Tourist Scams in Austria
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Күн бұрынAre you heading to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck or any other Austrian city and were wondering about safety advice on visiting Austria? Well we go through a few tourist scams, tourist traps, and tourist safety advice in Austria here. Be a prepared tourist for your Austrian vacation.
Filmed in Innsbruck, Austria
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@Zugfaehrtdurch 13 күн бұрын
Especially for the Americans watching: Regarding "Sound of Music" be prepared for the fact that 99% of us have never seen that movie 🙂
@gio7799 8 күн бұрын
But, why? I'm Italian and since I was a child, I watched it many times on TV , especially during the Christmas period and I'm 59 years old. Is there any particular reason?
@mario27171 7 күн бұрын
@@gio7799 Do you know the original movie "Die Trapp-Familie" (1956) and the sequel "Die Trapp-Familie in Amerika" (1958)? They were both very successful in Austria and Germany, so there was not much interest in a more fictionalized american copy of the story.
@gio7799 7 күн бұрын
@@mario27171 that's interesting, I didn't know the existence of a German version and unfortunately I have never seen those films, only the American version arrived in Italy but I imagine that the German language one is better than the American version, often American remakes of European films are cold and soulless as was the case with the French film" Intouchables" or the Italian one "Incompreso" vs "Misunderstood".
@mikoshino 4 күн бұрын
@@gio7799no particular reason, a mix of it being branded for foreigners and not getting popular enough. He exaggerates too. Glad that you liked it, I‘m sure most who saw it did :)
@christapulmon8443 6 күн бұрын
About souvenirs: Don't buy Austrian sweets like Morzartkugeln or Mannerschnitten at some random overpriced museum or souvenir store, just go to a local supermarket like "Billa" or "Spar" instead. All that stuff is so much cheaper there.
@SalamanderS337 3 күн бұрын
still overpriced
@christapulmon8443 3 күн бұрын
@@SalamanderS337 Food usually is more expensive in Austria than in Germany or the US.
@SalamanderS337 2 күн бұрын
@@christapulmon8443 im am from salzburg i know that but there are cheaper more tastyer options still
@tommylob1409 19 күн бұрын
Incredibly safe. Love Austria
@metalslegend 19 күн бұрын
Its high in corruption 😂, but I couldn't think of a more safe country atm. Greetings 🇦🇹
@fairphoneuser9009 16 күн бұрын
@@metalslegend In corporate corruption, not in everyday corruption.
@metalslegend 16 күн бұрын
@@fairphoneuser9009 Corporate landscape, politics all the good stuff
@fairphoneuser9009 16 күн бұрын
@@metalslegend Yeah, but it's not like you have to bribe a cop on the street...
@stephanweinberger 14 күн бұрын
A "kinda" tourist trap in Vienna are those guys in Mozart-like livery selling classic concert tickets. Those tickets either can often be found cheaper elsewhere (also, many places like the State Opera or the Musikverein offer last-minute tickets for dirt cheap), or they are for "no name" orchestras (not necessarily bad, but maybe not what you'd expect).
@ritajaklitsch7559 13 күн бұрын
Yeah, thank you for that! I was wanting to bring that up, too. Vienna is known internationally for its traditional classical music education and entertainment. You can find very high quality concerts everywhere in the city. Highly recommended Musikerverein, Staatsoper, Konzerthaus or the many events produced by Jeunesse, for example.
@florianneubauer1889 5 күн бұрын
ive seen the concert 10 years ago because my grandparents from france wanted to see it. yeah.. it was just a no-name small orchestra playing very average and forgettable music in a rented room at castle schönbrunn. nowadays they might not even play at schönbrunn, idk
@georghauer7811 5 күн бұрын
Most of the time, it's the latter. It’s a no-name orchestra playing one earworm after another at a very fancy location. I don’t think it’s a scam per se, but it’s fair to say that it’s not very authentic. I feel it falls into the same category as watching a tango show in Buenos Aires or a tourist dance performance in Bali-just not very authentic. On the other hand, attending a performance by a much more renowned Austrian orchestra playing only two very specific symphonies by Bach or Haydn, it also isn't to everyone's taste.
@christianp424 3 күн бұрын
@@georghauer7811 Most of these orchestras are comprised of students which make these concerts for some side money. They mostly play some pieces by Mozart or Strauss which everybody knows in some small rented rooms of historical buildings, but these concerts are way overpriced.
@flowvo44 7 сағат бұрын
As a native Austrian I can say you are right, but that is the job of these people from the agency to sell the tickets. Btw the sellers who are dressed are all foreigners and not Austrians.
@Elle-tr4pu 19 күн бұрын
I got one tourist trap: the ,,Wiener Christkindlmarkt“ at the Rathausplatz in Vienna. It‘s crowded with lots of tourists, very expensive and there are some pickpockets. Visit smaller christmasmarkets in Vienna (Spittelberg, Am Hof, Maria Theresienplatz, Karlsplatz), Salzburg (Hellbrunn) or visit the Salzkammergut Christmasmarkets instead. They are wonderful! ✨
@fridaytax 19 күн бұрын
St Wolfgang for the win!
@DeannaAllison 18 күн бұрын
We were at Vienna's Spittelberg Christmas Market on the first Friday it was open last November and it looked nice but was extremen;y overcrowded to the point of being unpleasant. Also, a stall keeper deliberately tried to short-change me when I was buying a couple of Wurstl (sausages). Fortunately I notice as she was handing me my change and demanded my missing euro!
@laurie6123 18 күн бұрын
How do you know it was deliberate?@@DeannaAllison
@norrsken1828 16 күн бұрын
all of the x-mas markets in Vienna are crowded. Viennese love them and all of them are expensive and Gluehwein is usually diluted haha. It's not a tourist scam though.
@LaurieMag 16 күн бұрын
@@fridaytax St. Wolfgang used to be nice but unfortunately it's become completely overcrowded in the last few years!
@peonycottageboutique4154 19 күн бұрын
Austria is absolutely lovely. We’ve visited a few times and would go back again in an instant.
