(Last updated: 13 May 2011)

Visas

Australians visiting Austria for less than three months don’t need a visa.

Non-Austrian nationals intending to reside in Austria for longer than three months must have a residence visa (‘Aufenthaltsgenehmigung’). Application for residence must be made at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate outside of Austria.

All residents, including foreign nationals, must be registered with the police. This is done at the police station in the district of residence. Proof of registration ('Meldezettel’) is a basic form of identification required for most official transactions.

Austrian Embassy in Canberra
12 Talbot Street
Forrest, ACT 2603
Tel: +61 2 6295 1533 or 6295 1376
Fax: +61 2 6239 6751
Email: canberra-ob@bmeia.gv.at

Climate

Austria is a mountainous country and winters are usually snowy and summers hot and dry. Winter average temperature is 1ºC and summer is 25ºC.

For weather details in Austria, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.

Airports

Austria's Schwechat Airport is about 20 kilometres from the city centre. The airport bus (‘Bundesbus’) runs to the City Air Terminal (at the Vienna Hilton Hotel) every 20 minutes between 5.00am-midnight.

Ground transport

Travelling in Austria is easy. Public transport is punctual and the road system is good. The Austrian Tourist Board offers good advice for travellers to Austria.

The taxi rank is situated at the front of the airport, and it is advisable to ask the driver for the fare from the airport to the city in advance. A wide range of car rental companies are also located at the airport.

Trains run every 30 minutes to the city railway station (‘Wien Mitte’) and is approximately 20 minutes to the city. The Austrian Federal Railways provides online timetables and train information for rail travellers (some sections are only available in German).

Security and health

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Austria. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.

Tipping

A service charge of 10-15 per cent is included on restaurant and hotel bills, however, tips are expected. A 10 per cent tip for waiters and taxi drivers is advised.

Time zones and time differences

Austria is eight hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time - from March to September and 10 hours behind from October to February.

To find out the current time in Vienna, view the World Clock.

Dialling codes

Austria's country code is 43.

For calls to Austria from Australia dial: 0011 + 43 + area code + telephone number.

For calls from Austria to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.

For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.

Business hours

Businesses are open between 7.30am–6.30pm, Monday to Thursday and 7.30am–3.00pm, Friday. Many companies now work a standard Monday to Friday working week.

Government offices are open between 9.00am–3.00pm, Monday to Friday

Banks are open between 8.00am–3.00pm, Monday to Wednesday and Friday; 8.00am–5.30pm, Thursday. Note that some banks shut at noon for a one hour lunch break.

Shops are open between 9.00am–6.00pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00am–5.00pm, Saturday. Shops may vary their opening hours with food supermarkets opening usually at 7.30am

Public holidays

January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 6 – Epiphany
May 1 – Labour Day
May 13 – Ascension Day
May 24 – Whit Monday
June 3 – Corpus Christi
August 15 – Assumption Day
October 26 – National Holiday
November 1 – All Saint's Day
December 8 – Immaculate Conception
December 25 – Christmas Day
December 26 – St. Stephen's Day

Currency

Oanda currency converter

The Euro (€) is the official currency for all transactions. Euro notes are common to all Euro zone countries, while the coins are customised with the national symbol. Both Euro notes and coins can be spent in any Euro zone country.

Electricity and water

Austria's power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. The twin round-pin plugs are the most common.