Travel Guide To Austria

Indian Embassy in Vienna, Austria

Kärtner ring 2 (2nd floor)

1010 Vienna

Austria

Tel: (+43)1-505 86 66

Email: emb.vienna@mea.gov.in

Indian nationals travelling to Austria require a Schengen visa as Austria is a member of the Schengen area. The following documents need to be submitted while applying for Schengen visa-

• 2 Identical Photos
• Proof of civil status (Birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate of child or death certificate of the spouse)
• Passport (With at least three month’s validity beyond your departure from Austria, not older than ten years and with at least two blank pages)
• Copies of Your previous Schengen Visas (If any)
• Schengen Travel Insurance
• Cover Letter specifying your reason for travelling
• Round Trip Itinerary
• Proof of Accommodation in Austria

Additionally, you will also be required to provide the Austrian embassy/consulate with documents related to your employment status, to prove that you meet Austria visa requirements. The conditions under various cases are as follows-

Employed-

• Employment contract
• Bank statement of the latest six months
• Leave permission from the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

Self-employed-

• Income Tax Return (ITR)
• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement for the last six months

Student-

• Proof of enrollment.
• No-objection certificate from school or university

Retired-

• Pension statement of the latest six months.
• If applicable:
• Proof of regular income generated by the property, for the last six months.

Austria -  A landlocked country in Europe, Austria is a traveller’s paradise with its rare combination of natural beauty and cultural brilliance. Gifted with God’s bounty, it can leave you enchanted with all that that attractions it has in store.

With picturesque sights of majestic mountains, gleaming lakes and beautiful vineyards waiting for you at each step, you’ll feel delighted beyond your expectations.

Salzburg’s Old Town:Named as a UNESCO world heritage site, this district in Salzburg has old-world charm preserved in its lanes and architecture. With Medieval and Baroque buildings, this historic town draws millions of tourists every year.

Vienna’s Hofburg: This is an imperial palace located in the centre of the capital city of Austria. When at this majestic palace, you can enjoy a trail of Empress Elisabeth. Its palace complex is one of the largest in the world and is a spectacular site with its gardens, squares, the Royal Chapel and the many different types of architectures.     

Vineyards of Vienna: Vienna has 700 hectares of vineyards, whereas a visitor you can enjoy hiking trails and tours, along with trying a wide variety of wines. Not just that, the authentic atmosphere coupled with live music and good food will give you one of the most pleasing experiences while in Austria.

Lentos Museum: A modern art museum in the city of Linz, this is one attraction that can sweep you off your feet with all the exquisite masterpieces on display. Situated on the cultural mile, along Danube river, this museum puts together works which are international in appeal and yet rooted in culture.

Zwölferkopf Mountains: This mountain peak of the Karwendal mountain chain offers both adventure and soul-stirring beauty to the traveller in you. From enjoy hiking trails to skiing to Lake Achensee, you are sure to have a surreal as well as fun experience.

Among the major international airports in Austria, the most famous touchpoint for Indian travellers is Schwechat-Flughafen. Located in Vienna, you will land here from India before proceeding further to any other state or city. Though there are several other airports located in different cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, they are mostly open for European travellers.

Flights are available from many major Indian cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi. There are also some direct Austrian flights which will take even lesser less time in commute.

One of the best times to travel to Austria is during the spring months, i.e. in between April – May. You may even visit it during fall, i.e. between September – October. During these months, you are sure to find excellent weather which will help you to enjoy outdoor activities to the fullest. Also, the crowd during this period is sparser.

The high tourist season in Austria that falls between June – August also sees good weather, but the crowds can be too overwhelming for you.

Being well packed brings with it many benefits and helps make your trip smoother and more fun. So, make sure to keep these few essential items in your baggage when travelling to Austria:

• Passport and Visa
• High SPF sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• Comfortable shoes (for hiking)
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Camera
• Travel insurance (to take care of medical emergencies)
• Power adaptor
• Medicines and first-aid kit

Viennese Apfelstrudel: Counted among their national foods, the Apfelstrudel is sweet and crusty to eat. It is a flaky pastry filled with a layer of apple filling, which is spiced with cinnamon, sugar and topped with raisins.

