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Citizens of the European Union (EU), as well as citizens of Andorra, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, Poland, San Marino, the Slovak Republic, and Switzerland, may enter Austria with a national identity card and stay for a period of 90 days. However, citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland, where there is no national identity card system, must carry a valid passport and must renew their visa every six months. Travellers of other nationalities should consult the Austrian consulate or embassy in their own country before departure, for any visa requirements.

Ambulance: 144
Police: 133
Fire brigade: 122
Alternative pan-European emergency number: 112

Central European Time (GMT plus one hour). Clocks are put forward one hour from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the end of October.

Citizens of the European Union (EU) may drive in Austria with a national driving licence issued in their own country. Certain licences may need to be accompanied by a German translation; check with the national motoring organisation in your own country for more detailed information. Other nationals, however, are advised to carry an International Driving Permit. This is issued by the driver licensing authority, motoring organisation(s), or another delegated authority in your country of residence. Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any documents you will need and whether additional motor insurance is required. The international registration letters of your country of residence must be displayed at the rear of your car.

Carry your full valid driving licence (or International Driving Permit, if necessary), vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you at all times. All passengers must wear seat belts. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed to travel in the front seat unless special seats, or safety belts suitable for children, are used. Helmets are obligatory for motorcyclists. The amount of alcohol permissible in the blood while driving is 80 mg per 100 ml (8 g/l).

Motorways are subject to tolls, and further charges are applicable for some road tunnels and mountain passes. Speed limits in Austria are 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour on motorways, 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour on main roads, 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour outside built-up areas, and 50 kilometres (31 miles) per hour in built-up areas. Speed limits for motor vehicles towing trailers, or caravans are 100 kilometres (62 miles) per hour on motorways, and 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour outside built-up areas.

On steep downhill gradients, be sure to engage a low gear immediately. The vehicle ascending a narrow mountain road generally has priority, but the driver who can most easily reverse to a passing place is obliged to do so. Information on traffic jams, accidents, roadworks, and weather can be heard on the radio station Ö3 every hour. On steep downhill gradients, be sure to engage a low gear immediately. The vehicle ascending a narrow mountain road generally has priority, but the driver who can most easily reverse to a passing place is obliged to do so. If your car is right-hand drive, you will have to alter your headlights with converters. Make sure you have replacement headlight bulbs, a first-aid kit, and a warning triangle in the car, as these are all compulsory while driving in Austria. If you are travelling to Austria during the winter (from November 15 to the first Monday after Easter), you are strongly advised to fit winter tyres to your car. Snow chains may be necessary in extreme snow conditions. Information on traffic jams, accidents, roadworks, and weather can be heard on the radio station Ö3 every hour. Blue Danube Radio (103.8 FM) broadcasts traffic news in English. If driving in Vienna, pay attention to trams, and always give them priority at junctions. Blue Danube Radio (103.8 FM) broadcasts traffic news in English. If driving in Vienna, pay attention to trams, and always give them priority at junctions.

Austria has two main 24-hour emergency breakdown services: Österreichischer Automobil-, Motorrad- und Touring Club (ÖAMTC) and Auto-, Motor-, und Radfahrerbund Österreich (ARBÖ). ÖAMTC can be contacted by dialling 120 or (01) 71 19 90, and ARBÖ by dialling 123 or (01) 89 12 10

The electrical current in Austria is 220 volts AC. Round two-pin plugs are used. An adapter is essential for UK and Irish appliances.

The Euro

Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry cash, and you should buy these in your country of residence before you leave. Remember to record the cheque numbers separately so that your travellers cheques can be replaced if stolen. The most widely used credit cards are American Express, Diners Club, and Visa, but you are advised to check in advance. Foreign exchange rates are listed in most major newspapers and advertised in banks and Wechselstuben (bureaux de change). You can exchange travellers cheques at banks, savings banks, post offices, and Wechsels located in railway stations and airports. Banks are open from 08.00 to 12.30, and 14.30 to 16.30 Monday to Friday. In Vienna, banks are open until 17.30 on Thursdays. Wechsel are open later hours and at weekends. Cash can also be obtained with Visa credit cards at ATM machines.

Service charge is usually included in the bill in hotels and restaurants. However, it is common practice to add 10 percent to a restaurant bill. Drinks are usually brought to your table in bars, and a few schillings are expected for this service. Taxi drivers expect a tip of S3–4 for short trips and about 10 percent of the charge for longer trips. Ski instructors are often given a tip at the end of the course of lessons.

1 January: New Year's Day
6 January: Epiphany
Easter Monday
1 May: Labour Day
Ascension Day
Whit Monday
Corpus Christi
15 August: Assumption
26 October: National Holiday
1 November: All Saint's Day
8 December: Immaculate Conception
25 December: Christmas
26 December: Saint Stephen's Day

The Austrian National Tourist Office publishes a book entitled Vienna for Guests with Handicaps. It gives information on accessibility to hotels, restaurants, entertainment, banks, health services, public toilets, and transport, for travellers with disabilities. Austrian Railways (ÖBB) provide free lightweight wheelchairs for passengers with disabilities. These must be booked three days in advance at a railway station.

Vienna has a comprehensive bus and tram system. The same tickets may be used for buses, trams (Straßenbahn), local trains (stadtbahn), and the metro (U-Bahn). Tickets for both buses and trams can be purchased from machines inside the carriage and should be inserted in the ticket-punching machine on board. All main towns and cities have a good bus system. Trams exist in Linz, Innsbruck, and Salzburg. Trams, sometimes run against the traffic, and care should be taken when crossing the street. Vienna has an underground system referred to as the U-Bahn. Tickets can be purchased in tobacconists and Vienna public transport advanced sales offices. These tickets can also be used for trams (Straßenbahn), buses, and the local train (Stadtbahn). One-day and three-day passes can be purchased from tourist information offices, advanced sales offices, the Westbahnhof and Südenbahnhof railway stations, the airport, and at tobacconists.

There is a regular boat service from Passau to Linz, and then on to Vienna. Hydrofoil services run from Vienna to Bratislava and also to Budapest.