Austria Travel Information

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Austria General Geography
Area: 83,858 km2
Austria is located in southern Central Europe.
It has common borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The Austrian landscape points to a rich natural structure: High and central mountain regions, hill country and plains. The Alpine region (Eastern Alps, High Tauern, Carnican Alps, Southern Karawank mountains and parts of the Southern Alps) stretches from the West to the South to the Vienna Basin, and takes up approximately two thirds of the country's surface area. The western part of the country is mountainous while the east is hill country and flatlands which stretch to the Pannonian Plain in northern Burgenland.

The highest mountain is the Grossglockner with 3,797 m, the major river is the Danube with an approximate length of 350 km in the Austrian area.

Austria Climates
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic climate. The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) each have typical temperature and climatic characters.

Due to the topographical diversity and the relatively large West-East expanse, there are three differentiating climatic regions:

East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence – low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters.

Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation ( except inner alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.

Remainder of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east.

Entry Requirements :
Travel Documents :
Valid Passport
Nationals of some states only need a passport that has expired within less than five years or an official identification card.

Accompanying Children
either need their own passport or must be registered on one of their parent's passports, in which case they must be accompanied by the passport-holder.

Visas :
The following do not need a visa: nationals of any of Austria's neighbouring states, of EU member states and many other states. Information may be obtained from the Austrian Embassy or consulate in your country as well as the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. An up-to-date list can be found at http://www.bmaa.gv.at/service/index.html.en

According to the Schengen Agreement nationals of non-member states who require a visa can travel to Austria with a valid Schengen visa issued in any Schengen state, without having to obtain an additional Austrian visa, as long as the visa is not restricted to other countries.

Passport Control :
Since 1 April 1998, border controls are no longer made at the borders to the Schengen states Germany and Italy. This also applies to flight traffic at the Austrian airports for flights to other Schengen states (except Greece).
To be able to present proof of identification in case of random control checks, travellers must, however, carry along their travel documents in the Schengen region as well.

Travelling with animals (also applies to travellers from the EU region):
Pets such as dogs or cats from 12 weeks of age need a valid vaccination certificate (rabies) in German or with an officially certified German translation. The vaccination must have been performed at least 30 days before entering the country, but no longer than one year in advance. A maximum of 3 animals may be brought into the country.

Travel times :
For the peak tourist seasons July, August, Christmas and Easter advance reservations for transport as well as accomodation is strongly recomended. Please also take note of travel agencies' numerous offers on Austria.

Electricity :
220 V alternating current. Connector plug/outlet correspond generally to the Euro-norm, but as a precaution one should still bring along an adaptor.

Currency :
Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union - the common currency is
the Euro. 1 EUR = 100 Cent = 13.7603 ATS .

The following Euro-banknotes and coins are in circulation:
Banknotes with facevalues of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 €;
Coins of 1 and 2 € denominations as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Cent

Banking Hours (General) :
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
8 a.m to 12:30 p.m and
1:30 p.m to 3 p.m
Thursday
8 a.m to 12:30 p.m and
1:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m
Automated Teller Machines (cash dispensers)
Outside of banks, cash can be withdrawn around the clock at some 2,700 cash dispensers in all of Austria. National and foreign Maestro cards (cash cards) are accepted. Other automated teller cards are national and foreign MasterCards, American Express cards and Visa credit cards as well as the Cirrus and Plus cash cards that belong to this payment system.

Credit Cards :
Credit cards are accepted in cities and tourist centres by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and gas stations. If and which credit cards are accepted is indicated by the logos displayed on the exterior facade of the respective business (usually on the entrance door).

Medical Service, Pharmacies :

Austria is 'well-stocked' with doctors and pharmacies.
Pharmacies operate a rota system for night and Sunday duty; when closed a notice is displayed giving the addresses of the nearest pharmacies that are open.

Emergency Numbers :
Ambulance/Doctor on call: Tel. 144
Medical radio service: Tel. 141
Mountain rescue service: Tel. 140
Police: 133
Fire: 122

Information on local medical emergency services is available at the local gendarmerie and police stations as well as in the telephone book and in daily newspapers.