Knödel: Knödel is Austria’s version of dumpling, which is also famous all across Eastern Europe. Counted as an Austrian snack, the Knödel can be made as a sweet or savoury. When served as a side dish or in the form of meatballs in soup, it will be considered a savoury.

Tiroler Gröstl: This is Austrian’s comfort food at its best! Most common in the Austrian Alps, this is a rich dish made in the form of a pan-fried potato dish, along with chopped beef or pork and a good serving of butter and onion. This palatable dish is given a top layer of fried egg, which makes it even more delightful.  A must-try dish, this one is counted among Austria’s classic foods.

Potato Gulasch: The Gulasch is a hot soupy stew, which comes in many variants. Hearty and spicy, it is made up of vegetables like potatoes, onions, sausages and bell peppers. Served with toasted bread, it is a breakfast dish.

Every destination has its distinct cultural charm. To carry a piece of that charm back with you as a memory, you should buy souvenirs and things that are unique to that place. Some of the items you must consider buying from Austria are as follows-

Beethoven Bust- Austria being Beethoven’s home country sells exquisite and quirky stuff with master composer’s picture and elements from his life. From fridge magnets to clay busts, you can buy several of these to carry back as a memory.

Location: Dorf 128, near Volksbank 6306, Soll, Austria
Ratings: 4.5 stars

Cost for two: INR 3,288

IMLAUER Sky- Bar & Restaurant

Location: Rainerstrasse 6, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
Ratings: 4.5 stars

Cost for two: INR 5,101

Hospiz Alm Restaurant

Location: Saint Christopher street 118, Arlberg Hospiz, 6580, Austria
Ratings: 4 stars

Cost for two: INR 3,396

Restaurant Tian

Location: Himmelpfortgasse 23, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Ratings: 4.5 stars

Cost for two: INR 3,350

Location: Skodagasse 32, 1080 Vienna

Airport: Vienna 25 km
Train station: 3,5 km
Next public transport: 100 m

Contact:  +43 1 401145873 

Döbling Private Hospital

Location: Heiligenstaedter Str. 57-63, 1190 Vienna

Airport: Vienna 26 km
Train station: 1,5 km
Next public transport: 250 m

Contact:  +43 1 36066775

Graz Ragnitz Private Hospital

Location: Berthold-Lindner-Weg 15, 8047 Graz

Airport: Graz 15 km
Train station: 5 km
Next public transport: 200 m

Contact: +43 316 5960

No one would want to fall sick while on their trip to a place as fascinating as Austria. However, sickness, bodily injury or any other medical complication are unforeseen and can thus, arise at any moment. That is precisely why you need travel insurance before flying down to an international location. It will support you in getting treated in the best hospitals in Austria while ensuring that it doesn’t cause a dent in your pocket.

The official currency of Austria is Euro.

The following medical expenses are covered: 

• Travel insurance includes medical expenses, repatriation, and emergency medical evacuation. Even dental care expenses such as acute anesthetic treatment of teeth are covered.

“Deductible”means a cost-sharing requirement under this policy, that provides that the insurer will not be liable for a specified rupee amount or percentage of claim amount or number of days or number of hours, as specified in the policy schedule and which will apply before any benefits are payable by the insurer. A deductible does not reduce the sum insured and is applicable per event, upto the specified limits mentioned.

