Austrians' holiday habits: Popular destinations and travel trends

As summer holidays enter their peak, Austrians are embarking on millions of trips, with a notable trend towards international destinations for longer stays. Statistics Austria projects nearly 9.5 million holiday journeys between July and September, with almost 42 percent of these trips taking place within Austria.

Italy and Croatia continue to be the most popular foreign destinations, drawing 13.4% and 9.3% of travelers, respectively. Within Austria, Styria ranks third as a preferred holiday spot, followed by Germany. The tendency for longer vacations, defined as four or more nights, is increasingly leading Austrians abroad, with three-quarters of such trips occurring internationally.

While the majority of Austrians (60.5%) prefer traveling by car, and nearly one in five opt for flights, there's a positive environmental note: the share of train journeys has slightly increased to 12.5% between 2024 and 2025. This shift, though small, indicates a growing awareness of climate impact among travelers.

The article also touches upon the cultural nuances travelers might encounter abroad, using Italy as an example where Austrians often feel at home but may still be unfamiliar with local customs. It highlights how understanding and adapting to different traditions, like the public toilet system in Greece or the custom of slurping food in China, can enrich the travel experience.