Austria travel guide for New Zealanders

New Zealanders do not need a visa for Austria for tourism or short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, from 2026 you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before you fly. Apply online before booking flights; it is not a visa and is valid for multiple entries over three years (check).

Austria is part of the Schengen Area. New Zealand passport holders can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism, family visits or business meetings. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.

From 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be required for visa-exempt travellers, including New Zealanders. Apply online before you travel; approval is usually quick but can take longer, so do it well ahead. The authorisation is linked to your passport and is valid for three years or until your passport expires (check).

Carry proof of accommodation, return or onward tickets, and enough funds for your stay, as border guards may ask for them. For the latest rules, check the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs or the New Zealand Government's SafeTravel advice.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Austria. The nearest New Zealand embassy is in Berlin, Germany, which covers Austria. For consular assistance, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin or the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington. In an emergency, call the 24/7 MFAT consular hotline.

For visa or immigration questions, contact the Austrian authorities directly. The embassy cannot help with Austrian visa applications.

Austria is a mid-to-high-cost destination for New Zealanders. Budget travellers can manage on about NZ$150–200 per day with hostels, self-catering and local transport. Mid-range travellers should plan for NZ$250–350 per day for hotels, restaurant meals and some tours. Luxury stays and ski resorts can easily exceed NZ$500 per day.

Flights from New Zealand to Vienna typically cost NZ$1,800–2,500 return in low season, and more in summer or over Christmas. Book early for the best fares. Once in Europe, trains and buses connect Austria well; a Eurail pass or point-to-point tickets are often cheaper than hiring a car.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Austria. Most itineraries fly from Auckland to Vienna with one or two stops, often via Singapore, Dubai, Doha, or a European hub like London or Frankfurt. Total travel time is typically 24–30 hours, depending on the connection.

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the main gateway. From there, trains connect to the city centre in about 16 minutes. Salzburg and Innsbruck airports have fewer international connections, so most travellers fly into Vienna and take the train west.

Austria uses Type C and F plugs, the same as most of continental Europe, with a standard voltage of 230 V and frequency of 50 Hz. New Zealand uses Type I plugs, so you will need a travel adapter. Your devices should handle 230 V, but check the label; if it says 100–240 V, you only need an adapter, not a converter.

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, round up the bill or add about 10% and say the total to the server when paying. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is common. In bars, leaving small change is fine. Service charge is usually included in the bill, so extra tipping is a gesture of satisfaction.

In an emergency, dial 112 for the pan-European emergency number, which works for police, fire and ambulance. For specific services: 133 police, 144 ambulance, 122 fire, and 140 mountain rescue. Operators generally speak English. For non-urgent consular help, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin or the MFAT hotline.