@aaronhurst4379 19 күн бұрын
I'd recommend just walking around Vienna if you're there for the day - super walkable city, and you can see all the great sites in just a few hours
@TheOshman4 18 күн бұрын
Very little supermarkets
@nirfz 16 күн бұрын
There is (or was) something called "Einkaufskarte" at the ticket machines for the U-Bahn. It was a city card for the day between 08:00 and 18:00 or so and cost less than a day-card. The subway is easy to navigate in vienna, and for anything that needs too much time to walk to, it's fast and easy.
@austriankangaroo 11 күн бұрын
@@TheOshman4 😅
@PatrickD-zj9ii 9 күн бұрын
As an Austrian, let me tell you that the Legend behind the creation of the Cake ist most important than the Taste: "According to Franz Sacher's son Eduard, Sachertorte was invented by Sacher when he was an apprentice under Metternich's chef Chambellier. The story goes that Sacher was required to create a novel cake when the chef was ill.[7] The Metternich connection was probably invented by Eduard many years later, to appeal to "Viennese nostalgia for their imperial past".[5][8] Sachertorte remains popular in Austria and worldwide." This Cake had such an Impact, that Franz Sacher was able to build a Hotel behind the Opera, that belongs to the leading Hotels of the World and hosted Royals & Presidents from all over the World. The Austrian style of "from rags to riches
@FlorianLiehr1981 6 күн бұрын
As an Austrian, I have never tried the CAT. However, there is one feature - in addition to your video - that makes the CAT practical and justifies the extra charge: you can drop off your luggage at the station and check in for your flight.
@PascalGienger 5 күн бұрын
Except when I was last there the line was horribly long as tourists did not know about S7 and then they closed that feature suddenly. Only a good deal if you have MUCH luggage. For a trolley even a larger one it is not worth it.
@oliviatrudi9465 2 күн бұрын
1. There are affordable lockers everywhere. 2. Literally any accommodation lets you store your luggage for free before you go to the airport... CAT is and always has been a SCAM!
@manolisk33 19 күн бұрын
I am from Greece and live in Vienna. Your videos about the places I already know, are the ones that convinced me to seek your advice for my other travels! Because I couldn't agree more! :) We are also visiting Sevilla and Barcelona soon, so your latest videos had incredible timing! Thank you!
@platinum11110 19 күн бұрын
Sevilla is beautiful!
@manolisk33 19 күн бұрын
@@platinum11110 We have been to Spain twice already and absolutely love it! We keep getting back and explore!
@Elle-tr4pu 19 күн бұрын
Me and my partner are from Austria and we LOVE your videos!! :)
@keithparker5125 19 күн бұрын
In both Salzburg and Innsbruck, my wife and I have invested in 3-day city cards and found that after visiting a couple of museums (and the Nordkettenbahn in Innsbruck), the cards had virtually paid for themselves on the first day! I am not so sure about the 'value for money' of the Graz card but we will be certainly be investing in the Bodensee Voralpen Freizeit card when we visit Lindau and Bregenz in June - the card not only gives you free-entry to 50 museums and a trip on the Pfanderbahn, but also is valid on rail and buses in the Voralpen district as far as the border stations at Lindau (Germany) and Buchs (Switzerland) (I am told it is also valid in Liechtenstein). Although not relevant to this video, if you are visiting the eastern end of Bodensee, bear in mind that guests at Hotels in Lindau get the benefit of being given the Echte Bodensee Card (it's paid for out of the Kurtax, the local guest tax that all guests have to pay) for the duration of your stay which gives you free public transport along the northern (German) shore of the lake and free or discounted admission to a lot of attractions.
@autumncarolynnphotography 17 күн бұрын
This is so interesting! Thanks for the tips!!
@cazrig 18 күн бұрын
Hi Mark, thanks for the tips. Me and my kids love Austria, we’ve to Salzburg and Innsbruck loads of times and your videos are super helpful 😮
@katrinarthur7790 14 күн бұрын
As an Austrian, I agree that the Sachertorte is not the best Torte there is! It’s good, but there are so many more! Very good review in my opinion.
@heinrichrahm1531 11 күн бұрын
Also the original Sacher Torte from Hotel Sacher is one of the worst ones you can get, they use way too much chocolate imo
@ninasm 8 күн бұрын
My favourite in die Anna Torte from Demel.
@themisanthrope9610 7 күн бұрын
Wohnst du in Wien? Dann bitte nicht so einen Schwachsinn verbreiten
@katrinarthur7790 5 күн бұрын
Na, wohn i ned. Is aber wurscht wo i wohn. Sachertorte is nirgens mei lieblingstorte. Red anständig mit mir oder garned!
@themisanthrope9610 5 күн бұрын
@@katrinarthur7790 sonst was?
@MagnificentGermanywithDarion 19 күн бұрын
Wonderful video from beautiful Austria. I always enjoy my time throughout Austria:): Thanks Mark. :).
@woltersworld 19 күн бұрын
Thanks Darion!
@SpeedbirdAT 11 күн бұрын
As an austrian: we may look a little bit grumpy, but we're mostly friendly and always helpful 😉
@nesnimu 2 күн бұрын
As an austrian also: that is not true. we are grumpy and often not willing to help
@christiansonnenberg6306 Күн бұрын
I've got a nice story for ya: some 15 years ago I was on a delivery run in the inner city and had to check some documents before going to my next waypoint. Because of that I was "parked" in a loading zone not far away from St.Stephen's when a little old lady came up to my small 'van' and asked me through the open window if I could give her directions to her hotel (don't remember which one it was). I remember that I knew exactly where she needed to go and because I knew that I didn't need any detour to get to that hotel I offered to drive her. It honestly didn't even occur to me to get something in return for this (it's even forbidden by law to take any kind of compensation for driving someone without having a taxi license, which I learned later) and I was somewhat speechless when she asked me how much money I wanted to have for this kind of service. When I recovered and told her "free of charge" she was the one who was speechless. Afterwards we took this seven minutes ride to her hotel and had a really nice chat. To this day I can only guess where this person came from and we didn't even exchange names.
