Austria Travel Facts
The Basics
Country: Austria
Where is it: Austria is located in central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia.
Why do people go here: People go to Austria to enjoy to beautiful skiing, world-class music and visit the haunts of big-time thinkers Freud and Kafka. There’s also a lot of history here too- the small country was once part of the largest empires in history, and the shot that killed the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand started World War One.
What are the main entry points: Travelers commonly enter Austria via train from surrounding European countries, especially Italy and Germany. The most common destinations are Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna. Vienna is the only city with a major international airport.
Currency used: Euro
Country Code for Phones: 43
Area codes for Major Cities: Vienna 0222, Salzburg 0662, Innsbuck 0512
Other Phone Tips: From Vienna, the international dialing prefix is 900, not 00.
Religion: Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other 17%
Population: 8.3 million
Ethnic Breakdown: German 88%, non-nationals 9.3% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma), naturalized 2% (includes those who have lived in Austria at least three generations)
Government: Federal Parliamentary republic
Languages: German
Travel Information
Major Cities: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck
Attractions: Vienna, Salzburg, Eisriesenwelt Caves
Accommodation: Austria Hostels, Austria Hotels
Tourism Office locations and links: Austria-Oesterreich Information, Margaretenstrasse 1 (Rilkeplatz 5), A-1040 Vienna, Telephone:43-222-587-20-00, http://www.austria-tourism.at
Tips for Visiting
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery)
Health Issues: There are no major health issues in Austria. Medical care is on par with the rest of Europe and the US.
When to go: If you’re heading to The Alps, November through March are the times to hit the slopes. Although you can ski almost year-round, some resorts close in the summertime. The flatter part of the country is best to visit in the late spring or early fall, when temperatures are milder than those in July and August.
Common Phrases: Yes = Ja, No = Nein, Please = Bitte, Thank you = Dank, Do you speak English? = Macht sie sprechen Englisch?
Specific Events/Holidays: National Day: 26 October (1955)
Getting Around: There is an advanced rail system throughout Austria and buses generally go where the trains do not. Renting a bike is highly recommended if you want to pedal around the countryside. Eurail is valid in Austria.
Good to know: Museum fans should drop a few Euros on the Museum Card to get better prices on entry fees.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Austria is the Vienna International Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Austria travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
Did you like this article?
Share it
Place a comment| Now you can also comment with your Facebook Account |
Rate this story
Follow Us
Subscribe to the BootsnAll articles RSS feed
Related articles found in:
Austria, Austria Nutz and Bolts, Europe, Europe Nutz and Bolts, Western Europe, Western Europe Nutz and BoltsRead similar items found across the BootsnAll Travel Network:
What are the stupidest things travelers argue about? BootsnAll staff writer Jessica Spiegel talks about the ones she hates most, and includes a plea that we never argue about them again.
[Read more]
If you are wondering whether it would be worth it to bring your young children on a trip with you, reading Rachel Denning’s experiences and advice will likely convince you.
[Read more]
Somali pirates and Halloween pirates seem to get all the press these days, but there is a rich history out there of the real thing. Steve Bramucci takes us to five places where pirate tourism is easy to find.
[Read more]
Would you like to pretend you are Michael Palin, or perhaps someone else who gets to stay in historic colonial hotels in the East? Here’s a cheaper way, as Inga Kastrone takes us on a tour if 8 of the finest of these landmark properties.
[Read more]
You are probably aware of the big wine industries in Argentina and Chile, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Eileen Smith lives in Chile and here she explains where to look and what to taste throughout the continent.
[Read more]
