Area
83,858 sq. km. (32,378 sq. miles)
Location
Central Europe
Population
8.2 million (as per estimates of 2006) and Population Density of 97.8 per sq. km.
Capital City
Vienna (Wien) with a total population of 2.3 million.
Language
German is the official and most popular language in the country. There are also some regional dialects prevalent in some parts of Austria. For instance, Croatian is the first language in Burgenland, and Slovene is widely spoken in Southern Carinthia. Locals at the tourist hotspots largely understand English and can even speak some broken (but understandable) English.
Electricity
AC 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin European plugs are commonly used.
Currency
Euro (EUR, symbol €). 1€ = 100 cents
Notes prevalent = €20, 50, 100, 200, and 500
Coins prevalent = €1 and 2; Cents 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50
Currency Exchange
Currency Exchange facility is available at all banks, savings banks, and exchange counters. All airports and railway stations have the facilities for convenient currency exchange. For more details and exchange rates, travellers are advised to consult their banks.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit/Debit/ATM Cards prevalent = All major cards accepted in large cities. However, smaller hotels may require bills to be paid in cash.
Traveller's Cheques
Travellers Cheques are also accepted at most places in Austria. The travellers are advised to carry travellers’ cheques in major currencies, like Euros, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling etc., in order to avoid additional exchange rate charges.
Banking Hours
Banks in Austria function from Monday to Wednesday and Friday from 0800-1230 and 1330-1500; and on Thursday, the working hours are 0800-1230 and 1330-1730. Banks in some federal provinces have different operating hours. The Banks’ exchange counters at airports and railway stations are generally open from the first to the last flight or train (usually, 0800-2200 on all days).