- Emergencies
- 112. 112 reaches all services from any phone, in English. Mountain rescue is 140.
- Tipping
- Round up or add about 5–10% for table service, and say the total as you pay. No cover charge, though some places charge for bread you eat. A glass of tap water comes with coffee in Viennese cafés.
- Cards and cash
- Cards work in most shops and cities; some cafés, huts and small restaurants are cash only. Euros. Carry some cash. Use bank ATMs ('Bankomat') and avoid stand-alone ones with high fees.
- Phone
- An eSIM bought before you go is usually the cheapest data; most 'Europe' plans include Austria (check). A1, Magenta and Drei sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at supermarkets; you need ID to register one.
- Plugs
- Type C, F, 230 V. Two round pins (Type C and F). Australian and NZ plugs are Type I, so bring an adapter.
- Tourist tax
- Towns add a local tax on beds, usually about €1.50–€3.50 a person a night (in Vienna a share of the room), at check-in (check).
- Shops shut on Sundays
- Almost all shops close on Sundays and public holidays; stations have a few open. Shop on Saturday.
- Coffee houses
- In Vienna's coffee houses you can sit for hours over one coffee; wait to be seated and pay at the table.
- Hallstatt's crowds
- Hallstatt is tiny and very busy from late morning in summer; arrive early or stay the night. Drones are banned.
- Lifts and huts are seasonal
- Cable cars and mountain huts usually open from late May or June to October, and again for the ski season.
- Carry some cash
- Mountain huts and small cafés may not take cards; keep €20–40 on you.
- Christmas markets
- From mid-November to Christmas, Vienna and Salzburg fill with Christmas markets; beds cost more at weekends.
Flewaway's practical notes, worded as usual practice; check your government's travel advice before you go.
ViennaHabsburg palaces, Klimt, coffee houses and opera for the price of a meal
