Austria

• Make sure you have a medical or travel insurance before going to Austria.

• You can easily spot an ATM after a distance of 2-5 km. So, make sure when you go out there is just enough cash that lets you commute and enjoy. Carrying excess cash can be an invitation for pick pockets.

• Strictly avoid traveling alone during the night hours.

• Make sure whenever you go in secluded trails or destinations, you are in a group.

• Don’t let anyone mislead you. Gather sufficient information whenever you are traveling to a new place.

• Stay away from drugs or narcotics in any form.

• If you are up for some trekking, do wear comfortable shoes as the trails are steep here.

• Carry your first aid kit with you.

• Trekkers must have a trekking kit with them.

• Dress appropriately if you go to a religious place.

• Don’t photograph wherever prohibited.

• Film or take videos only with permissions.  

• Hire a guide only from a reputed agency.

Austria has a continental climate and the temperature changes are moderate however at altitudes the climate is Alpine and the temperature range is harsh. Austria has cold winters and hot sunny summers.

• The best time to visit Austria depends upon your reason for visiting the country. If you wish to enjoy winter sports like skiing then November to April is recommended.
• If you want to do sightseeing and other outdoor things such as hiking, visiting national parks and sports then May to September is the best time. The warm and pleasant summer months of Austria makes it an ideal time to visit Vienna and Salzburg too.

• Flight: The only International Airport in Austria is the Schwechat-Flughafen in Vienna which is connected to almost all the major Airports around the world. Several direct as well as connecting flights such as British Airways, Finnair, Niki, Lufthansa, Jet Airways, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aeroflot, Air India, Austrian Airlines and much more ply on a regular basis from all the major cities of the world. Some European flights also land at international Airports in cities including salzburg, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck.

• Rail: Austria has a very efficient rail network that connects it to almost all the major cities in Europe and most of the neighbouring countries. Austrian Federal Railways and Eurostar offers round the clock trains that ply to Prague, Bratislava and Zurich mostly from Italy and Germany.

• Road: One can easily drive to Austria from neighbouring countries. Austria has well maintained smooth motorways and highways that are open for commutation 24 hours a day however it can get expensive.

Yes, you need a tourist visa for Visiting Austria. Austria has embassies in almost all the major cities in India and grants you a short term visa for a duration of 90 days stay with a validity of 3 months.

One needs to make a prior appointment at any of the visa application centers in Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Kolkata, or New Delhi. The applicant needs to carry original and photocopies of a govt ID card, photo ID, ICR and an authorization letter. Documents required includes bank statement of last 6 months, travel and hotel itinerary including entry and exit dates from Austria, NOC from employer, and 3 passport size photographs. Time required for processing visa applications is 15 working days minimum. The total fees for visa is INR 4540 and it is accepted only in cash.

The currency of Austria is Euro. You can exchange your currencies at banks, exchange bureaus and ATMs. However international ATMs charge a fee for using your debit card and the amount varies from bank to bank. If you are carrying amount equal to or exceeding Euro 10,000 then you must get a declaration from the custom department to avoid problems.

Austria is a beautiful country rich with activities that are distinct to the area. The top things to do in Austria include:

• Swim in beer at Starkenberger beer pools, Tarrentz
• Visit the clock museum filled with 1,000 clocks in Vienna.
• Ride a dragon train into a world of dwarves at Grottenbahn, Linz
• Stroll through useless and silly yet brilliant inventions at the Nonseum, Herrnbaumgarten
• Take a tour through royal intestines and thousands of skeletons at stephansdom crypt, Vienna.
• Dip in a variety of pools at the Aqua Dome amid the scenic Ötztal Alps.
• Spot hundreds of butterflies at the tropical paradise of Schmetterlinghaus- The Imperial Butterfly House.
• Go on a hiking trail in Tragoess and scuba dive at the Green Lake.
• Take a cable car to Eisriesenwelt, the largest ice cave in the world at Salzburg.
• Hop on to the Vienna Grand Ferris wheel and get ethereal views of Vienna.
• Climb world’s largest wooden observation deck pyramidenkogel observation deck, Carinthia.

The Austrian local cuisine has fantastically embraced ethnic influences in its cuisines which reflects in its famous dishes and desserts like Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel, Tafelspitz, Goulash, and Kaiserschmarrn.

Here is a list of some of the best places to taste the famous Austrian Dishes:

Note: It is not possible to write all the famous places to eat in Austria as it is a big country. I can however write for a particular city like Vienna or salzburg. Also it is not available on the internet.

The best public transport to commute around Austria are buses, trams and trains. Apart from these it has U-Bahns (subways) and S-Bahns (local trains). The local transport of Austria is excellent, reliable and safe. Also the tickets you buy are independent of the mode of transportation you take. So if you buy a ticket from Place A to Place B you can hop on any of three tram, bus or train to reach your destination. The tickets and passes are available at ticket machines or with tobacconists and need to be validated before boarding. The buses and trams also run at wee hours making it easier to commute at night.

The local language of Austria is German however people also speak Slovenian, Hungarian and Austrian German. Here is a list of most commonly used phrases in German that will help you in communicating with the locals.

