Austria, a stunning landlocked gem in central Europe, is home to several iconic cities. Salzburg, with its charming historic streets, is celebrated as the birthplace of Mozart. Vienna, renowned for its magnificent art, architecture, palaces, and museums, dazzles visitors with its cultural splendor. Innsbruck transforms into a magical winter wonderland, especially attracting those who enjoy winter sports.
Here are few things to help you plan your trip to Austria -
1) How to get there -
Direct flights from major Indian cities to Austria might not be available, but you can find plenty of connecting flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Frankfurt or Milan, with onward connections to Salzburg and Vienna. Opt for flights with fewer layovers to reduce travel fatigue. Alternatively, consider spending a few days exploring Frankfurt or Milan before continuing your journey to Austria for a more relaxed travel experience.
2) Visa for Indian -
Indian nationals need a Schengen visa to visit Austria. Be sure to apply through VFS Global at least two months in advance to ensure a smooth and timely process.
3) Currency -
Euro is the currency used in Austria. The conversion rate right now is 1 EURO = 89.52 INR (June 2024). Most grocery stores, restaurants, and shops in Austria accept credit cards or Forex cards, so carrying a lot of cash is unnecessary. If you need cash, you can easily withdraw money from ATMs. Avoid exchanging currency at the airport, as they typically offer the worst exchange rates. For bus travel, you can conveniently purchase your ticket directly on the bus when you board.
Check out our blog on Salzburg - the perfect city break with kids! This blog provides detailed itinerary for Salzburg visit and also information about the Salzburg card.
4) Weather -
Austria is an all weather destination!
Summer (months of July and August) is the best time to visit Europe in general, when you can expect warm comfortable weather and less number of rainy days. However, summer is also the peak tourist season, hence accommodation, travel can be more expensive and tourist places will be crowded.
We visited Austria during fall ( September and October). Colours of autumn add to the beauty of Austrian landscape. The weather is great for sightseeing during this time of the year, not too hot, not too cold, a light jacket works for evenings. That said, definitely be prepared for rain at any time of the year when in Europe!
Spring (April, May, June) is another good time to visit Austria when weather is good and crowds are less and there are wildflowers blooming everywhere! However, some of the hiking trails might not be open in spring as the snow may not have completely melted from the mountains, especially during the months of April and May.
Winter (November, December, January and February) is also a great time to experience skiing and enjoy beautiful Christmas markets!
5) Food -
Indian food is easily available in bigger cities of Austria. Large grocery stores, like Hofer and Aldi, also have a lot of ready to eat options. You can also buy some snacks from these stores when on the move through the day. Tap water is safe to drink.
Meals at restaurants can cost around 20 to 30 Euros for a mains.
When in Austria , definitely try Schnitzel and Applestrudel.
6) Accommodation -
It is easy to find accommodation in Austria to suit every budget! from Hostels, Airbnb to hotels - you can take your pick!
Hostels provide a comfortable and cheaper option with family rooms (you can choose accommodation with private of shared bathroom). Also, hostels are a great place to meet fellow travelers and make friends. Hostels are not just for solo travelers and backpackers! We had a great stay in hostel Ruthensteiner in Vienna, which is clean, has great amenities (also a locker room to store your luggage when you check out) and is conviniently located near Westbahnof station, making it easy to go to Vienna cantral station and airport. Check out our blog on Vienna - our first HOSTEL experience.
Airbnb provides great options for family as there is usually a kitchen available , where you can prepare some quick meals and save up some money.
Hotels- We stayed in Meininger hotel in Salzburg. There is a common area and dinning where you can make/heat up some meals and enjoy! The staff at the reception was extremely helpful. It is not located in the old city , but it is easy to commute to the old city by bus number 4 that stops at a 2 min walk from the hotel. We loved our stay in Meininger hotel and would definitely recommend it. We stayed at Moxy hotel in Vienna the night before our flight back to India. This is an airport hotel, located at a 10 minutes walk to Vienna airport, making it an ideal choice if you have an early morning flight .
7) Transport -
Public transport in Austria is the cheapest and most efficient way to get around from one city to another and also when you want to explore a particular city or town. Various cities offer tourist cards like Salzburg card that includes public transport and many tourists attractions , providing great value for money. Alternatively, you may also choose to rent a car and explore surrounding places! Several bus tours are also available that provide day trips from Salzburg and Vienna.
8) Activities -
Salzburg and Vienna both have a lot of family friendly attractions to explore. Several guided tours are also available to famous filming locations from the Sound of music movie. Salzburg is the place for Mozart lovers. Vienna has a lot of museums and historic buildings for history and art fans! There are parks and playgrounds in all big cities for the little ones to run around and burn some energy!
9) The Locals -
Most people speak English and are really helpful and friendly! You will find a kids menu at most of the restaurants .
10) Safety -
Austria is a very safe country, however tourists can be easy targets for pickpockets . Keep your belongings safe and always be aware of your surroundings.
Austria is an amazing country to visit. It has something for every traveller!
We will definitely visit again!
HAPPY TRAVELS!
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