Austria - winedorlust.com

Locations Visited: Vienna and Hallstatt

Would visit this country, if you love art, history, culture, winter sports, and beautiful landscapes!

Currency: The Euro

Language: German, but very English friendly

When to Visit: During the off season of late Autumn/Fall to early Spring (November to March)

~Visited: Late February 2024

Minimum Stay: 3 to 5 Days

Electrical Outlet Type: Type F and Type C

Visa Needed: No, you just need a passport. However, starting in 2026, you will need an ETIAS authorization!

Vaccination(s) Needed: No vaccine needed to visit this country

Daily Spending Budget (including: accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities/excursions): $125 to $350

Best Transportation Option: Subway/Metro, Buses, Trams, and Trains

Rating Scale for this Destinations:

Overall Rating – 7/10

Accessibility: How easy is it to travel to this place (fly, drive, cruise, train, etc.)? – 8/10
- Affordable flights from the US in the off seasons and plenty of affordable train options from other European countries
Friendliness: Are the local people friendly and welcoming to tourists? – 6/10
- People are not as friendly as other European countries and can be considered cold and distant in Vienna (the city) but are much more open and warm-hearted in Hallstatt (the countryside)
Affordability: Is this place affordable to visit? Is it expensive to travel to this place? – 7/10
- Not as costly as other European cities but more expensive than developing and smaller countries
Walkability: How is the public transportation in this place? Is this place walkable and easy to navigate? – 8/10
- Plenty of transportation options (including rideshare services) and walkable
Safety: Is this place safe, especially for solo travelers, female travelers, disable travelers, and minority travelers? – 9/10
- Felt very safe here, able to walk around at night solo, and no obvious discrimination toward me
Health Concerns: Should I be concerned with water quality, sanitation, and/or exposure to health risks? (the higher the rating, the least concern) – 10/10
- No water quality, sanitation, or health risk exposure concerns while visiting this country
Culinary Arts: How is the food? Are there plenty of food options? – 5/10
- Food was very disappointing and underwhelming; however, the desserts were tasty
Relaxation: Is this place relaxing? Will I feel rested after my trip? – 6/10
- Not the place for relaxation, more city life and exploration
Enjoyability: Does this place provide a variety of activities and excursions? Is it a fun place to visit? – 7/10
- An art lover’s paradise–so many things to see and do, from museums and palaces to the opera and classical concerts

Recommended Things to See and Do:

Vienna: Hofburg Imperial Palace, Belvedere Palace, Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna State Opera, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches), Volksgarten, Burggarten, Spanish Riding School, Museum of Natural History Vienna (Naturhistorisches), Austrian National Library

Hallstatt: Hallstatt Skywalk, 5 Fingers Lookout, Market Square, Hallstatt Ossuary, Salzwelten Hallstatt (Salt Mine), Dachstein Krippenstein (ski resort), St. Michael’s Church