AUSTRIA SOLO TRAVEL GUIDE
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! AUSTRIA TRAVEL GUIDE 2023
PLAN AND BOOK YOUR AUSTRIA SOLO TRAVEL
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WILLKOMMEN IN ÖSTERREICH!
Hi! I’m Gwen, and my passion is using my 27+ years of global travel and sustainability knowledge and experience to help the solo over 50’s be and stay adventurous through solo travel with their eco-friendly, responsible travel foot forward. Here is my guide to traveling in Austria from my Austria solo travel so you can book and realize your solo travel in Austria. What are you waiting for?
AUSTRIA: DID YOU KNOW?
About Austria
Austria – home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic city centers of Vienna, Graz and Salzburg, Austria is the central European country where 62% is covered by the Austrian Alps full of Alpine villages and downhill skiing; centuries of Imperial history; castles and palaces; Mozart, Haydn and Strauss; Sigmund Freud; and, of course, the Porsche and Volkswagen (yeah, bus!).
The capital, Vienna, rests on the Danube River, which runs for 1770 miles through 10 countries.
Austria is famous for its opera, stunning baroque architecture and tasty strudel.
Don’t forget to try the Viennese coffee on a lazy afternoon or go running through the scenic landscape singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of music!” Ok, maybe not, but the country will make you want to. Yes, it’s that beautiful.
Languages in Austria
The official language is German.
Austrian Culture
Modern Austria, from the word “Austro”, is primarily a Western culture that is the German-speaking land of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled by the Habsburg family from the 16th to the early 20th century (ending with World War I).
A visit to Austria can provide visits to many of the former palaces and summer homes once inhabited by the Habsburgs, whose lineage also extends to many other European countries’ royal families.
Popular Activities in Austria
You cannot go wrong visiting the vast number of Habspurg palaces and castles, such as the Hofburg and Schönbrunn palaces (too many to list them all here), along with visiting the Spanish Riding School, Melk Abbey, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or the art museums galore.
If you wish to be outside, why not try wine tasting, skiing in the Alps, hiking, or being on the water, such as at Hallstatt?
Best Wine Tasting Tours in Austria
AUSTRIA TRAVEL PLANNING
Austrian Currency
Austria uses the Euro (€). Exchange rates are usually favorable for Europeans but could fluctuate in the other direction.
Tipping in Austria
Traveling in a new country is easier when you know the country’s tipping etiquette in advance as each country has its own rules. That said, country rules and norms can shift, so here is an international tipping resource for over 70 countries to use as a general guideline that I have found is constantly updated.
What’s not on there is how to tip a concierge, beauty salons or spas, travel or tour guides, etc. For these extras, it is acceptable to tip 10% at minimum. Remember, tipping is for good service only.
Additionally, you should always tip in the local currency (if tipping in cash), and do not be offended if your tip is refused as it may not be the norm. I feel it’s always better to offer a tip for good service than not, unless I know it will be considered offensive, like in Japan.
Austria Holidays
It’s a complete bummer to spend time and money on the holiday of a lifetime only to show up at a key attraction, or try to access travel or banking resources, only to find them closed due to a national or local holiday.
Therefore, a key activity to do in your early Austria vacation planning stage is to know the local and national holidays in Austria.
AUSTRIA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Travel Documents for Austria
From the U.S., you will need a valid passport with an expiration date greater than 6 months from your return date to the U.S. It is advised to always check the U.S. State Department in advance of traveling to Austria for pertinent, up-to-date Austria travel advisories and information. If you are not from the U.S., please check your government’s website.
At this time (January 2023), a travel visa is not required for U.S. citizens who travel in Austria 90 days or less and within a 180-day period. However, in November 2023 it is expected that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETAIS) will go into effect that is designed to strengthen European borders and streamline entry. At that time, a printed ETAIS visa waiver (the “ETAIS”) will be required to enter the Schengen Area for tourist, business or transit purposes of 90 days or less. You will be able to apply online for the ETAIS visa waiver, which will also require a fee (amount unknown). Requirements for an ETAIS are available now. Watch for ETAIS updates if you are planning to solo travel to Austria in late 2023.
If you are not from the U.S., please check if your country is on the ETAIS list indicating whether you are required to obtain an ETAIS or a Schengen Visa.
Choose from Top Travel Document Holders
Vaccinations for Austria
There are normally no vaccinations required for Austria. The U.S. State Department provides up-to-date required vaccination information for traveling to Austria. It is advised to always check for any Austria travel restrictions and required vaccinations during your planning stage and again before you leave.
If you are not from the U.S., please check your government’s website.
AUSTRIA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Electronics for Austria
Want to use your 110V electronics while traveling around Austria? Austria’s voltage is 230V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. If you do not already have electronics (hair dryer, clippers, curling iron, etc.) made for Austria’s voltage, you will need to bring a voltage converter to use your electronics. Below are top-rated power converters for you to compare and buy.
