AUSTRIA. Travel Documents, Health Care, Vaccinations, Electricity, Telephones and Internet, Money and Banks, Shopping, Typical Products

Travel Documents: Valid Passport. Nationals of EU-member states and of some other states only need an official identification card.

The following do not need a visa: nationals of any of Austria's neighbouring states, of EU member states and many other states. Information may be obtained from the Austrian Embassy or consulate in your country as well as the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

US and Canadian passportholders do not require a visa in order to enter Austria.

Health: Austria is 'well-stocked' with doctors and pharmacies. Pharmacies operate a rota system for night and Sunday duty; when closed a notice is displayed giving the addresses of the nearest pharmacies that are open. Insured persons of the EWR-member states (= EU-member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland as well as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Croatia and Macedonia, in urgent cases can use their holiday insurance coverage form - obtained from their health insurer before starting their holiday - for medical care in Austria to the same benefits as those granted to persons insured in Austria. Information available at the respective health insurance company in the national state.

Electricity: 220 V alternating current. Connector plug/outlet correspond generally to the Euro-norm, but as a precaution one should still bring along an adaptor.

Telephones: Country Dialing Code 0043. Telekom Austria offers a broad range of tariffs. For call boxes and card-operated pay phones of Telekom Austria there is only one local zone (entire federal state) and no time scale. Calling cards are available at all post offices and in tobacconists' shops (Tabak Trafiken).

Mobile Telephones: GSM mobiles can be brought along and may be used in Austria as well. There are GSM networks in the 900 MHz range and 1800 MHz range.

Internet: Many Austrian cafés and other establishments offer the opportunity to log onto the Internet via Wi-Fi with your wireless-enabled laptop.

Money and Banks: Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union, the common currency is the Euro. Outside of banks, cash can be withdrawn around the clock at some 3,000 cash dispensers in all of Austria. National and foreign Maestro cards (cash cards) are accepted. Other automated teller cards are national and foreign MasterCards, American Express cards, Visa credit cards and Diners cards as well as the Cirrus and Visa-Plus cash cards that belong to this payment system. Credit cards are accepted in cities and tourist centres by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and gas stations.

Banking Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8.00 a.m to 12.30 p.m and 1.30 p.m to 3.00 p.m Thursday 8.00 a.m to 12.30 p.m and 1.30 p.m to 5.30 p.m

Shopping hours: Monday to Friday 5.00 a.m to 21.00 p.m, Saturday to 18.00 p.m. The actual opening hours for stores may vary, usually from 09.00 a.m – 18.00 p.m (Grocery stores from 08.00 a.m), Saturdays to 13.00 or 17.00 p.m Exceptional regulations with longer opening hours exist in tourist areas; shops at railway stations and at airports are open during the travel timeschedules (in part until 23.00 p.m).

Post Offices: The respective opening hours of post offices vary and are posted at the entrances of the post offices. Some main and station post offices in larger cities are also open at night, as well as Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, however with a restricted range of services.

Typical Products: Craftmanship is a popular souvenir: ceramic, woodcarving, artistic iron welding, traditional dress, Augarten-Porcellan, enamel jewelry and glass creations.

Cuisine: AUSTRIAN CUISINE RECIPES.

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