Austria Guide
Getting around
Austria's public transport system is fast, efficient and, all things considered, relatively cheap. Train and bus routes tend to be fully integrated, complementing each other rather than competing. You can reach most areas of the country by public transport, although rural villages may only be served by one bus per day, or just a couple per week. Getting around on Sundays and public holidays can be problematic: train services are only slightly reduced but most rural bus services cease altogether.
Most parts of Austria – including the big cities – operate a zonal travelcard (Zeitkarte or Netzkarte) system covering all forms of public transport in that particular area. Ticket durations and prices vary considerably from one place to another, but it's safe to assume that, if you're staying in one area and are planning to use public transport, then it will be much cheaper to buy a 24-hour ticket (Tageskarte) or seven-day ticket (Wochenkarte) for the relevant zone than to buy tickets for each individual journey. Travelcards can be bought from both train and bus stations, and often from tourist offices, too.