@beckysmith8898 18 күн бұрын
Thank you, always appreciate your wisdom!
@vinyalonde 18 күн бұрын
Thank you for posting this. I am visiting Vienna and Salzburg later this year. This is very helpul.
@TravelwithTravelarii 18 күн бұрын
Thanks, Mark! Valuable insights for a safe and savvy visit.
@damndaniel605 19 күн бұрын
Thats my hometown! Hope you had a fun time and enjoyed it here :)
@brunolima7402 19 күн бұрын
Lots of useful information that might be not as obvious, Mark. Thanks for the video.
@DRZGP 19 күн бұрын
Me and a friend had an unfortunate incident in Vienna outside the Opera house. A chap came along with a leaflet selling tickets to the opera show while showing us a little dance in which he said twirled around my friend and next minute he was gone and so was my friend’s wallet. We tried to chase him to no avail and then went to the police who were Fairly friendly. a couple of months down the line did actually even catch hold of that person and sent my friend mugshots to recognise him
@woltersworld 19 күн бұрын
Thats sad but glad they caught him eventually
@tobiojo6469 19 күн бұрын
Hey Mark, great video and very important tips
@woltersworld 19 күн бұрын
Thanks T O
@peakseamus 19 күн бұрын
I spent months in Salzburg in 2017 and 2018 and visit there once or twice a year now. Totally safe, nothing to be worry about.
@gracecrawford2971 18 күн бұрын
You make me want to visit there! ❤
@nightowl356 18 күн бұрын
one very specific scam is a new ticket they introduced in Schönbrunn Palace, the "State Apartments", where you just get to walk through 3 rooms (including the great ball room, but still not what most people expect for 22 Euros)
@user-pz7vl1pu9f 17 күн бұрын
Yesss this was so bizarre .... Austria in general was so weird ... It looked like a Hollywood movie set where one facade of a building looked one way and you turned a corner and it was whole different aesthetic on the other side ... But the palace was completely empty but for a few rooms ... Although we did see a fabulous concert in the ball room ... They do take their music seriously and they ended with the blue Danube which in Austria is green lol but hey I live in Chicago and it's all green here too
@fairphoneuser9009 16 күн бұрын
@@user-pz7vl1pu9fAustria in general? Sounds like Salzburg, Hallstatt and tourist Vienna.
@nightowl356 16 күн бұрын
@@user-pz7vl1pu9f when you've seen a concert, it was probably towards the end or after the opening hours for standard visitors, so that could've been a reason why it was empty
@user-pz7vl1pu9f 16 күн бұрын
@@fairphoneuser9009 yes tourist Vienna sorry
@felixsh9975 14 күн бұрын
One thing worth mentioning is, that if you have the ticket for public transport in Vienna, it is not enough to get to the airport in Schwechat. Schwechat, the city, is included. The airport of Schwechat is not. I sometimes work at the kiosk in the train stations, and tourists don't seem to realize that they have to pay for the one additional station. Also, if you have the ticket for the public transport in Vienna, a ticket with a train that goes outside of Vienna might cost a bit less (depends on the train). At the kiosk, you can just click on a box that says "Ab Stadtgrenze" ("from city border", or something similar), top-right on the screen after you chose a destination, and you will only pay for the part outside of Vienna. It's only 2,40€ saved, but still. Especially useful when you go to the airport, because the one station then costs only 2 €, I think. Also, fun video. Kinda funny, that it's not even scams, just some stuff that is somewhat overpriced. And the essence being: Yeah, there are no scams.
@notjuliebiz 18 күн бұрын
Innsbruck might be my favorite place in Europe so far. It was absolutely magical for Christmas 2023. The people are wonderful and incredibly warm. The access for winter sports is really nice as well. Several peaks nearby with buses that come very often throughout the day. Not to mention getting the city pass with our stay at the hotel (you just have to fill out paperwork ahead of time). Oh, don't forget to brush up on your Italian before your trip! Couldn't recommend Innsbruck enough.
@weetjeweetje4054 17 күн бұрын
Looking forward to your video about Rotterdam. I saw you taking notes.
@ronik24 19 күн бұрын
As for Vienna Airport trains I also recommend the Railjet express trains, don‘t just use the suburban trains which usually are more crowded. They stop at Hauptbahnhof and Meidling, so it depends where in Vienna you want to go. Tickets are the same for regional and express trains (everywhere on ÖBB) - just be aware that the airport is not in the city zone - so you will have to get an extra ticket for the part outside of the Vienna core zone if you have another ticket for city transport.
@miraculix_phon_Austria 18 күн бұрын
I'm missing one rip-off, those are the Mozarts who offer tickets for concerts on Kärnterstrasse and Stefansplatz.
@nightowl356 18 күн бұрын
it depends what you consider rip-off. like I read from some music critic, that the musicians of those concerts are very skilled, it's more the choice of music they have to play that is nothing for real fans of classical music, because they play like the 3-4 real famous songs from Mozart & other Austrian composers which don't really fit together well. if you just want to hear those and are happy to pay the price, it's not really a rip-off
@petevandijckstra3720 15 күн бұрын
These chaps sell unauthorized tickets which are even more expensive than the original ones. I heard it's a gamble if they allow you in with these tickets, you may get lucky ... or not.
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
@@petevandijckstra3720 Not really. They usually play their own (much smaller) concerts. They aren't just worth their price compared to the reputable (and subsidized) ones.
@rolandp79 4 күн бұрын
Hey nice to recognize views from my Daily workplace town Innsbruck, Hope you had some nice days here in Tyrol.
@retirementbudgettravel699 15 күн бұрын
Great video! We were in Innsbruck Austria 2 years ago. I a 125# 66 year old woman was body slammed intentionally by a big man in an uncrowded walk way. He clipped my front shoulder hard. I checked by back pack on my back & it was unzipped. Nothing of value..so nothing taken. But caught off guard to have it happen in such a safe country.