• Medical Expenses (inclusive of Repatriation and Emergency Medical Evacuation), Daily Allowance in case of hospitalization, Compassionate Visit benefits, the following will not be payable for Any pre-existing condition, Routine examinations, Expenses for rest or recuperation at spa/ health resort/ sanatorium, Pregnancy (including childbirth, miscarriage, abortion or related complications ) or treatment relating to the removal of physical flaws or anomalies (cosmetic treatment or plastic surgery).
• Cosmetic surgery, unless such cosmetic surgery is rendered medically necessary as part of treatment for accidents and burns whilst being abroad.
• Suicide, attempted or wilfully self inflicted injury or illness, mental disorder, anxiety, stress or depression, venereal disease, alcoholism, drunkenness or the abuse of drugs, or any loss arising, directly or indirectly, from any injury, illness, death, loss, expense, or other liability attributable to HIV and/or any HIV related illness including AIDS and/or any mutant derivative or variation thereof however caused.
• Treatment which could be reasonably delayed until the Insured’s return to India, which will be decided jointly by the treating Physician and the Emergency Assistance Service Provider and shall be in accordance with accepted standards of medical care.
• The Insured taking part in naval, military or air force operations; war and nuclear perils.
• Insured engaging in air travel unless he or she flies as a Fare Paying passenger in an aircraft licensed to carry passengers.
• Participation of the Insured in winter sports, mountaineering and such other professional sports or any other hazardous or potentially dangerous sport for which the Insured members are adequately trained, physically fit and using proper equipment. and that too only if specifically agreed and mentioned in the policy schedule.
• Hazardous occupation, or if engaged in any criminal or illegal act.
• Medical Expenses in respect of Experimental, investigational or unproven treatments or treatments which are not consistent with or incidental to the diagnosis and treatment of the positive existence or presence of any Illness for which confinement is required at a Hospital. Any Illness or treatment which is a result or a consequence of undergoing such experimental or unproven treatment.
• Naturopathy treatment.
• Non Allopathic treatment e.g. - Ayurvedic, Yogic, Homeopathic, Unani treatment(s).
• Under no circumstances shall this insurance contract be deemed to provide cover and no liability be incurred to pay any claim or provide any benefit hereunder to the extent that the provision of such cover, payment of such claim or provision of such benefit would expose us to any sanction, prohibition, or restriction under United Nations resolutions or the trade or economic sanctions, laws or regulations of the European Union, United Kingdom, United States of America & India

You can avail the Travel Insurance online and enjoy the benefits offered by ICICI Lombard General Insurance (Bharti AXA General Insurance*)

Loss of passport and documents:

Reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in connection with obtaining a duplicate or fresh passport or reasonable cost of replacing/obtaining the stolen documents/ tickets if the passport belonging to the Insured / Insured Person be lost

Home Fire Insurance Contents & Home Burglary Insurance (contents):

Cover against any loss or damage of the Contents at Home of the Insured in India caused by Fire and Allied perils or through burglary and/or housebreaking while the Insured is on a trip abroad.

Hijack Distress Allowance

Payment of distress allowance in case of hijack of a common carrier for more than certain number of hours whilst on the trip. You can easily avail the allowance by filing a claim online through Travel Insurance cover online process.

Medical Expensesinclusive of Repartration  and Emergency Medical Evacuation

If you are sick or injured during the journey, your medical expenses can prove to be costly. In such cases,  Travel Insurance cover greatly helps. The insurance company also offers a cashless settlement with the network hospitals or you can also opt for the reimbursement process within 30 days of hospitalization.

Legal Expenses

Payment of legal costs and expenses incurred by the Insured towards claims from third Parties for compensation in respect of death or disablement arising due to an injury whilst on a trip abroad.

Personal Accident

Payment of compensation if the Insured sustains accidental bodily injury during a trip resulting in death or Permanent Total Disablement or Permanent Partial Disablement within 12 months of occurrence of such injury.

Trip Cancellation/Or Interruption

Payment towards the non-refundable prepaid payments incurred on the trip being cancelled and additional cost of transportation in case of Interruption: due to medical problems, personal employment problems or natural disasters or other listed reason in policy wordings.

Trip Delay

 Reimbursement of additional expenses if trip is delayed beyond a period, due to airline problems, medical problems, personal employment problems or natural disasters.

 Daily Allowance in case of Hospitalisation

 Payment of daily allowance for the days the Insured is hospitalised beyond a specified number of days, as mentioned in the Policy Schedule, for which a valid claim is admissible under the Policy whilst on a trip abroad.Emergency Accommodation

 Payment of compensation for the additional cost of emergency accommodation if the Insured/ Insured Person could not stay in the accommodation originally booked due to ­fire& flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane, explosion, outbreak of major infectious diseases.

During a trip there are chances of unfortunate events such as loss of checked in baggage, medical emergency, loss of passport that can spoil your international trip, be it business or leisure. Travel insurance can protect you from such events ensuring that you are left stuck in foreign land.