Austria

Travelers should make sure their passport is the original passport and valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip. Passport Card is not valid for international flights or entry into Europe.

Austria is part of the Schengen Area. U.S. citizens can usually visit Austria and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a tourist visa, as long as the visit is for tourism or pilgrimage and not for paid work.

Green Card holders, non-U.S. passport holders, and travelers with special travel documents should contact Carnival US as early as possible so visa requirements can be reviewed based on nationality and residency status.

Travelers should bring:
Original passport
Visa or Schengen documents if required
Green Card if applicable
Travel insurance information
Hotel list and itinerary
Emergency contact information
Copies or photos of passport, visa, Green Card, and important documents

Important reminder: Do not place passport, cash, bank cards, medication, or important documents in checked luggage. Keep them with you in your carry-on or personal bag.

Each traveler usually may bring 1 checked luggage, 1 carry-on, and 1 personal item. The final allowance depends on the airline listed on the ticket.

Checked luggage:
Suggested size limit: total dimensions up to 62 inches / 158 cm
Economy class usually allows 50 lbs / 23 kg per checked bag
Pack clothing, shoes, toiletries, liquids, and items not needed during the flight
Pack light because the tour may include hotels, churches, old town walking areas, cobblestone streets, and mountain pilgrimage locations

Carry-on:
Keep passport, cash, cards, phone, medication, chargers, power bank, one extra outfit, and important documents with you
Liquids in carry-on must follow TSA and airline rules
Never place personal medication or travel documents in checked luggage

Walking shoes are very important. Travelers should bring 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes that are already broken in. Vienna may include cobblestone streets, large squares, palace areas, church floors, stairs, and long walking days. Mariazell may be cooler and may include slopes, steps, or uneven ground.

Hotels in Austria and Europe, especially near old town areas or pilgrimage locations, may be smaller than hotels in the United States. Elevators, hallways, rooms, and bathrooms may also be smaller.

Hotel reminders:
Check-in is usually between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Check-out is usually between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM
If rooms are not ready, the group may store luggage and continue the itinerary
Some hotel rooms require a keycard to activate electricity
Check the safe, drawers, outlets, bathroom, and closet before leaving
Do not leave passports, cash, jewelry, or valuable items visible in the room
Keep medication, passport, and important documents secure
Be careful in bathrooms because floors or bathtubs can be slippery when wet
Some hotels may clean rooms only upon request

Travelers should prepare personal medication such as headache medicine, stomach medicine, allergy medicine, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, bandages, and personal health items.

Carnival US will send the flight itinerary by email before departure. This document includes flight information and e-ticket details, but it is not the boarding pass. Boarding passes are available after online check-in or at the airline counter.

Main airport in Austria:
Vienna International Airport (VIE)

Travel reminders:
Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before international flights
Online check-in usually opens 24–48 hours before departure, depending on the airline
If the ticket shows a codeshare flight, check in with the operating airline listed in the flight itinerary
After landing, check your personal items carefully and follow the tour guide or group sign to immigration and baggage claim

If travelers do not see the guide or group after landing, they should call the emergency phone number provided by Carnival US. Do not leave the airport alone before contacting the group.

When returning to the United States, travelers must follow U.S. Customs and Border Protection rules.

Travelers should keep receipts for valuable purchases, gifts, and souvenirs. Do not bring restricted items such as certain meats, fresh fruits, plants, seeds, soil, or agricultural products unless they are allowed under U.S. rules.

Austria is known for chocolate, coffee, pastries, music-themed gifts, religious items, and souvenirs from Vienna and Mariazell. Pack food items carefully and make sure they are commercially packaged if bringing them back.

Do not carry luggage, packages, or goods for another person, even if they are friends or members of the group. Each traveler should pack and control their own luggage.

Austria uses the Euro, abbreviated EUR and commonly shown as €.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Vienna, hotels, restaurants, larger stores, museums, and tourist areas. However, travelers should still carry a small amount of cash in euros for small shops, public restrooms, tips, candles in churches, local cafés, and pilgrimage areas such as Mariazell.

Money safety tips:
Notify your bank or credit card company before international travel
Use ATMs located inside banks, malls, hotels, or secure areas
Do not exchange money with strangers on the street
Check ATM fees and exchange rates before confirming a transaction
Carry small bills and coins for restrooms and small purchases
Divide cash and cards into several safe places
Avoid showing large amounts of cash in public

Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted. American Express and Discover may be less widely accepted.

Austria participates in the European VAT refund system for eligible non-EU visitors.