@snarepusher 17 күн бұрын
The appeal of the Sachertorte is its long shelf life. Unfortunately that's also the reason why it cannot really compete with freshly made cakes or pastry featuring cream or fruits. So while I (and any other person living in Vienna I know) would always prefer something else when visiting a cafe, it is common to recommend Sachertorte as a souvenir or to take one with you as a gift if you're visiting friends abroad. It's a problem of expectations, compare it to fresh cakes or pastry and it just doesn't hold up, compare it with prepackaged cakes from the supermarket and it is a very good competitor in that league, maybe the best.
@bcfuerst 11 күн бұрын
The shelf life is the only reason its famous because you could ship it per train in the 19. century
@helsinkisuomi 13 күн бұрын
I really enjoyed visiting Austria. Didn't feel scared or anything. A lot of the things you mentioned, as you said, aren't really scam because the price is upfront. So a little bit of comparison, analysis, and planning is involved, but it's all good. At this point, I don't even consider pickpockets anymore. The reason is that there were people going around the local grocery store stealing things from shoppers in my USA hometown! It only happened one time and it was a group of traveling criminals. But my point is, people should be vigilant (but not stressed, there is a big difference between the two!) no matter where they are. The criminals are very good at reading people. They are more likely to stay away from you if they realize that you are aware of your surroundings and keep track of your belongings.
@marycarla6245 18 күн бұрын
I took The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg some years ago. I was alone, but I still loved it! We did go out in the countryside. It was October so the leaves were changing, but there was also snow and it was beautiful. The Sound of Music sites were a little disappointing, but I still liked it, and I usually hate hokey stuff. I even went along with the “Doe a Deer” sing-along! In conclusion, yes it was touristy but if you like the Sound of Music, it’s a fun little romp.
@scp240 19 күн бұрын
Vienna is one of my favorite cities, I spent a week there in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed everything the city has to offer. If you are a classical music fan don’t hesitate to buy a ticket to one of the many concerts at the Musikverein or one of the churches, these are generally high quality and entertaining and the venues are spectacular. I was scammed by an olive vendor at the Naschmarkt, it wasn’t a big deal but watch out for those guys. Planning a trip back to Austria this summer for a week in Salzburg and a week of hiking.
@LauLa1882 13 күн бұрын
Yes- those olive vendors at Naschmarkt rip you off. If you want to see a more authentic market with good prices go to Brunnenmarkt (especially on Saturday there is also a farmers market)
@supaschwamal 18 күн бұрын
I kinda agree on the Sachertorte. I like to have one every so often. There is no outstanding one of all that I have tried, so you can get it where it's cheap. They are quite variable, though. For some, the chocolate forsting is pretty hard and for others it's more of a dense cream. The more "authentic" one would be the first variant. Generally, I've been to a few of the more traditional Kaffeehäuser and some of them seem to have forgotten how to make the traditional cakes (Esterhazy with a wrong cream, Dobos with not enough layers and so on.) in spite of being expensive. A similar thing to the Sacher Torte would be the Wiener Schnitzel. You can get it almost everywhere, if you don't insist on the meat being veal. And even if you do, you don't have to go to the fancy restaurants in the first district to get a "proper" one. I also agree about the horse drawn carriages in Salzburg and Vienna. I so hope that they will be abolished one day. They smell bad, they hold up traffic (even cyclists sometimes) and I feel bad for the horses, especially on hot summer days.
@10meisterballe 13 күн бұрын
One tourist trap common in a lot of tourist destinations, not just in Austria are the Euronet ATMs that charge fees and have high exchange rates which can really cost a lot of money if you’re not careful. This is especially important to know since Austria still uses cash very often. I would recommend avoiding these, they are mostly either labeled with „ATM“ or „Cash“. Instead use one from a bank like Erste Bank, Sparkasse, Bank Austria, Bawag, Raiffeisen or at the post offices, they don’t charge any fees except your bank‘s conversion fees.
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
If they have a B-shaped sign in green and blue they are fine.
@mpointe1978 5 күн бұрын
Yes, those Euronet ATMs do have very high charge fees, I consider them being a scam. They popped up everywhere in the last few years (even in my small hometown). Use the normal ATMs at the banks and not the Euronet ones at the "Spar" Shops and you are fine.
@713devereux 19 күн бұрын
We were recently in Austria for about 3 weeks I high recommend the Salzburg card its a great value but when we were in Vienna we did not get Vienna card. The Vienna card is kinda expensive and you need to visit three museum or palace a day to get your value and line can be kinda long at some of the palaces. Do your own research but for us the Vienna card was not worth it. But with said Vienna is a extremely beautiful city and that it is really easy to get around in. Cheers and happy travels.
@NorbertHarrer 18 сағат бұрын
I was born and raised in Austria. And the first time I heard about "The Sound of Music" was when I visited the U.S. 😄
@thebadger7265 7 күн бұрын
If you find a "Sorger" (Bakery Buisness), tread youself with a "Messeschlagrolle"(only available from Semptember to April). Its overprized as well but way better than a Sachertorte.
@surf01er66 18 күн бұрын
Thanks ...
@kiwiinaustria 5 күн бұрын
those poor residents of Hallstadt, way too many tourists.
@euronika6362 14 күн бұрын
At the Öbb ticket machines there might be helpers working officially for Öbb (no scam here!) that will happily assist you buying the right ticket especially around holidays. They are wearing some kind of uniforms like a bright red coat or white shirt that says Öbb on it. Not everyone offering help is a potential beggar or scammer. As for the CAT you are right: not needed but convenient and sometimes quicker depending on departure times that are available for you. Plus it is the train that is travelling between the airport and the city exclusively... so that train runs on time. As for trains of Öbb, they could be delayed just because they come from somewhere else (Germany, Hungary or other parts of Asutria) and therefore more can happen on the way. Depending on where you are the S7 is also an option getting to the airport without changin trains. What makes the CAT convenient though is the possibility to check in your luggage right at the train station and you don't have to it at the crowded airport.
