Entry Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand need only a valid passport to enter Austria. No visa is required. Safeguard your passport in an inconspicuous, inaccessible place like a money belt. If you lose it, visit the nearest consulate of your native country as soon as possible for a replacement. It's always a good idea to have a photocopy of your passport to expedite replacement.
Customs
Visitors who live outside Austria in general are not liable to pay duty on personal articles brought into the country temporarily for their own use, depending on the purpose and circumstances of each trip. Customs officials have great leeway here. Likewise, travelers 17 years of age and older may carry up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of distilled liquor; and 2 liters of wine or 3 liters of beer duty-free. Gifts not exceeding a value of 175€ ($228) are also exempt from duty.
Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for 48 hours or more are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You'll be charged a flat rate of 10% duty on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. Be sure to have your receipts handy. On gifts, the duty-free limit is $200. For more specific guidance, contact the Customs & Border Protection (CBP), 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 877/287-8667; www.cbp.gov), and request the free pamphlet "Know Before You Go." For a clear summary of Canadian rules, request the book I Declare from Canada Border Services Agency, 1730 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, K1G 4KE (tel. 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). If you're a citizen of the United Kingdom, contact HM's Customs and Excise Office, National Advise Service, Dorset House, Stamford Street, London SE1 9PY (tel. 0845/010-9000; www.hmce.gov.uk). Australian citizens should contact the Australian Customs Service, GPO Box 8, Sydney NSW 2001 (tel. 1300/363263 in Australia; www.customs.gov.au). New Zealanders should contact New Zealand Customs Service, 17-21 Whitmore St., Box 2218, Wellington (tel. 04/473-6099; www.customs.govt.nz).
Austria Travel Experiences
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Soggy Austria
We arrived into Austria at the tail end of their flood of the century! Since a weeklong bike trek along the Danube River was part of our... Continue reading »
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1st day in Austria
So it turns out we weren't able to see any castles in Germany. We were only there for 2 nights, and the first night we were just fo... Continue reading »
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Day 6: Munich to Tyrol, Austria
Morning: Snow-capped Alps form the backdrop with an opportunity to experience white water rafting mid-morning and later be dazzled by the... Continue reading »
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Austria
Today we are set for Austria as we board the bus for a painstaking 7 hrs trip. The scenery was beautiful with all the high mountains.We... Continue reading »
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Wine Story
Austria's local wine is Gruner Veltliner -- a light, crisp white wine. Jim opened a bottle for our birthday dinner earlier this y... Continue reading »
