Austria Tips

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Say “guten morgen”
Austria’s national language is German, though English is spoken in major cities and tourist destinations. Even if you’re only spending time in Vienna, learn a few polite German phrases to use in shops and restaurants – the locals appreciate the effort.
Bring your passport
US citizens don’t need a visa to enter Austria; a passport will do the trick. If you don’t have one already, apply well ahead of time by downloading the application from the U.S. State Department’s website (http://travel.state.gov).
Figure in the sales tax
A whopping 20% sales tax is added to goods and services in Austria. If you make any large purchases, pick up a U34 tax form at the store and apply for a refund when you leave the country.
Bring your check card
As in many other European countries, the most reliable way of securing a fair exchange rate is to simply withdraw cash from an ATM (Bankomat). Don’t bother with the exchange booths at the airport or with traveler’s checks.
Choose your form of transport
It’s a toss-up: Austria has a fabulously efficient train system, but rent a car and you’ll enjoy stunning mountain views as you traverse the Alps. Consider combining both types of transportation if you have enough time.
Ask for the check
Don’t wait around for a waiter to bring you the check at the end of a meal: servers in Austria never rush along their guests. Signal that you’re ready to pay and indicate how much of a tip you’d like to leave (15% is generous) instead of leaving it on the table.
Austrian cuisine
Austria’s known for hearty stick-to-your-ribs dishes like wiener schnitzel, or breaded veal, as well as buttery sweets like cheese danish, the rich Sachertorte, and classic apfelstrudel. After a day of skiing, nothing tastes better than the spiced hot wine that flows freely at wintry outdoor festivals.
Fasching
New Year’s Day kicks off Vienna’s Carnival, which continues through the start of Lent. The celebrations, involving a line-up of cultural events, balls, and concerts, are much more refined than versions of Carnival in other countries.
Classical music
Mozart, Brahms, Haydn, and Schubert are just a few of the musical legends associated with Austria; enliven your trip by experiencing one of the many jazz or symphony orchestra performances and operas staged both in formal theatres and public festivals.
National wines
Many of the best bottles produced in Austria are dry white wines from the Wachau Valley, like Riesling and Grüner Veltliner, though the vineyards also turn out decent dessert wines as well as Pinot Noir and other reds.
Winter sports
Skiing (and increasingly snowboarding) seems to be the country’s occupation from December to March, when snow falls consistently in the Alps. Many Austrians socialize with friends over drinks after spending the day on the slopes; this tradition is called après-ski.
Café culture
Caffeine addicts and chocoholics will find Austria simply delightful – try the espresso-like Kleiner Schwarzer or the milk-infused Melange with a gooey slice of Sachertorte in one of Vienna’s grand old coffee houses.
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