AUSTRIA
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Things to be curious about when traveling to Austria.

Climate and Best Seasons

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Average temperature and precipitation in Austria (Vienna)

Source: Weather Base (http://www.weatherbase.com/)

Cash, cards and currency exchange

The currency unit is the Euro. You can exchange money at Japanese airports, banks, as well as local airports, banks, and hotels. Considering the exchange rates, it might be better to exchange money in Japan beforehand. Since credit cards can be used in most places, there is no need to carry a large amount of cash.
When traveling to regional cities and other areas, there may be cases where only cash is accepted, so be sure to bring some cash with you. However, if you have a Visa or MasterCard, it is possible to withdraw money from local ATMs.

Tips

Service charges are generally included in the price, but it is customary to leave a tip as a gesture of appreciation for services at restaurants, taxis, and some hotel services.

In restaurants, it is common to round up the bill to the nearest euro, adding 5-10% as a tip.
For taxis, a tip of around 10% is typical. If you have a lot of luggage, it is advisable to pay an additional 1-2 euros.
In hotels, if you request room service, porter service, or room cleaning, it is customary to leave about 1 euro.

Public Safety

In Austria, crimes such as pickpocketing and theft occur frequently, and acting with the same sense of security as in Japan may lead to becoming a victim of crime.
When moving through crowded places or areas where people gather, such as tourist spots, be sure to pay close attention to your belongings and act with caution.

Clothing

Spring begins more slowly than in Japan. Additionally, because there are significant temperature differences and it can get chilly due to rain, it is recommended to bring a jacket for adjustments. Summer has a more comfortable climate with less rain and humidity compared to Japan. Autumn is shorter than in Japan, and temperatures tend to drop more, so be sure not to forget a jacket or similar clothing. In winter, the cold can be severe, so it is advisable to bring proper winter clothing, including hats and gloves.

When going to events such as art appreciation, there is often a dress code, so it is better for women to wear dresses and for men to have a jacket and tie.

Things You Should Bring

Multi-plug adapters, any regular medications, a mobile power bank, overseas travel insurance, and warm clothing.

Visa availability and arrangements

Since a visa exemption agreement has been concluded between Japan and Austria, visas are waived for stays of up to six months for purposes such as tourism or visiting acquaintances.
Austria is also a member of the Schengen Agreement. Starting in 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be introduced. From 2025, Japanese citizens traveling to ETIAS-participating countries will be required to possess an approved ETIAS upon arrival. For short-term stays within the territory covered by the agreement that do not require a visa, it is stipulated that such stays are permitted only within the scope of 'a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.' As a result, the maximum period of visa-free stay within the Schengen area, including Austria, is '90 days,' and all days spent in the Schengen area within the past 180 days will be counted as part of the short-term stay period.
　 In addition, those eligible for the short-term visa exemption must have a passport with at least three months of validity remaining beyond their planned departure date from the Schengen area.

Required vaccinations

There are no vaccinations that are mandatory for travel.