Choose the Converter That’s Right For You
Most smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras and similar electronics don’t require a converter (double-check your device(s) before you leave home), but you will still need a plug adapter.
Traveling to Austria, Type C and F adapters will fit Austria’s electronic outlets. II recommend bringing at least one of each adapter type accepted. I do not recommend using those single adapters for 100+ countries. They have been known to break and/or cause a power short.
Be prepared before you visit Austria. Bring a solid, reliable, and grounded power adapter to safely charge your electronics in Austria. Below are top-rated U.S. (Type A and B) to Austria power adapter options, from the only brand I travel with, for you to compare and buy.
Choose the Austria Adapter That’s Right for You
Type C Adapters
Type E/F Adapters
If you are going to another country in addition to your trip to Austria, check this international travel adapter guide to make sure you’re prepared.
Cyber Security While Traveling
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CITY GUIDES & ITINERARIES
Use my solo travel guides, itineraries, travel tips, day trip ideas, and recommended things to do in these top Austrian destinations, all from my travel in Austria, to plan your best Austria solo travel.
The more I travel in Austria, the more that gets added to this Austria Travel Guide. Keep checking back.
Salzburg with Hallstatt
FREE Salzburg Itinerary Download
Download the 2 Days in Salzburg Itinerary PDF WITH clickable links for your travel devices.
Best Things to Do in Salzburg
Innsbruck
FREE Innsbruck Itinerary Download
Download the 1 Day in Innsbruck Itinerary PDF WITH clickable links for your travel devices.
Best Things to Do in Innsbruck
Vienna
FREE Vienna Itinerary Download
Download the 4 Day Vienna Itinerary PDF WITH clickable links for your travel devices.
Best Things to Do in Vienna
Wachau Valley
Best Things to Do in Wachau Valley
2 Week Itineraries with Austria
FREE 2 Week Itinerary Download
Download the Italy & Austria Itinerary PDF WITH clickable links for your travel devices.
FREE 14 Day Itinerary Download
Download the Germany & Austria Itinerary PDF WITH clickable links for your travel devices.
HOW TO BOOK AUSTRIA TRAVEL
It’s important to book the top three travel necessities early: flights, accommodations and ground transportation.
No travel Austria guide would be complete without the booking tools below. These, along with fun Austria things to do and ecotourism ideas, will allow you to realize your solo trip to Austria.
Cheap Flights to Austria
With the ever-growing demand for airline tickets to Austria, flights book quicker these days. Find cheap flights to Austria now.
Don’t Wait to Book Your Flight to Austria
Places to Stay in Austria
Second in importance to buying airline tickets to Austria is finding the best place to stay in Austria for your solo travel to Austria. Develop your Austria travel itinerary now and find the best accommodations in Austria to knock one more item off your Austria travel planning list.
Find the Best Solo Travel Accommodations in Austria
Getting Around Austria
Austria has Bolt, Uber, Carpoolworld, and other possible regional ridesharing services and apps (research in advance if they are in your destination area).
There are also taxis, of course, and you can easily find a rental car if that better suits your Austria solo travel itinerary.
Find the Best Deals on Austria Rental Cars
Austria also part of Europe’s incredible bus and train network, so getting around and booking transportation is easy.
Things to Do in Austria
Here are some more of the top things to do in Austria to book for your Austria solo travel.
Best Austria Food Tours & Activities
AUSTRIA ECO-TRAVEL IDEAS
There are ways to reduce your eco and carbon footprint through air travel, accommodations, tours, and activities in Austria. To help avoid greenwashing businesses, here are some eco-friendly or sustainable travel (also called responsible travel) tips and resources, you can use to book your travel.
Air Travel Tips
Skyscanner provides a ‘Greener flights’ filter highlighting flights that emit less CO2.
Purchase carbon offsets through your airline or through a third party, like MyClimate.org, Carbonfund.org, or terrapass. Carbon offsetting allows you to buy a certificate to reduce carbon emissions, a major contributor to climate change, which in turn contribute community projects across countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Ground Transportation
The best eco-friendly forms of ground transportation in Austria are public transportation, walking, or renting a bicycle or electric scooter. They are also apt to cost less than other ground transportation.
Explore Austria Bike and Electric Scooter Rentals
Try to avoid renting a car in Austria by using the amazingly convenient and inexpensive buses and/or trains.
When booking a rideshare in Austria, select the Bolt Green or Uber Green options instead of a traditional rideshare, or use Carpool Austria, to support the use of electric cars and carpooling for cleaner transportation in Austria.
Bolt and Lime also have electric scooters to rent in Austria for faster and cleaner commuting. Search Bolt and Lime for select city availability.
Accommodation Tips
Look for accommodations with the following self and third-party assessed certifications when you book:
Green Globe – Green Globe certifies hotels, resorts, conference centers, transportation, attractions, tour operators, and other tourism businesses globally on sustainable operations and management. Look for Austria and other European Green Global members.
