Mobile internet

How to get mobile internet in Austria: Best options

Mobile internet in Austria doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover how you can get easy, cheap and unlimited internet for a worry-free vacation.

Your trip to Hallstatt or the iconic Schönrbunn Palace, will be much more comfortable if you have a mobile internet service on your travels.

This guide explores the best options to get mobile internet in Austria, including SIM cards, public WiFi, pocket WiFi, roaming, and the Holafly eSIM.

We’ll explore what each service offers, their pricing, and compare them so you can get the best possible connection while visiting Austria.

In this article

Holafly eSIM for Austria: Unlimited data in Austria

If you have an eSIM-compatible phone and you want peace of mind, the Holafly eSIM for Austria is a great option.

With Holafly, you get unlimited data, up to 1 GB of daily hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, and 5G data speeds, and you can buy it before you travel.

The Holafly eSIM works with personalized plans, meaning you choose the exact number of days you need, anywhere from 1 to 90 days.

Pricing ranges from $3.90 for 1 day to as low as $1.55 daily for a 90-day trip. Meaning the longer you stay, the lower your daily rate is.

So, you simply choose how long you’re staying, get your eSIM, and you get unlimited data as soon as you land.

Local SIM card for Austria

If you have a SIM-only phone, you can get an Austria SIM card upon arrival from providers such as A1, Magenta, and Drei, with prices ranging from €1 to €30 (~$1.18 to $35.32 USD).

Your best option is to buy your SIM card at the airport, like Vienna International Airport or Salzburg Airport, so you can stay connected after leaving the airport.

These are also available at retail stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, like 24/7, Hangry, or SPAR.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to show a valid passport and a copy of it. You’ll also need proof of accommodation and an unlocked phone. However, this might not apply to stores like SPAR, where you can buy a prepaid SIM without showing all the required documentation.

Here’s some additional info about which plans are available:

Provider	Data	Duration	Pricing
A1	50 GB	4 weeks	€12.90 to €17.90 (~$15.90 to $21.07)
Magenta	60 GB to unlimited data	1 month	€17.90 to €29.90 (~$21.07 to $35.20)
Drei	80 GB to unlimited data	1 month	€24.90 to €64.90 (~$29.32 to $76.41)

Note: Every provider charges an additional activation fee, ranging from €6 to €9.90 (~$7.06 to $11.66).

Roaming in Austria

If you have a carrier-locked phone, international roaming in Austria is your best option for staying connected on your trip.

Based on your provider, you can get free roaming, pay for daily roaming passes, or get a monthly roaming pass based on your needs.

But this varies from provider to provider, so let’s take a look at how they work.

USA roaming in Austria

Each USA carrier works differently when it comes to roaming, so let’s check their pricing and what’s included with their service.

Carriers	Roaming passes	Pay-as-you-go
Verizon	$12 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls	$2.05/MB, $1.79/minute, $0.50/text
AT&T	$12 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls	$2.05/MB, $2/minute, $0.50/text
T-Mobile	$5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of high-speed data Free with Better Value and Experience Beyond up to 30 GB, with lower speeds afterwards $0.01/MB, $0.25/minute, free texts with other T-Mobile plans	Use roaming passes

UK roaming in Austria

Compared to USA providers, UK travelers have an advantage: most carriers offer free roaming in Austria.

Here’s what you should know about each one:

Carriers	Roaming passes	Pay-as-you-go
Three	Free on eligible Value and Complete plans £2 daily on other plans £5 to £24 roaming passes for up to 14 days	£10 to £31.50 per month with Auto-Renew data packs
Vodafone UK	Free roaming on eligible plans £2.57 daily to unlock up to 25 GB of your local allowance on other plans	Available with Vodafone Extras, £9.60 to £12.75 for 8-day packages
EE	Free roaming on eligible plans £2.59 daily on other plans	Roaming passes range from £250 for 1 day to £10 for 7 days
O2	Free roaming on all plans	Free roaming on all plans

Public WiFi in Austria

Public WiFi is available throughout Austria, especially in cities like Graz, Salzburg, and Vienna.

These cities even have their own free WiFi networks, such as the StadtWien-Public WLAN in Vienna, which works at museums, train stations, and other iconic landmarks.

Free WiFi is also available at places like Café Central, Café Bazar, and Klagenfurt, in case you’re working in a café for a day.

However, free WiFi isn’t the most reliable option. Use it for basic tasks, but don’t rely on it fully, especially if you plan to open financial or personal accounts.

Pocket WiFi in Austria

Using a pocket WiFi in Austria is a great option for groups of travelers or remote workers, but it isn’t the most budget-friendly option available.

Renting one of these devices can cost you over $100 for a week with providers like Cello Mobile or MyPocket. And this doesn’t include delivery fees and add-ons.

That said, if you still need to share the connection, you can use Holafly Plans instead.

This monthly subscription supports an eSIM, and you can choose from two plans ranging from $49.90 to $64.90 that include unlimited high-speed data, 24/7 customer support, and coverage in over 170 destinations.

Plus, if you choose the $64.90 plan, unlimited hotspot data and a local phone number are included.

What is the best way to get internet in Austria?

The best way to get mobile internet in Austria depends on every traveler. But safety, price, data amount, and speed are things worth considering.

Public WiFi is the least recommended option. Everyone can access these hotspots, so it makes them unsafe in the long run.

Roaming is a great option if you’re a UK traveler, not so much if you’re traveling with a USA carrier.

SIM cards are good, but all the hassle of SIM swapping, not having a connection the moment you land, or simply having an eSIM-only phone, complicates things.

Pocket WiFi is a reliable option, but it is by far the most expensive one.

That said, the Holafly eSIM for Austria ticks all the boxes for a good and reliable connection. Unlimited data, personalized plans, 24/7 customer support, great coverage, secure connections, and affordable prices make this the go-to option for travelers.

Option	Hotspot sharing	Security	Support	Phone unlocked required	Physical installation
eSIM (Holafly)	Yes	Private network	24/7 CS	Yes	No
Pocket WiFi	Yes	Private network	Limited	No	Yes, with a password
Public WiFi	Yes	Open network	No	No	No
Local SIM	Depends on the mobile provider	Private network	Local carrier	Yes	Yes
Roaming	Depends on the local plan	Private network	With home carrier	No	No

Internet in Austria: Frequently asked questions

Does Austria have good internet?

Yes, mobile internet in Austria is pretty solid, with over 77% of the country having a strong, safe 5G coverage. Rural connectivity isn’t so good, so keep this in mind if you’re going to the countryside.

Does Austria have free WiFi?

Yes, Austria has free WiFi in many public places, including lots of hotspots in cities like Vienna.

Will my cell phone work in Austria?

Yes, your phone will work in Vienna. However, if your phone is carrier-locked, you’re limited to using international roaming. If you prefer using the Holafly eSIM for Austria, ensure your phone is unlocked.

Plans that may interest you

eSIM Austria

eSIM Germany

Julio Osuna

English Content Writer

I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.

Read full bio