Austria is a beautiful country full of things to see and do. It’s the birthplace of Mozart and home to the wonderful Alps. It has stunning mountains, peaceful lakes, and charming cities like Vienna and Salzburg.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!You can explore grand palaces, listen to classical music, and enjoy delicious food. Austria is also known for its history and cultural traditions, which you can experience in its museums and festivals.
Austria is a country in Central Europe, which instantly becomes an adventure of a lifetime because of The Alps and the museums that introduce Europe and its history. It is 262 km (162 miles) away from the Gulf of Venice, bordered by Germany, Italy, Hungary and The Czech Republic.
If you’re visiting in winter, you can enjoy the Alps for its fantastic winter activities such as skiing and hiking.
This 2 weeks in Austria itinerary will help you plan a vacation that is suitable for you.
BASIC TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR AUSTRIA
When is the best time to travel to Austria
The busy season is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and ideal for exploring cities, hiking in the Alps, and enjoying outdoor activities.
This is also when festivals and cultural events are in full swing, but it’s the busiest and most expensive time to visit.
The winter season, from December to February, is another peak period, especially for those interested in skiing and winter sports. Austria’s alpine resorts are bustling, and the holiday markets add a magical charm to the cities.
Austria’s rainy season typically occurs in late spring and early summer, particularly in May and June. Rainfall is usually mild, but it’s something to consider if you prefer dry weather.
The shoulder seasons, in spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October), offer milder weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. These months are perfect for sightseeing, enjoying the scenic landscapes, and experiencing Austria’s cultural heritage in a more relaxed setting.
Are 2 weeks enough for Austria
Actually yes. Austria’s size is small enough and thanks to its incredible transportation system, you can definitely cover all the top sites in just 14 days.
But of course, if you prefer to travel slower, that’s possible too. Vienna, Graz, and Salzburg are the top cities that you must visit. If you want to skip busy cities, you can check other smaller, but charming towns.
How to get around
Getting around Austria is convenient and efficient, thanks to its well-developed transportation network. The fastest way to travel between major cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck is by train.
Austria’s trains are fast, reliable, and comfortable, making them a great option for both speed and convenience.
The cheapest option is often by bus, with companies like FlixBus offering affordable travel between cities and towns. Buses are slower than trains but cost-effective for budget travellers.
Renting a car is ideal if you plan to explore rural areas or the scenic countryside, such as the Austrian Alps. It offers flexibility, but driving in cities can be challenging due to narrow streets and parking difficulties.
In cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz, public transportation is excellent. These cities have extensive metro (U-Bahn), tram, and bus networks that make getting around easy and efficient.
Ride-hailing apps like Uber are also available in major cities, providing a convenient alternative to taxis.
Language and currency
The main language in Austria is German, specifically Austrian German, which has some regional variations. Most Austrians speak German in their daily lives, and it’s the language used in signs, public services, and official documents.
Tourists can generally get around with English, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. Many Austrians, particularly those in the service industry—such as hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions—speak English well enough to assist visitors.
The main currency in Austria is the Euro (EUR). Tourists will need to use euros for most transactions, as other major currencies like USD or GBP are not accepted for direct payment.
While credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Austria, especially in cities, hotels, restaurants, and larger stores, it’s still a good idea to carry some cash.
Visa
Austria is part of the EU and implements the Schengen Area visa policy. This means that visitors holding passports, passports from countries in the Americas, Oceania, East Asia, Malaysia, the UK, and Singapore, can visit and travel around Austria for 90 days.
If you hold a passport from an EU member country, you have the freedom to travel to Austria.
Other foreign visitors must apply for a Schengen visa at the nearest Austrian Embassy or Consulate in advance.
Cost of 2 weeks in Austria
A budget-friendly trip might range from €1,200 to €1,700, covering budget accommodations like hostels or guesthouses, public transportation, and simple meals, with some free or low-cost sightseeing.