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
BTW: There are actually a lot of locals in the CAT as airport and airline employees may use the trains too.
@swiss747 17 күн бұрын
Halstatt is so beautiful 🥰
@acanorum 15 күн бұрын
you forgot the mozart guys trying to sell you overpriced concert tickets. no Austrian would go to those
@Budicles 19 күн бұрын
Halstadt put up a removable fence where the Frozen selfies are taken. 10000 tourists vs 800 people town. Yeah locals getting tired of tourists. I get both sides. Beautiful town without Frozen hooked into it already.
@miraculix_phon_Austria 18 күн бұрын
There are so many nice towns in salzkammergut - vistit those
@nirfz 16 күн бұрын
The biggest problems for the locals are tourists that don't respect privacy and property. At the height of the east asian tourist mania to Hallstatt (before the pandemic) there were incidents where some of the tourists entered houses that weren't locked or took pictures looking through windows of private homes. They behaved like this was a filmset they could go anywhere, not an actual place where people live.
@Budicles 16 күн бұрын
@@nirfz geez. Not good. Some Asian places are now blocking tourists themselves.
@AndyGraumann1 16 күн бұрын
Most locals live off the tourists tho, since there isnt really any other jobs there. Exceptions being a few retirees. Young people have left already for job reasons.
@LazyGrey 3 күн бұрын
@@AndyGraumann1 That's not entirely true... Tourism might be the number one, but only because of the MASSIVE overtourism (up to 10.000 and more tourists daily in high season, in a town with 700 residents!!!). That doesn't automatically mean that 'most' locals profit from that, usually it's the hotel and cafe owners. Hallstatt is actually known for it's salt mining, which comes right after tourism. So, it's not like there aren't any jobs, but the younger generation probably doesn't feel like working for a saltmine company. And even if most are living off of tourism, that doesn't make this situation justifiable. It's the locals who are getting tired of being overrun and of tourists being disrespectful.
@ArminSteiner 14 күн бұрын
The CAT is not interesting for time saving but because you can check in your Lugge at the station so you dont have to do it while at the airport. Agree on the Sacher Torte, I live in vienna and I really dont like it, its just not that great at all. Hallstadt I am really sorry for the locals really.
@albert109 18 күн бұрын
A group of us are going on a trip through Austria in the fall, Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck. Arriving by myself, I did see that that CAT train was a total ripoff when I could take the normal SBahn/UBahn and get to hotel just fine from the airport.
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
If you have time, try to explore outside the major cities. Especially the lake district between Salzburg / Upper Austria / Styria offers many beautiful places to visit. For example, ride the train up to Schafberg and enjoy the breathtaking view over lakes and mountain ranges. Hope you'll have a great trip!
@albert109 12 күн бұрын
@@inLmgb We’re doing 2 days Vienna, 1 day Salzburg, and 6 days out west (Alpbachtal), out of which we’ll do trips to the surrounding areas. Und an der Ende, besuchen wir München zum Oktoberfest für ein paar Tagen.
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
@@albert109 Sounds like a good plan! 😊 Alpbachtal is beautiful in fall, I hope you'll have nice weather.
@andreasschuster9021 2 күн бұрын
The deliciousness of the Sacher tort lies in how simpel it is
@Hadubrand1965 15 күн бұрын
Regarding "mustard/bird sh..."-scam - Unfortunately THAT one can happen to you in Austria, particularly at train stations and/or other public transport stations (particularly underground in Vienna). I myself (as a native Austrian) fell for that one about 15 years ago, when arriving with the airport bus at "Westbahnhof"... - The guy who pulled that one on me was from Romania....
@michaelkores6860 18 күн бұрын
As an Austrian I truly hate the Sacher Torte - it is the most famous cake of my country and in my opinion it is the worst possible you can get. And don't even get me started about the stupid battle between Demel and Sacher about who's Torte is the original, they both suck so who cares.
@leopoldakaleopoldalsoknown5050 13 күн бұрын
100% agree. Staubtrocken. Apfelstrudel ftw
@michaelkores6860 12 күн бұрын
@@leopoldakaleopoldalsoknown5050 or Esterhazy-Schnitte, Topfennockerl or any other sweet dish popular in Austria. Linzer Torte, Brandteigkrapferl, Germknödel mit Powidlfülling in Vanillesauce schwimmend!
@leopoldakaleopoldalsoknown5050 12 күн бұрын
@@michaelkores6860Germknödel nur mit Butter. Beim Rest stimm ich dir zu
@michaelkores6860 12 күн бұрын
@@leopoldakaleopoldalsoknown5050 So streng bin ich da nicht. Vielleicht sollte man die Sachertorte zukünftig in Butter schwimmend servieren.
@mediolanumhibernicus3353 11 күн бұрын
Mohr im Hemd!
@Sh4d0w20 3 күн бұрын
as a guy from vienna who actually worked on a sacher project ... the original sachertorte is way overhyped. you can get the cheap clever sachertorte for 5€ at the supermarket and its not as dry as the original ^^
@clct9406 4 күн бұрын
7:06 austrians do have their würstel with mustard, almost always
@flowvo44 7 сағат бұрын
I completely agree with you about the airport train (CAT - green color), you should rather take the normal train (ÖBB - red color). Depending on the type of ÖBB train, it will take you between 30 - 60 minutes to get to the city for much less money than with the CAT. That's how we locals do it too ;) As a native Austrian, I can say that almost all pickpockets come from Eastern Europe and are organized groups. Unfortunately, every year at Christmas time we are flooded by these people in the cities and Christmas markets. The same applies to the beggars at the markets. Please do not confuse this with real Austrians, we appreciate tourists and want to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
@meursaultscourtroom8886 19 күн бұрын
Not a tourist trap but a warning, if you plan on going to the Opera House know that the "obstructed seats" can actually be absolutely no view of the stage. We picked those seats because we weren't sure that the better seats (at 3x the cost) would be worth it for us as opera newbies. It was our biggest regret as even without a view it was a magical evening and I can only think how wonderful it would of been in the better seats!
