1. Book High-Speed Trains via ÖBB or Westbahn
Austria's national railway ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen) runs high-speed Railjet (RJ / RJX) trains connecting Vienna, St. Pölten, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Bregenz, Graz, and Klagenfurt. On the main Westbahn corridor (Vienna ↔ Linz ↔ Salzburg ↔ Innsbruck ↔ Bregenz), private operator Westbahn runs modern double-decker trains with step-free boarding. Use our ÖBB Railjet vs. Westbahn & Vorteilscard Calculator to compare advance Sparschiene fares (from €14.90–€19.90) against flexible tickets.
2. Driving? Buy Your Digital ASFINAG Vignette Before Entering an Autobahn
Every car and motorcycle using Austria's motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways (Schnellstraßen) must carry a valid ASFINAG Vignette (1-Day Digital €9.30, 10-Day €12.40, 2-Month €31.10). Six high-mountain tunnels and passes (including the Brenner A13, Arlberg Tunnel S16, and Tauern Tunnel A10) charge a separate Sondermaut (special section toll). Calculate your exact route in our Austria Digital Vignette & Alpine Toll Calculator.
3. Skip the Expensive Vienna Airport Train Unless You Need Terminal Check-In
At Vienna International Airport (VIE), the green City Airport Train (CAT) costs €14.90 one-way to Wien Mitte (16 min). Right next to it, regular ÖBB Railjet trains reach Wien Hauptbahnhof in 15 minutes for just €4.50, and the ÖBB S7 suburban train reaches Wien Mitte in 25 minutes for €4.50.
4. Ask Your Alpine Hotel for Your Free Regional Guest Mobility Card
In Salzburg (Salzburg Guest Mobility Ticket), Innsbruck (Welcome Card for 2+ nights), Zell am See-Kaprun (Summer Card), Bad Gastein, Wörthersee, and the Bregenzerwald (3+ nights), your overnight tourist tax (Nächtigungstaxe) unlocks free regional public transit and, in many valleys, free summer cable cars.
5. Master Austrian "Aufrunden" Tipping & Bankomat Cash Habits
In Austrian restaurants and coffee houses, never leave coins on the table when walking out. Instead, when the waiter states the bill (e.g., €26.80), hand over your payment or tap your card while stating the rounded-up total you wish to pay ("Machen Sie 29 Euro, bitte") and say "Stimmt so". Always carry €30–€50 in Euro notes and coins for alpine huts (Almhütten), market stalls, and public restrooms.