Capital: Vienna
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September)
Telephone services: Country Code: 43
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services. Additional local numbers:- Police – 133, Ambulance – 144, Fire – 122.
Tourist information: Austrian National Tourist Office, P.O.Box. 2363, 14 Cork Street, London, W1X 1PF Tel: (020) 7629 0461 Fax: (020) 7499 6038.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all except: Nationals of EU countries with a valid ID card.
Health information: Health Risks: Rabies, Ticks.
Food & drink: Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food
Currency: In common with 12 Member States of the European Union (EU), here the euro is the currency. There are seven different banknotes and eight coins of the Euro. Each participating EU country has coins with one common side and a reverse side specific to each country, while the banknotes look the same throughout the Euro area. Exchange: All banks, exchange counters at airports, railway stations. Credit cards are not as widely used in Austria as they are in the USA and the United Kingdom, however most major cards will be accepted in large towns. Travellers cheques are accepted in towns and tourist areas.
ATM availability: Over 3000 locations.
Cost of living: Relatively expensive, similarly to other Western European countries.
Languages: German
Weather: Moderate continental climate. Winter – high snow levels but sunny. Summer – warm days cool nights
Electricity: 220 volts AC 50 Hz. Round 2 pin European plugs are used.
Post: 2 – 4 days within Europe.
Transport: RAIL: An efficient rail service operates throughout Austria. Special offers / discounts can often be found. ROAD: Excellent network of roads. There is free assistance from the Austrian motoring association. (OAMTC). Hitching: Institutionalised. DOCUMENTATION: Green card is strongly recommended for driving. The British driving licence is usually recognised. A Motorway Vignette is required on Motorways and A roads, they are available at border posts and larger garages.
Special information: Visitors to the Alps are advised to contact the Austrian Tourist Agency (tel: + [43] (020) 7629 0461 for advice on weather and safety conditions before travelling. It is customary to greet people with the salute Grüss Gott. Austrians tend to be quite formal. The church holds a high position in Austrian society which should be kept in mind by the visitor. It is customary to dress up for the opera or theatre.