Vienna International Travel Guide

First Suspected Case of Coronavirus in Upper Austria: All-Clear

A suspected case of coronavirus occurred today in the Upper Austrian city of Linz. The all-clear was given in the late afternoon. The tests for COVID-19 were negative.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 17:20

Austria Reports Its First Two Coronavirus Cases as Outbreak Widens

In the Austrian province of Tyrol, two people have been proven to be infected with the coronavirus. A second test was also positive. These are the first two confirmed cases in Austria. The infected persons are two 24-year-old Italians from Lombardy who live in the Tyrolean capital Innsbruck.

February 25, 2020 · Updated: February 25, 2020; 14:25

Erster Coronavirus-Verdachtsfall in Oberösterreich

In der oberösterreichischen Stadt Linz ist heute der erste österreichische Coronavirus-Verdachtsfall aufgetreten, so das Büro des Bürgermeisters von Linz. Ein 55- jährige Linzer "zeigte nach einer Italien-Reise nach Venedig Symptome, die auf eine Infektion mit dem neuartigen Virus hindeuten könnten".

February 25, 2020

Coronavirus: Emergency Meeting of Central European Health Ministers in Rome

At the invitation of the Italian Government, the Health Ministers of Austria, Italy, Slovenia, France, Switzerland and Germany are meeting today.

February 25, 2020

Austria is Arming itself against the Coronavirus

The Austrian Federal Government today presented a package of measures against "all" upcoming scenarios, with the aim of ensuring transparency, information and protection for the population. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be decisive in determining how the coronavirus situation develops.

February 24, 2020

Italy-Austria: Coronavirus Emergency Measure Caused Chaos and Panic

A false coronavirus alarm paralysed train traffic between Italy, Austria and Germany. Meanwhile the far right Freedom Party demands that the National Security Council should discuss the situation and that travel to Austria from the affected regions should be restricted.

February 24, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 11:57

Coronavirus: Temperature Checks Effective Immediately at Vienna Airport

Following a decision by the Austrian health authorities, the body temperature of passengers on direct inbound flights from China are being measured at Vienna International Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) with respect to coronavirus.

February 6, 2020 · Updated: February 24, 2020; 09:31

Coronavirus Alert Level in Austria: "Forced Measures" are Not Excluded

The situation in Italy is being closely monitored, and Austria is well prepared for any eventuality. In Austria there was "no reason to panic". Border controls could be "ramped up" within minutes or within an hour, according to the Minister of the Interior.

February 23, 2020

Coronavirus Outbreak in Austria: Current Risk Assessment

The opposition demands the highest alert level and border controls for Austria. Minister of the Interior: "Coercive measures not excluded". What is the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for Austria's population and for travellers travelling in and out of Austria?

February 23, 2020

Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Hodler at the Albertina

The Albertina Museum in Vienna dedicates its spring exhibition 2020 to the "Hahnloser Collection", one of the most important Private collections of French modernism. The collection was created between 1905 and 1936 and includes works by Pierre Bonnard, Ferdinand Hodler, Henri Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh and Félix Vallotton.

February 20, 2020

Coronavirus: Infopoint for Affected Companies

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber has set up a central contact point in Vienna for companies that have requests in connection with the coronavirus. The "Coronavirus Infopoint" brings together all information from Austria and abroad on this topic.

February 19, 2020

Vienna Opera Ball 2020: The World's Most Famous Ballroom

At the Vienna Opera Ball on February 20, 2020, the Vienna State Opera will be transformed into possibly the most famous ballroom in the world. The so-called "Ball of Balls" is an Austrian society event and creates encounters between artists, politicians, business people and diplomacy.

February 17, 2020

Austrian Airlines Extends China Flight Ban as Coronavirus Toll Climbs

AUA Austrian Airlines extends its flight suspensions to mainland China (Beijing and Shanghai) until the end of the winter flight schedule on 28 March 2020. Most recently the flights had been suspended until 29 February.

February 16, 2020

Guide to VAT Refund for Visitors to Austria - Cash Refund at Vienna International Airport

Austria has one of the highest refund rates for large purchases, at up to 15%. A convenient way for visitors from third countries or non-EU countries is to apply for a cash refund of the VAT at the airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat) on all their purchases made in Austria before their return flight.

February 10, 2020

Austrian Measures against the Novel Coronavirus

At a press conference at Vienna International Airport (Wien-Schwechat) on the coronavirus, Minister of Health Anschober and Minister of the Interior Nehammer provided information on the measures taken by Austria and the airport as follows..

February 7, 2020

China Returnees: No Coronavirus in Vienna yet

The first coronavirus test results (2019-nCoV PCR tests) of those seven Austrians who returned Sunday from the Chinese province of Hubei and were transferred directly to the Hygiene Centre Vienna are now available and all of them are negative.

February 4, 2020

Is Vienna Prepared for the Novel Coronavirus?

