Ultimate Guide to Visiting Austria
Austria is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. The capital of Austria is Vienna, but there is so much more than just this one city! Be sure to use this guide to visiting Austria to get a full perspective on this amazing country.
What You Should Know Before Visiting Austria
Austria is best known for the Alps, Sound of Music and classical musician, Motzart, but it is so much more than that!
You will find Austria not only beautiful but packed full of interesting places to explore beyond what you already know.
Before heading to Austria, there are a few things you should know!
Find Out Whether you Need an ETIAS Travel Authorization
The rules of travel to Europe have changed.
Starting six months after EES, most people will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorization to enter most European countries even for a short-term stay.
There are also countries that aren’t part of the EU but participate in the Schengen Agreement. This includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
While it is possible that you could be exempt, more than likely you will need to make sure that you have this done prior to visiting.
This visa-waiver form costs around €7 ($7.25) and can be paid online.
What Language do Austrians Speak?
Austrians speak their own dialect of Austrian-German, but most Austrians do speak English, so if you are traveling from an English-speaking country, you will have no problem talking to the locals.
What Currency Does Austria Use?
Austria is part of the EU and use the EU. EURO Banknotes come with values of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.
Euro Coins come in 1 and 2 Euro denominations along with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
It is good to make sure you have a variety of banknotes & coins when traveling to Austria.
Many places in town (restaurants, hotels, bars, tourist attractions) take credit cards, but smaller vendors may only take local currencies.
What is Traditional Austrian Food and Drink?
Austria is known for its wonderful food like Wiener Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel along with a wonderful selection of beer.
The most popular types of beer are Märzenbier (full-bodied lager), Pilsner (lighter lager), and Weizenbier (wheat beer).
When traveling to Austria, you will probably encounter people clinking their glasses and say “Prost.” This means “to your health.”
One dish you should waste no time trying in Austria is Kasnocken. Similar to Germany’s Spaetzle, it’s small pasta dumplings covered in cheese and onions.
Adapters for Europe
European outlets come in different types, including Type C, E, F, and L.
European outlets typically take two round prongs whereas American plugs have two flat prongs.
In order to get your device to charge or work, you will need the right converter.
Austria uses both C & F. You will probably use a C for most items.
If you are someone who travels with your hair dryer or straightener, you will need a separate voltage converter that can handle the wattage that it takes for heated appliances.
We usually purchase at least one universal adapter that has ability to work for multiple countries outlets. That is because if you have a layover and need to charge your device, you will want to have one you can use in any airport.