Health Insurance Coverage :
Insured persons of the EWR-member states (= EU-member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland as well as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary in urgent cases can use their holiday insurance coverage form - obtained from their health insurer before starting their holiday - for medical care in Austria to the same benefits as those granted to persons insured in Austria. Information available at the respective health insurance company in the national state.

Health Resorts/Spas/Thermal Bath Resorts :
Austria boasts a number of health resorts, spas and thermal bath resorts that are all legally certified and recognized. The range of treatments is so extensive that every health problem can be treated, improved or even avoided by timely preventative measures. Numerous thermal bath resorts and wellness centres offer conditions of the highest standards for relaxation and well-being.

Most of the Austrian health resorts and spas are also renowned tourist resorts providing a large number of sports and recreational facilities.

Holidays :
2002 :
26 October: National Holiday
1 November: All Saints' Day
8 December: Conception
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
2003 :
1 January: New Year's Day
6 January: Epiphany
21 April: Easter Monday
1 May: National Holiday
29 May: Ascension Day
9 June: Whit Monday
19 June: Corpus Christi
15 August: Assumption of the Virgin Mary
26 October: National Holiday
1 November: All Saints' Day
8 December: Conception
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day

Time Zone :
Central European Time (CET)

Daylight Savings Time :
Daylight Savings Time is valid from the end of March to the end of October (CET + 1 hour):

2002: Sunday, 31 March to Sunday, 27 October
2003: Sunday, 30 March to Sunday, 26 October
2004: Sunday, 28 March to Sunday, 31 October
2005: Sunday, 27 March to Sunday, 30 October
2006: Sunday, 26 March to Sunday, 29 October

The adjustment takes place unitarily on the night of Saturday to Sunday at 01.00 a.m GMT, that is 02.00 a.m in Austria.

Mail Service - Opening Hours :
The respective opening hours of post offices vary and are posted at the entrances of the post offices.

Some main and station post offices in larger cities are also open at night, as well as Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, however with a restricted range of services.

Postal Rates :
From Austria to countries abroad there are 2 mailing possibilities:
"Priority" (fastest possible mailing / airmail)
"Non Priority" (cheaper, but takes longer)
and 2 distance zones - "Europe" and "World".
Standard letters up to 20g are mailed priority worldwide without any additional surcharges.

Rates for standard letters and postcards :
Priority (up to 20 g):
€ 0.51 for Europe, € 1.09 for World

Non-Priority (up to 50 g):
€ 0.73 for Europe, € 1.02 for World

For domestic mail there is no differentiation between "Priority" and "Non-Priority".

Rates for standard letters up to 20 g and postcards
€ 0.51

Stamps are available at all post offices.
Mail boxes are painted yellow; red stripes indicate that they are also emptied on weekends and public holidays.

Telephone :
Telekom Austria offers a broad range of tariffs. The new TikTak-Tariff Family with seconds-based billing after the 30th second, is complementary to the traditional Impulse-Tariffs.

The calling charges are scaled according to time of day and distance:
2 time zones for all tariff models - "Peak time" (Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m.- 6 p.m.) and "Off-peak time" (remainder of time).
2 local (regional and Austria-zone) and 17 international zones in the Impulse Tariff Model.
2 national zones (local zone with own area code and Austria) and just 5 international zones with the TikTak-Tariff Model.

For call boxes and card-operated pay phones of Telekom Austria there is only one local zone (entire federal state) and no time scale.
Calling cards are available at all post offices and in tobacconists' shops (Tabak Trafiken).

There are also a number of other providers in Austria, for fixed as well as mobile telephone networks, with varying tariffs.

Mobile telephones :
GSM mobiles can be brought along and may be used in Austria as well. There are GSM networks in the 900 MHz range and 1800 MHz range.

CB Radio Sets :
CB radio sets that have no more than 40 channels and do not have any other type of modulation other than FM, may be operated in Austria free of charge.

There are other restrictions with respect to other network facilities.
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic climate. The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) each have typical temperature and climatic characters.

Due to the topographical diversity and the relatively large West-East expanse, there are three differentiating climatic regions: East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence - low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters. Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation ( except inner alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters. Remainder of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east.