Green Key Global is an internationally recognized environmental certification for the lodging and meetings industries, including hotels and hostels, campsites and holiday parks, restaurants and attractions in 65 countries. Search for Green Key awarded sites.
Living Building Challenge – if you want to stay in a true, sustainable building, find one certified by the Living Building Challenge. LBC’s certification directory shows all project types globally. Hopefully they will put in a filter soon to allow searching by hotels or hospitality type.
LEED Certified – the USGBC’s LEED Certified label on buildings, like many of the Marriott’s hotels, are those that have verifiably employed multiple and varying green building strategies to improve human and environmental health. Search the LEED directory for Austria certifications.
Green Lodging Program – Audubon International has an environmental stewardship certification through third-party verification. Search its certified members directory.
GSTC Certified – the Global Sustainable Tourism Council provides global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, as well as international accreditation for sustainable tourism Certification Bodies. Booking sites that offer GSTC certified sustainable are bookdifferent, EcoHotels, and Transat.
Another way to find an establishments implementing eco-friendly or sustainable practices, certified or not, is through Booking.com in which you’ll need to find and review each establishment’s ‘Sustainable Initiatives’ within the booking process. Starting 2022, however, you’ll be able to filter searches for accommodations with the Travel Sustainable badge.
Find Your Travel Sustainable Stay in Austria
Eco-Friendly Things To Do
Austria ecotourism ideas are available to explore for your next vacation.
Search Green Global and Green Key awarded members for eco-friendly activity providers in Austria. Some may also have the GSTC Certified logo.
Top Eco Friendly Activities in Austria
Eco-Travel Products
There are more ways to do your part for the planet in your responsible travel, like bringing sustainable and eco-friendly products to protect Austria’s environment.
There are more ways to do your part for the planet in your responsible travel. Read my 10 Easy Eco-Travel Tips and view my suggested Eco Travel Resources to learn more.
AUSTRIA TRAVEL SAFETY
Before You Go To Austria
Always consult your government’s Austria travel advisory for your Austria travel destination in the beginning travel planning phase and up to your departure date.
Buy Austria travel insurance and international medical insurance for your Austria solo travel to protect yourself and cover for emergencies.
Safety in Austria
There is nothing I can recall from Austria making it more of a “safety concern” than traveling in my own home country, so my standard tips for solo and female solo travelers in Austria are:
- always carry photo ID with you; if you don’t want your passport on you at all times, at least carry a copy of it.
- always be “street wise”.
- always be aware of your surroundings, especially if you feel the need to imbibe or feel the need to “let loose” – you’re on vacation so have fun!
- never leave your food or drink unattended.
- keep your belongs on your person, or at least in your view in close proximity, at all times.
- be open to meeting and talking with new people – that is where a lot of the travel experience lies – but be careful on how you divulge personal information.
- research places in advance, if possible, so you know what to expect (i.e., “have a familiar view” – I like to Google the street view of new addresses I’m going to first).
- if something, someone or someplace makes you feel uncomfortable, go with your gut – leave.
AUSTRIA BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
Best Time to Visit Austria
Austria can be pricey, especially if you want to do it right. However, that’s not to say you can’t find budget accommodations, try local foods, or hit some great site seeing and entertainment on a budget. This is a country I would a little planning on if you are on a budget.
Like other countries in Europe, Austria’s high, tourist season, and most expensive time, is the summer (June to August) – expect crowds to be heavy and prices to go up.
Crowds are not as heavy in the spring (April and May) and Fall (September to October), where prices are better than the summer season – make sure you keep an eye on the spring weather (see my piece).
The least expensive time to go to Austria would be November to March. Keep in mind, however, if you are going to a ski or winter sport area – prices could be high and you may want to book in advance.
Budget Accommodations
Staying in hostels could save you a lot of money on accommodations in Austria, especially if you stay in a dorm-style room. Save more money by booking well in advance.
Many Austria hostels also offer private rooms, which I choose from time to time. Private rooms in hostels could possibly be cheaper than hotels in Austria – it depends on where you stay and how far in advance you reserve.
Don’t overlook exploring hostels in Austria if you’re on a budget.
Reserve Your Austria Hostel
Best Time to Book Travel
Ready to book your Austria solo travel? The sooner you book your reservations, the more you’re likely to save money and get the best flight, accommodation, and rental car choices and deals.
Don’t miss out and find the best Austria flight deals. The best time to book travel is now. Bundling flight, hotel and/or transportation reservations may even save you more money on your trip to Austria.
Do You Know What Austria Flights and Hotels Cost?
PERSONAL STORY
Austria is one of my favorite countries. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been to Salzburg, Hallstatt,Innsbruck,Vienna and the Wachau Valley. Each city is beautiful in their own right, and the landscapes are second to none, but the capital, Vienna, blows my mind. The architecture, culture, food, art, history, sense of safety, public transportation system… It’s no wonder Vienna has been ranked the #1 city in the world to live 10 years in a row as of 2019. All I have to say is that if you haven’t been to Austria, GO.