Pickpocketing is not considered "big" or endemic in Vienna compared to other major European cities, as Austria generally has a low crime rate. However, petty theft, including bag snatching and pickpocketing, is a common occurrence in crowded, tourist-heavy areas, particularly during peak tourist seasons, in metro stations, and around Christmas markets.
Crime in Vienna is generally low, but there is still crime. Pickpockets, for example, may be about in busy areas (particularly during the Christmas markets). As mentioned earlier, do consult your embassy or consulate for specific advice, especially in the context of any potential security incidents.
So, what are the most common crimes in Vienna? Property crime, which includes offences like burglary, larceny, theft and motor vehicle theft, is by far the type of crime with the highest occurrence in the capital, according to authorities.
Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, is common. Be careful on public transport and in areas popular with tourists. Take care using ATMs. Avalanches, flash floods and mudslides occur in alpine areas.
Austria is extremely safe; Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world. When traveling anywhere, though, be aware of your surroundings and use common sense: do not openly count large sums of money. do not deal with criminal elements.
In Vienna, DO greet people politely ("Guten Tag"), respect quietness on transport, validate transit tickets, embrace the slow cafe culture, stand on the right on escalators, and carry cash, while DON'T be loud in public, jaywalk, eat on the subway, expect fast service in cafes, or forget to separate your recycling. Be mindful of personal space and the strong local etiquette for politeness and efficiency, especially regarding greetings and public transport rules.
Vienna is ranked highly safe for walking at night and during the daytime. The main issue with crime is pickpockets that target busy areas such as Christmas markets and packed public transport such as trams and trains. As with anywhere the advice is always to keep an eye on your belongings.
The city's red-light district is situated around the Gürtel. The Währinger Gürtel close to Vienna's General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus). To the left is Währing, Vienna's 18th district.
Most of Ottakring is safe. But areas around the Ottakring U-Bahn station and Gürtel Street are sketchy. Especially at night, you might encounter drunk people or people fighting. Avoid unlit streets, and take public transportation or taxis instead of walking alone during late hours.
Crime. The crime rate in Austria is low. However, petty crime (such as pickpocketing and bag snatching) is increasingly common in shopping areas, restaurants, cafés, hotel lobbies, on public transport at tourist attractions.
Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Lisbon also ranked very highly, whilst closer to home, London has been revealed to be the phone theft capital of Europe.
Do not carry your passport when sightseeing within Vienna; lock it in your hotel safe or other secure area unless needed for travel. Instead, carry a photocopy of your passport at all times along with a second form of ID such as a U.S. driver's license.
There's no such thing as an entrance fee, as the area is publicly accessible. The sex workers are free to set their own prices, based on the clients wishes. However, to give you an indication, in most brothels, the tariffs start between €50,- and €100,- for a short (10-15 minutes) basic service.
In many city centers there are special zones marked with a blue line where you can park for a period of half an hour to three hours. Having parked in such a zone you need to install a special timer indicating the stop time under the windshield of your car.
Popular items to buy in Vienna include Mozartkugeln (chocolate pralines), Sachertorte (famous chocolate cake), and Austrian wines. Traditional Viennese porcelain, Gustav Klimt-inspired souvenirs, and handmade crystal glassware also make great gifts.
It's not safe to travel to places like Burkina Faso, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Myanmar, where major governments advise "Do Not Travel" due to conflict, terrorism, or instability, while areas near borders in Turkey, Israel/Palestine, and Togo also carry high risks. You should always check the latest advisories from your government (like Smartraveller.gov.au, GOV.UK, or Travel.State.gov) for current warnings on specific regions.
