Austria
Travel Destination – Austria
Austria sits at the heart of Europe, offering travellers a blend of imperial history, dramatic mountain scenery, and refined urban culture. Visitors can explore the grand architecture and coffeehouse traditions of Vienna, wander the musical streets of Salzburg, or ski and hike through the Alps in regions such as Tyrol. Austria’s high healthcare standards and strong public health system allows travellers to focus on enjoying its picturesque lakes and medieval towns with confidence.
With thoughtful preparation and up-to-date vaccinations, most travellers to Austria experience a safe and rewarding journey. A pre-travel consultation provides tailored advice so you can focus on enjoying Austria’s history, culture, and spectacular alpine scenery with confidence.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
When planning travel to Austria, it is strongly advised to arrange a consultation with a travel health doctor for vaccination recommendations and travel safety advice.
Ideally, schedule your appointment six to eight weeks prior to travel to allow time to update vaccinations if required. A last-minute appointment can still confirm essential protection and provide practical health guidance. A travel doctor can discuss itinerary-specific advice, whether you are attending winter sports in alpine regions, hiking in summer, or visiting multiple European countries in one trip.
Insect avoidance
In Austria, ticks are present in forested and grassy areas, particularly from spring to autumn. Tick bites can transmit infections such as tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease. Mosquitoes are more common in warmer months, especially near lakes and rivers, but they do not commonly transmit serious illness in Austria.
When hiking or spending time in rural or alpine environments, wear long sleeves and pants, use an effective insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and check your skin carefully after outdoor activities. Prompt tick removal reduces the likelihood of infection.
Food and water hygiene
Austria’s cafés, alpine lodges, and traditional restaurants offer travellers the chance to enjoy hearty regional cuisine and famous pastries with confidence. Food safety standards are high, and tap water is safe to drink throughout the country, including in major cities and mountain regions.
Although the overall risk is low, gastrointestinal illness can still occur, particularly from contamination or improperly stored food. Travellers should wash hands thoroughly before eating, use alcohol-based sanitiser when handwashing facilities are unavailable, and select food that is freshly prepared and served hot. Take care with buffet-style meals where food may sit at room temperature, and ensure dairy and meat products are properly refrigerated.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Austria?
Measles
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Measles is a virus that spreads easily in crowded places, including airports, public transport and tourist attractions. It causes fever, rash, and sometimes serious complications.
Measles outbreaks continue to occur globally. Travellers born during or after 1966 should ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine before departure.
Influenza
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Influenza is a viral infection that circulates seasonally in Austria, with peak activity typically occurring during the European winter months. Travellers can be exposed in crowded indoor settings, particularly during flights, public transport, and large events. Influenza causes fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes more serious complications. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged six months and over, especially older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a viral respiratory infection that can range from mild symptoms to severe illness, including pneumonia and other complications. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, including in Austria, and international travel increases exposure risk in crowded indoor settings.
Travellers should be up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses according to Australian public health guidance, particularly if older or with underlying health conditions. All people over 75 are recommended boosters six-monthly, and those aged between 65 to 74 are advised boosters annually. Younger people with medical risk factors may also benefit from boosters. Consult with your travel doctor to confirm your vaccination is up to date.
Routine vaccinations
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Routine vaccinations protect against common infections such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio, which are still important even in low-risk destinations due to increased exposure from international travel. Before travelling to Austria, ensure these immunisations are up to date.
A travel health consultation can review your vaccination history and advise on any boosters. Some travellers may also need hepatitis B, depending on their planned activities, length of stay, or other risk factors.
Austria
Other health risks in Austria
Gastroenteritis
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Although Austria has high food and water safety standards, gastroenteritis can still occur from ingesting food with bacterial contamination or during viral outbreaks. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, or mild fever, typically appearing within one to three days. Most cases are mild and resolve within a few days, but staying hydrated is essential, and oral rehydration solutions can help replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, persistent, or atypical.
Preventative steps include washing hands with soap or using alcohol-based sanitiser before eating, choosing freshly prepared and hot foods, and exercising caution with buffets or pre-cut salads.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of infected ticks, which are common in forested and grassy areas across Austria, especially during spring and summer. Early symptoms can include a red expanding rash, fever, fatigue, and headache. Travellers spending time outdoors, hiking, or camping in rural or alpine areas are at higher risk.
Preventative measures include wearing long sleeves and trousers, using insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, staying on marked trails, and checking the skin carefully for ticks after outdoor activities. Prompt removal of ticks and early medical attention if symptoms develop are important, as early treatment with antibiotics is highly effective.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Austria is generally a safe destination with low levels of violent crime. Petty theft, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, can occur in crowded tourist areas, particularly in Vienna and around major transport hubs. Travellers should stay alert, keep valuables secure, and avoid leaving belongings unattended. Public demonstrations or large gatherings can occasionally disrupt transport.
Check official updates on the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website before and during travel.
Altitude sickness
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Austria’s alpine regions, including popular ski resorts and hiking trails, reach moderate to high elevations. While most tourists stay below extreme altitudes, some individuals may experience acute mountain sickness (AMS) if they ascend rapidly. Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Severe altitude illness is rare at typical resort elevations, but can occur at higher altitudes, particularly during strenuous activity. Types of severe altitude illness include high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE), which affects the brain, and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), which affects the lungs.
Travellers should ascend gradually, allow time for acclimatisation, and descend if symptoms worsen. Being aware of early warning signs and planning hikes or ski days carefully helps reduce the risk of serious complications.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Flights from Australia to Austria are long haul and increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where clots form in the deep veins, usually in the legs. Prolonged immobility can slow blood flow in the legs, increasing the chance of clot formation.
During flights and extended road or rail travel, move regularly, perform calf exercises while seated, and stay well hydrated. Travellers with additional risk factors such as previous clots, recent surgery, or pregnancy should seek personalised medical advice before departure. Compression stockings may be recommended in some cases.