The most beautiful cities in Austria

Welcome to one of Europe’s most beautiful countries. Austria’s landscapes, regions and townscapes provide almost the full range of European variety in the centre of the continent. Austria is often associated, rightly, with winter sports, but there is so much more on offer. Its alpine areas are rugged and picturesque, but that’s far from being the whole story.

Money

Austria uses the euro. Of its neighbours, Switzerland (francs), Czechia (koruna) and Hungary (forints) maintain separate currencies.

Payments

It’s possible to travel much of Austria using only debit or credit cards. This is especially true in Vienna, where even ticket machines and public transport allow card payment.
There are exceptions, however, and it’s wise to carry some cash as well. This applies particularly in upper and western Austria, where many cafes and restaurants and some accommodation providers demand payment in cash. In the case of eating and drinking, don’t expect the cash requirement to be stated at the door or on the menu.
Travellers in Austria should adopt three rules of thumb:
● Carry at least a small amount of cash
● Never enter a cafe or restaurant without sufficient cash to cover the bill
● Be certain of the expect payment method when booking a hotel or other accommodation

Banks

Bank opening hours are variable and a one-hour closure for lunch is common. In the centre of large cities, continuous opening is more common, often from 8am to 3pm, although one day a week (commonly Thursday) banks will open to 5pm or 5.30pm. Some international banks have Vienna branches.
ATMs (look for the sign ‘Bankomat’) accept four-figure PIN cards for debit or credit card withdrawals. An option to use English at the terminal is usual.
But fees may be charged when using ATMs outside the home bank network – at a cost of the order of €4 per withdrawal. According to a 2020 survey, about 36% of visitors to Austria incurred an ATM charge. But using Austrian or international bank machines is advisable and there should be a warning of the charge before confirming the transaction request. To avoid extra costs, withdraw in euro.