Austria Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about Austria.Read Our Insider's Guide To Austria
Austria is well known throughout the world as the backdrop for the movie Sound of Music. Indeed, much of Austria is a paradise of snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys. However, major cities like Innsbruck and Salzburg are tourist magnets with a reputation for clean streets, world-class restaurants, and a friendly atmosphere. Vienna, the capital, reaches the top of... [Read the full story]
Our Insider's Articles about Austria
In the world of beer, Austria is almost always overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbor, Germany. But to ignore Austrian... [Read the full story]
On our recent trip to Austria, we were amazed by the beauty of this country and its historical and picturesque cities. There... [Read the full story]
About Austria
If one word could describe Austria, it would be sophisticated. Austria has been one of the world’s cultural epicenters since at least the 17th century, giving rise to philosophers, musicians, quantum physicists, economists, and writers who are, today, household names. Names like Mozart, Wittgenstein, Doppler, and Freud.
The country is one of the richest in the world; its cities, particularly Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, provide every modern luxury, from performing arts to Austrian gastronomy; their architecture includes medieval, baroque, gothic, and modern among its many styles. Austria’s famous palaces show the height of its glory. Austria is land-locked and over half the country is dominated by the Austrian Alps, which provide wildly popular ski resorts. Some of the best ski resorts providing alpine or downhill skiing are Sölden, St. Anton, and Ischgle, which are known for offering cheaper rates than French or Andorran locations. Hiking is also popular.
Traditional Austrian cuisine includes sausage, Apfelstrudel, and Wiener Schnitzel, and many of its beers and wines are world-class. Austria is part of the EU and its currency is euros. U.S. visitors do not need a visa to enter the country for visits of 90 days or less. German is the primary language, but most Austrians speak proficient English. Ticketing machines for public transportation and train travel will have English options. International rail lines connect Austria with all neighboring countries. There are over 50 airports in the country. When traveling within Austria, train, bus, and rental car are the best options. Trains are faster, and buses are usually a good option for budget travelers.