A mid-range trip could cost between €2,000 to €3,500, offering stays in comfortable hotels, a mix of public transport and possibly a rental car, guided tours, and dining at mid-range restaurants.
For a luxury experience, expect to spend €5,000 or more, which includes high-end hotels, private transfers, gourmet dining, and exclusive experiences like private tours or concerts.
Each option covers essential costs like accommodation, food, and transportation, but without your main flight to and from Austria.
Travel arrangement tips
MAP OF TOP SITES AND ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRIA
Click the icon on the top right to enlarge the map. Credit: map data: Google
2 WEEKS IN AUSTRIA ITINERARY
When travelling to Austria, I suggest renting a car because the country is best enjoyed with scenic drives from one destination to another.
This makes this 2 weeks in Austria itinerary ideal for those looking for a memorable getaway with their families, friends, or loved ones. But if you plan to travel alone, don’t worry because I’ll provide details on how to get around the country.
ALSO READ: 2 weeks in Germany itineraries
Vienna for 4 days
Starting your two weeks in Austria through Vienna is a great choice because it is the heart of the country’s culture and history, introduced by its museums and architecture.
It is also a major transportation hub, which makes it easy to reach international destinations and travel to other parts of the country.
During your stay here, enjoy your mornings with the best Viennese coffee and pastries that make you want to skip lunch, and spend your night with an opera or in lively Viennese wine taverns (the best ones are on the city’s outskirts).
Vienna, the City of Music and Dreams, is popular for its classical music heritage. It is the home of legendary composers like Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn, and Strauss. Tourists don’t leave Vienna without hearing the soulful music of the most remarkable composers in history.
You don’t want to miss Mozarthaus, too, an interesting museum where Mozart used to live and where he composed one of his famous pieces, “The Marriage of Figaro”. The museum offers classical concerts you can book online and audio guides that introduce Mozart and his work.
In your remaining time, you can drive to Bratislava, Slovakia, for 1 hour and visit Devin Castle or walk through the cobblestone streets of its Old Town.
Graz for 3 days
Your next stop is Graz, which is 200 km (124 mi) southwest of Vienna. Driving on your own will take about 2 hours and 20 minutes while taking the train is 2 hours and 30 minutes. There’s a bus option too for 3 hours, but it’s cheaper.
Specifically in Sporgasse and Altstadt von Graz, your stomach will become full with just your eyes because there are a lot of restaurants and cafes that serve baked pears, Wiener Schnitzel (tender veal cutlets), and Tafelpitz (boiled beef fillet).
I say the most romantic thing here is the little restaurants on the street sides with a cosy setting that’s perfect for an early breakfast or a candlelit dinner.
Visit Schlossberg and enjoy panoramic views of the city atop a hill. There are picnic areas and parks, which are best enjoyed over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake from Schlossberg Restaurant. Although most people walk on foot to appreciate the scene, you can ascend to the hill using a funicular ride and go down the same way.
Salzburg for 4 days
Salzburg is 280 km (174 mi) northwest of Graz. If you’re driving, it will take 3 hours and 20 minutes. You can also take the 4-hour train or a 5-hour bus. Just make sure you book “direct” tickets (around $25).
Salzburg is famous for being Mozart’s birthplace, holding classical concerts for the composer throughout the year. The city has well-preserved baroque architecture, seen in historic sites like the Hohensalzburg Fortress and Salzburg Cathedral.
If you want something exciting, do a cable car ride to the top of the 1,853-meter-high (6,079.3 ft) Untersberg to get a view of the Salzburg Alps.
Because you’re already in Salzburg, don’t end your 2 weeks in Austria without making a day trip to Hallstatt. It has one of the most popular lakeside villages in the country, along with St. Wolfgang, St. Gilgen, and Mondsee.
Here, you can enjoy interactive slides in Salzwelten (Salt Mine), visit its skywalk, or tour its Old Town.
Innsbruck or Liechtenstein for 3 days
As your last stop for 2 weeks in Austria, you can choose between the city of Innsbruck or the country of Liechtenstein.
