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Austria Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Things to Do, Costs & Travel Tips

Austria Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Things to Do, Costs & Travel Tips

Raj Kumar

Posted on February 21, 2024

Austria is the heart of Europe, where fairy tales come to life. It is a land where imperial history meets breathtaking alpine beauty. From Vienna’s grand palaces and world-class music scene to Salzburg’s baroque charm and the snow-capped peaks of Tyrol, Austria promises a travel experience that looks like it belongs on a postcard. From must-see attractions and travel tips to budget insights and visa information, this comprehensive Austria travel guide covers everything you need for your dream Austrian vacation. Whether you're a history buff, an adventure seeker, or someone who simply wants to experience European charm at its finest, this Austria tourism guide will help you explore like a local. 

Key Takeaways

Austria offers a perfect blend of imperial history, Alpine scenery, and classical music heritage, making it ideal for culture lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.

The best time to visit Austria is during spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds, though winter is perfect for skiing.

Indian travellers can expect to spend Rs. 1,50,000-2,50,000 per person for a 7-day Austria trip, including flights, accommodation, and sightseeing.

Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Innsbruck are the must-visit destinations, each offering distinct experiences from palaces to lakeside villages.

Austria's excellent public transport system, especially trains, makes it easy to explore the country without renting a car.

Best Time to Visit Austria (Season-by-Season Guide)

Austria offers something special in every season, from blooming alpine meadows in spring to magical Christmas markets in winter. Your best time to visit Austria depends on your interests in cultural sightseeing, skiing or festival hopping.

Weather and Seasonal Guide

Summer in Austria (June–August) icon

Summer in Austria (June–August)

Summer offers warm weather with temperatures ranging between 20-30°C. These conditions lay the perfect conditions for city exploration, scenic drives and outdoor activities. The long daylight hours make Alpine hiking trails fully accessible, while the cities buzz with outdoor cafes and festivals.

Winter in Austria (November–March) icon

Winter in Austria (November–March)

Austria in November is transformed into a snow-covered wonderland. The Austrian Alps come alive as temperatures drop to around -5°C. The Christmas markets in Vienna and Innsbruck create magical atmospheres and bring in the festive charm.

Top Tourist Attractions in Austria

The best attractions in Austria are a perfect blend of historical grandeur, musical heritage and natural beauty.

Iconic Landmarks

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Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Vienna, the capital of Austria, was once home to the Habsburg monarchs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the Habsburgs' ...Read more
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Hofburg Palace, Vienna

The complex is the former imperial winter palace Habsburg dynasty.  This imperial complex now houses museums and the ...Read more
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Hohensalzburg Fortress, Salzburg

The fortress is the largest fully preserved medieval
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Hallstatt Village

Hallstatt is a picture-perfect lakeside village in the Salzkammergut region is one of the most iconic destinations in Austria. ...Read more

Best Things to Do in Austria

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For Culture & History Lovers

Austria's imperial past and artistic legacy offer endless cultural experiences. The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna displays ...Read more
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For Adventure Seekers

The Austrian Alps provide year-round adventure opportunities. Winter presents snow-covered mountain slopes, comfortable for all ...Read more
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For Nature Enthusiasts

Beyond the famous Alps and grand boulevards, Austria offers diverse natural beauty. The Krimml Waterfalls, which rank among the ...Read more
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For Food & Wine Lovers

Vienna's coffee house culture is a UNESCO-recognised tradition where you can taste the delicious and diverse range of Austrian ...Read more

Austria Transportation and Getting Around

The Vienna International Airport (VIE) is Austria's main gateway, with connections from major Indian cities. 

How to Get Around Austria

  • Trains: Austria's train network is efficient and connects every destination. Austria’s ÖBB network (Austrian Federal Railways) operates modern trains and connects major cities efficiently.
  • Rail Pass: The Eurail or ÖBB Rail Pass allows unlimited train travel for 3-8 days within one month. It is ideal if you are exploring multiple regions and want the flexibility to travel to the neighbouring countries.

Where to Stay in Austria (Hotels by Budget)

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Luxury Hotels (Rs. 20,000+ per night)

Hotel Sacher Wien (Vienna), InterContinental Vienna, Hotel Goldener Hirsch (Salzburg), Grand Hotel Zell am See, Aqua Dome Hotel ...Read more
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Mid-Range Hotels (Rs. 10,000-15,000 per night)

25hours Hotel at MuseumsQuartier (Vienna), Motel One Salzburg, AC Hotel by Marriott Innsbruck, Hotel Mozart (Vienna), Hotel ...Read more
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Budget Hotels (Rs. 5,000-7,000 per night)

Meininger Hotel Vienna Downtown, a&o Salzburg Hauptbahnhof, Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna, Star Inn Hotel Salzburg Zentrum, ...Read more

Austria Trip Cost & Budget Planning

Travel Style

Average Daily Cost

Includes

Budget Travellers

Hostels, local meals, public transport

Great for backpackers

Mid-Range Travellers

3-star hotels, mixed dining, day tours

Ideal for most travellers

Luxury Travellers

4–5-star hotels, fine dining, private transfers

For a premium experience

Austria Visa for Indian Travellers

Indian travellers require a Schengen Visa to visit Austria. The Austrian Schengen visa allows travel throughout the 27-country Schengen area for up to 90 days.

