Austria Adventure Vacations & Hiking Tours

For the majority of the summer season Austria is in the Central European (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Our trips include all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except where indicated on the itinerary). The only things you will definitely need cash for are drinks other than water (drinking water is fine to drink from the tap on all our trips), souvenirs and tips.

Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. There are plenty of ATM's and banks in larger towns in Austria, and ATM's will accept all major credit cards and many debit cards. Cash advances are the most convenient way to get cash.

The currency in Austria is the Euro €.

We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

• vegan (no meat or animal products)
• vegetarian (no meat products)
• fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
• no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
• gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
• lactose intolerant (no dairy products)

You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.

Austrian cuisine is most often associated with Viennese cuisine, with plenty of beef, pork, chicken, turkey and goose. The prominent Wiener Schnitzel, a thin, breaded and deep fried meat dish, is traditionally made of veal.
Breakfast in Austria usually consists of Semmel (a type of round bread roll) with butter, muesli, cold cuts of ham, smoked bacon (Speck), cut sausages, and a boiled egg. This usually comes with various cakes and pastries, jams, and coffee, tea, or fruit juice. The midday meal was traditionally the main meal of the day, though Austrians now work longer hours further from home therefore he main meal is now often taken in the evening. Tafelspitz is generally considered to be the national dish of Austria - a boiled beef broth which is served with horseradish, root vegetables, spices and minced apples.

Austria is famous for its castles, palaces and buildings, among other architectural works. Some of Austria's most famous castles include Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen, Castle Liechtenstein, and the Schloß Artstetten. Many of Austria's castles were created during the Habsburg reign.

Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.

We generally take up to 15 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!

Accommodation
On your Austria trip you'll stay in a variety of places depending on the destination and activities. You'll stay in a 1890’s Grand Hotel nestled into the mountain landscape, 13th-century Hotel located in an authentic, postcard-perfect Austrian village known for being featured in films, and a 4-star family run hotel, centrally located, offering a charming mix of family flair and noble ambience.

Transport
Your transport will be a mixture of private vehicle, bike, kayak and your very own two feet on our trips in Austria. All your transport is included from the start of your trip and we'll drop you at the airport at the end. The details are all listed in the trip specific itineraries.

Meals
All your meals are included as described in the itinerary except for two dinners and one lunch. We have found that people enjoy checking out what is on offer by themselves sometimes, so you can go and see what's out there! On every other day and especially after any long hikes, we've chosen places to eat that can cater for our hearty appetites, work well with our small groups (they know we are coming) and provide us with an authentic destination specific culinary experience. There are always options for you, so you can either be brave or choose something more familiar. You can be assured that on all our trips we will make sure you are very well fed, and Europe's vast array of cuisine won't disappoint you!

Trip leaders
Our trips are all led by an experienced Trip Leader alongside a local specialist guide. Our Trip Leaders are very proud to work with Active Adventures and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful, as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. They work closely with our local specialist guides to provide you with a seamless, fun, exciting and memorable trip. They will happily share with you as much or as little as you want to know about the history, culture, social aspects and lifestyle of the country you are visiting.

Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

As an Active Adventures traveller, It’s essential you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of personal injury, medical expenses, trip cancellation for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Insurance page for more in-depth information and insurance provider options. It’s also important to check your insurance covers all the activities you’ll be partaking in, in case you’re travelling to altitude or looking at extreme sports.

You don't need any vaccinations for Austria. Easy!

It is your responsibility to stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Depending on your country of origin and the type of passport you hold, you may require a visa or other endorsement to enter Austria.

You can find essential travel advice, including passport and visa information, security details and local regulations, on the government website of your home country.

Here are some helpful links:

• United States of America: US Department of State Travel Advice
• Canada: Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories
• United Kingdom: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice
• Australia: Government of Australia Smart Traveller
• Residents of other countries should refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

The best time to visit Austria is during their summer, between June and August. There are more crowds than in other seasons, however far less than those you'll find in destinations like France or Italy.

At a minimum, 5 days are enough to explore the main cities – 2 days in Vienna, a day trip, and 2 days in Salzburg. With 7 days in Austria, you can explore more of the country and visit destinations like Hallstatt and Innsbruck. That's plenty of time to join our Alps & Salzburg trip!