Hello- Hallo

Thank You- Danke

Good morning- guten Morgen

Good Night- Gute Nacht

What is the price of __? - Was ist der Preis von __?

How far is __?- wie weit ist__?

Austria is home to some of the longest shopping streets with a high density of souvenir shops, Amazing streets cafes and beautiful boutiques.

Here is a list of 10 best shopping places in Austria that are unmissable.

• Graben area, Vienna pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seeds or smoked bacon
• Swarovski Kristallwelten, Tyrol famous for glass crystals, ceramic and bronze figurines
• Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna famous for Viennese “Gemütlichkeit”, and the subway.
• Landstraße, Linz famous for international flagship stores and souvenir shops.
• Maria Theresien-Straße, Innsbruck famous for its breathtaking shopping sceneries and small and large shops tucked in splendid boulevards.
• Sackstraße, Graz famous for beautiful antiques and modern and innovative arts and culture.
• Getreidegasse: Linzergasse, Salzburg famous for music store, boutique and shoe stores.
• Kaiserstraße, Bregenz famous for designer labels, street cafes and fantastic scenery of the Lake Constance and Pfänder mountain.
• Hauptstraße, Eisenstadt famous for traditional fashion stores, boutiques, cafes and jewellers.
• Kramergasse and Alter Platz, Klagenfurt famous for royal palaces, Italian architecture, shops and cafes.

Whether it is a gentle lakeside stroll, alpine walk or breath-taking high-mountain challenge, Austria offers some of the finest hiking trails for everyone.

• Hohe Tauern National Park hike
• Hike to Stuiben Waterfalls
• Hike to krimml Waterfall
• Schruns winter hike, Montafon valley
• Alpe-Adria-Trail, Carinthia
• Adlerweg hike, Tyrol
• Hiking in Zillertal Alps
• Hiking in Obergurgl Hochgurgl, Tyrol
• Wachau Welterbesteig Heritage trail
• Trail to Pfeishütte mountain
• Innsbruck hiking

What better way to experience Austrian valleys and cities than on a Boat cruise. Here is a list of some of the best boat cruising places.

• Wachau valley between Melk & krems
• Vienna to Prague
• Vienna to Budapest
• Vienna to Bratislava
• Vienna Danube
• Rhine Main Danube Channel
• Schlögener Schlinge

The alluring countryside of Austria calls for a dreamy winter holiday. Austria offers some unforgettable winter adventure with thrilling activities like cross-country skiing, Alpine skiing, ski touring, winter hiking, snowboarding and other classic winter sports. The snow activities take you to the incredible mountain ranges of Austria , dramatic snowy landscapes and sky-blue alpine lakes. The woods, open fields and the white snow covered pistes and trails offers excellent opportunities for exhilarating thrills like skiing tours and other traditional activities like dog sledging, tobogganing and horse drawn sleigh riding. The winter sports agencies and resorts nearby offers activities for skiers and non-skiers alike ensuring you never miss out on the winter fun.

Along with amazing scenery and stunning mountain ranges, Austria has several impressive lakes. These 15 Austrian lakes are definitely worth exploring.

• Lake Traunsee, Salzkammergut
• Lake Achensee, Tyrol
• Hallstätter See, Salzkammergut
• Lake Wörthersee, Carinthia
• Lake Constance, on the path of the Rhine River.
• Lake Mondsee, Salzkammergut
• Lake Wolfgang, Salzburg
• Grüner See (Green Lake), Styria
• Lake Fuschl, Salzkammergut
• Lake Plansee, Tyrol
• Lake Weissensee, Carinthia
• Lake Ossiach, Carinthia
• Lake Faak, Carinthia
• Lake Heiterwang, Tirol
• Hintersteiner See, Tirol

The undisturbed, pristine beauty of Austria is home to almost 60 Nature preserves and nature parks, 20 Alpine gardens and home to a diverse range of wildlife and birds.

• Gesäuse National Park, Admont
• Neusiedler See-Seewinkel national park, Burgenland
• National park Thayatal, north of lower Austria
• Hohe Tauern national park, on the border of Tyrol, Carinthia and Salzburg
• Kalkalpen national park, Upper Austria
• Donau-Auen national park, Vienna
• Wildlife park Aurach, Tirol
• Wildlife park Silvretta, Tyrol
• Wildlife park Wild Bichl, Niederndorfer Berg

Here are some travel trips Thrillophilia would like to offer to make your Austrian trip smooth and hassle free.

• The weather of Austria is highly unpredictable. You never know when it starts to rain or snow in peak summer. Pack clothes suitable for all weathers with you.

• The medical care in Austria is expensive. Make sure you get a health insurance if you are planning to stay longer.

• It is advisable you do not carry currency equal to or more than EURO 10,000 (in cheque or cash) with you. This might lend you in trouble.

• Off-piste skiing is highly dangerous. You must check about the weather conditions before indulging in any kind of winter sports. There is always danger of Avalanche due to heavy snow.

• Always carry your passport along with you. You require a British license, and insurance details for driving around in Austria.

• If you are traveling through a train, tram or bus make sure you validate your ticket at the machine inside the transportation service or at the station. Failing to do so can cause you to pay high, on-the-spot fine.