Austria is not exactly a budget-friendly destination, especially compared to some countries in Southeast Asia. If you want to save money on sightseeing and public transport, getting a tourist card might be worth considering. In this guide, you’ll discover the Austria tourist cards available in different cities and regions, what they include, and where to get them. Some can be purchased online in advance, while others, particularly regional guest cards, are linked to your accommodation and provided during your stay.
Depending on how long you stay and which attractions you plan to visit, some cards can offer better value than buying individual tickets.
What Are Tourist Cards in Austria?
Tourist cards in Austria offer various discounts and benefits during your stay. Depending on the card, you can get reduced or free admission to museums, cultural events, historical attractions, and leisure activities. Some cards also include free or discounted public transport, cable cars, and guided activities. While city cards are usually available for purchase, many regional guest cards are provided free of charge through participating accommodation providers.
Tourist cards generally fall into three main categories:
- Discount cards:These offer reduced prices for selected attractions, museums, activities, or transport services. The discount may be a percentage or a fixed amount.
- All-inclusive cards:These include free admission to selected attractions or free use of certain services. They can be useful if you plan to visit several included attractions during your stay.
- Mobility cards:These focus mainly on public transport, such as local buses and regional trains. Some also include discounts on cable cars or other activities.
Some cards combine features from more than one category. For example, a regional guest card might include free public transport but offer only discounted access to mountain cable cars.
Regional Guest Cards in Austria
If you are planning to stay in Vienna and explore the surrounding areas, regional guest cards can help you save money on transport and local attractions. I have selected cards that are particularly relevant for visitors interested in exploring eastern Austria, including destinations near the Slovak and Hungarian borders. Some are also useful if you plan to continue your journey towards this countries. I have included a few cards from other popular Austrian regions as well, in case you want to explore further.
Explore my guides to the best areas to stay in Vienna for first-time visitors and affordable hotels and hostels in Vienna to find accommodation that suits your travel plans and budget.
Burgenland Card
The Burgenland Card is a free regional guest card that provides access to attractions, activities, and public transport across Burgenland. It is particularly useful if you plan to explore Lake Neusiedl, visit historic castles, or take day trips from Vienna.
How to Get the Card and How Long Is It Valid?
You cannot purchase the Burgenland Card separately. It is available to guests staying at participating accommodation providers, starting from just one overnight stay. Your accommodation issues the card at check-in or through a digital pre-check-in option. It remains valid throughout your stay, including your arrival and departure days.
Main Benefits
The card includes more than 380 free services and discounts. Some of its main benefits include:
- Public transport:Free travel on buses and trains throughout Burgenland, plus selected bus connections to and from Vienna.
- Attractions:Free or discounted admission to selected castles, museums, swimming pools, and cultural attractions.
- Outdoor activities:Selected guided excursions, leisure activities, and experiences around Lake Neusiedl.
- Additional discounts:Reduced prices at selected thermal spas, attractions, and partner businesses.
You can find the complete list of benefits and participating attractions in the official Burgenland Card guide.
Whether you arrive before check-in or have time to explore after checking out, Radical Storage lets you reserve luggage storage at local hotels, cafés, and shops near stations and popular sights. It operates in over 1,000 cities worldwide and offers a guarantee of up to €3,000 per bag.
Find Luggage Storage LocationsNiederösterreich-CARD
The Niederösterreich-CARD is a paid sightseeing pass that gives you free admission to around 365 attractions across Lower Austria and neighbouring regions. It is a good option if you are staying in Vienna and planning several day trips to castles, museums, monasteries, nature parks, and other attractions.
How to Get the Card and How Long Is It Valid?
You can purchase the card online, through the official app, or at selected sales points in Vienna and Lower Austria. The 2026/27 card costs €89 for adults and €48 for young people. It is valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Main Benefits
The card provides one free admission to each participating attraction during its validity period. The selection includes castles, museums, exhibitions, thermal spas, mountain railways, boat trips, and nature attractions. It also covers selected destinations in Vienna, Burgenland, Styria, and Upper Austria.
You can browse all participating attractions in the official Niederösterreich-CARD catalogue before deciding whether the card is worth buying.
Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card
The Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card is a regional guest card for visitors staying at participating accommodation providers in Zell am See and Kaprun. It is particularly useful for exploring the surrounding mountains, Lake Zell, and popular outdoor attractions.
How to Get the Card and How Long Is It Valid?
The card cannot be purchased separately. It is included with stays at participating accommodation providers from one night onwards. You receive it at check-in as a physical or digital card.
The Summer Card is normally available from 15 May to 31 October and remains valid throughout your stay. Check the official website for dates and conditions for the upcoming season.
Main Benefits
The card includes selected mountain railway rides, access to lakeside beaches, boat trips on Lake Zell, the Kaprun high mountain reservoirs, and attractions such as Sigmund Thun Gorge. You can also visit selected museums and swimming facilities. Some partner businesses offer additional discounts.
You can find the full list of included attractions and participating accommodation providers on the official Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card website.
Schladming-Dachstein Card (Formerly Sommercard)
The Schladming-Dachstein Card is a free regional guest card for visitors staying at participating accommodation providers in the Schladming-Dachstein region of Styria. Formerly known as the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard, it offers access to more than 100 free activities and over 100 additional discounts.
