Cheap Supermarkets in Austria: The Ultimate Savings Guide (2026 Edition)

Austria is notorious for its high cost of living. A simple schnitzel lunch in Vienna can easily set you back €25 per person. If you rely solely on restaurants during your trip, your budget will evaporate before you even see the Alps.

The solution? Eat like a local. Austrian supermarkets are high-quality, accessible, and significantly cheaper than dining out. But they operate differently than stores in the US or UK. From confusing rebranding histories to strict Sunday closing laws, you need to know the rules of the road.

Here is your practical guide to navigating the Austrian grocery landscape in late 2025 and beyond.

Why Austrian Supermarkets Are a Travel Hack

Skipping the hotel breakfast and heading to a grocery store isn’t just about saving pennies; it’s about accessing better quality.

• The “Jause” Culture: Austrians love a cold meal (Jause). Supermarkets have massive deli counters offering fresh Leberkäse (meatloaf) semmels for €3-€4. It is the cheapest hot lunch you will find.
• Souvenirs Without the Markup: Mozartkugeln (chocolate balls) and pumpkin seed oil are 50% cheaper at a supermarket than at airport gift shops.
• Alcohol Prices: Beer and wine in Austrian supermarkets are shockingly cheap compared to bars, often starting under €1 for a decent can of beer.

The Major Players: Where to Shop

Unlike the fragmented markets in other countries, Austria is dominated by two giants: the REWE Group (Germany based) and Spar (market leader). Here is who they are and what they offer.

Spar: The Market Leader

Spar is currently the king of Austrian retail with a market share of nearly 37%. They are everywhere, from tiny city stores to massive hypermarkets.

• Store Count: Approx. 1,500 locations across Austria (including Eurospar and Interspar).
• What to expect: Generally cleaner and better organized than competitors. Their “S Budget” line is the wallet friendly option.
• Flagship Location: If you are near the Europark mall in Salzburg, the Interspar at Europastraße 3 is massive. Just note that the mall is undergoing expansion works starting in 2026, but the supermarket remains fully operational.

BILLA: The Ubiquitous Choice

Part of the Rewe Group, BILLA is the store you will see on every second street corner. They have been modernizing aggressively with over 1,200 stores now operating countrywide.

Traveler Warning: Watch the Branding
Not all BILLAs are created equal. The location at Griesgasse 19 in Salzburg is a “BILLA CORSO.” Corso stores are premium, luxury markets. They are beautiful, but they are not cheap. If you want budget groceries, look for a standard BILLA (yellow/red logo) without the “Corso” label.

BILLA PLUS (Formerly Merkur)

If you are reading old guidebooks that tell you to find a “Merkur” market, stop looking. Merkur does not exist anymore.

In April 2021, the Rewe Group rebranded all Merkur markets to BILLA PLUS. These are larger format stores with wider aisles and more variety than a standard Billa.

Insider Tip: The famous former Merkur flagship at Hoher Markt 12 in Vienna is now a BILLA CORSO. It is an upscale gourmet temple with a wine bar. Go there for luxury gifts, but don’t go there if you’re trying to save money on basics.

Penny: The Budget Hero

Also owned by Rewe, Penny is the “no frills” discount arm. If you don’t care about ambiance and just want the lowest price on shelf stable goods, this is your spot.

• Best for: Cheap snacks, drinks, and basic staples.
• Location: A convenient central location in Vienna is at Franzensbrückenstraße 21 (2nd District). It remains a reliable stop for budget travelers in late 2025.

Lidl: The Efficiency Machine

Lidl holds about 6% of the Austrian market and is famous for its “middle aisle” of random non food goods. It is very similar to cheap clothes shopping sites in Germany in that it focuses on efficiency and low prices over customer service.

In Vienna’s 10th District (Favoriten), you will find a heavy concentration of Lidl stores, including the one at Favoritenstraße 92.

Critical Info: Opening Hours & Sunday Closures

This is where most tourists get caught out. Austria has strict “Öffnungszeitengesetz” (Opening Hours Laws).

• Weekdays: Most stores open around 07:15 or 07:40 and close strictly between 19:30 and 20:00.
• Saturdays: Stores close early, usually by 18:00 (6 PM).
• Sundays: CLOSED. Almost everything is closed. If you arrive on a Sunday, your only options are expensive mini markets at major train stations (like Wien Hauptbahnhof) or airports.

2026 Trend Watch: While staff operated stores remain closed on Sundays, the government is beginning to liberalize laws for autonomous “Smart Boxes” (staff less container stores). Keep an eye out for “Billa Box” locations if you have a midnight emergency.

Online Shopping Alternatives

If you are staying in Austria for a longer period, you might want to skip the physical store entirely. Just as Zalando has revolutionized fashion delivery in the region, grocery delivery is catching up, though it still lags behind the speed of neighbors.

For items you can’t find locally, many Austrians utilize cross border options like Aliexpress Hungary or German platforms, taking advantage of the EU’s open market.