In the meantime, there are four suspected cases of the coronavirus in Austria, which is suspected to be derived from snakes. Vienna has drawn up its own influenza pandemic plan for the city based on the federal pandemic plan.

January 31, 2020

Corona Virus: Austrian Airlines Suspends Flights to Mainland China

AUA Austrian Airlines will suspend its flights to and from Beijing and Shanghai. Also its parent company Lufthansa, and Swiss International Air Lines will suspend their flights to and from Mainland China until February 9th.

January 29, 2020

Wiener Eistraum: 25 Years of Ice Skating at the Rathausplatz

One of the highlights among Vienna's events looks back on a proud quarter of a century and is also equipped for a long future. The "Vienna Ice Dream" has been dressed up for its 25th birthday - City Hall Square, 9,000 m² of ice rink and the worldwide unique "Sky Rink" ice terrace sparkled and shone with a glittering glow on the opening evening.

January 23, 2020

Austrian Airlines: Passenger Record, Eight New Destinations and Fleet Concentration in Vienna

The Lufthansa subsidiary registered a record 14.7 million passengers last year. A new promising US route to Boston and seven additional destinations to Rome, Barcelona, Birmingham, Nuremberg. Zadar, Kavala and Samos are on the agenda for 2020.

January 21, 2020

Aircraft Crash: Austrian Airlines Cancels Tehran Flights

Austrian Airlines flights to the Iranian capital are cancelled for the time being. The reason is the unclear security situation in Iranian airspace.

January 10, 2020

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Travelling to Iran

There is currently no official travel warning from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, although it advises against travel that is not absolutely necessary.

January 10, 2020

Vienna Expects Lucrative Ball Season 2020 with 151 Million Euro Turnover

At the Viennese balls, 520,000 ball guests are expected this season, one of whom will spend an average of 290 euros.

November 21, 2019

Upper Austria's Bad Ischl Becomes European Capital of Culture 2024

Together with two other capitals of culture, Tartu in Estonia and Bodo in Norway, Bad Ischl (together with 20 other municipalities of the Salzkammergut) was elected European Capital of Culture 2024.

November 12, 2019

Travel: Visit the most Beautiful Lake of Austria

Viewers of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF) have chosen their "most beautiful place". The most beautiful place in Austria is the turquoise blue Lake Lünersee (Lünersee) at 1,970 metres above sea level in the federal state of Vorarlberg.

October 28, 2019

Opening of the 57th Viennale at the Gartenbaukino in Vienna

The largest international film festival in Austria, the Viennale was opened in Vienna's Gartenbaukino in the presence of Federal Chancellor Bierlein. The role of women in society is of the highest relevance.

October 25, 2019

Strategic Objectives of the Vienna Visitor Economy Strategy 2025: Premium, Cosmopolitan, Digital

Vienna is already setting international standards in the holistic analysis of data for the development of destinations. The achievement of the goals of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2025 can be measured by six target indicators, which reflect the effects on turnover and added value as well as the satisfaction of residents and guests and ecological developments.

October 22, 2019

A New Age for Vienna Tourism

Following the tourism concepts of previous years, the City of Vienna, under the auspices of the Vienna Tourist Board, is for the first time presenting its "Visitor Economy Strategy" until 2025.

October 22, 2019

City of Vienna Battles Airbnb & Co

Shortly before the new European Commission takes up its tasks, the City of Vienna is launching a new Europe-wide offensive to finally achieve clear rules for digital platforms such as Airbnb & Co.

October 22, 2019

Billionaire Heidi Horten Unveils Her Contemporary Museum Concept

Heidi Goëss-Horten has announced the winning architectural office, which will design the new museum of the Heidi Horten Collection in the Palais Goëss-Horten (Hanuschhof / Stöcklgebäude) until the beginning of 2022.

October 9, 2019

Austrian Airlines Takes Over Eurowings Flights to Strengthen Vienna Hub

Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines takes over the commercial management of all Eurowings flights from Vienna. Vienna is to be strengthened as a hub. At the same time, Eurowings will strongly expand its presence at Salzburg Airport and increase the number of Airbus A319 aircraft stationed in Salzburg to a total of three.

September 27, 2019

The Belvedere at Night - An Extraordinary Evening at a Beautiful Baroque Palace

With its unique baroque palace complex and a world-class art collection, the Belvedere Vienna offers an exquisite setting for various events such as weddings and business breakfasts.

September 25, 2019 · Sponsored Content

Conference Metropolis Vienna on the Rise

With more than 4,500 events, 631,000 participants and 1.9 million overnight stays per year, Vienna is one of the world's most popular meeting metropolises and sets new records year after year. Last year was a highly successful year, as conferences in the metropolis of Vienna have never brought so much added value as in 2018.

September 23, 2019

Expats in Austria Give Host Country Its Worst Ranking Yet

Expats in Austria enjoy a healthy life with great opportunities to travel, however, finding friends or even love can be a struggle. Hence Austria became 3rd from the bottom (56th out of 64 countries) in the Ease of Settling In Index.