How to Get the Card and How Long Is It Valid?
The card is included at no extra cost when you stay for at least one night at a participating accommodation provider. You receive it upon arrival, either as a physical or digital card. It is valid from 1 pm on your arrival day and throughout your stay, including your departure day.
For 2027, the card is scheduled to be available from 14 May to 1 November.
Main Benefits
Some of the main benefits include:
- Mountain railways:One round trip per day on a mountain railway of your choice. The Dachstein cable car is included once for guests staying at least two consecutive nights.
- Swimming and outdoor activities:Free admission to selected swimming pools, lakes, and leisure facilities.
- Public transport:Access to selected regional bus services.
- Attractions and family activities:Free admission to selected museums, nature attractions, and family activities, with additional discounts at partner businesses.
You can find the complete list of included services and participating accommodation providers on the official Schladming-Dachstein Card website.
PlateauCard Seefeld
The PlateauCard is a free regional guest card for visitors staying in the Seefeld region of Tyrol. It is particularly useful if you want to explore the area without renting a car, as it also serves as a public transport ticket.
How to Get the Card and How Long Is It Valid?
The card is included with overnight stays at accommodation providers in the region. You receive it directly from your accommodation upon arrival, either as a physical card or digitally through the Region Seefeld app or your mobile wallet.
Unlike many seasonal guest cards, the PlateauCard is available throughout the year and remains valid during your stay.
Main Benefits
- Public transport:Free travel on regional buses, the train between Seefeld and Scharnitz, and the Wildmoosbus. Seasonal hiking and ski buses may also be included.
- Guided activities:Access to selected guided experiences, some free of charge and others at discounted rates. Advance registration may be required.
- Museums and attractions:Free admission to selected museums and discounts at attractions such as Olympiabad Seefeld and Alpenbad Leutasch.
You can find the current benefits and available activities on the official PlateauCard website.
Austria City Cards
If you are planning to visit Austria’s major cities, a city card can help you save money on sightseeing and public transport. Most cards combine free admission to selected attractions, discounts, and transport benefits. Here are four popular options worth considering.
Vienna City Card
The Vienna City Card combines unlimited public transport in Vienna with discounts at more than 200 partner businesses, including museums, attractions, restaurants, and cultural venues. It is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours, as well as seven days. You can also add an airport transfer or a Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket.
Official website: Vienna City Card
Salzburg Card
The Salzburg Card includes one-time free admission to around 30 museums and attractions, as well as free public transport within the city. Highlights include Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mozart’s Birthplace, and Hellbrunn Palace. It is available for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
Official website: Salzburg Card
Innsbruck Card
The Innsbruck Card is an all-inclusive sightseeing pass covering 22 museums and attractions, selected mountain lifts, and public transport. It also includes the Sightseer Hop-on Hop-off bus. You can choose between 24, 48, and 72-hour options.
Official website: Innsbruck Card
Graz Card
The Graz Card combines public transport with free admission to selected museums and attractions, including Kunsthaus Graz and Eggenberg Palace. It also includes the Schlossberg funicular and lift, as well as a guided walking tour of the historic centre. A cheaper Graz Card Light is available without public transport. Both versions are valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
Official website: Graz Card
You can also find selected Austrian city cards and sightseeing passes on popular travel platforms such as Viator, and Booking.com. Availability varies by destination, so compare the available options before purchasing. Here are the ones I have found so far:
Booking
- Vienna City Card– A city card combining unlimited public transport in Vienna with discounts at selected attractions and partner businesses.
- Vienna PASS– A sightseeing pass offering free admission to numerous attractions and a Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket.
- Salzburg City Card– A city card covering admission to selected attractions and museums, as well as public transport.
- Vienna Welcome Card– A 48-hour option combining public transport with discounts at selected attractions and businesses.
Viator
- Vienna PASS– A sightseeing pass covering admission to numerous attractions and a Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket.
- Vienna E-Pass– A digital sightseeing pass offering access to more than 55 attractions.
- Vienna FLEXI Pass– A flexible pass that lets you choose between two and five attractions, with validity of up to 60 days after activation.
Final Words
Austria offers a wide range of tourist cards, from city sightseeing passes to regional guest cards with free public transport and local attractions. Before choosing one, consider how long you plan to stay and which attractions or services you want to use. If you are interested in a free regional guest card, check whether your accommodation participates in the programme before booking. Not every hotel, guesthouse, or holiday apartment provides these benefits.
FAQ
Tourist cards can be worth it if you plan to visit several included attractions or use public transport frequently.
Many regional guest cards are free for visitors staying at participating accommodation providers. However, not every hotel, guesthouse, or holiday apartment offers them. Some cards may also have minimum-stay requirements.
Some tourist cards include free public transport, while others focus on discounts or admission to attractions. Check the benefits of each card, as coverage may vary by city or region.
Yes. Many city cards and sightseeing passes are available online through official websites and selected travel platforms. Regional guest cards are usually provided by participating accommodation providers instead.
It depends on your destination and travel plans. City cards such as the Vienna City Card, Salzburg Card, Innsbruck Card, and Graz Card can be useful for short city breaks.
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