@TheHelmsD 17 күн бұрын
going there for first time in 2 weeks! austria, german, and italian alps!
@Tramptraveller 18 күн бұрын
❤❤❤
@travelvideos 19 күн бұрын
If you are going to take a cable car or funicular in Austria, you can check if there is no alternative bus route. Buses will be significantly cheaper and you can still get the same view from the top anyway. More money will be saved for bangs and other experiences. Locals will take buses for sure.
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
I wouldn't say that we locals don't use cable cars and funiculars if there is an alternative. Maybe not if we need to go to a place frequently, like for work, but if we are visiting places on a weekend or during the holidays, we sure like the fun experience and special views as much as any other visitor.
@deaf830 18 күн бұрын
The two countries where I feel most safe and comfortable are perhaps Austria and Japan.
@ApolloReloaded 7 күн бұрын
As an Austrian, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible, pls if you come to Austria, please stay the hell out off our woods and mountains! There are far too many tourists getting lost, underestimating distance, the rapid weather changes, sudden temperature drops below freezing even in August and the danger of averlanches of the alpes as well as not respecting farming and forestry and getting hurt. And our mountaineers and rescue services have to then risk their own lives going out in the night and searching for them. Like you can stick to the marked trails, and such, but always inform yourselves about difficulty, weather, hiking culture and taboos. And especially in winter respect that all the animals need their resting seasons and with tons of ppl running around, some will die of the pure stress. And don't take your dogs to a hike. Out cattle in the alps are free roaming and mother cows will attack if they feel threatened by what is basically a wolf for them, and tourists have been killed.
@ericlewisauthor 18 күн бұрын
Pickpocket 'bumped' into me at Hbf in 2015. I shoved him off before I got robbed, but they're definitely there.
@Dan-B 19 күн бұрын
tbh strolling up to tourists of a train, claiming to be a plain clothed ticket inspector and making them pay you, seems like a really good idea for a scam 😆
@michaelgrabner8977 13 күн бұрын
How should that work? There are locals on the train as well, such controlls are always done on everybody in the train they do not just pick "randomly" single persons but are controlling everybody. May I explain how that works.. The train, Subway, Tram, Bus is leaving the station and 1 or 2 or 3 guys if those are "incognito" in casual wear put their ticket controller badges on (but some controllers are wearing the uniform anyway so you know what´s going to happen in the first place when they hop on the train ) and shout loudly "Tickets" (actually they shout "Fahrscheinkontrolle") so that everyone is aware what´s now going to happen, and they are controlling everybody on that train, subway, tram, bus.. But the way more common thing is that a bunch of controllers in yellow wests just stand in the station where you have to go through when leaving/entering the platform and they let you just through when you have a ticket otherwise they charge you the fine which is very pricey. = currently 103 Euros fine + 2,40 Euros single ride ticket price for a ticket = which when they controll during the ride on train, subway... etc they will give you to continue the ride = all in all always 105,40 Euros
@Dan-B 13 күн бұрын
@@michaelgrabner8977 TLDR
@ninglight4433 13 күн бұрын
In Vienna ("Wien") you call the sausages "Frankfurter". In Frankfurt you would call them "Wiener". Beggars are normal in tourist spots around the world. Since people get basic money, if they can't finance their life by work (since they find none or since they can't work), you finance more likely their drug abuse or professional beggar gangs, when giving money to beggars. It is by the way legally allowed to beg, when begging passively (e.g. by a sign), but it is forbidden actively.
@wolfgangkranek376 9 күн бұрын
It's still fine even compared to other places in Western Europe, but sadly it's not "super safe" anymore. Just be cautious at larger train staitions in the main cities and in Vienna also in the subway stations. Not that it's actually dangerous, but there are more sketchy people around.
@centozo 7 күн бұрын
Can you even call them scams? Austria is so beautiful and nice. Even the so-called "scam artists" are polite and not malignant. I wish the people in America would treat me as nicely as the "scam artists" of Austria!
@robertheinrich2994 14 күн бұрын
3:20 go to vienna hauptbahnhof (central railway station), one floor down, to leberkaspepi. order a käseroni-semmel, and bite back. horses can't do anything to you once they are in that nice juicy form, with cheese and chili.
@LazyGrey 3 күн бұрын
The only reason these horses might bite, is because they're treated in a terrible way. The local animal welfare organisation has been trying for a long time to get these horse carriages banned.
@bcfuerst 11 күн бұрын
One legit scam are ATM fees on some private ATMs in Vienna and other tourist hotspots.
@TheOshman4 18 күн бұрын
Wolter youre looking trim buddy. Fair play.
@DrVVVinK 19 күн бұрын
I went to Wien for a five days this past summer, loved it, felt safe. I need to go back as I didn't have time to do everything I wanted to do. I also took the bus down to Laxenberg to Castle Park for a day ( I say that because I loved Laxenberg and visiting the castle, but I find many people never heard of it before, even those who have been to and lived in Wien). But yeah, I didn't see anything there and felt safe the whole time. The only "scam" I know of is from American an American man in 1994 who got a free bottle of wine from a bartender, to drink with a French girl he just met on the train that afternoon. He said he would pay him back. He never did, and he is a very successful writer now.
@008ammar 14 күн бұрын
Yeah, that's a movie Before Sunrise, with Ethan Hawke, filmed in Vienna
@DrVVVinK 14 күн бұрын
@@008ammar You are correct. I went to the record store from the movie, and the owner says they have about one fan stop by a day. On that day I guess I was that fan.
@annaf3915 14 күн бұрын
@@DrVVVinKWhat's the name of the record store?
@DrVVVinK 14 күн бұрын
@@annaf3915 Alt & Neu. It is right down the street from the Jaz In The City record store, where I stayed. An awesome music theme hotel.
@annaf3915 14 күн бұрын
@@DrVVVinK Thanks, I need to check it out!
