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| Austria Practical Information |
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 Area: 32,375 square miles (smaller than Maine). Population: 8,054,000 (Vienna, 1,593,400; Salzburg, 505,400; Innsbruck, 115,000). Language: German. Is Austria safe?
You're lucky to have chosen one of the safest countries in all of Europe! Austria has a high standard of living and there is no real poverty, no slums, nobody needs to beg and crime is minimal. Austria has a very low crime rate, especially in regard to violent crime, and you will notice that people do not flee indoors when the sun goes down. That's when they head for their favorite Kaffeehaus, restaurant or wine tavern to chat with friends or perhaps check out the nightlife or take a leisurely stroll to do some 'people watching.'
Do they understand English?
German is the native language of Austria. But English is by far the leading second language in the educational system and is, consequently, understood widely and spoken fluently by most people working in tourism-related jobs, especially in the major cities and winter and summer resorts.
How do you get there from here?
Austria has 6 international airports, including Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg. There is no departure tax in Austria.
Vienna's airport is served by approximately 30 international airlines. It is the home base for Austrian Airlines, Austria's national carrier, as well as Lauda Air and Tyrolean Airways. There are non-stop flights between the U.S. (New York) and Vienna via Austrian Airlines. From most other cities in the U.S., there are convenient one-stop flights by a host of major airlines utilizing the major European gateways of Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, and Zurich, as well as the Austrian airports mentioned above. From Zurich and Munich, there are convenient train connections to western and central Austria. If you are in a neighboring country, Austria's central European location makes it easy to get to, whether by air, rail or automobile. We suggest you check with your travel agent for the best airfare and most convenient schedule and gateway from your area.
Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
U.S., Canadian and Mexican citizens need only a valid passport, without any visa, to enter Austria as a tourist for up to 90 days. An American driver's license, though basically recognized, does not conform to the standard Geneva Convention format and should be accompanied by an International Driver's License (AAA/Auto Club issues them for a nominal fee; you'll also need 2 passport photos). All vehicles must be covered by third party liability insurance. No customs documents are required for vehicles. Visitors from the U.S. do not need inoculations. When bringing pets into Austria (two cats or dogs per person), a valid certificate of vaccination against rabies, with an authorized German translation, must be produced.
What can I bring into the country?
Aside from unlimited good cheer and an openness to experience Austria and its people, tourists who do not have a residence in Austria do not have to pay duty on personal articles brought temporarily into Austria for their own use or for conducting their business. Likewise, travelers 17 years of age or older may carry up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tabacco, 1 liter of distilled liquor and 2.25 litres of wine or 3 litres of beer duty-free. Gifts not exceeding a value of AS 2500 ($208) are also exempt from duty. Austrian customs has adopted the red-line/green-line system: follow the green line for nothing to declare and red line for declaring items.
Should I bring local currency, traveler's checks or use credit cards?
Austria is still a very traditional country, so everyone is happy to accept local currency; after all, who doesn't like cash? But for safety and convenience's sake, you might not want to have large wads of either U.S. dollars or local currency on hand and so we suggest you bring along traveler's checks, which are accepted almost everywhere, or major credit cards to obtain cash along the way as needed. Be aware that you will be accessed a 'service charge' each time you cash traveler's checks, so convert enough each time to cover your expenses for several days. In addition, if your traveler's checks are in foreign currency such as U.S. dollars, you need to be aware that you will receive a much better exchange rate if they are converted at a bank rather than at a hotel.
Cash and traveler's checks can be exchanged at the official Vienna Stock Exchange rate of the day at any bank or exchange counter (airports, railway stations, tourist offices--a small commission applies); travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and stores may accept foreign currency but give you a lower rate to cover their handling. Banking hours are 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a late 5:30 p.m. closing on Thursday. Banks are normally closed Saturdays and Sundays, although there is a weekend exchange counter service in some major international resorts. Airport and rail terminal counters are generally open 7 days a week, from about 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Credit cards are accepted in major cities and resort areas. In general, most 4 and 5-star hotels, car rental agencies, and upscale stores in tourist areas will accept major credit cards. Be aware, however, that many smaller hotels, pensions, restaurants, cafés and stores will only accept cash, so be sure to ask in advance. Your U.S. oil company credit cards (Shell, Mobil, etc.) are not accepted in Austria and you should have cash on hand to fill up your rental car. Your credit cards should work in Austrian ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines); to avoid any unpleasant surprises, check with your bank and ask them if you need a PIN number for your card and which ATM systems can be used. Instructions on international ATMs are also in English and work much the same way as they do in the U.S.
You can bring any amount of foreign money and Austrian Schillings into Austria and take any amount of foreign currency out of the country.
What is the weather like?
Austria is an Alpine country located in roughly the same lattitude as the U.S. states of Maine or Washington State. This means you can experience all four seasons in their full glory. It also means you can freeze your buns off if you are wearing sandals and shorts in March or melt your Mozart candies in August!
The climate is moderate and generally agreeable. Temperatures depend largely on altitude. The long-term average maximum and minimum temperatures for Salzburg (1,427 feet) are: 35/22 in January, 58/39 in April, 75/55 in July, 57/40 in October. Summer days can be hot (even reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit for brief periods), while summer evenings are usually cool. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed over the entire year, but May, September and the first half of October tend to be the driest months, April and November the wettest periods. From June through August, rain usually comes in the form of thunderstorms. |
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| Click here to start planning a great Europe vacation, tour or cruise with our Virtuoso Travel Advisors. You may call us too, but we'd really appreciate it if you complete a vacation planner first so we can determine which destination specialist to introduce you to.Thank you very much! Call 1 800 330 8820 or 415 446 5252 to book your Austria Practical Information vacation. | |
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