How to reach Austria

By Air

It is no doubt that travelling by air is the most convenient and the fastest way for travelling internationally. When it comes to Austria, there are 9 major cities, out of which 6 have their own airports. However, the main and most important international airport is located in the capital of Austria – Vienna. As a quarter of the Austrian population lives in Vienna, it makes sense why Vienna International Airport (German: Flughafen Wien-Schwechat) is the international hub of the country. It is connected to all the major international airports in the world. There are other international airports in Austria, mainly in Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Klagenfurt. However, these airports only see European flights. Austrian Airlines is the national carrier in Austria. Other major airlines that fly to Austria are Air France, Finnair, Aeroflot, Gulf Air, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air India.

Travelling from India to Austria is quite easy. You will find direct and connecting flights from all the major airlines from most of the metro cities in India, mainly Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi and Bengaluru to Vienna International Airport (VIA). However, the only direct flight from India to Vienna is from Delhi through Air India. You will reach VIA in approximately 9 hours. The connecting flights can take up to 19 hours to reach Austria, depending on the airline. Also, while planning the travel, do factor in that a road and rail transit is available at the airport to reach Vienna city.

Indians need a valid passport and a Schengen VISA to enter Austria. For those who do not know, many European countries are the members of the Schengen agreement, which allows all the members of the agreement to travel without a VISA in the respective countries. With a Schengen VISA, you not only can travel to Austria, but also all the countries that are a part of the Schengen Agreement.

By Road

Travelling to Austria from India by road is not possible, nor is it allowed. The only way one can travel to Austria by road is if they are in Europe, particularly from the neighbouring countries Italy, Germany, Hungary and many others. In this case, you can drive down or use the local public transportation system.

By Water

Travelling this way is a once in a lifetime journey. It makes reaching the destination even more special. Unfortunately, there are no direct cruises running between India and Austria. However, if you really want to experience travelling in the sea, there are a few cruises that start from Mumbai and stop at a number of ports in Italy. You can board any of these, get off at Italy, and enter the country through road. You will not need a separate VISA for this, as Italy is also a member of the Schengen agreement.

Commutation within Austria

Air

As there are 6 airports in Austria, travelling by air is possible. However, Austria is a small country, with more than 62% covered with mountains and woods. That is why, tourists do not really like travelling by air, as it is quite expensive and will most likely take the exact same time to reach a destination as a public train or bus. Nevertheless, if you have to travel through air, make sure you book your tickets well in advance (2-3 months) to get great deals and cheaper tickets.

The main domestic airlines are Intersky, Austrian Arrows, and Welcome Air. They all have regular flights to all the 6 airports in Austria.

Train

The rail network in Austria is well maintained and convenient with its free Wi-Fi and international connectivity. It is the best and most popular mode of transportation in Austria, for the tourists as well as the locals. Travelling in a train will give you the best views of Austria, which you will miss if you take a flight.

You can use trains to travel all over the country. The rail network is full of magical tunnels and bridges that will make you wish you lived in Austria. If you are staying in the country for a few days or a week, make sure you get a rail pass. It will make your life easier and will get you some discounts at museums and other tourist destinations as well. There are quite a number of different types of trains and they all have different routes and purposes. These are the main trains you need to know about for travelling in between the cities of Austria – S-Bahn, RSB,R, REX, IC and RJ.

Bus

Just like the rail network, buses are also the main form of public transformation. There are over 900 bus routes in Austria with over 40,000 stops, which means that buses can take you to the off-road places like hamlets, ski resorts and hiking trails located at higher altitudes.

Car

Driving a car in the beautiful Austrian lanes is an experience that is unlike any other. The feeling of driving through the stunning landscape of Austria cannot be described in words. You can easily rent a car in any major city but make sure that you avoid rentals near the airport as they charge extra. Moreover, rent a car when you are going on longer routes and not when you are exploring a main city. This is because most lanes in cities like Vienna are single lanes and the local drivers are not known for their patience. It can be daunting for a stranger to drive through the streets of Vienna.

Hiking / Cycling

Cycling or walking between 2 cities is not recommended. However, renting a bicycle and exploring the main cities on foot are the best ways to go explore any place. This way, you can stop anytime you want and just take in the beauty that is Austria.

Travelling to Austria is very easy. Now that you know how convenient travelling to and in Austria really is, why not reach out to Thomas Cook to sample the delights of this amazing country! Contact us on our website or visit us at the closest branch to book your holiday.