Austria Travel Guide

Austria is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. Fairytale castles, gorgeous music and breathtaking mountain scenery provide visitors with year-round activities. Although smaller than the state of Maine, Austria offers travelers with ideal vacation destinations all over the country. Romantic Vienna, Alpine Salzburg, Innsbruck and the Tirol region are all popular with tourists. Visitors enjoy Austria’s attractions like premier skiing, world-class music festivals, historical architecture, and top-notch museums. Simply put, Austria may be the dream European vacation destination you’ve been hoping to find.

Best Time To Visit

The most popular time for a vacation to Austria is May through September. The temperatures in July and August are a mild 77° F, making these popular months for tourists. However, along with Switzerland, Austria is considered the winter sports capital of Europe, and Christmas always draws a crowd to the larger cities of Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. The cheapest time for a trip to Austria is February through mid-May when you’ll still be able to experience the museums and historic cities, but may not find enough snow for skiing.

Flights and Transportation

Travelers can arrive into any one of six international airports in Austria. Vienna (VIE) is the main international airport, and has connections to all the major airports in the world. However, the airports in Graz, Linz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Innsbruck are very popular with the discount airlines, so cheaper fares can sometimes be found by choosing to fly into one of these less popular airports. For an even cheaper option, consider flying into Bratislava Airport in Slovania, just 37 miles east of Vienna. Flights into Vienna can still be very reasonable, with off-season cheap flights from JFK being as low as $762, from LAX $897, from SFO $930 and from ORD $852.

Once you arrive, Austria offers travelers excellent public transportation. Trains can be the best mode of travel in the larger cities. However, for those who want to go off the beaten path, choose a rental car. Roads in Austria are kept in good condition, and you’ll see spectacular scenery. Be aware that toll charges apply when using Austrian motorways, and you’ll want to be sure you’re in compliance before using any of these roads, as the penalty can be steep.

Hotels and Lodging

Hotels, bed and breakfasts, even chalets—Austria offers visitors a variety of lodging options. A top rated bed and breakfast in Vienna is the Spiess & Spiess Appartement. The Spiess family enjoys providing four-star quality rooms near the center of Vienna. Just outside Salzburg, consider staying at the Hotel-Pension Bloberger Hof where you can enjoy all the natural scenery the area has to offer. Also family owned, this hotel offers large rooms and gorgeous views in an Alpine setting.

What to Do

Austria is very popular with people who love the outdoors. Cycling beside the Danube River, hiking in the Alps and skiing in the Tirol brings visitors from all over the world. While in Innsbruck, be sure to visit the Bergisel Ski Jump. Although you probably won’t be skiing down its vertigo-inducing ramp, you can ride a tram up to the top of the tower and enjoy the panoramic view from the restaurant. 

Austria also attracts music lovers. Salzburg is an especially musical city and offers the famous Salzburg Music Festival each summer. While there, be sure to visit Mozart’s birthplace and check out the Sound of Music tour. This beloved musical was filmed throughout the Salzburg area. Music lovers should also make a visit to the State Opera House in Vienna a priority.

The palaces in Vienna are unforgettable and you’ll want to be sure to see the Hofburg Imperial Palace. On Sundays during the summer, the Vienna Boy’s Choir performs at the Imperial Chapel next door.