15 things you need to know before going to Austria

26.05.2024 - 08:13 / lonelyplanet.com

Whenever someone asks me about my favorite country, I answer “Austria” wholeheartedly. This small but mighty place is a bottomless treasure chest and I feel honored to have grown up here and still call it home. 

There are some things you should know before embarking on your Austria adventure. With these insider tips – covering everything from transportation to table manners – and a few astounding facts up your sleeve, you'll have all the intel you need for a smooth and memorable trip.

While it might be tempting to hop over and explore Vienna on a weekend break or pass through on a whirlwind European tour, do yourself a favor and plan to stay at least an entire week in Austria. The country is so much more than its (admittedly incredible) capital. Make time to venture into the countryside and explore lesser-known places such as Steyr in Upper Austria, Leoben in Styria or Lake Millstatt in Carinthia.

The city airport train (CAT for short) is heavily advertised throughout Vienna airport, kind of implying that it’s the only option. But there are several other ways to get to the city center, including bus and express train, that are cheaper than CAT tickets. These usually won’t take longer than 25 minutes. The quickest way is to hop on ÖBB’s Railjet which will get you to the main station within 15 minutes.

Austria is well-connected train-wise. If you are planning a bigger Europe trip, or have the time and means, skip the plane and opt to arrive by train instead. There’s a plethora of options during the day and connections to more than 25 cities in seven countries with the ÖBB Nightjet.

Austria’s railway network is pretty extensive and will get you to most places comfortably and on time. Keep an eye out for Sparschiene tickets. These are discounted tickets for certain days and times. If you like to be more flexible and plan to take multiple train journeys in Austria, sign up for a Vorteilscard online. It’s €66, valid for an entire year, and entitles you to a 50% discount on all train journeys operated by ÖBB (except for night trains).

Trains, ferries and bikes: our best tips for getting around in Austria.

In Austria, you can hop on any train or tram (and even most buses) without having to show a ticket, unlike other European cities such as London. Here it’s a trust-based system. Check out ÖBB’s “SimplyGo!” app, activating your journey online before you get on the train, bus or tram and then deactivating it when you arrive. You’ll be billed the next day and won’t be caught trying to cheat the system. Be aware that the app uses GPS to help you get the cheapest ticket, so could eat your international roaming data. However, many bigger train stations and trains offer free WiFi.

Austrians love their Gebäck (pastries) in