@nirfz 16 күн бұрын
The "big" thing they advertized long ago (no idea if it's still a thing) with the CAT was that you were able to check in your luggage at the train station already for the flight. So you supposedly didn't need to carry it from the point you entered the CAT.
@petevandijckstra3720 15 күн бұрын
That is indeed still possible, but depends on the airline if they have a cooperation with CAT trains / city check in.
@annaf3915 14 күн бұрын
I chose the CAT for that very reason, to check in my luggage the night before - only to realize that there was no cooperation with my airline so I had to take my bags home again.
@nirfz 11 күн бұрын
@@annaf3915 that's bitter.
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
Be aware that the 3 day ticket (72 Stunden Wien) for Vienna's public transportation is exactly the same price as a ticket valid for 7 days (7 Tage Wien). Both are 17.10 EUR.
@snarepusher 17 күн бұрын
) The Mozart guys selling concert tickets should be on here. Not a scam, but definitely a tourist trap ) I live in Vienna, so I don't need it, but the good thing with the CAT is that (with most airlines) you can check in your luggage at their city terminal and they have lockers for your carry ons. So for people who have an afternoon or evening flight on their last day in Vienna it is quite convenient to go there once after leaving the hotel or apartment and then spend the rest of their time in Vienna without needing to worry about the luggage. (Of yourse that's only a thing for the trip to the airport))
@napoleonsdauphin 3 күн бұрын
If you want Sachertorte, go to an Oberlaa location instead and have a slice of it. Their quality is very good and they also have tons of other options, all of which are good - and you won't have to wait in some dumb line. Just be warned: Sachertorte is not a rich, moist American-style chocolate cake.
@brucelee3388 19 күн бұрын
At least a few years ago, you could get the Hotel Sacher to deliver a Sacher Torte from the hotel to where ever you live. A friend did this one Christmas when he visited the hotel and it arrived perfectly intact here in Australia -yum- I don't think it came via the regular mail. (There are no Edelweiss in Australia, and no wild kangaroos in Austria)
@woltersworld 19 күн бұрын
😀
@annainbudapest1261 16 күн бұрын
i live in budapest now, i went to vienna to go shopping one day and a bunch of migrants on the main high end shopping street tried to sell my drugs, and one person spit on my husband. Not fun at all. In previous since i use to come to austria and hungary once a year, but now that i retired in budapest 3 years ago, i had not been to vienna since pre the cuff nonsense, and it has definitely become worse then before. I have always loved salzburg!
@redbluewarrior099 18 күн бұрын
I was in Vienna in 2013. The city is very beautiful, with stunning architecture, and many interesting museums. But the people were not always nice.
@user-fb5lj9cz5l 17 күн бұрын
It is not for nothing that Vienna is named the most liveable and at the same time the most unfriendly city in the world in international surveys. ;-)
@vash47 16 күн бұрын
unfortunately that's Austria
@werpu12 15 күн бұрын
@@vash47 people are not nice in international terms, they are just honest and not artificially nice, thats all there is to it. Also smalltalk is less a thing! They are not inerhently unfriendly, on the contrary!
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
@@user-fb5lj9cz5l Vienna is pretty bad, but Berlin is another league of unfriendliness.
@fujistravel 18 күн бұрын
👍👍👍
@davidterry6155 18 күн бұрын
As someone who lives in a city with horse drawn carriages, I think are very pricey everywhere
@JohnDoe-xz1mw 20 сағат бұрын
i would like to confirm that the sacher torte is our 28th best cake.
@VanhA-db3kz 19 күн бұрын
Nice. I'm planning a trip this autumn to Vienna. Ich weiß etwas Deutsche Sprachen 😊
@itiswhatitis141 18 күн бұрын
"Ich kann etwas Deutsch sprechen" ;)
@747-pilot 18 күн бұрын
@@itiswhatitis141To be fair that’s not how someone would say it in the real world, either! 😊. More like “Ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch”
@FreddieIceland 16 күн бұрын
He Oida, I kaun a bissl deitsch redn.
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
Have a great trip! 😊
@MasterQuestMaster 8 күн бұрын
As an Austrian, I’m watching this video because I’m curious whether I’ve fallen for some of these tourist traps.
@oliviatrudi9465 2 күн бұрын
There is one more scam! In many ticket machines you can only find the overly expensive 24h ticket and no simple day ticket. Most people are not using the public transport past 1am and have therefore no need to pay for the 24 hour ticket...
@hetspook666 16 күн бұрын
Just some tips from me, no touriststraps found. *beggers we have been to Austria every summer for the last 12 years in a row (never in Vienna) and I think I've seen 5 of 6 in total. Innsbruck & Salsburg had them but that's it. The free public toilets are usually very clean and the country overal is very clean. Good roads. Visit tirol in summer (most ppl don't speak English there but are friendly enough to help you using hands and feet) One tip from me, don't visit hallstat the locals hate all tourists, there's plenty more beautiful cities in that big country. (Edit 😂 didn't see the full video, luckaly you agreed) Final note, don't be an idiot while hiking or doing snow stuff. Wear proper clothes etc. Read the weather forecast. And pls don't talk to loud in nature. I've never felt unsafe.
@viennaweiss8470 14 күн бұрын
Dude! I help people all of the time (with the ticket machines), I'm not a scammer, I'm a nice person (who happens to live near some ticket machine places).
@christofheimhilcher1619 15 күн бұрын
Everything connected to Sound of Music is a pure tourist trap. The vast majority don't even know it. Not the real Trapp family, not the book, not the musical, not the movie, not one single song. Most Austrians learn about its existence by foreigners, mainly Americans. If you compare it to The Third Man: many Austrians have seen the movie, know the Harry Lime theme or even took part in a guided Third Man tour through the sewers.