If travelers purchase qualifying goods, they should ask the store for a Tax Free Form at the time of purchase. Keep the original receipt, tax-free form, passport, and purchased goods available for inspection.

VAT refund is usually processed at the final airport before leaving the European Union. Travelers may need to show the purchased items before checking in luggage.

Important reminders:
Not all purchases qualify
Services, hotel stays, restaurant meals, and used items usually do not qualify
Refunds may be reduced by service fees
Allow extra time at the airport if requesting a VAT refund
Do not use the purchased item before the tax refund process if inspection may be required
Do not carry tax-free goods for another person

When visiting churches, basilicas, shrines, monasteries, and sacred places, travelers should dress modestly and respectfully.

Recommended clothing:
Shoulders and knees should be covered
Bring a light scarf, shawl, or jacket to cover shoulders when needed
Avoid sleeveless tops, very thin clothing, short skirts, short shorts, or revealing outfits at religious sites
Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip
For St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Karlskirche, Mariazell, and old town Vienna, choose shoes that are safe for cobblestones, steps, and long walking periods
Bring layers because Vienna and Mariazell can feel different on the same day

A pilgrimage is not only about visiting sacred places, but also about entering them with a spirit of prayer, respect, and humility.

eSIM is a convenient option for travel in Austria and Europe. Travelers may purchase an Austria or Europe data plan before departure from a trusted eSIM provider.

International roaming is also available through U.S. carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or other providers. Travelers should check pricing before departure.

Hotel Wi-Fi is usually available and often free. WhatsApp, iMessage, Viber, and email are useful for staying in touch with family and the tour group.

Internet may be weaker in mountain areas, older hotels, or during long transfers. Download important documents, maps, hotel names, and itinerary details before leaving the hotel.

European Emergency Number: 112
Fire Department: 122
Police: 133
Ambulance / Medical Emergency: 144
Doctor-on-call / Medical Assistance: 141
Mountain Rescue: 140
Gas Emergency: 128

Travelers should also keep the tour leader’s phone number, hotel address, bus information, and Carnival US emergency contact information with them at all times.

Austria uses 220–230V / 50Hz electricity.

Common plug types:
Type C
Type F

Travelers from the United States should bring a universal travel adapter. Most phone chargers, laptop chargers, and camera chargers are dual voltage, but travelers should check the label before use.

Hair dryers, curling irons, and other heat appliances may require a voltage converter if they are not dual voltage.

Austria is generally safe for travelers, but visitors should still be careful in crowded tourist areas.

Safety tips:
Watch for pickpockets in Vienna’s city center, train stations, metro areas, trams, markets, and crowded tourist sites
Keep bags in front of the body
Do not keep wallets or phones in back pockets
Avoid wearing expensive jewelry during sightseeing
Do not show large amounts of cash
Do not walk alone late at night in quiet or unfamiliar areas
If going out independently, inform the tour leader or another traveler
Carry the hotel address and make sure the phone has enough battery
Return to the group meeting point on time
Be careful on cobblestone streets, stairs, wet pavement, and old church floors

At Mariazell, weather may be colder and paths may be uneven. Travelers should walk slowly and use shoes with good grip.

Austrian cuisine is elegant, traditional, and strongly connected with Central European food culture. Common ingredients include meat, potatoes, bread, soup, pastries, coffee, salad, and vegetables.

Tour meals may include hotel breakfast and scheduled group dinners. Depending on the day and local arrangements, meals may be European-style or Asian-style.

European-style meals often include an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Main dishes may include meat, fish, bread, potatoes, pasta, or local specialties.

Austrian meals may feel heavier and less vegetable-focused than some Asian meals. Travelers may bring snacks, instant noodles, or personal seasoning, but bringing outside food into restaurants may not always be convenient or allowed.

Food allergy / dietary note:
Travelers should notify Carnival US in advance if they have food allergies, vegetarian needs, dietary restrictions, or cannot eat certain meats. The team will try to support requests when possible, but options may depend on the restaurant and local conditions.

Austria offers pilgrims a journey where faith, music, history, architecture, and silence come together. Vienna shows how Catholic faith has shaped European culture through churches, sacred art, imperial history, and classical beauty. St. Stephen’s Cathedral stands as the spiritual heart of the city, while Karlskirche reminds pilgrims that art can become a prayer of thanksgiving.

Mariazell brings the journey into a quieter and more personal space. As one of Austria’s most important Marian pilgrimage sites, it invites pilgrims to place their family, worries, gratitude, and hopes under the care of the Blessed Mother. From the elegance of Vienna to the peace of Mariazell, this pilgrimage helps travelers move from outward beauty to inward prayer.