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The 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Austria

The 10 Things to Know Before Traveling to Austria

As a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, Austria is an increasingly popular tourist destination; and just because it's close to home doesn’t mean you should go without some prior knowledge.

Austria is easily accessible for any French traveler. While you don’t necessarily need specialized knowledge before arriving, it’s always interesting to learn a bit about the customs and traditions of the country you're visiting. That’s why we've put together some interesting (and hopefully useful) information about Austria. We cover customs, specialties, language, landscapes, and more. Who knows, you might learn something new.

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1. Austrian (the Language) Doesn’t Exist!

Salzbourg
Salzbourg - ©Foxtrotteurs

In Austria, people don’t speak Austrian but German—or more specifically, Austrian German. This language, derived from German, is mainly distinguished by its pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

But if you don’t speak German or Austrian German, don’t worry; they also speak very good English, so you should have no trouble being understood!

2. Austria is Like Switzerland But Better

View from Olpererhütte in Austria
View from Olpererhütte in Austria - ©Foxtrotteurs

In Austria, you’ll enjoy the same kind of scenery as in Switzerland—mountains, lakes, forests, and wide-open plains—but without the Swiss and their famously legendary friendliness (apologies to any Swiss readers, this may be an overgeneralization, but we really had some less-than-friendly encounters during our visit there) or all their money (yes, Austria is more affordable than Switzerland!).

Austria is a perfect mix of stunning landscapes for hiking, rich art (particularly classical music, more on that later), history (after all, it’s the country of Empress Sissi), and beautiful cities.

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3. The Country of Classical Music

Mozart's Birthplace in Salzburg
Mozart's Birthplace in Salzburg - ©Foxtrotteurs

Austria is famous for its classical music. The country has been home (whether by birth or by adoption) to some of the greatest musicians and composers of all time: Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Brahms, Gluck, Schoenberg… It’s become a temple of classical music, and even today, you can enjoy concerts and performances, whether at the Opera, in churches, during ball season, at festivals, or even at the New Year’s Concert.

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4. Ball Season in Austria: A True Institution

Dancing Couple
Dancing Couple - ©Thomas Ae/Unsplash

The Viennese balls are a true tradition and cultural heritage that has endured for centuries. In Vienna, the capital, over 400 balls are held each winter, attracting Austrians and foreign dance and classical music enthusiasts, as well as romance lovers. Between January and February, two months of little rituals (dress code, opening fanfare, dance sequence, interludes…) unfold to everyone’s delight.

However, seeing and participating in these balls comes at a cost: entry fees are over €100 per person, not to mention the requirement to know how to dance the Viennese waltz (which can be learned in accelerated courses called Ball-Blitzkurs, offered once a week), and you'll need suitable attire (evening gowns for women and tailcoats for men).

5. A Country Loved for Its Ski Slopes

Austria Ski Resort
Austria Ski Resort - ©Daniel J Schwarz/Unsplash

Let's talk about skiing in Austria. While we haven't tried it ourselves, we’ve heard it’s a top destination for high-quality ski slopes. If you're a ski lover, this could be a sign to make Austria your next travel destination!

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6. Newspapers Are Self-Serve in Austria

Newspapers in Austria
Newspapers in Austria - ©Foxtrotteurs

While in Vienna, we noticed self-serve newspapers on street poles. They aren’t free, but it's based on a trust system where you’re meant to pay at a designated spot before taking a paper. It's charming to see, as it would be nearly unthinkable in France.

7. Austria Has Many Culinary Specialties

Frittatensuppe
Frittatensuppe - ©Foxtrotteurs

If you’re coming to Austria and enjoy food, you won’t be disappointed, as there are many local specialties:

  • Viennese pastries.
  • Viennese coffee.
  • Mozartkugeln: signature chocolate balls filled with praline or other flavors, featuring Mozart.
  • Austrian cheeses, like Chorherrenkase, Gailtaler Almkäse, Glünder, etc.
  • Speck: an Austrian cured meat.
  • Austrian wines: Alzinger, Bründlmayer, Kollwentz, etc.
  • Leberknöde Suppe: a semolina dumpling soup.
  • Frittatensuppe: a vegetable broth with thin crepe strips inside.
  • Knödel: potato, bread, or semolina dumplings, sometimes stuffed, accompanying various dishes.
  • Schweinebraten: pork roast with garlic and cumin (often served with Knödel and sauerkraut).
  • Rindsrouladen: beef roulade stuffed with bacon and pickles.
  • Gulasch: beef braised with onions and paprika.
  • Beuschel: an offal stew in a sour cream sauce.
  • Wild game: venison, hare, or wild duck with cranberry compote, available only in autumn.
  • Salzburger Nockerln: a sweet, creamy soufflé in mountain shapes.
  • Apfelstrudel: classic apple and cinnamon strudel.
  • Sacher Torte: a chocolate and apricot cake.
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8. At Restaurants, Bread and Starters Are Not Free

Restaurants in Salzburg
Restaurants in Salzburg - ©Foxtrotteurs

In Austria, bread and amuse-bouches served at the start of a meal are billed (similar to Portugal), adding an extra €2–€6 to the meal cost.

