What's Free in Austria?

Thought a stay in Austria will cost you a fortune? Not necessarily - Austria’s cities offer uncountable festivals, museums, galleries, sights, and activities that are absolutely free of charge.

For Free - All Over Austria:

Entrance to most churches, markets, gardens, parks, and galleries in Austria: indulge in great architecture, art, shopping, and history!
Because of Austria's long tradition, many folklore festivals take place throughout the year - particularly outside the cities - where Austrian culture and lifestyle can be experienced first hand. Ask your host about festivals in your area.
Up to the age of 6, children can use public transport for free. In many Austrian cities up to 4 children until the age of 15 travel for free when accompanied by an adult. If you are travelling with kids always ask for discounts!
Enjoy Austria's high-quality drinking water - not only in your glass but in one of Austria's numerous crystal clear lakes, with water so good you can drink it!
Around Christmas time - or more precisely - starting in late November, Christmas Markets in many cities and towns all over Austria get you into a festive and cheerful mood!
The perfect way to usher in the New Year: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and many other major towns in Austria turn their old city centres into open-air ballrooms. On New Year's Eve watch the fireworks and waltz into the New Year!

Almost for Free - All Over Austria:

There are a number of discount cards with attractive value-added opportunities. You can explore the splendour and cultural delights of the cities with significant discounts on public transport, sightseeing, shopping, dining, etc. To purchase a discount card please visit the local tourist office.
When enjoying local foods in Vienna for a steal then go to restaurants called "Wiener Gasthaus". These local taverns serve lunch meals often starting from € 9,-! Or enjoy a good snack at the "Würstelstand". This is a true Austrian institution and should be on every "things-to-do-list" while visiting Austria.

Free Concerts & Events in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz

Vienna

Summer night concert: In June, the Vienna Philharmonic performs an open-air concert in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace

Vienna open-air opera: In April, May, June, and September the Vienna State Opera streams selected performances LIVE on a big LED screen

Music Film Festival Vienna in front of City Hall (Jun - Sept) begins at dawn

Festival on the Danube Island (June). Great line-up for three days on 20 stages

Many coffeehouses offer free piano concerts during the day

Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) free on Tuesdays from 6.00 to 10.00 pm

October 26 is our National Holiday and most museums are free

Salzburg

Siemens Festival Nights (end of July until end of August) is a special treat for classical music lovers: it makes the highlights of the Salzburg Festival accessible to a wider audience free of charge. The Summer Festival's highlights are broadcast on a large screen set up on Chapter Square each day for a period of five weeks.

The Red Bull Hangar-7 is an absolute must-see in Salzburg. This hip airplane hangar is a mix of airplanes, art gallery, and culinary paradise. Every day from 9am - 10pm. Entrance is free.

Graz

La Strada (last week in July and the first week in August) is a free art festival on Graz's charming streets. The festival presents about 200 street and puppet theatre productions aiming to make Graz laugh, wonder, and reflect.

"Aufsteirern" folk festival (mid-September) in Graz takes place every year in September. For one day, the Old Town of Graz turns into a rural Styrian village. Join the villagers on an exciting "journey" through their province and get acquainted with the great diversity of Styrian customs, traditions, and culinary specialties.