  • Application Process: Apply at the Austrian Embassy or VFS Global visa centres.
  • Processing time: 10–15 working days
  • Documents required: Valid passport, confirmed hotel bookings, return flight tickets, bank statements and travel insurance.

Essential Austria Travel Information

Essential

Details

CurrencyEuro (€)
VisaSchengen Visa for Indian travellers
Main AirportsVienna International (VIE), Salzburg (SZG), Innsbruck (INN)
TransportationÖBB trains, trams, buses; Rail passes available
Weather0–5°C in winter, 15–27°C in summer
Emergency NumbersPolice: 133, Ambulance/Fire: 144
LanguageGerman (English is widely spoken in tourist areas)

Why Book Your Austria Tour with Pickyourtrail?

Austria is one of the most enchanting destinations in Europe, where history, culture and natural beauty blend in perfect harmony. From Vienna's imperial palaces to Hallstatt's fairy-tale lakeside setting, from Salzburg's baroque architecture to Innsbruck's mountain adventures, an Austria trip offers diverse experiences that appeal to every type of traveller. Start your imperial grandeur to this Alpine beauty seamlessly by booking your Austria Tour Package with Pickyourtrail. We offer customisable Austria itineraries that can be tailored to your interests and a 24/7 concierge support to ensure a hassle-free experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Austria Travel

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We had a wonderful Europe trip overall and created some unforgettable memories. The itinerary covered all the major attractions and was well planned. A special mention to our trip captains, who were very helpful, supportive, and managed the group efficiently throughout the journey. The Indian lunch and dinner arrangements were also good and made the trip comfortable, especially after long travel days. Thank you, PickYourTrail and the team, for making this a memorable vacation. Wishing you all the best!

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We recently returned from an unforgettable vacation across Central Europe, covering the stunning cities and towns of Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt. Every single moment of the trip was scenic, soul-enriching, and filled with memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. The entire journey was not only beautiful but also incredibly well-curated, with thoughtful personalization at every step. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire team who made this experience seamless and special. A huge shoutout to Prajesh, who was the backbone of our itinerary planning. From the initial stages, he meticulously curated each detail of our trip from bookings, intercity transfers, and accommodation to local activities and sightseeing recommendations. His inputs reflected a deep understanding of our preferences and ensured we got to experience the best each destination had to offer. We are also very thankful to Mr. Vijay, who made the visa arrangements smooth and worry-free. International travel can be stressful, especially when it comes to documentation, but thanks to his support, everything was handled professionally and efficiently. A special mention to Arya, our assigned custodian, whose support added an extra layer of comfort throughout our travels. What truly made our experience exceptional was the 24x7 support from Mr. Dinesh. No matter the time of day, he was always just a message away. Whether it was a quick clarification or assistance with a minor on-ground issue, he responded promptly, always gave us a clear timeline for resolutions, andmost importantlykept his word. He also proactively checked in with us daily to ensure everything was going well. His constant support provided us peace of mind and allowed us to enjoy our vacation without a worry. Overall, this trip was more than just a holiday it was an experience beautifully crafted by a dedicated team. We couldnt have asked for a better travel partner. Thank you once again for turning our dream vacation into reality. Were already looking forward to planning our next trip with you! Warm regards, Ganesh

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I was looking for a travel agency with a custom tours of Europe for a travelers and came across Pickyourtrail. They provide me the customized package according to my requirements and let me plan my itinerary. They gave me the freedom to choose my hotels, fights and the activities. Dinesh was my associate the time I was travel he was with me 24x7 during my journey and provide me assistance and even though he helped me when the airlines cancelled the flights but he make sure that I will get the next flight possible. Visa team also provide great assistance specially Rinchen he checked all the documents required for the Visa and suggests his guidance, as there motto Hassle free travel my trip was also Hassle free.

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Our trip to Austria was such an amazing experience just because of PYT team perfect itinerary, prompt support. This was my first Europe trip,so I was looking for reliable team with pocket friendly qoutes. Surprisingly I found PYT ticked all the boxes. Made my trip memorable,comfortable. PYT app. The best travel app. Im impressed with it,thoughtfully designed, very much useful.Everything is handy from vouchers of flight tickets, activities, transports ,direction to the attractions boarding points of activities to currency converter,translator, packing list . Best part is the customization. App allows to customize the itinerary the way we want. Starting from planning the trip ,Visa application to completion of the trip support and cooperation was fabulous. Support team was quick prompt to respond my each and every query during my trip. Thank you surya, arumai and for support during the trip Karan and team

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