Tips for Getting Around Austria

Austria’s rail network is excellent and punctual. The OBB Railjet connects Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck with comfortable high-speed service. Book Sparschiene (saver) tickets in advance for discounts of up to 50% off standard fares. The Westbahn offers a competitive alternative on the Vienna-Salzburg corridor with open seating and generally lower prices.

City Transport and Cards

In Vienna, the Wiener Linien network of U-Bahn (metro), trams, and buses is efficient and covers the entire city. A weekly pass (EUR 17.10) is one of the best deals in European public transport. All public transport operates on an honor system — buy and validate your ticket before boarding, as inspectors do conduct random checks with fines of EUR 105 for ticketless riders.

Practical Tips

• Austrian trains run on time — arrive at the platform a few minutes early
• The Vorteilscard (EUR 66/year) gives 50% off all OBB tickets and pays for itself after 2-3 trips
• Salzburg is compact enough to walk most places; save transport money for day trips to Hallstatt or Berchtesgaden
• Tipping in taxis is customary (round up to the nearest euro or add 5-10%)