Service tips are also expected in restaurants. Often included in the bill (10–15% of the total), sometimes they’re not, in which case remember to leave an appropriate tip.

Another tip we found in our research: at high-end hotels, it’s customary to tip €1 per bag to the porter.

Find the Best Accommodation in Austria

 

9. You need a vignette to drive on highways and expressways

If you're bringing your own vehicle into the country, you’ll need to purchase a vignette (or e-vignette) to drive on highways and expressways.

These vignettes can be purchased:

  • At authorized sales points, mostly gas stations. You can find the official list here: https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/sales-outlets/
    The vignette takes effect immediately or on a chosen date.
  • Online via the official website: https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/vignette/
    However, you need to buy it at least 20 days in advance for it to be valid. Be cautious and only use the official website, as there are many fraudulent third-party sites that overcharge and do not sell legitimate vignettes.

Since we hadn’t researched this in advance, we panicked a bit when we realized, mid-trip, that we couldn’t get a vignette valid for the same day. Luckily, gas stations issue vignettes that can be used immediately—super convenient!

The price of the vignette depends on the vehicle category and the duration of your stay.For a standard vehicle (under 3.5 tons), the prices are:

  • 10 days : 9,90€
  • 2 month : 29€ 
  • 1 year : 96,40€

If you drive on highways or expressways without a valid vignette, you risk a fine ranging from €120 to €3,000.

Speaking of regulations, keep in mind that in Austria, you must keep your low beam headlights on 24/7, even in broad daylight. It might seem odd, but during our Europe trip, we realized this is the rule in many countries.

If you're looking to rent a car in Austria, we recommend using DiscoverCars. This platform compares hundreds of rental companies to find you the best deals with no hidden fees. Unlimited mileage, partial coverage, and theft protection are included in every rental price.

Renting the cheapest vehicle in Austria

10. A Night Train from Paris to Vienna

Night Train
Night Train - ©Foxtrotteurs

An interesting option if you want to avoid flying: there’s a night train from Paris to Vienna. Sleeper tickets start at €49.90 per person (with seated options starting at €29.90, though less comfortable for overnight travel).

The train passes through Paris, Strasbourg, Munich, Salzburg, Linz, St. Pölten, and Vienna. There are three weekly trips in each direction, and each journey takes 9.5 hours.

It’s a great way to make the most of your time in Vienna, as you arrive in the morning and depart in the evening!

Find the best train route to Austria

11. Austrians Pay a Tax to the Church

Inside St. Peter’s Church in Vienna
Inside St. Peter’s Church in Vienna - ©Foxtrotteurs

This bonus fact is more interesting than essential: Austria is a Catholic country with significant spiritual and economic influence from the Church. Each Austrian citizen pays 1% of their income to the Church. Refusing could mean not having a burial on sacred ground—a “grave” consequence!

We hope you learned something useful to help you prepare for your trip and enjoy Austria once you’re there 😊. Some extra “tips” await you at the end of the article; don’t miss them!

If this article has inspired you to discover Austria, you can book your tickets here:

Find the best train route to Austria

Find the cheapest flight to Austria

And since you've made it all the way to the end of the article, we're even offering you €10 with our referral code PL316TD9L for your first reservation with Ulysse (all you have to do is enter the code just before payment, by ticking the box “Do you have a referral code, promo code or gift card?”).

Feel free to share your experiences and tips for other travelers in the comments.

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Our tips

1.If you want to attend a classical concert without spending a fortune, many churches offer daily concerts for under €50 (even €30). You can save even more by buying standing tickets just before the performance for less than €5.

 

2. In Austria, 65% of purchases are made in cash, twice the rate in France.
So, plan to carry cash while traveling in Austria, as many shops (restaurants, small supermarkets, etc.) still don’t accept credit cards. It’s surprising, but it’s also a choice by locals to protect their data privacy. In October 2022, a petition was even launched to reject any cap on cash payments.

 

3. To save on groceries, go to Lidl or Billa—two of the cheapest supermarket chains in the country.

 

4. Like Switzerland, Austria is especially strict and attentive to cleanliness and environmental care. Avoid littering (it’s more about respect than ecology), or you may face a fine.

In general, make sure to follow rules: speed limits, signs, queue etiquette, etc.

Crédit photo : Foxtrotteurs et Unsplash

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