Austria : Safety by City
Snowy Austria is not just a dream vacation for skiing and winter lovers: it is a small, modern country located in Central Europe bordering Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east and Slovenia and Italy to the south.
Since it’s a landlocked alpine German-speaking country, the first thing that comes to mind is the snowy mountains and German beer: but it is so much more than that.
Its capital Vienna is one of the cleanest capitals in Europe, filled with cultural facilities and museums as well as baroque streetscapes and imperial palaces.
It is also considered one of the safest countries in the world.
Warnings & Dangers in Austria
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Generally, Austria is a very safe country to travel to. According to some sources, Austria is ranked 3rd on the list of safest and most dangerous countries in the world. Still, never let your guard down in a strange country.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Generally, transportation in Austria is safe and reliable. Be careful on public transportation since that's where pickpockets might try and steal from you.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in tourist landmarks and crowded areas but the issue is nowhere near serious. Just be vigilant at all times and never leave your belongings in plain sight.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
In alpine areas of the country, there are some risks of avalanches and mudslides. If you are traveling to this area of the country, closely monitor the weather conditions and tell someone about your pending whereabouts. Always follow the signs and the advice of the authority.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
You shouldn't worry about being mugged or kidnapped in Austria, since it rarely, if ever occurs.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There was one terrorist attack prevented in Vienna, in 2016. The threat of terrorists trying to execute an attack in Austria exists, but is relatively low.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Just like anywhere else, tourists will always be targeted for scams. Always check every change twice, negotiate everything in advance and be wary of strange people offering you help or trying to distract you, as it might be a trick to steal from you.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women traveling solo are completely safe in Austria. If you have your wits with you and follow your common sense, avoid dark and desert alleys or walking alone with strange people at night, your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Austria Really?
Austria is often considered one of the safest countries in the world.
Its robbery, assault, and car rates are among the lowest in the developed world, while violent crimes rarely occur.
What differentiates Austria from other countries is that even the small towns and uninhabited areas such as forests are very safe at any time of the day.
However, it is not without its dangers and you shouldn’t let your guard down: pickpockets do exist, even though they’re not common, so beware in crowded places.
Their skills are excellent and they’re getting increasingly professional.
Bicycle theft is also an issue in bigger cities but rarely happens in smaller towns.
Always lock your bike to an immobile object.
The ring road called Ringstrasse, known to the Viennese as the “Innere Stadt”, is where a vast number of historical landmarks of Vienna are located, such as the Hofburg, the former Habsburg palace that houses the National Library, the Spanish Riding School, as well as six museums, so naturally it’s where the pickpockets rally.
Another area that can attract pickpockets is the busy square Karlsplatz in Wieden where tourists gather in large numbers to see the Karlskirche church.
However, this place, however attractive during the day, becomes a gathering place for drug addicts at night.
You should also watch out in The Prater, a family amusement park that can be frequented by criminals and scammers.
How Does Austria Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Austria | 92 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Iceland | 95 |
| Croatia | 83 |
| Italy | 77 |
| Malaysia | 69 |
| Finland | 86 |
| Spain | 83 |
| Botswana | 77 |
Useful Information
Visas
Most countries do not need a visa for any stays shorter than 90 days. Owners of Schengen visa can stay for as long as they like. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months from your planned date of return. However, if you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
Euro is the official currency in Austria. ATMs are available everywhere and credit cards are accepted in most establishments.
Weather
Austria has a temperate continental climate. Summers that can be sometimes hot, sometimes rainy and wet, last from June to mid-September. During summer, the temperatures in July and August are around 25°C, but sometimes it can get scorching hot and the temperature can reach as high as 35°C (95°F). Winters, that last from December to March (and sometimes even longer at higher altitudes), are cold in the lowlands and very harsh in the Alpine region with temperatures often dropping below -10°C.
Airports
Vienna International Airport is the countries busiest international airport, and it is located in Schwechat, 18 km southeast of central Vienna.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Austria, since it covers not only medical problems, but also theft and loss of valuables.
Austria Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 4 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 4 |
| Low °C | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| High °F | 39 | 43 | 52 | 63 | 70 | 77 | 81 | 81 | 70 | 59 | 48 | 39 |
| Low °F | 32 | 34 | 39 | 46 | 55 | 61 | 64 | 64 | 57 | 48 | 41 | 34 |
Austria - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Vienna | 88 |
Wonderful
If you want to travel anywhere in the world, Austria is one of the most recommended for first time world travelers for a reason. My first trip outside the US was to Canada and my second was to Austria. I have been there 5 times since and love it. If you are debating on it, just go. The people are friendly and the food and sights are incredible.
Thanks for info!
Austria is an absolute gem of a country you must visit.
pick pockets
watch out for pick-pocketing, i was dining with my wife in some restaurant in vienna and somehow my wallet got picked
Maybe update the terrorism risk
yeah!
Amazing country
I visited Austria just before COVID hit. It is an AMAZING country to visit, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was my first trip out of the USA, and I definitely recommend it for new world travelers. The Christmas markets in any town are amazing. I was here for the entire month, mainly in Linz, but I did weekend trips to Vienna and Salzburg. Riding the ÖBB train was a very nice and safe way to get to different cities. I never had any issues with theft, and many of the people speak English. I walked alone from my hotel (the Marriott) in Linz to the downtown district and never felt like I was in danger. I was with a larger group in Vienna, but we didn’t encounter any pickpockets even though we were in a few VERY crowded and tourist-heavy areas that would have been easy for someone to pickpocket me without me noticing. I can definitely say I love Austria, and would recommend it to anyone thinking about going there.
Amazing Country!
Yes, my wife and I were in Austria many years ago and just loved it. Took the subway(?) to downtown Vienna in the early evening and came back after dark. Never had any problem at all! We are from Chicago and to do that here would require a SWAT team escort, or a squad of Marines to escort you.
I want to visit here!
Beautiful country loads of moutains and forests also the cities especially Vienna seem very beautiful
First place I ever travelled alone
Absolutely loved Austria and can’t wait to go back one day. The people were incredibly friendly and helpful, the food was great, I found everything to be reasonably priced. So much to see and do. It was the first time I had ever travelled alone , I found it safe to travel as a woman travelling alone. I wish I had of stayed longer so I could have seen more.
Worth a visit
Let me start by saying that the food is exceptionally good in Austria!
Of course, it depends on what you like and your personal taste, but the meat, the milk, even Mcdonald’s was much better in Austria than when I eat it in the U.S. their quality is superb!
It’s as safe as you can feel anywhere in Europe I guess, don’t walk alone at night and try to travel in groups, you are much less of a target for thieves this way.