Skip to content
Few scams

Central Europe

Tourist scams in Austria

Austria is generally very safe, but theft and street scams can still catch visitors out. Watch your belongings in crowds, lock bicycles carefully, and be cautious of street gambling, unwanted gifts and people claiming to be police.
  1. 1 TheftVery commonBicycle theftThieves steal bicycles left where they can be taken away. Bicycle theft is widespread in bigger cities.Bigger cities. Bicycle theft is much less of a concern in smaller towns. 2Read
  2. 2 TheftCommonPickpocketing and grab-and-run theftThieves take valuables from pockets or bags in crowds. In Vienna, some grab belongings and run as passengers board the U-Bahn.Vienna 3Read
  3. 3 TheftCommonTheft of jackets and other belongingsPersonal belongings, including jackets, go missing. This kind of petty theft often goes unreported.Vienna 2Read
  4. 4 On the streetCommonUnwanted gift followed by a payment demandSomeone insists on handing you a rose, magazine or another item. After you accept it, they demand payment. Genuine Augustin magazine sellers wear a badge and should not be confused with this trick.Vienna 1Read
  5. 5 Fake officialsOccasionalFake police wallet inspectionSomeone asks you for directions. Accomplices then show a fake police badge, suggest that you were buying drugs, and ask for your passport and wallet. While you explain yourself, they remove cash. Another version claims that your money may be counterfeit and needs inspection.Vienna 3Read
  6. 6 On the streetOccasionalRigged hiding-the-ball street gameAn operator moves a ball or small object under bottle caps or matchboxes. Accomplices appear to win and lose to make the game look fair. Once you bet, the operator secretly removes the ball. Lookouts watch the surrounding area.Vienna 2Read
  7. 7 On the streetOccasionalRequests for train-ticket moneySomeone approaches you asking for money for a train ticket or a similar need. They may persist. The approach alone does not prove that a person's story is false, but visitors are advised to ignore these requests.Vienna 2Read

Where to stay alert

  • Karlsplatz, ViennaReports of fake police asking to inspect passports, wallets or supposedly counterfeit money.
  • The Ring, ViennaReports of fake police wallet-inspection fraud.
  • Stephansplatz, ViennaRigged hiding-the-ball street gambling.
  • Mariahilfer Straße, ViennaRigged street gambling aimed at visitors.
  • Prater, ViennaPickpocket concerns, particularly at night.
  • U-Bahn boarding areas, ViennaThieves may grab belongings and run while passengers board.
  • Train stations and the city centre, ViennaCrowded areas where visitors may encounter unwanted-item payment demands and requests for ticket money.

Habits that keep you safe

Your belongings

  • Keep bags closed and valuables out of easy reach in crowds.
  • Put your phone and wallet away before boarding the U-Bahn.
  • Keep jackets and bags within sight.
  • Lock your bicycle to an immovable object.
  • Keep a separate copy of important documents.

Money

  • Carry some cash, as many Austrian shops are cash only.
  • Banks generally offer the best exchange rates, but some serve account holders only.
  • Ask about exchange fees before agreeing. Bank fees may be €3–6 or more for large amounts.
  • Decline unwanted street items before taking them.
  • Keep walking past street gambling games.

Cards and ATMs

  • ATMs are called Bankomat and are widespread.
  • Look for the sign with a green stripe above a blue stripe.
  • Check any withdrawal fee before confirming. Euronet is listed as charging €1.90 per withdrawal.
  • Cover your PIN and keep your card in sight.
  • Keep your card issuer's blocking details somewhere separate from your wallet.

Taxis

  • In Vienna, city taxi fares are metered; you can also agree a fare.
  • Agree the fare before travelling to the airport or outside Vienna's city limits.
  • In Graz, traffic in the early morning and early evening can make taxi rides expensive.
  • Ask for a receipt and check the amount before paying.

Police and officials

  • If a street check feels suspicious, ask to go to a police station or a uniformed officer.
  • Keep control of your wallet during any conversation about checking money.
  • A police badge should show Polizei and the Austrian coat of arms and/or flag.
  • For a serious crime report, ask whether an English-speaking officer is available.

Nights out

  • Keep your belongings close when out at night.
  • Use extra care around quiet parks and stations late at night.
  • Limit alcohol so you can keep track of your belongings and route home.

What travellers say about Austria

Discussions on other sites, summarised in our words. Open a link to read the full thread.

Questions

Is Austria a high-risk destination for tourist scams?

No. Austria is generally very safe. The main concerns covered here are theft, a few street tricks and fake police approaches in Vienna.

Where should I be most careful about pickpockets?

Watch your belongings in crowds across Austria. In Vienna, take extra care when boarding the U-Bahn and around the Prater, especially at night.

What should I do if police ask to inspect my money?

Keep your wallet in your possession and ask to go to a police station or a uniformed officer. Fake police around Karlsplatz and the Ring have used drug accusations and counterfeit-money claims to steal cash.

Can I win money at a street ball game?

The games described here are rigged. Other players are accomplices, and the operator can secretly remove the ball. Do not bet, even if the answer looks obvious.

What if someone hands me a rose or magazine?

Decline before accepting it unless you want to buy it. Some people demand payment after handing over an item. Say "Nein danke" and walk away.

Are Augustin magazine sellers part of a scam?

Badged Augustin sellers are described as reputable. Be cautious if someone has no badge or insists on handing you something you did not ask for.

Are Austrian ATMs free to use?

ATMs usually do not charge a withdrawal fee, but Euronet is listed as charging €1.90 per withdrawal. Check the screen before confirming. A stated fee alone is not evidence of a scam.

How can I avoid an unexpected taxi bill?

In Vienna, agree the fare before airport trips or journeys outside the city limits. City fares are metered, though a fare can also be negotiated. In Graz, congestion can make rides more expensive.

Do I need to lock a bicycle in Austria?

Yes. Bicycle theft is widespread in bigger cities. Always attach your bicycle to an immovable object.

Who should I contact after a theft?

Report it to the police and block missing cards immediately. Call 133 for urgent police help. Contact your embassy or consulate for a stolen passport, and your insurer if you plan to claim.

Reviewed by