Austria : Safety by City
Austria sits right in the heart of Europe, surrounded by Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and a few other neighbors.
It was once the powerhouse of the Habsburg Empire, and you can still see that influence in its grand palaces, ornate architecture, and deep-rooted musical heritage—Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss all called it home.
But Austria isn’t just about history.
Its landscapes are ridiculously beautiful.
The Alps take up much of the country, offering world-class skiing in winter and stunning hiking trails in summer.
The eastern side has rolling vineyards, charming lakes, and picturesque towns, perfect for sipping wine and slowing down.
Vienna, the capital, is effortlessly elegant with its café culture, museums, and must-see sights like Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
Salzburg feels like a storybook with its baroque buildings and Sound of Music connections, while Innsbruck is the place for mountain adventures.
Connecting all the exceptional locations is a train that runs smoothly and regularly, making Austria easy to explore.
Austria also has the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, founded in 1752.
Whether you’re exploring castles, skiing the Alps, or just devouring a plate of schnitzel, Austria is awesome.
But is it safe?
Let’s take a look.
Warnings & Dangers in Austria
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Austria is about as safe as it gets. Crime rates are low, infrastructure is solid, and most visits go off without a hitch. The biggest threats? Maybe an overpriced tourist trap or getting caught in the rain without an umbrella. Use common sense, and you’ll be just fine.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Public transport is clean, reliable, and safe—even at night. Taxis won’t rip you off if you use official ones or an app like Bolt. The only real danger? Forgetting to validate your ticket on a tram and getting hit with a surprisingly hefty fine. Always punch that ticket!
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Austria isn’t a crime hotspot, but pickpockets do lurk in busy areas like Vienna’s shopping streets, train stations, and Christmas markets. They’re quick, not violent, so keep your bag zipped, avoid flashing cash, and don’t get distracted by “friendly” strangers. Overall, the risk is low.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
No earthquakes, no hurricanes—Austria’s pretty stable. The main risks? Flooding in the Danube region after heavy rain and avalanches in the Alps during the ski season. If you're heading into the mountains, check forecasts and follow safety signs. Otherwise, nature here is more picturesque than perilous.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Street crime is rare, even at night. You’re more likely to lose your wallet to forgetfulness than to a mugger. That said, avoid unlit areas alone at odd hours—just basic city smarts. If you feel uneasy, hop in a taxi or stick to well-trafficked areas.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Austria hasn’t been a major target, but like most of Europe, it remains aware of potential threats. Security is solid in public areas, and incidents are extremely rare. Stay informed, but there’s no need for paranoia—just the usual vigilance when in crowded spaces or major landmarks.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Austria isn’t scam-heavy, but some sneaky tourist traps exist. Overpriced taxis, dodgy “charity” petitioners, and souvenir stores charging triple are the usual suspects. Don’t buy into sob stories on the street, and if something feels off—like an “amazing” exchange rate—it probably is.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Austria is one of Europe’s safest places for solo female travelers. Catcalling is rare, public transport is secure at night, and locals are generally respectful. Standard precautions apply—watch your drink at bars and trust your gut with strangers—but overall, it’s a stress-free destination for women.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
No need for bottled water here—Austrian tap water is some of the cleanest in the world. It often comes straight from alpine springs, so it’s fresh, safe, and delicious. In fact, some cities even have public fountains where you can refill your bottle for free.
Safest Places to Visit in Austria
The official Austrian travel website is www.austria.info.
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We’ll take a quick overview of the country by region and cities.
Vienna
Austria’s capital is packed with history, museums, and grand architecture.
Schönbrunn Palace and Hofburg Palace showcase the legacy of the Habsburgs.
Belvedere Museum houses Klimt’s The Kiss, while the Albertina features classic and modern art.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral offers panoramic city views.
Classical music fans can take a Mozart or Strauss concert tour, while history buffs can explore Vienna’s past on walking tours or horse-drawn carriage rides.
Salzburg
Salzburg’s Altstadt (Old Town) is a UNESCO site with baroque charm.
Hohensalzburg Fortress gives the best views over the city. V
isit Mozart’s Birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens, famous from The Sound of Music.
Fans of the film can take a dedicated Sound of Music bus tour to filming locations.
The Salzburg Card covers most attractions and public transport.
Innsbruck & The Tyrol
Surrounded by mountains, Innsbruck is Austria’s winter sports capital.
The Nordkette Cable Car takes visitors from the city to alpine peaks in minutes.
The Golden Roof is a famous landmark, while the Bergisel Ski Jump offers city views.
Year-round, visitors can take hiking tours, skiing lessons, or mountain biking trips.
The region also has scenic drives, like the Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
Salzkammergut
This region is known for its stunning lakes and spa towns.
Hallstatt is the most famous, with its lakefront village and Salt Mine tours.
Wolfgangsee and Attersee are great for boating, swimming, and hiking.
The area is perfect for boat cruises, e-bike tours, and scenic train rides.
Graz & Southern Styria
Graz has a blend of Renaissance, baroque, and modern architecture.
The Schlossberg hill offers a great view, and the Kunsthaus is a must for contemporary art.
South of Graz, the Styrian Wine Road is lined with vineyards offering tastings and wine tours by bike or car.
The Wachau Valley
This stretch of the Danube is famous for medieval towns and vineyards.
Melk Abbey, a baroque masterpiece, is a top attraction.
Take a boat cruise on the Danube, or explore the region on a cycling tour.
Wine lovers can visit Dürnstein and Krems for tastings of Austria’s famous Grüner Veltliner.
