Europe

Welcome to Austria

Herzlich Willkommen in Österreich

Dominated by the sensational Alps, landlocked Austria has a long history of empire building, decadence and music, and is home to the longest river in the European Union, the Danube. With Mozart as its figurehead, it fuses the nostalgic grace and splendour of previous centuries with thoroughly modern living, enriched by some of the world’s best ski slopes, stunning scenery and alpine views.

At a glance

Visa & passport

Australian citizens holding a valid passport may stay up to 90 days without a visa.

Local customs

Handshaking is customary when saying hello and goodbye. Austrians are quite formal and it is considered rude to enter a restaurant or shop without saying Grüss Gott, or to leave without saying Auf Wiedersehen. Smoking is banned in most public places.

Languages

German, English is widely spoken.

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Electricity

230V 50Hz

Travellers’ Secrets

Mozart

There are a whole host of Mozart-inspired souvenirs and gifts for your perfect Austrian memento. If you fancy a culinary treat, try Mozart’s Travel Cake. Popular in the Wolfgangsee region, it’s a delicious chocolate and nut cake wrapped in marzipan, reportedly Mozart’s favourite dish and one he used to take with him on his travels, packed in a small wooden crate.

In Salzburg you can also pick up a box of Salzburger Mozartkugeln. ‘Invented’ in 1890 by Salzburg’s master confectioner Paul Fürst, these delicious sweet treats are marzipan balls, rolled in a walnut-nougat crème and dunked in warm chocolate. They are still being produced to the original recipe by the Fürst family today.

Visiting at Christmas

If you are lucky enough to be visiting in the run up to Christmas, don’t miss one of the magical Christkindlmarkt, festive wintery markets complete with nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, fairy lights and warming mulled wine. Most towns across the country hold their own version, but the biggest are in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. Innsbruck also hosts a St Nikolas Day procession on 5 and 6 December, when St Nikolas hands out presents to the children.

Visit for free

Most churches, galleries, markets, gardens and parks in Austria can be visited for free, so take full advantage and soak up some authentic Austrian atmosphere. Some of the more popular include Mozart’s birthplace, the beautiful Mirabell Castle or Stephen’s Cathedral.

If you’re travelling with children, it’s also worth noting that kids under six years old travel for free on all public transport, and in many Austrian cities, if four children aged under 15 are travelling with a fare-paying adult, they’re all also entitled to free travel.