Essential Travel Apps for austria

Essential Apps for Travelers in Austria

Traveling to Austria can be an incredible experience, but navigating daily life there often requires using local apps. Many of these apps are not available in English, but they are indispensable for making payments, finding restaurants, translating text, and more. Below is a guide to the most important apps you’ll need, along with tips on how to prepare before and after arriving.

Before You Arrive in Austria

Purchase a Local SIM Card: Buy an Austrian SIM card from providers like A1, Drei, or Mobilcom before arrival or at airports upon landing. SIM cards usually include data plans for app usage. Retailers like PostShop often sell affordable options at major train stations or airports.
Download Essential Apps: Many apps are available internationally, but others like local transport apps require Wi-Fi access. Download as many as possible at home using a browser or app store. If unable, you can download all in Austria with a local SIM card.

Top Apps for Travelers in Austria

1. ÖBB Mobile (Österreichische Bundesbahnen)

Language: German/English (annotations provide English translation)
What It Does: Book, check schedules, and purchase train tickets for Austria’s national railways. Offers real-time updates, route planning, and access to discounted fares. Covers all rail lines in Austria and neighboring countries.
How to Set Up: Download and sign in with an email. Link a credit/debit card to buy tickets directly. Tickets can be displayed on your phone or printed at stations.
Tips: Download all upcoming route details offline. Save time at ticket booths by pre-booking or displaying tickets via the app.

2. Wiener Linien

Language: German (basic English support)
What It Does: Vienna’s official public transport app for subway, trams, buses, and ferries. Provides schedules, live departures, ticket purchases, and route optimization in the city.
How to Set Up: Enable location services to track real-time arrivals. Purchase prepaid tickets (e.g., 24hr Stroke) directly via the app for hassle-free travel. No account needed. Offline mode is available.
Tips: Use the “My Proximities” feature to get updates for nearby stops. Buy combo tickets at the last minute if you miss an app purchase window.

3. Uber

Language: English
What It Does: Ride-hailing app for taxis or private cars in Austria. Available in urban and rural areas. Pay via linked credit/debit card without cash.
How to Set Up: Create an international Uber account before arrival. Upon arrival, select an Austrian city to start using the ride-booking feature.
Tips: Enable “Split Payment” to distribute costs among passengers. Confirm pick-up details (e.g., building name, U-Bahn station) to avoid confusion with drivers.

4. Too Good To Go

Language: English
What It Does: Buy surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores at reduced prices in Austria. Meal boxes are perfect for budget-friendly lunches or dinners.
How to Set Up: Find locations in Austria using the app’s search filter. Cards are preloaded with a deposit. The fee is refunded when you pick up the box.
Tips: Filter locations by distance to your hotel or event venue. Rewards are issued as free FoodPoints for repeat orders.

5. Post wink (formerly PostMann)

Language: Folk (English and German support)
What It Does: Order groceries, electronics, and household items from PostShop stores via the app. Get 1-2-hour delivery to your door or hotel, even on weekends.
How to Set Up: Create an account with an email. No card needed until placing an order (cashless payments only). Select a delivery address within Austria.
Tips: Track orders with live updates. Use “Group Discount” for multi-product orders at participating stores.

6. Google Translate

Language: English and German plus translations (supports offline usage)
What It Does: Translate German text to English (and vice versa) using camera or text input. Works without internet connection with downloaded language packs.
How to Set Up: Download the offline German language pack. Enable “Lens” mode to scan menus, signs, or packages while traveling.
Tips: Copy translated text into notes for review later. Use voice-to-text for real-time conversations at markets or cafes.

7. Nextbike Wien

Language: German/English (multilingual options)
What It Does: Rent bikes in Vienna’s city center and suburbs. Locate available bikes, reserve a seat, and pay directly through the app.
How to Set Up: Create an account with a phone number or email. Purchase a 24-hour pass for unlimited 30-minute rides.
Tips: Lock bikes at official racks to avoid fees. Combine with U-Bahn rides for long-distance exploration of Vienna’s neighborhoods.

8. Deliveroo

Language: English/German (interface toggles)
What It Does: Order food delivery from restaurants in Austria. Track orders in real time and pay with any credit card.
How to Set Up: Select the location (e.g., “Vienna”). Save your address for recurring use. Add card details at checkout.
Tips: Filter restaurants by dietary preferences or brand names. Enable push notifications for delivery updates.

9. FlixBus

Language: English available in settings
What It Does: Book affordable bus tickets between Austrian cities (e.g., Vienna to Bratislava or Salzburg). Travel to remote destinations unserved by trains.
How to Set Up: Create a user account via email. Upload government-issued ID for age verification if traveling as a minor. Use Google Pay or credit card to book seats.
Tips: Select “Roundtrip” for return tickets. MyFlixBus members get discounts on frequent trips.

Tips for Using Apps in Austria

Language Barriers: Carry a pocket German phrasebook for non-digital tasks. Keep Google Translate’s offline mode on for slow Wi-Fi areas.
Contactless Payments: Visa/Mastercard contactless works in urban centers. Always carry cash (EUR) for markets, tolls, or small family-owned businesses.
Leave Room for Local Preferences: Apps like Too Good To Go save money, but also try traditional alpine stores and “Heurigen” vineyards for unique experiences.

Conclusion

These apps simplify Austria’s blend of city life, rural charm, and transportation logistics. Whether riding ÖBB to Salzburg or exploring Vienna via Nextbike, the apps listed here ensure you stay connected, fed, and mobile across all regions. Combine them with a local SIM card’s data plan, and you’ll master navigating from the peak of Grossglockner to the coffee houses of Kärntnerstrasse.