Airport
The Vienna Schwechat airport. Trains bound for the heart of Vienna leave every half hour and are the most cost-effective way to cover the 19 kilometer distance into town. Bus and taxi services are also available. At the airport, shopping carts can be used for free but luggage trolleys must be paid for. They accept coins in eight currencies but not sterling or dollars. Facilities at the airport include Raiffeisen and Erste banks in arrival, departure and transit halls; Bank Austria in departure area; post office; ATMs; 24-hour left luggage facilities; showers; conference and business centers for meetings.

Visas
Citizens of most European nations and the following countries do not need a visa to enter Austria: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, U.S.A., Uruguay, and Venezuela. Nationals of African and Arabic countries generally require a visa.
Austrian embassies can issue so-called Schengen visas allowing visitors to gain entry into the country, as well as Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Some nationalities may be required to obtain a visa from the Schengen member states they plan to visit after Austria. Some who are transiting through an Austrian airport to another European destination may be required to obtain a transit visa.

Top

Currency
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Austria). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Austrian Schilling was in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit Cards
American Express, Diners Club, Master Card or Visa are widely accepted.

Tipping
A service charge of 10% to 15% is included in all hotel and restaurant bills. However, personally offered tips are still expected. Give 10% to 15% of the cost to taxi drivers, and about 10 schilling to porters, bellboys and theatre and cloakroom attendants.

Top

Useful Numbers
Country Dialling Code: 43
Vienna Area Code: 01
Airport Medical Center: 144
Airport Operations Manager: 155
Ambulance, Rescue: 144
Police: 133
Fire Brigade: 122
European Emergency Call: 112
Emergency doctor service (nights and weekends): 141

Electricity
220v AC, 50 Hz. Some hotels have adapter plugs but not power converters.

Top

Health Risks
Because of Austria's high elevation, travellers are most likely to suffer from altitude sickness, hypothermia and sunburn. Good medical care is widely available, but doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Time Zone
GMT+1, same as Geneva, Frankfurt, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels
GMT+2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October

Top

Business Hours
Banks are open 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Thursday when they close at 5:30 p.m.
Operating hours for shops are from 8 or 9 a.m. up to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. On Saturdays some close by noontime.
Restaurants serve lunch from noon to 2 p.m., and dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The post office is open Monday to Friday, beginning business at 8 a.m., closing for a two-hour lunch break beginning noontime, then staying open until 6 p.m.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
21-24 Mar Easter.
1 May National Holiday.
1 May Ascension Day.
12 May Whit Monday.
22 May Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
26 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
10-13 Apr Easter.
1 May National Holiday.
21 May Ascension Day.
1 June Whit Monday.
11 Jun Corpus Christi.
15 Aug Assumption.
26 Oct National Day.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Top

Climate
Austria enjoys a temperate climate. Winters are characterized by rain in the valleys and snow in mountains. Summer is rarely oppressive as the weather remains cool with occasional showers, turning more pleasant until October. May, early June, September and October are the best months to visit as there are few tourists in restaurants and hotels. Click here for a 3-day Vienna weather forecast.

Clothing
For business, suits for both men and women, but casual dress after hours. At high-end restaurants, men are usually required to wear a coat and tie. Elegant, formal attire is the norm at the theatre or opera. In winter, wear warm clothes and footwear with non-slip soles; in spring and fall, a topcoat is essential. Summers are still cool so if you chill easily have a sweater ready.

GDP Growth Rate
2.9%

Inflation
1.7%

Top

Exports
Vehicles, machinery and equipment, paper and paperboard, metal goods, iron and steel, telecommunication equipment, textiles, medical and pharmaceutical products

Imports
Vehicles, machinery and equipment, apparel, metal goods, oil and oil products, office and data-processing machinery, medical and pharmaceutical products, telecommunication equipment, textiles

Trading Partners
Germany, Italy, Central and Eastern European countries, Asia, United States

Industries
Construction; production of machinery, vehicles and parts, food, chemicals, communications equipment, paper and paperboard; lumber and wood processing; tourism

Teledensity
2 persons per phone line

Government
Federal republic with executive, legislative and judicial branches

Top

Geography
Austria is at the center of Europe and is characterized by hills, passes and valleys. The capital, Vienna, is in the northeast with the River Danube cutting through the northern suburbs of the city. It was the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Population
Austria: 8.2 million
Vienna: 1.6 million

Ethnic Groups
German, Croatian, Slovene

Languages
German, the first language, is spoken by 99% of the population. English is the second language, and is taught widely in schools.

Literacy
99%

Religion
Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, others 17%