Places to Avoid in Austria
If you’re not a skier, avoid major alpine resorts like St. Anton, Kitzbühel, and Zell am See over Christmas, New Year’s, and school holidays in February.
Prices skyrocket, crowds are intense, and accommodations are booked up months in advance.
Vienna can get uncomfortably hot in summer, with temperatures reaching 35°C (95°F).
Many locals escape to the mountains or lakes, and some smaller restaurants and shops close for holidays.
Tourist hotspots like Schönbrunn Palace and St. Stephen’s Cathedral are packed.
Aim for June or early September to get the benefits of summer without the heat or the big crowds.
Early spring and late autumn are shoulder seasons, which means the weather is unpredictable.
Skiing and hiking can get ruled out due to a lack of snow and muddy trails.
Places like Innsbruck, the Salzkammergut, and Tyrol might be less appealing during this time.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Austria
- In an emergency, dial 133 for police and 112 for general emergencies. Vienna and major tourist hubs have English-speaking officers, but Austria doesn’t have a dedicated “tourist police.”
- Austria uses the KATWARN and UBIMET apps for emergency alerts, covering severe weather, road closures, and other hazards. If you’re in the mountains, always check local avalanche warnings via Lawinen.at before heading out.
- The ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile Club) also offers tourist assistance. You can call for help by dialing 123 or 120. Also, if you’re driving on Austria’s highways (Autobahnen), you must have a vignette (toll sticker). Buy one at gas stations, border crossings, or online.
- High-altitude areas like the Grossglockner, Innsbruck, and the Ötztal Alps can cause altitude sickness, especially for those coming from sea level. To adapt, ascend gradually, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol the first day. If dizziness or nausea hits, descend to a lower altitude. Oxygen is available at some ski resorts.
- Between November 1 and April 15, winter tires are mandatory in snowy or icy conditions. Police conduct random checks, and non-compliance results in fines—or worse, liability in an accident. Chains may be required in alpine areas, so check conditions before heading to the mountains.
- Austria’s lakes, like Lake Wolfgang and Lake Hallstatt, are stunning but can be extremely cold, even in summer. Hypothermia is a real risk if you’re unprepared. The Danube has strong currents, so only swim in designated areas. Lifeguards are uncommon, so take extra precautions.
- Vienna’s trams, buses, and subways operate on an honor system, but ticket inspections are frequent, and fines are steep (€105 on the spot). No excuses—tourists aren’t exempt. Also, don’t eat or drink on public transport in Vienna; it’s banned and can lead to dirty looks or fines.
- Thinking about pitching a tent in the Alps? Wild camping is mostly illegal except in designated areas. Some states, like Tyrol and Salzburg, have strict bans. Instead, use official campsites or ask landowners for permission if you’re in a rural area. You can get fined for breaking the law.
- Austrians take peace and quiet seriously. Many towns enforce Ruhezeiten (quiet hours) from 10 PM to 6 AM and all day on Sundays. Loud music, construction, or even vacuuming in an apartment during these times can annoy neighbors—or even prompt a complaint to local authorities.
- Ice bathing is listed in several tourism brochures. While they tout the benefits of the icy plunge, you should check with your doctor before the trip to see if that’s a safe thing for you to do. Some people with heart issues or other health conditions might face adverse reactions getting into near-freezing water.
So... How Safe Is Austria Really?
Most countries like the United States and Canada issue travel advisories to help residents plan trips.
If a country has a travel warning, there will be a detailed list of reasons why.
For Austria, there are no elevated warnings from any country.
The United States State Department says Austria has one of Europe’s lowest crime rates, with rare violent incidents.
However, petty theft does happen, especially in tourist hotspots like St. Stephen’s Cathedral and Vienna’s First District shopping areas. Standard cautions should apply.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office echoes that sentiment, adding that public transportation is another potential place for theft.
After reading Canada and Australia’s advice, they all say pretty much the same thing.
You also can’t research this topic without seeing “Austria/Vienna is one of the safest places in the world.”
That’s definitely good news, but don’t get a false sense of safety.
Keep your guard up, but enjoy everything Austria has to offer.
How Does Austria Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Austria | 92 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Switzerland | 89 |
| South Korea | 82 |
| Oman | 76 |
| Canada | 88 |
| Estonia | 82 |
| Albania | 75 |
| Czech Republic | 88 |
Useful Information
Visas
You likely won't need a visa if you're staying in Austria for less than 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for the three months following your visit to the Schengen area. Ideally, you'll have six months of a valid passport.
Currency
Austria uses the Euro (EUR) for currency, which is super helpful if you're traveling around the continent. Banks and ATMs offer exchange services. Credit cards are also widely accepted.
Weather
Austria has four distinct seasons. Winters (December–February) are cold with snowfall, especially in the Alps. Springs (March–May) are mild and rainy. Summers (June–August) are warm, with temperatures around 25°C (77°F), though alpine areas stay cooler. Autumn (September–November) is crisp and colorful. The weather varies by altitude, with mountain regions being cooler year-round.
Airports
Austria has several commercial airports, with Vienna International Airport (VIE) being the largest and main hub for international travel. Other key airports include Salzburg (SZG), Innsbruck (INN), and Graz (GRZ), serving regional and European flights.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended for international trips. Consider coverage for medical evacuation, theft, cancelation, and weather events. If you plan to do high-risk activities, there's a special tier called adventure insurance.
Austria Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Low °C | -4 | -3 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 1 | -3 |
| High °F | 36 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 68 | 73 | 79 | 77 | 70 | 59 | 46 | 37 |
| Low °F | 25 | 27 | 32 | 39 | 48 | 55 | 59 | 57 | 52 | 43 | 34 | 27 |
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.