The Austrian Alps offer a plethora of stunning mountain ranges to explore, each with its own unique charm. Among the top choices are the Grossglockner, Dachstein, and Hohe Tauern.
The Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak, is a paradise for …
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Backpacking Austria in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Austria with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Visit Austria
Step into the heart of Europe with Austria, where classical charm meets alpine allure for backpackers. Pros? Immerse in rich history, picturesque landscapes, and efficient public transport. Austria boasts safety and cleanliness, but prices may be higher compared to some backpacker havens. For those seeking a blend of cultural immersion and outdoor adventure, Austria's blend of elegance and natural beauty makes it a unique destination. Whether wandering through historic cities or hiking in the Alps, Austria offers a backpacking experience marked by sophistication and scenic splendor.
Why to go?Why backpacking in Austria
Mountains
Scenery
Austria is a country known for its stunning natural landscapes, charming villages, and historic cities. The country is home to the majestic Alps, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The picturesque lakes, such as Lake Wolfgang …
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People
Austrians are known for their warm and welcoming nature, often displaying a genuine interest in getting to know others. They are quick to offer a friendly smile, engage in conversation, and extend invitations to their homes. Whether it’s sharing a …
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Architecture
Austria is home to several impressive ancient ruins and interesting architecture. The most famous of these is the Roman city of Carnuntum, which was once a significant military and trade hub in the region. Visitors can explore the ruins of the …
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💡 HighlightsTop-5 things to do in Austria
- Vienna: Explore the stunning capital city of Austria, known for its rich history, magnificent architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Visit iconic landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Belvedere Palace.
- Salzburg: Immerse yourself in the birthplace of Mozart and explore the charming Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress and take a Sound of Music tour to discover the filming locations of the famous movie.
- Hallstatt: Discover the picturesque village of Hallstatt, nestled between mountains and a crystal-clear lake. Explore the charming streets, visit the Hallstatt Salt Mine, and enjoy breathtaking views from the Skywalk.
- Innsbruck: Experience the beauty of the Austrian Alps in Innsbruck. Visit the Golden Roof, explore the Imperial Palace, and take a cable car ride to the Nordkette mountain range for stunning panoramic views.
- Wachau Valley: Embark on a scenic journey through the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore charming towns, vineyards, and the Melk Abbey. Take a leisurely boat ride along the Danube River to fully appreciate the beauty of the region.
But Austria offers more...
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Austria
🌤️ When to go?Best time to go backpacking Austria
The best time to visit Austria for backpacking is during the summer months, from June to September. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant and warm, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring the countryside. Additionally, many festivals and events take place during the summer, providing a vibrant cultural experience. However, it is worth noting that popular tourist destinations can be crowded during this time, so it is advisable to plan ahead and book accommodations in advance.
Risk level: low (0%)Safety advice for Austria
- Heavy rainfall across central Europe is causing floods, road closures and significant public transport disruptions across the east of Austria. Stay away from flooded areas. Disruptions are likely to continue until at least 19 September. Check road traffic information and public transport updates from Austrian railways and Vienna public transport before you travel. Monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Always be alert to terrorism. Terrorists have targeted European cities, including Vienna. Crowded places, such as music and cultural events, festivals, Pride events, tourist areas, Christmas markets, shopping areas, transport hubs, major sporting events and other public areas are possible targets. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local authorities. Report anything suspicious to the police.
- Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is common. Be careful on public transport and in areas popular with tourists. Take care using ATMs.
- Avalanches, flash floods and mudslides occur in alpine areas. Monitor local weather. Follow the advice of local authorities. Stick to marked slopes and trails when skiing, hiking and mountain climbing.
source: smartraveller.gov.au
AustriaMy tips to get you on the way!Does Austria sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Austria. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Austria may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Austria. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Austria may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Austria, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Austria, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 29 September 2024