Travel tips · Vienna · Austria
Vienna travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Superbass, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Viennese life combines formality with Gemütlichkeit, a cosy, unhurried comfort best seen in coffee houses and wine taverns. Classical music, theatre and balls are part of everyday culture rather than special occasions, and titles, punctuality and politeness still matter.
Key facts
- Language
- German
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is excellent, piped from Alpine springs, and drinking fountains are…
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Grüß Gott' or 'Guten Tag' when entering shops and restaurants, and say 'Auf Wiedersehen' when leaving.
- Wait for the pedestrian green light; jaywalking is frowned upon and can be fined.
- Keep quiet on public transport and in concert halls; Viennese audiences are attentive and disciplined.
- Dress smartly for the opera and concerts, especially in the evening.
- Do not walk in cycle lanes, which are often on the pavement and marked in red.
- Book Schönbrunn Palace ahead: Palace tours use timed tickets that sell out in summer and at weekends; book online in advance.
- Book Spanish Riding School ahead: Performances sell out weeks ahead; book on the official site.
- Book Belvedere ahead: Timed tickets are recommended in summer and around holidays.
- Opera and Musikverein standing-room places cost a fraction of seated tickets and give excellent views.
Tipping
Round up or add about 5–10% in cafés and restaurants for good service, telling the waiter the amount when you pay. Round up taxi fares.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Grüß Gott | Hello (traditional Austrian greeting) |
| Danke schön | Thank you very much |
| Bitte | Please / you're welcome |
| Zahlen, bitte | The bill, please |
| Eine Melange, bitte | A melange coffee, please |
| Prost! | Cheers! |
What to wear
The Viennese dress neatly; smart-casual clothes fit in at coffee houses, concerts and the opera. Bring warm layers from October to April and sturdy shoes for cobbled streets.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is excellent, piped from Alpine springs, and drinking fountains are common in summer.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is widely available in cafés and many public places; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs work well for other visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/Vienna
Vienna is generally calm and orderly. Watch for pickpockets around Stephansplatz, on busy U-Bahn lines and at the Christmas markets, and take care around Praterstern and Karlsplatz stations at night.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Austria's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Vienna?
Round up or add about 5–10% in cafés and restaurants for good service, telling the waiter the amount when you pay. Round up taxi fares.
+Can you drink the tap water in Vienna?
Tap water is excellent, piped from Alpine springs, and drinking fountains are common in summer.
+What plugs are used in Vienna?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Vienna?
German.