@TmTrbo 16 күн бұрын
The only tourist trap I can spot here is, that you were only visiting Vienna and Salzburg, but not Graz ;)
@DeannaAllison 18 күн бұрын
I live in Austria. There's plenty of good advice in this video. I would add this: On a recent visit to the Naschmarkt in Vienna some of the stall holders seemed quite aggressive to my English sensibilities! The technique is to push whatever they are selling towards you and try to get you to sample it. This would not usually bother me, but they were so aggressive that it stuck in my mind. It's not a great selling technique because it just p*ssed me off so much that I refused to stop or engage with them. One stall holder requested money for taking a photograph, and I wasn't even pointing my phone camera at him or his stall and I was not obstructing his stall either, I'd had simply just walked past it, then turned round to snapped a quick general view down looking between the rows of stalls. I didn't engage with the guy, I ignored him and walked on.
@jessicalee6745 15 күн бұрын
Do we need to carry passport with us in salzburg? I'm very afraid of pickpockets.
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
There is no need to carry your passport with you, just leave it at the hotel. If you want, you can bring a drivers licence or other ID in your wallet, or carry a copy of your passport with you, to prove your age for example (e.g. in case you are old enough for reduced senior tickets). Just make sure that your handbag has zippers, and if you use a backpack, take it in front of you on escalators or in crowded places.
@sauhorntheoriginal 10 күн бұрын
I would not take the horse rides in vienna, the horses work every day in the summer heat and collapse quiet often and dont get treated right in generall. There are better things to do.
@jeannamcgregor9967 19 күн бұрын
One of few city tours I've ever taken was in Salzburg, and we still make jokes about it. The guide was only versed in Mozart and The Sound of Music trivia, and was unable to answer questions about WW1 or how the plague affected the city or pretty much any other subject. We looked longingly up at the amazing fortress (with cool funicular) above the town but no go. I was a little insulted that they thought that's all Americans are interested in. It's such a beautiful city...I wouldn't do that again. My favorite NON-tourist-trap: a white tablecloth dinner on the 1897 Riesenrad ferris wheel in Vienna. It's a spectacular thing to do!
@albert109 18 күн бұрын
Riesenrad is German for Ferris wheel 😉
@jeannamcgregor9967 18 күн бұрын
@@albert109 I know, and Mark knows, but most Americans will not...😉
@MrDenis80 16 күн бұрын
What surprises me a bit as a German viewer: do you have no ticket checkers in public transportations in the USA? How do you rest assure that no one uses a train without ticket?
@Hadubrand1965 15 күн бұрын
Not quite sure, how things are in the US... - But e.g. in London it is quite difficult to get ON the subway without a ticket, since they have barriers which require a ticket to unlock. Whereas in Vienna you can simply walk in and get on the train but might be stopped by a ticket checker either on the train or when you exit.
@wisehippo3072 14 күн бұрын
@@Hadubrand1965it's the same in the US. You can't get in without a ticket.
@austriankangaroo 11 күн бұрын
@@wisehippo3072Nyc subway: hold my fare-evasion
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
@@wisehippo3072 It really depends where. Light rail systems (like in Portland) usually don't have fare gates.
@Stinkbatz 6 күн бұрын
well, not really scams here. I have seen scams of a different level in Istanbul and Tiflis where people really want your money and it is hard to get out the situation once they have you on the hook.
@timsummers870 15 күн бұрын
There are no scams in Austria.
@jokervienna6433 15 күн бұрын
As a Swede living in Vienna for some ten years now, it is true, there are not a lot of real scams going on here. I have experienced some true scams in tourists heavy areas, like Naschmarkt. Otherwise, Austria is very safe. BUT. They are experts in making folks paying more when there are cheaper alternatives. They will happily charge you an extra fee, when the offer as a start was half the price. It is not scamming, but you still feel robbed afterwards when you learn the truth. At least, they always do it with a smile! :)
@petevandijckstra3720 15 күн бұрын
Yeah - on Naschmarkt you will definitely get overcharged as a tourist buying sth from the olive/cheese/veggie/baklava stands. Advice: always order by grams and not by pieces - and actively ask how much of a product equals i.e. 100 grams.
@annaf3915 14 күн бұрын
@@petevandijckstra3720Naschmarkt has become the worst market for actually buying food but I still like going for a stroll there. I always tell the vendors I want 3 € worth of this and 5 € worth of that
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
@@petevandijckstra3720 Good advice, even for us locals, too! I don't think there are different prices, it's generally overpriced compared to other markets.
@sultanfahad 14 күн бұрын
Salzburg and Hallstatt are best 👍🏼👌🙂
@AS-oz6ep 18 күн бұрын
What I found a scam was I was hit with a “gedeck” (translates as “cover”) charge in a restaurant, Plachuttas Gasthaus zur Oper. Left a really bitter taste in my mouth. Absolutely DO NOT recommend this restaurant on this basis. Caveat emptor!
@snarepusher 17 күн бұрын
Plachutta is a touristy place, so prices there in general are a bit of a scam. But if you pay for cover in Austria that comes with bread (rolls), spreads, sometimes additional small snacks and proper napkins, not just disposable paper ones. You might get a basket of bread and rolls in other restaurants too, but if you eat these, you have to pay for them seperately. I can totally see how this might also be called a scam, but it is common practice in Austria that everyone living here knows. Same with waffles in ice cream parlors
@petevandijckstra3720 15 күн бұрын
Simply avoid that restaurant chain. There are much better and authentic restaurants in Vienna!!
@annaf3915 14 күн бұрын
A few years ago, Plachutta charged one of their employees for using the restaurant's sugar on some strawberries he had brought from home as a snack. It was in the newspapers. They have a reputation...
@inLmgb 12 күн бұрын
"Gedeck" or Cover charge is quite common in Austria, especially in the evening. You will find the additional charge advertised on the menu. In other countries like Italy you may get free bread on the table, but in Austria, when you dine at a table with tablecloth, cloth napkins and bread (often baked in-house) with a spread or olive oil are served, you will most likely be charged a few Euros for Gedeck per person.
@ahm256 18 күн бұрын
If you renting a car from another country, know that Austrian highway need toll sticker. Otherwise you will get a fat ticket from the rental company few month later. 😅
@to_loww 9 күн бұрын
The "Digital Vignette" is far more convenient. Peeling off those stickers is a pain in the ass.
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