Austria

Travel tips for Austria: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. Recent 2025-2026 reports emphasize that Austria remains heavily cash-oriented, as many restaurants, cafes, and bars even in Vienna are cash-only or enforce card minimums, so carrying 30-50 EUR daily is highly recommended.

Try the food

  • Wiener Schnitzel: A thin, breaded, and pan-fried veal cutlet traditionally served with a lemon wedge and potato salad.
  • Sachertorte: A dense, rich chocolate cake coated in dark chocolate icing with a thin layer of apricot jam in the middle.
  • Tafelspitz: Tender boiled beef or veal simmered in a root vegetable broth, typically served with minced apples and horseradish.
  • Kaiserschmarrn: A fluffy, lightly sweetened pancake torn into bite-sized pieces, caramelized, and served with fruit compote.

Say it in German

  • Hello: Grüß Gott
  • Thank you: Danke
  • Please: Bitte
  • Excuse me: Entschuldigung
  • How much is this?: Wie viel kostet das?
  • The bill please: Die Rechnung, bitte
  • Yes / No: Ja / Nein
  • Goodbye: Auf Wiedersehen

Essentials

Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
SIM tip
Purchase a prepaid SIM card from providers like A1, Magenta, or Drei at the airport or local supermarkets, or install an eSIM prior to arrival for immediate data access.

Etiquette

When tipping in restaurants, do not leave coins on the table; instead, tell the server the total rounded-up amount you wish to pay (usually adding 5-10%) when handing over your cash or card.

Airports in Austria