September 20, 2019

Comeback of Albrecht Dürer's Young Hare

The Albertina Vienna will present the most comprehensive exhibition of the work of Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) in decades, starting next week. The exhibition presents over 100 drawings, a dozen paintings, personal notes and other rare documents of the Renaissance genius, including the Young Hare, the Praying Hands and the Great Piece of Turf.

September 12, 2019

Cats at the Ronacher - A Musical Legend Returns

The new version of the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece returns after many years to Vienna. Breathtaking dance, legendary costumes, a magical stage design, Grammy-awarded, rousing music and the touching world hit Memory make Cats an memorable experience.

September 12, 2019

Oh Vienna: Austria's Capital Remains the World’s Most Liveable City

Vienna has successfully defended its leading position in the Economist ranking of the most liveable cities in the world. On the index Vienna scores a near-perfect 99.1 out of 100, putting it just ahead of Melbourne.

September 5, 2019

Most Visited Sights Cooperate and Want to Attract More Chinese Tourists Through WeChat

Schönbrunn Palace and Schönbrunn Zoo will focus on China in the coming years. The zoo is now on WeChat and wants to attract more than a billion Chinese users to Vienna.

September 4, 2019

Open House: Discover Vienna's Unique Architectural History

Part of Vienna's rank as the city with the world’s best quality of livingis is its outstanding architecture and design. On 14 and 15 September 2019 about 100 buildings - many of which are normally inaccessible - will open their doors for the general public, free of charge.

September 3, 2019

International Research Institute Opens its Doors

For the first time in many years, the IIASA at Schloss Laxenburg will be accessible to external visitors on the National Heritage Day (Tag des Denkmals) on 29 September 2019, who will have a unique chance to learn all about the history of the castle and IIASA.

September 2, 2019 · Sponsored Content

Elephant Baby Kibali - Schönbrunn Zoo Has a New Star

Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo has just welcomed a baby elephant into the world. The little Kibali was born at Europe’s best zoo. The little elephant measured 90 cm and weighed 90 kg.

August 15, 2019

Sensation: South Gate of Roman Fortress Vindobona Discovered within the City of Vienna

The foundation of the missing main gate Porta Decumana of the Roman legionary camp Vindobona came to light during construction works.

August 12, 2019

Film Festival at Vienna's Town Hall Square 2019

The Film Festival at Vienna's Rathausplatz is an open-air event taking place on the square in front of the Vienna City Hall. During the summer months, it shows film recordings of classical music concerts, operas, operettas, ballet, musicals and jazz.

July 31, 2019

Uber Austria: Suspension in Vienna Over

The ride-sharing service Uber has terminated its suspension in Vienna imposed by the Commercial Court of Vienna and is continuing to operate. As requested, Uber now has a local subsidiary in Austria. With the forthcoming change to uniform rates for taxis and rental cars, the next challenge is already ahead.

July 31, 2019

Opening of the Salzburg Festival in the Context of the Climate Crisis

The Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) is the world's most important festival of classical music and the performing arts. The opening speeches in 2019 were dominated by the themes of climate change and environmental protection. The keynote speaker was US director Peter Sellars.

July 30, 2019

8 Reasons why Vienna is an Ideal Destination for Expats

Home to imperial architecture, masterpiece-filled museums and inspiring music, it’s no wonder that Vienna is a desirable destination for tourists and expats alike.

July 26, 2019

Uber Suspends all Services in Austria Temporarily

Uber Technologies, the driving service provider, is temporarily discontinuing all services in Austria. The reason for this is a temporary order issued by the Commercial Court of Vienna. Accordingly, Uber Technologies requires a subsidiary and a trade licence in order to offer its services.

July 25, 2019

Hilton Vienna Stadtpark Sold to South Korean Securities Consortium for €333 Mio

The Hilton Hotel near Vienna's Stadtpark is said to have been sold for €333 million ($375 million) to a Korean securities consortium - Hana Financial Investment Co., NH Investment & Securities Co., and Meritz Securities Co. The consortium is planning a modernization for €66 million ( $75 million).

July 19, 2019

Tourism: Why Does Vienna Need So Many New Hotels?

Tourism in Vienna is booming and the number of overnight stays is rising. New hotels are currently being built all over Vienna, from international hotel chains and five-star palaces to boutique hotels for city travellers, some of which attract with exposed rooftop bars. The Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere and the Max Brown 7th District were recently opened. A further 10 hotels will be completed over the next two years.

July 12, 2019

MOOONS: New Boutique Hotel with Spectacular Rooftop Bar Comes to Vienna

A new boutique hotel with the slogan "No stars just MOOONS" with 170 rooms on eight floors in high-quality design and with a spectacular rooftop bar at the Wiedner Gürtel in the 4th district of Vienna, opposite the new railway station, is to be opened in October 2019.

July 11, 2019 · Sponsored Content