Quick answer
The best time to visit Austria is May to June and September, when Vienna is 20–24°C, alpine lakes and cable cars are open and crowds are lighter than in July and August. For Christmas markets, go between mid-November and 24 December. Skiers should aim for mid-December to March in Tyrol and Salzburgerland.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan3°Fair
- Feb5°Fair
- Mar10°Fair
- Apr16°Good
- May21°Best
- Jun24°Best
- Jul26°Good
- Aug26°Good
- Sep21°Best
- Oct15°Good
- Nov8°Fair
- Dec4°Good
Austria weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryFair | 3° / -2° | 38 mm | medium | Cold, short days in Vienna; ski resorts in full swing |
| FebruaryFair | 5° / -1° | 40 mm | medium | Ball season in Vienna; good snow in the Alps |
| MarchFair | 10° / 2° | 46 mm | low | Slushy shoulder month; late skiing at higher resorts |
| AprilGood | 16° / 6° | 52 mm | medium | Spring in Vienna; some mountain lifts closed between seasons |
| MayBest | 21° / 11° | 62 mm | medium | Green valleys, alpine roads opening, comfortable city walking |
| JuneBest | 24° / 14° | 70 mm | high | Long days, lakes warming; fits Indian school holidays |
| JulyGood | 26° / 16° | 68 mm | high | Hot city days up to 30°C+, busy Hallstatt, Salzburg Festival |
| AugustGood | 26° / 16° | 67 mm | high | European holiday peak; afternoon thunderstorms in the Alps |
| SeptemberBest | 21° / 12° | 60 mm | medium | Settled weather, thinner crowds, wine harvest in the Wachau |
| OctoberGood | 15° / 7° | 40 mm | medium | Autumn colour; high-alpine roads start closing late in the month |
| NovemberFair | 8° / 3° | 50 mm | medium | Grey early on; Christmas markets open mid-month |
| DecemberGood | 4° / -1° | 44 mm | high | Christmas markets, snow in the mountains, ski season starts |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Austria
Mid-November to 24–26 December
Vienna Christmas markets
The Rathausplatz and Schönbrunn markets are the biggest; weekday evenings are calmer.
Thursday before Ash Wednesday (4 February in 2027)
Vienna Opera Ball
The best-known event of Vienna's ball season; tickets are expensive and sell out.
Late June
Donauinselfest
A free open-air music festival on the Danube Island in Vienna.
Late July to end of August
Salzburg Festival
Opera, theatre and concerts; Salzburg hotel rates rise sharply.
Early May to late October or early November
Grossglockner High Alpine Road season
Opening and closing depend on snow; check before planning the drive.
When is the best time to visit Austria?
May, June and September are the sweet spot for a first trip. Vienna sits at 20–24°C, the lakes around Hallstatt and Zell am See are clear of snow, and the high-alpine roads and cable cars are running. June brings long evenings, with sunset after 9 pm; September brings thinner crowds once European summer holidays end.
July and August are good but busier. Hallstatt sees heavy day-tripper traffic, the Salzburg Festival fills hotels in Salzburg, and Vienna can touch 30–33°C on hot days, when older hotels without air conditioning get uncomfortable. If you travel in Indian summer holidays, late May to June gets you the best of both.
Is Austria worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for two reasons. From mid-November to 24 December, Vienna and Salzburg run their Christmas markets, with roasted chestnuts, lit-up squares and non-alcoholic Kinderpunsch alongside the mulled wine. From mid-December to March, the ski resorts of Tyrol and Salzburgerland are in season. Expect -2 to 4°C in Vienna and well below freezing in the Alps.
The trade-off: short days (dark by 4.30 pm), some mountain attractions shut, and Hallstatt's lakeside paths can be icy. Snow-covered Hallstatt is lovely, but cold.
Months to think twice about
March, early April and November have the least going for them: slushy in the mountains, grey in the cities, and caught between ski season and summer. Many high-alpine routes, including the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, open only from early May and close around late October or early November.
| Trip style | Best months |
|---|---|
| Vienna, Salzburg, Hallstatt sightseeing | May–June, September |
| Lakes and alpine drives | June–September |
| Christmas markets | Mid-November to 24 December |
| Skiing | Mid-December to March |
Austria is part of the Schengen area. For June and December trips, book your visa appointment six to eight weeks ahead, as slots fill early.
Read our Austria visa guide, then plan with things to do in Austria, the Austria trip cost breakdown and our vegetarian food guide to Austria.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Christmas markets open in Vienna?
Is June a good time to visit Austria from India?
When is the Salzburg Festival?
Can I see snow in Austria in April?
How cold is Austria in December?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
