Austria Internet And Wifi: What You Need To Know

Are you planning a trip to Austria and want to stay connected while you’re there?

If so, then you’ll need to consider how you will access the internet while in Austria.

WiFi is widely available throughout the country, but there are some things that travelers should know before they go.

In this guide, we’ll discuss what you need to know about using WiFi and the Internet in Austria so that your travels can be as stress-free as possible.

We’ll cover topics such as the availability of public hotspots, data plans available, and tips on staying secure when being online.

With this information, you can rest assured that staying connected during your trip won’t be an issue!

So without further ado, let’s look at what you need to know about the Internet and WiFi in Austria.

WiFi Availability In Austria

When it comes to WiFi availability, Austria is well-covered.

Public hotspots are available in many places (hotels, restaurants, cafés, and airports), and data plans can be purchased in local stores.

If you’re looking for a place to get online, find a restaurant or a café.

WiFi in Austria is usually free, which makes the whole thing easier! Although, you might need to purchase a coffee or food to get the password.

Internet Reliability In Austria

When it comes to internet reliability, Austria is generally good. Although, if you’re heading to a rural area, you can have occasional issues with connection speeds.

For example, if you’re heading to a small town in the Alps, the Internet might be slower depending on where you stay.

If you’re planning to do any work or streaming while in Austria, then it’s best to stick to the larger cities such as Vienna. Alternatively, consider working from a coworking space.

Keep reading to learn more about coworking in Austria.

Data Plans In Austria

If you plan to use the internet while in Austria, then it’s a good idea to purchase a local data plan.

If you’re okay with using free WiFi here and there, there’s no need to buy a data plan. But if you want reliable, high-speed internet access, then it’s worth considering.

When it comes to buying a data plan in Austria, you have a few options:

• Purchasing a SIM card in a local store or at the airport (when available)
• Purchasing a SIM card online before departure
• Purchasing an eSIM for Austria
• Renting a pocket WiFi for Austria

If you decide to buy a SIM card in a local store, you need to know that not everyone can speak English in Austria. This is especially true if you are in a small town. So, getting a SIM card could become challenging.

I recommend you ask to speak to an English speaker to facilitate the process. If that’s not possible, the best option is to buy a SIM card online or an eSIM.

SIM Card In Austria

Austria’s leading SIM card providers are:

• Drei
• A1
• Magneta Telekom

You can purchase a SIM card for Austria at the airport (when available), or at a local store in the main cities. Although, if you don’t speak German, this could be challenging.

So, you may consider purchasing an eSIM or a SIM plan online instead.

Here is a great SIM plan to consider if you want to buy one online:

• Simify (works in several countries, including Austria)

If you’re already in Europe, you could check if your European SIM plan covers Austria. Most of them do, so it’s worth checking!

Read our guide to buying an Austria SIM card to learn more.

eSIM For Austria

If you’re looking for an easy way to stay connected in Austria without the hassle of buying a physical SIM card, then an eSIM is the way to go.

Now, this option only works if your mobile phone supports eSIM technology. Read our guide featuring the best eSIM phones to learn more.

Here are a few options to consider when buying an Austria eSIM:

• Airalo: From $4.50
• Holafly: From $19
• Nomad: From $7

Although, it’s important to note that Holafly doesn’t allow you to create a hotspot with your plan. This could be an issue if you plan on using a hotspot for your laptop or sharing WiFi with your travel companions.

If you plan to visit other destinations in Europe, you could get a European eSIM instead.

Pocket Wifi Austria

Finally, another alternative to consider is to rent a pocket wifi for your travels.

Nowadays, this option is not really popular anymore because most travelers prefer using a SIM card or an eSIM to stay connected.

However, if you’re traveling with a group, it can be handy.

Some companies still offer this service, so it’s worth considering.

Coworking Spaces In Austria

If you need a good Internet connection during your trip to Austria, there’s no better place to find it than in a coworking space.

Coworking spaces are popular nowadays, and you’ll find most of them in Vienna.

Many coworking spaces offer great WiFi, comfortable seating, and a variety of other amenities, which make them the perfect place to get your work done.

As a traveler, you may not need a coworking space, but if you’re a remote worker or a digital nomad, you know that having a good workspace is critical to being productive.

If you’re in Austria and want to work remotely, coworking spaces are a great solution to access fast and reliable Internet.

Tips For Staying Secure Online

Finally, here are a few tips to remember when surfing the web in Austria.

Use A VPN

Using a VPN is the best way to stay secure when using public WiFi in Austria. It will keep your data encrypted and help you bypass any local restrictions. This is especially important if you’re using a public hotspot to work on sensitive documents or when doing transactions.

I personally use NordVPN, but there are a lot of good options available. You can read our NordVPN review to learn more.

Now, it’s important to note that most people don’t use VPNs, but many remote workers and digital nomads use a VPN on a daily basis.

Be Cautious With Public Hotspots

Public hotspots can be used to monitor data and track users. Make sure you only connect to secure networks and be cautious when entering credentials or sensitive information.

How To Connect To A Network Safely

Make sure you always check the name of the network before connecting. If it doesn’t look legitimate, then don’t connect to it.

Now, if you’re like me, you may use public WiFi often without any issues – but having your own hotspot using an eSIM or a SIM card is safer and much more convenient. And the Internet speed is usually better.

By following these tips, you can know that your connection in Austria is secure and fast.

Extra Travel Tips For A Stress-Free Trip In Austria

• Don’t forget to download offline maps of Austria before you arrive. This will be useful when you don’t have access to WiFi or data on arrival.
• Have a look at the currency exchange rate before you leave. This will help you budget accurately and avoid any surprises regarding payments. I usually take a screenshot of the current exchange rate if I know I won’t have Internet on arrival, so I know what to expect when withdrawing money or buying something. I always use my Revolut travel card to withdraw money abroad.
• Know how you’re planning on reaching your accommodation from the airport. Research before your arrival in case you don’t have access to the Internet. This way, you can prevent the risk of getting lost. Alternatively, book a transfer from the airport in advance.
• Finally, don’t forget to bring a universal plug adapter, so you can easily charge your devices in Austria.

Final Thoughts On Using Internet In Austria

Whether you want to use public WiFi or purchase your own data plan, Austria offers great Internet overall.

Just remember to take the necessary precautions to stay secure online, and you’ll be good to go.

If having a great Internet connection is essential to you, make sure to stick to the main cities where connection speeds are better.

And if you need reliable access, then a data plan is the way to go.

Traveling to Austria soon? Read one of the following guides:

• Best places to live in Austria
• How many days in Vienna
• Vienna in spring