Innsbruck is a good place to end your trip if you want a more laid-back destination where you can take your days slowly, visit museums, and enjoy a walk downtown.
Go to Liechtenstein if you want to discover a new country before you head home. Personally, in terms of culture, food, and language, there’s not much difference. But it’s still a self-governing place where you can learn the difference between the trio Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Salzburg to Innsbruck is about 190 km (118 mi) and takes 2 hours and 20 minutes by car. There’s also a train that takes 2 hours.
From Salzburg to Liechtenstein, the drive is 4 hours and 45 minutes, covering 360 km (217.5 mi). You can take the train for about 5 hours.
Flying out of Austria
Whether you’re ending your trip in Innsbruck or Liechtenstein, you now have a choice to fly out of Zurich, Munich, or Vienna. Zurich would be the closest.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN AUSTRIA (per city)
Vienna
- The Hofburg Palace Complex
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral
- The Sigmund Freud Museum
Salzburg
- Go trekking in Lammerklam Gorge
- Red Bull Hangar-7
- Schloss Mirabell & Mirabellgarten
Graz
- Schloss Eggenberg
- Landeszeughaus
- Lurgrotte Peggau
Innsbruck
Liechtenstein
LOCAL AUSTRIAN DISHES AND DRINKS TO TRY
Austrian cuisine is a delightful mix of hearty, comforting dishes that reflect the country’s rich history and diverse cultural influences.
Like Swiss cuisine, Austrian food is rooted in Alpine traditions, featuring dishes that are perfect for cold climates and mountainous regions. Both cuisines share a love for rich flavours, using ingredients like cheese, potatoes, and meats.
However, Austrian cuisine is also heavily influenced by its former empire, with flavours from Central Europe, Italy, and Hungary.
Here are the top dishes and drinks that you must try during your 2 weeks in Austria visit:
- Wiener Schnitzel – A breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet, often served with potato salad or lingonberry sauce.
- Tafelspitz – Boiled beef served with horseradish, apple sauce, and a variety of sides.
- Goulash – A hearty stew of beef, onions, and paprika with roots in Hungarian cuisine.
- Knödel – Dumplings made from bread or potatoes, served as a side dish or dessert.
- Käsespätzle – Soft egg noodles mixed with melted cheese and topped with crispy onions, similar to Swiss rösti.
- Apfelstrudel – A pastry filled with spiced apples, raisins, and cinnamon, served warm with vanilla sauce.
- Zwiebelrostbraten – A pan-fried beef steak topped with crispy onions, served with gravy and potatoes.
- Leberkäse – A type of meatloaf, often sliced and served in a roll or with mustard.
- Sachertorte – A rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam covered in dark chocolate.
- Kaiserschmarrn – A fluffy shredded pancake, often served with fruit compote.
- Topfenstrudel – A strudel filled with sweetened quark cheese, similar to cheesecake.
- Almdudler – A popular herbal soft drink, often called the “national drink of Austria.”
- Sturm – A semi-fermented, sweet grape juice enjoyed during the harvest season.
- Austrian Wine – Particularly Grüner Veltliner, a dry white wine that pairs well with many Austrian dishes.
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN AUSTRIA
Vienna
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
Salzburg
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
Graz
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
Innsbruck
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
Liechtenstein
- Affordable:
- Mid-range:
- Luxury:
SUMMARY OF 2 WEEKS IN AUSTRIA
Austria is one destination that should complete your travel wish list. The country is easy to navigate with its well-connected public transport, and renting a car gives you memorable scenic drives with your family, friends, or loved ones.
What’s also great about this country is that it shares close connections to countries like Slovakia, which allows day trips in just 1 to 2-hour drives.
From Vienna’s grand palaces to Salzburg’s musical heritage and Graz’s gastro pubs, this itinerary gives you a real taste of the country’s top attractions.
Whether you’re someone who likes history, music, wine bars, or good food in a laid-back setting, each destination is a worthy stop, which adds flavour to your 2 weeks trip.