Austria (AT)
Austria is a landlocked Central European republic of nine federal states (Bundesländer), renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, imperial history, world-class classical music, and high standard of living.
Getting Around
Transport options for living in Austria.
Public Transport Overview
Austria has an excellent and heavily subsidised public transport network. Vienna's Wiener Linien operates one of Europe's best urban transit systems: 5 U-Bahn (metro) lines, extensive tram (Straßenbahn) and bus networks, and the S-Bahn suburban rail — all running until around 12:30am, with night buses on weekends. The Klimaticket Österreich (€1,400/year or ~€117/month; €1,050/year concession — raised significantly since 2021 launch) covers virtually all trains, buses, and urban transit across all nine states — extraordinary value. Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck each have local tram/bus networks.
🎫 Transit Passes
All ÖBB trains (except Railjet/Nightjet seat reservations), all S-Bahn, all urban transit in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, and most regional buses nationwide.
All Wiener Linien U-Bahn, trams, and buses within Vienna city limits, plus S-Bahn within Vienna zones.
All Wiener Linien services in Vienna for 7 days.
50% discount on all ÖBB train tickets. Combined with Klimaticket, maximises savings.
Taxi & Rideshare
Taxis are metered and regulated in Austria. In Vienna, the base fare is ~€3.80 + €1.42/km. Taxi apps: Uber (widely used), Bolt (popular and cheaper), and local app myTaxi. Hailing taxis in the street is possible in Vienna. Taxi stands (Taxistandplätze) at all major transport hubs.
Rideshare (Long-distance)
Uber and Bolt operate in Vienna and major cities. Bolt is generally cheaper than Uber. BlaBlaCar for intercity car-sharing. Car-sharing services: Zipcar, SHARE NOW (car2go), and Kairos Car Sharing operate in Vienna.
Cycling
Vienna has 1,400+ km of cycling paths and is expanding rapidly. WienMobil (Vienna's mobility app) integrates cycling. Citybike Wien (public bike share) with 120 stations: €1 membership, first hour free, €1 per subsequent hour. Private bike rental: €15–25/day. Helmets not legally mandatory for adults but recommended. Locking your bike securely is essential — theft is common.
Intercity Trains
ÖBB operates Austria's extensive rail network. Vienna Hauptbahnhof (Wien Hbf) is the central hub. Key routes: Vienna–Salzburg (2h 20min Railjet), Vienna–Innsbruck (4h), Vienna–Graz (2h 40min), Vienna–Linz (1h 10min). Night trains (Nightjet) to Berlin, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Rome, Zürich, and beyond. WESTbahn also operates Vienna–Salzburg at lower prices. Booking in advance (sparschiene) gives discounts up to 70%.
Driving
Austria drives on the right. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads, 130 km/h on motorways. Motorway (Autobahn) usage requires a Vignette: €106.80/year, €12.80/10 days for cars; €5.10/10 days for motorbikes; 2-month option €32 (2026 prices). Available at petrol stations, ÖAMTC, and online. Spot checks for Vignette compliance are frequent — fines of €300+. Winter tyres legally required from November 1 to April 15 when there are winter conditions. Blood alcohol limit: 0.5‰ (0.1‰ for new drivers under 2 years).
Airports
Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien-Schwechat, VIE) is 18km from city centre. CAT (City Airport Train): 16 minutes to Wien Mitte, €14.90 one-way, every 30 minutes. S7 S-Bahn: 35 minutes, €4.30 (cheaper, runs every 30 min). Shared shuttle: €8–12. Taxi: €35–45. Buses from Westbahnhof and other hubs also connect to the airport. Salzburg Airport (SZG), Graz Airport (GRZ), Innsbruck Airport (INN), and Linz Airport (LNZ) serve other regions.