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Linz train station partially evacuated after pepper spray attack

Police were called to the main train station in the Austrian city of Linz on Wednesday after somebody sprayed pepper spray in a McDonald’s branch.

Published: 9 February 2017 11:39 CET
Linz train station partially evacuated after pepper spray attack
Photo: ÖBB

The basement level of the station’s shopping centre had to be evacuated and sniffer dogs were on hand in case it turned out to be a terror attack.

Several people in the McDonald’s complained that they were having trouble breathing and were coughing at around 2pm, and people rushed to leave the fast food restaurant. Four people were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties.

When police searched the station they found an abandoned rucksack. “For security reasons, we of course checked it,” a police spokesman said.

The basement level of the train station was evacuated and closed and the tram service was stopped. An explosives expert who examined the contents of the rucksack found that it only contained sports clothes and gave the all clear.

At 3.30pm the station was reopened and the McDonald’s was able to serve food again after the premises had been aired out and the food checked.

Police are examining CCTV material to find out who was responsible for the pepper spray.

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COST OF LIVING

IN NUMBERS: Where are Austria’s most budget-friendly cities?

Austria is known for its high living standard and beautiful nature. However, settling down in the country can come with a higher price tag. But there are some cities that are more affordable while also offering jobs and activities.

Published: 18 September 2024 13:03 CEST
IN NUMBERS: Where are Austria's most budget-friendly cities?

If you want your living situation to be as affordable as possible while still living in a big capital city with a lot to offer, you should not focus on places like Salzburg, Innsbruck, or Vienna.

Instead, you should consider beautiful Klagenfurt near the mountains in Carinthia, cultural Graz in Styria, or, why not, lively Linz in Upper Austria, known for its music and cultural scene.

Linz

Linz is the capital of Upper Austria and Austria’s third-largest city.

For a long time, it was mainly known for being one of Austria’s most industrial hubs.

Today, it is also known for its cultural offerings, with many festivals and various events happening all year round, such as the famous festivals Ars Electronica and Lido Sounds.

The city also has a beautiful historical centre, with interesting architecture and a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and cafes.

In Linz, housing is relatively affordable compared to other Austrian cities. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs around €678 per month, while the price drops to around €576 outside the centre.

If you are looking to buy property, the price per square meter in the city centre is about €4,833, and outside the centre, it is as low as around €3,583.

Eating out costs €15 for a meal in a standard restaurant, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around €66. 

Buying food is also relatively cheap, a litre of milk is priced around €1.35, while a loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams) costs €2.56. Rice costs around €2.22 per kilogram.

Using the public transport in the city costs €2.60 for a one-way ticket, and a monthly pass is €54.10.

In Linz, the average monthly net salary after taxes is about €2,524.58, similar to Vienna’s (€2,544). 

Renting or buying an apartment in Linz is affordable comparing to many other cities. Photo by Leonhard Niederwimmer on Unsplash
 
 
 
Graz

Graz is the capital of Styria and Austria’s second-largest city. It is a lively city full of students, cultural events and historical architecture. 

In fact, the city centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and drags tourists from everywhere. 

Housing in Graz is relatively cheap compared to other larger Austrian cities.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs about €753 per month, while the price drops to about €625 outside the centre.

If you instead plan to buy property, the price per square meter in the city centre is about €6,583.33. Outside the city centre, the price is about €4,316 per square meter, a price range higher than in Klagenfurt and Linz, but at the same time significantly lower than in cities such as Vienna and Salzburg.

Prices for eating out in Graz vary depending on what you are looking for. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around €14, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost about €70.

When it comes to groceries, a litre of milk costs around €1.44, and a loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams) around €1.74. A kilogram of rice goes for about €2.48.

Public transport in Graz is relatively affordable, although slightly more expensive than Vienna’s. A single ticket costs €3, valid for one hour, while a monthly pass costs around €64.

The average monthly net salary in Graz is around €2,491, similar to the average net salary in Vienna (€2,544).

A woman sitting and looking out over the city of Graz. Photo by Anna Oliinyk on Unsplash

READ MORE: Does Graz offer the best quality of life among Austria’s cities?

Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt is the capital of Carinthia in the south of Austria. The city is not only beautiful but is also located near Lake Wörthersee and many other impressive lakes and mountains.

Klagenfurt and its surroundings are a paradise for those who love nature, and the city itself has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, bars, entertainment, and culture.

On top of this, Klagenfurt is quite an affordable city, especially when it comes to housing.

For a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, you can expect to pay around €818 per month. Outside the city centre, the rent is even more affordable, and you will pay around €717 per month.

If you want to buy property, the price per square meter in the city centre is about €4,120. For locations outside the city centre, the price per square meter is around €4,425.

A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant typically costs about €60, while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around €15.

When you go to the supermarket, a litre of milk costs about €1.38, a loaf of fresh white bread (500 grams) is around €2.25, and one kilo of rice usually costs around €2.36.

If you want to travel with the local public transport, you pay about €2.50 for a one way ticket, while a monthly pass costs around €47.50.

The average monthly net salary in Klagenfurt is around €1,807, which is lower compared to some other Austrian cities.

However, since many other costs, such as housing, are significantly lower, many people still see Klagenfurt as a more affordable option compared to other cities.

Calm street in the city centre of Klagenfurt. Photo by Evangelia Panteliadou on Unsplash

READ ALSO: IN NUMBERS: What are Austria’s most expensive cities to live in?

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