Cheap flights to Austria

Austria offers the perfect combination of cultural refinement and outdoor excitement. One day you can be skiing in the Alps, the next exploring the art galleries of cosmopolitan Vienna. The heights of glorious imperial history and stunning vistas of mountains will provide the perfect backdrop to your visit.

When to book flights to Austria

Austria is a year-round destination, with both the warmer summer months and a winter sports season meaning there is always a good reason to visit. In July and August, you can make the most of the 20+˚C average summer temperatures and the long sunny evenings. In the winter, reliable snowfall and the Alpine resorts are popular with skiers and snowboarders from around the world.

Spring is also a good time to go. It’s a little cooler but with fewer tourists at this time of year, the major attractions won’t be as busy. Plus, flights to Austria from UK airports, as well as accommodation options, will be more affordable. In the high summer and ski season, flights may be a little more expensive due to higher demand.

How to find the best flight deals to Austria

Flights to Austria are generally busy all year round because of the range of things to do. Its broad appeal in both the winter and summer mean it’s a good idea to book early.

However, with regular cheap flights to Austria from a number of airlines, prices are usually affordable and Expedia can help you find the best prices.

The ‘Nearby airports’ option lets you compare prices from various departure and arrival points in the UK and Austria. You can also select ‘Show flexible dates’ to see whether flights are cheaper if you fly on other days.

UK departures to Austria

UK departures to Austria include:

• London to Kitzbuhel – 1 hour 55 minutes
• London to Salzburg – 1 hour 55 minutes
• London to Innsbruck – 1 hour 55 minutes
• London to Vienna – 2 hours 5 minutes

Main airports in Austria

Vienna International Airport is the main air hub serving the Austrian capital. Located 11 miles southeast of the centre of the city, it’s the biggest airport in the country and handles around 24 million passengers a year.

The S7 S-Bahn line takes passengers to the centre of Vienna in around 25 minutes, with a faster City Airport Train connecting to the main train station in around 15 minutes. From here you can make connections to destinations all over Austria.

Other major airports in Austria include Salzburg, which is a gateway to many of Austria’s ski resorts, and Innsbruck, the main airport in the popular Tyrol region. There are also air hubs in Linz, Graz and several other Austrian cities.

Which airlines fly to Austria?

Direct London to Austria flights, and departures from numerous other UK airports, are available from a number of different carriers.

These include:

• British Airways
• easyJet
• Austrian Airlines
• Eurowings
• Lufthansa

How to get around in Austria

Trains are the most common and convenient way of getting around in Austria. There is a good network of modern and comfortable services connecting major cities and towns.

To reach some of the more remote parts of the country, including some of the main beauty spots such as lakes and mountains, you will need to take buses. But the train and bus services are designed to work in tandem, so transfers are usually straightforward.

The two main rail companies are OBB and WestBahn, but tickets are not always valid for both services, so check beforehand.

Renting a car is also a good option, especially if travelling to more sparsely populated areas. There is little traffic outside of the cities but many of the major motorways do have tolls, which can be expensive.

What are the must-sees in Austria?

Austria is a very active destination, big with winter sports enthusiasts heading to the Alps. Here you can ski or snowboard your way around some of the world’s premier resorts. In the summer months, there are thousands of miles of stunning mountain trails to cycle or hike.

Vienna is a cultural powerhouse and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It’s also home to a dynamic contemporary arts scene.

Historic Salzburg and the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck are both very popular with visitors. In Salzburg you can see the birthplace of Mozart and visit the 12^th century St Stephen’s Cathedral.

Tips for travelling in Austria

You won’t need a visa to travel to Austria if you are a British or EU citizen and intend to stay less than 90 days.

If you are going skiing or snowboarding, then you must make sure you have the right insurance, as treatment can be very expensive otherwise.