Is Austria expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Austria is moderately expensive: cheaper than Switzerland, but pricier than Germany for hotels in Vienna and Salzburg, and well above Central and Eastern Europe. Plan on about €115 a day per person on a budget, €220 mid-range and €425 for comfort. Beds and palace tickets take most of the money; trains are good value if you book saver fares early.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €45 | €90 | €200 |
| Food & drink | €35 | €60 | €110 |
| Sights & tickets | €20 | €40 | €60 |
| Local transport | €15 | €30 | €55 |
| Per person, per day | €115 | €220 | €425 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Austria day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Melange and apple strudel in a Vienna coffee house | about €10–12 |
| Wiener schnitzel in a traditional Beisl | €18–26 |
| Quarter-litre of new wine at a Heuriger | about €4–5 |
| Single Vienna transport ticket | about €3 |
| 24-hour Vienna transport ticket | about €8–9 |
| Schönbrunn Palace Grand Tour | about €35–40 |
| Hofburg ticket (Imperial Apartments, Sisi Museum, Silver Collection) | about €20 |
| Railjet Vienna–Salzburg saver fare | from about €20 if booked early |
| Mid-range double room in Vienna or Salzburg | €140–230 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, especially in Salzburg during the summer festival, Hallstatt (where lake-view rooms are limited) and the Tyrol ski resorts in winter. Food is reasonable at lunch, when many restaurants offer a set Mittagsmenü, but dinner with wine adds up. Sights are individually priced and not cheap — Schönbrunn, the Hofburg, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Salzburg's fortress each cost around €18–40. Intercity trains are fair value with Sparschiene saver fares, but full-price walk-up tickets are much more expensive. Most cities also add a tourist tax per person per night.
When it is cheaper
November (before the Christmas markets), January after the holidays, and March are usually the cheapest months in the cities, when hotel rates can be noticeably lower than in summer. In ski areas the pattern reverses: summer is cheaper than winter.
How to spend less
- Book ÖBB Sparschiene or Westbahn fares weeks ahead; Vienna–Salzburg can cost from about €20 instead of the full fare.
- Eat your main meal at lunch, when many restaurants and Beisln offer a Mittagsmenü at a lower price than dinner.
- Buy a 72-hour Vienna transport ticket rather than singles if you are staying two or more full days.
- Stay in Obertraun or Bad Goisern instead of Hallstatt itself, and visit Hallstatt early in the morning.
- Check whether a city card (Vienna City Card, Salzburg Card) suits your plans; the Salzburg Card in particular covers the fortress funicular and many sights.
- Drink tap water in restaurants — it is excellent Alpine water — and ask for 'Leitungswasser'.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Austria more expensive than Germany?
Slightly, especially hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and the ski resorts. Food and transport are broadly similar.
How much does a week in Austria cost?
About €800 per person on a budget, €1,550 mid-range or €3,000 for comfort, based on two people sharing.
Is the Vienna City Card worth it?
Mainly for its transport ticket and discounts. Compare it with a plain 24- to 72-hour transport ticket plus the sights you will actually visit.