Austria
Imperial palaces, alpine scenery, and a rich cultural history.
Living in Austria
Confirm the fundamentals before you book a flight: monthly costs, neighborhoods to live in, academic culture, and weekend escapes.
Monthly budget
€1,100–€1,400
Language
German
Visa
90-day Schengen visa waiver; residence permit required beyond three months.
Program lengths
Semester • Year
Neighborhood Vibe Check
Where our contributors actually lived and why it worked for classes, cafés, and late-night snacks.
- • Josefstadt (Vienna)
- • Neubau (Vienna)
- • Salzburg Altstadt
Weekend Essentials
48-hour itineraries and day trips that fit between classes.
- • Budapest thermal bath escape
- • Prague overnight train
- • Tyrolean Alps hiking routes
Academic Notes
What the syllabi look like, grading culture, and campus resources.
- • Humanities and classical music programs stand out across Vienna universities.
Must-do experiences
The moments that made our contributors feel like locals. Drop these into your first-week bucket list.
- • Vienna State Opera standing tickets
- • Hallstatt rail weekend
- • Sacher torte tasting
Guides & stories
Dispatches from Austria
6 min read • Oct 2025
Innsbruck in a Weekend: A Student’s Guide to Austria’s Alpine Capital
Just a train ride from Vienna, Innsbruck is where culture meets adventure. Here’s how to make the most of a student weekend trip.
Read guide →
7 min read • Oct 2025
Budget Travel in Austria: A Student’s Guide to Exploring on the Cheap
From €1 opera tickets to scenic student train passes, discover how to see Austria without draining your bank account.
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8 min read • Sep 2025
Top Austrian Universities with Study Abroad Programs for International Students
Thinking about studying in Austria? Here are the best universities that welcome international students and partner with global programs.
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9 min read • Sep 2025
Vienna Study Abroad Survival Guide: What Every Student Needs to Know
From navigating the U-Bahn to finding affordable schnitzel, this student-friendly guide helps you settle into Vienna with ease.
Read guide →
6 min read • Sep 2025
What It’s Really Like to Study in Salzburg as an International Student
Mozart’s birthplace, Sound of Music tours, and a small but vibrant student scene—here’s what life in Salzburg is actually like.
Read guide →Average rent
€550
Best season
December markets