar
Eurostar (tel: 0870 518 6186, in the UK; website: www.eurostar.com; or Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk) operates direct high-speed trains from London (St Pancras International) to Paris (Gare du Nord) and to Brussels (Midi/Zuid). It takes 2 hours 15 minutes from London to Paris (via Lille) and 1 hour 51 minutes to Brussels. From Brussels, there is a morning and a night train to Vienna (journey time - 13 hours); from Paris (Gare de l'Est), there are two trains to Vienna (journey time - 14 hours 45 minutes).

Rail Passes

InterRail: offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European countries for European residents of over six months with two pass options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month in any of the countries except Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).

Eurailpass: offers unlimited first-class train travel in 17 European countries. Tickets are valid for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months. The Eurailpass Saver ticket offers discounts for two or more people travelling together. The Eurailpass Youth ticket is available to those aged under 26 and offers unlimited second-class train travel. The Eurailpass Flexi allows either 10 or 15 travel days within a two-month period. The Eurail Selectpass is valid in three, four or five bordering countries and allows five, six, eight or 10 travel days (or 15 for five countries) in a two-month period. The Eurail Regional Pass allows four to 10 travel days in a two-month period in one of nine regions (usually two or more countries). Children receive a 50% reduction. The passes cannot be sold to residents of Europe, Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia or the Russian Federation. Available from The Eurail Group (website: www.eurail.com).

Getting There by Road

Coach: Coaches run regularly to a large number of European destinations. Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services from the UK to Austria. Passes: Travellers can buy a 15- or 30-day pass.

The Channel Tunnel: Eurotunnel (tel: 0870 535 3535, in the UK; website: www.eurotunnel.com) runs shuttle trains for cars, bicycles, motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles over 1.85m (6.07ft) between Folkestone in Kent, with direct road access from the M20, and Calais, with links to the A16/A26 motorway (Exit 13). All road vehicles are carried through the tunnel in shuttle trains running between the two terminals. The journey takes about 35 minutes from platform to platform and around one hour from motorway to motorway. There are up to four passenger shuttles per hour at peak times, 24 hours per day and services run every day of the year.

Car ferry: There are regular ferry services across the English Channel. The quickest and most practical route from London to Vienna is via the Dover-Calais ferry (crossing time - 1 hour 30 minutes). The distance by road is approximately 1,600km (1,000 miles). It is one day's drive in summer, but can take longer in winter. Munich is 4-5 hours from Vienna; Milan and Zurich are a good day's drive.

Climate

Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports.

Required Clothing

European clothes according to season. Alpine wear for mountain resorts.

Contacts

Austrian Embassy in the UK

18 Belgrave Mews West, London SW1X 8HU, UK
Tel: (020) 7245 6689 for visa enquiries or 7344 3250.
Website: www.austria.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (personal callers); 0900-1645 (telephone enquiries); 0900-1200 (visa section); 1400-1600 (telephone visa enquiries).

Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) in the UK

9-11 Richmond Buildings, off Dean Street, London W1D 3HF, UK
Tel: (020) 7440 3830 or 0845 101 1818 (holiday information and brochure request line).
Website: www.austria.info/uk or www.austriatourism.com/uk
No personal callers.

Embassy of the Republic of Austria in the USA

3524 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 895 6700 or 6711 (consular section).
Website: www.austria.org

Austrian Tourist Office (ATO) in the USA

120 West 45th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10036, USA
Tel: (212) 575 7723 or 944 6880.
Website: www.austria.info/us or www.austriatourism.com/us