Linz

Media Arts, Danube Views, Modern Vibe

Linz is Austria’s third-largest city, located along the Danube River in the north of the country. Known for its mix of historic architecture and modern art spaces, it has a lively cultural scene with museums, galleries and music festivals throughout the year. The old town features baroque buildings alongside contemporary structures like the Ars Electronica Center. Linz is also home to several universities and green parks along the riverbanks. Its central location makes it easy to explore nearby towns or enjoy nature in the surrounding region.

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City in Austria

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.7

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, museums, and tourist attractions. Most signage is bilingual, and younger locals are comfortable with visitors. In small shops and markets, German is more common, but you’ll get by easily.

Museums Natural Landmark

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Linz Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Strong in cultural museums and riverside life. Visit modern art centers, walk along the Danube promenade and explore historic squares and cafés.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Spotless

Rivers

Walkable

Natural sites

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Austria – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Austria is a highly cashless society, particularly in urban areas. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and mobile payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are increasingly popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Austria. In restaurants, it is common to leave a 5-10% tip, though rounding up to the nearest euro is also acceptable. Taxi drivers typically expect a small tip, around 10% of the fare. Hotel staff and tour guides appreciate small gratuities.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally permitted in Austria, though some areas may have restrictions. Drinking in public spaces such as parks and squares is socially accepted but may be subject to local laws in specific municipalities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. Designated smoking areas are available in many locations.

National Day (October)	A national holiday with many closures, celebrations, and increased domestic tourism.
Christmas (December)	Festive celebrations across the country, with crowded tourist spots and higher prices for accommodation.
Austrian Wine Harvest Festival (September)	Celebration of local wines, especially in wine-producing regions, with festivals and events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Austria is known for its rich cultural heritage, with historical sites, museums, and nature reserves. Its well-developed infrastructure, particularly in transport, makes it a comfortable destination for travellers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Linz, Austria

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ars Electronica Festival, a major media art and technology event, takes place in September, hotels fill up

Danube Cycle Path along Linz is best April to October, cold and foggy outside those months

Don't miss

⛪ Admire the stunning Mariendom, Austria's largest cathedral
🚋 Ride the historic Pöstlingbergbahn tram to hilltop views
🖥️ Explore cutting-edge exhibits at the Ars Electronica Center
🚶‍♀️ Wander charming streets in Linz Old Town (Altstadt)
🖼️ Discover modern art at the Lentos Art Museum
🏰 Enjoy panoramic Danube views from Linz Castle grounds

You've been here?

Why travel to Linz?

Linz is perfect for travelers who want to see a different side of Austria – less touristy than Vienna or Salzburg, but just as rich in culture. The city is a UNESCO City of Media Arts, home to the interactive Ars Electronica Center (the 'Museum of the Future'), the modern Lentos Art Museum and the annual Ars Electronica Festival that draws creatives from around the world. The Old Town and Hauptplatz (main square) are full of historic buildings, cozy cafés and a vibrant student scene. You can ride the Pöstlingbergbahn tram up to panoramic city views, explore the Danube’s parks and cycle paths or wander the Mural Harbor, an open-air gallery of giant graffiti. But Linz isn’t all glossy – its industrial past is still visible and some areas feel gritty. The weather can be unpredictable, with cold winters, rainy summers and gloomy stretches, especially in winter. Some attractions close early outside of festival season and English is widely spoken in tourist spots but less so in small shops. Still, Linz’s blend of art, tech and tradition makes it a fascinating stop for curious travelers.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 St. Mary's Cathedral
2 Main Square
3 Lentos Museum of Modern Art
4 Ars Electronica Center
5 NORDICO Museum of the city of Linz
6 Mural Harbor Gallery
7 Pöstlingbergbahn
8 Castle Museum Linz

🎡Places for activities

1 Tower II (Beatrix)

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Botanical Garden
2 Donau

🎈Events

Ars Electronica Festival (September)
Linz Fest (May)
Pflasterspektakel Street Art Festival (July)
Christmas Markets (December)
Klangwolke Sound Cloud (September)
Crossing Europe Film Festival (April)
Linz Marathon (April)
Donau in Flammen (Danube Fireworks)
Open-air concerts in Danube Park
Museum Night (October)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Ride the Pöstlingbergbahn for views; check seasonal timetables.
Plan time for Ars Electronica Center; it’s interactive and best enjoyed unhurried.
Stroll Hauptplatz and the Danube promenade; evenings look great with city lights.
Try an authentic Linzer Torte at a classic café – this city’s signature dessert has a long recipe history.

How to travel to Linz

Linz is well connected by train to Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. Linz Airport is about 20 minutes from the city, with buses and taxis to the center. International trains and buses stop at Linz Hauptbahnhof. The Danube also brings river cruise ships. Driving is easy, but parking in the center is limited.

Access summary

From Linz Airport (LNZ): Bus 601 or taxi, about 20 minutes.
From Vienna: Direct Railjet trains to Linz, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Salzburg: Direct trains to Linz Hauptbahnhof, usually around 1–1.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Linz

Linz offers a range of hotels from boutique design stays and historic inns in the Old Town to modern chains and budget hostels near the train station. For river views, look for hotels along the Danube. Book ahead for festivals and summer weekends, as rooms fill quickly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Leonardo Boutique Hotel Linz City Center

9.2

Park Inn By Radisson Linz

8.9

Hotel Schillerpark Linz, a member of Radisson

8.6

Courtyard by Marriott Linz

Hotel Linzer City - 24H Check-In

8.6

Steigenberger Hotel Linz

8.1

Hotel Schwarzer Bar

8.7

Austria Classic Hotel Wolfinger - Hauptplatz

8.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Linz

Linz is easy to explore on foot, especially the Old Town and riverside. Trams and buses cover the city and connect to neighborhoods, museums and the Pöstlingberg. Bike rentals are popular for the Danube paths. Parking is limited in the center – use public transport or park-and-ride lots. The main train station is well connected and close to the city center.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+4 %

Daily expenses in Linz are around 4% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£65	£152	£395
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£68	£150
🍝 Food per day	£32	£74	£215
🚕 Transportation per day	£10	£10	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£31
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£13
🍟 Fast food combo	£10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.50
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.40

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£75
🤧 Cold medication	£14
💇 Basic haircut	£16

Safety information overview

General safety

Linz is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply: keep valuables secure in busy areas and on public transport. Some industrial areas are quiet at night — stick to well-lit streets.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with clinics and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. No special vaccinations are needed, but travel insurance is always a good idea.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and public transport are accessible, but cobblestone streets and some older buildings can be tricky for those with mobility issues. Public transport is generally accessible — check ahead for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water in Linz is safe and widely available. Public fountains exist in parks and squares, but carrying a refillable bottle is handy, especially in summer or during walks.