Information - General Coountry Information
Climate: Temperatures depend largely on altitude, while summer days can be hot, summer evenings are always cool. Precipitation is quite evenly distributed over the whole year, but May, September and the first half of October tend to be the driest, April and November the wettest periods. The winter snow cover lasts from late December through March in the valleys, from November through May at about 6000 feet, and becomes permanent above 8500 feet.
Credit Cards: All major credit cards are accepted in hotels and in many shops and restaurants. We do recommend that you check with individual restaurants in advance if you wish to pay for your meal by credit card.
Currency: The currency unit is the Euro, the official currency of the European community - which consists of 100 Cents. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, coins in 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 Cents.
Electricity: Electric current in Austria is 220 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. To operate American small appliances or gadgets you will need an adapter/converter.
Government: The Republic of Austria is a democratic, western European country following a declared policy of military non-alignment. Austria is a member of the European Union.
Language: German is spoken as a first language by 99 % of the Austrian population. English is by far the leading second language in the educational system, and is understood widely, and spoken fluently by most people working in tourism related jobs, and the motion picture/television industry.
Shopping and Souvenirs: Typical high quality products are:
• Augarten porcellain - an innumerable choice of items from vases, plates, Spanish Riding School figures and much more make it difficult to choose.
• Austrian crystal glassware „Swarovski“ - For over 100 years, the name Swarovski has stood for top-quality, full cut crystal, expertly faceted and polished to extract every spark of its fiery brilliance.
• Classical music CDs, recording famous Austrian composers such as Mozart, Strauss, Schubert, Lehar, Beethoven and other internationally renowned artists.
• Austrian Loden - high quality Lodenware from Austria, like Geiger.
• Austrian handicrafts - quality jewellery, exquisite glassware, contemporary metalcraft work.
• Petit Point - best handmade Petit Point embroideries - a classic souvenir from Vienna.
• Michaela Frey - decorative art jewellery in precious enamel with 24ct gold decoration.
Time Difference: Austria is on Central European Time (CET = GMT +1) and on Daylight Saving Time from late March to late October.
Transportation: Transatlantic flights are offered non-stop from New York, Washington and Chicago by Austrian Airlines and from Atlanta by Delta. Many US and European carriers offer excellent connecting services to all the major cities in Europe (Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Zurich, etc.) with convenient connecting flights to Austria. Austria has 6 international airports of which Vienna International Airport is the largest. Austria also offers excellent rail transportation all over the country.
Safety: Austrian cities are very safe compared to other cities in the world but one should exercise the same common sense one would in other countries. Every hotel has safe deposit facilities at your disposal.