Best Postal and Shipping Services in Austria
Jules de Bruin
Expat in Vienna
Updated: April 24 2026
Updated April 2026 — Österreichische Post (Post AG) is the state-linked national provider, operating 400+ branches and delivering roughly 95 percent of standard letters next business day within Austria. DHL Austria is the premium international option for time-critical and global shipments. DPD Austria and GLS Austria typically offer the cheapest B2C parcel rates within Austria and across the EU. A standard domestic letter costs EUR 1.00, while a 2 kg parcel starts around EUR 4.60. For EU-wide shipping, expect EUR 16 to EUR 25 for a 5 kg parcel.
How Does the Austrian Postal System Work?
Austria's postal system is anchored by Post AG, with private couriers filling in around e-commerce, B2B, and international express. Here is the structure:
- 1
Post AG runs the universal service
Österreichische Post is the designated universal service provider, legally required to deliver letters and parcels to every address in Austria. It operates 400+ full branches (Postfilialen) and 1,800+ Post Partner shops.
- 2
Private couriers focus on parcels
DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS, FedEx, and Hermes all operate in Austria for parcel delivery, especially for e-commerce and business shipments. Price and service varies significantly, so quotes are worth comparing on anything over 2 kg.
- 3
Parcel lockers are widespread
Post AG Empfangsboxen, DHL Packstations, and DPD Pickup lockers are available 24/7 at supermarkets, train stations, and petrol stations. These make pickup easy if you work full-time or travel frequently.
- 4
Registration determines your address
Your official delivery address is tied to your Meldezettel. If you move, update your Vienna registration within 3 business days to keep mail routing correctly.
- 5
Business hours are limited
Most Postfilialen open 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and some 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturday. Post Partner shops inside supermarkets typically have longer hours that match the store.
Which Courier Is Cheapest in Austria?
The cheapest courier depends on parcel weight, destination, and whether you are shipping as a consumer or business. Here is a rough guide:
- Under 2 kg, domestic: Post AG Päckchen from EUR 4.60. Usually unbeatable for small items.
- 2 to 10 kg, domestic: DPD or GLS often come in at EUR 5.50 to EUR 8.50, below Post AG's parcel rates.
- E-commerce returns: Hermes Austria specializes in returns and is used by most fashion retailers; rates are negotiated by the retailer.
- EU parcels up to 5 kg: Post AG EU-Paket from EUR 16.50, DPD and GLS competitive for business accounts.
- International express: DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx are priced similarly. DHL often wins on EU-wide overnight, UPS on transatlantic.
Compare rates before every non-trivial shipment
How Do You Ship from Austria to Other EU Countries?
Shipping from Austria to other EU countries is straightforward thanks to the customs union. Here is the process:
- No customs declaration needed for EU destinations: Goods move freely within the customs union, so you only need sender and recipient details.
- Pick a service tier: Post AG offers EU-Paket (economy) and EU-Paket Prio (priority). DPD, GLS, DHL all have similar tiers.
- Measure and weigh accurately: All carriers re-weigh parcels and will invoice the difference if yours is heavier than declared.
- Delivery times: 2 to 5 business days to neighbouring EU countries (DE, IT, CZ, SK, HU, SI), 3 to 8 business days further afield.
- Tracking: Included with every EU parcel from Post AG, DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS, and FedEx.
Key Terms to Know
- Brief: Letter, up to 2 cm thick and 1 kg. Standard letter costs EUR 1.00 within Austria.
- Päckchen: Small parcel up to 2 kg. Domestic rates from EUR 4.60.
- Paket: Standard parcel up to 31.5 kg. Rates vary by size and service tier.
- Einschreiben: Registered mail with signature on delivery. Adds roughly EUR 2.80 to the postage.
- Nachnahme: Cash-on-delivery service, used mainly for B2B shipments.
Top 7 Best Postal and Shipping Services in Austria
Based on coverage, reliability, pricing, and service quality for both consumers and businesses, here are the top 7 postal and shipping providers in Austria in 2026.
1. Österreichische Post (Post AG)
Austria's state-linked national postal service and universal service provider. Post AG operates 400+ full branches, 1,800+ Post Partner shops, and delivers to every address in the country. Letters, parcels, registered mail, banking at PostFinance, and digital postage all under one roof.
Best for: Anyone sending letters, registered mail, or small parcels domestically, plus anyone who wants universal pickup and delivery coverage
Pros
- +Legally required to deliver to every Austrian address
- +400+ full branches and 1,800+ Post Partner shops nationwide
- +Next-business-day letter delivery 95 percent of the time
- +Integrated digital postage, parcel lockers, and app-based tracking
Cons
- −Parcel rates above 2 kg are often beaten by DPD or GLS
- −Branch opening hours are limited to weekdays mostly
- −International express service is pricier than DHL or UPS
2. DHL Austria
The premium global express courier in Austria. DHL handles international shipments to 220+ countries with time-definite delivery, customs clearance, and end-to-end tracking. DHL Paket also competes in domestic and EU B2C parcel delivery.
Best for: Time-critical international shipments, business-to-business logistics, and anyone needing reliable tracking to non-EU destinations
Pros
- +Global express network reaching 220+ countries
- +Strongest brand for reliable international tracking
- +DHL Packstations available 24/7 in most Austrian cities
- +Specialized customs clearance and import services
Cons
- −More expensive than DPD or GLS for EU parcels
- −Residential Saturday delivery is not standard
- −Pricing tiers are complex for occasional senders
3. DPD Austria
A large European parcel network with strong coverage and competitive B2C rates in Austria. DPD operates an extensive Pickup point network and is a preferred partner for many Austrian e-commerce retailers.
Best for: Private senders and small businesses shipping medium parcels domestically and across the EU
Pros
- +Competitive rates on 2 to 10 kg domestic and EU parcels
- +Pickup points at supermarkets, kiosks, and petrol stations
- +One-hour delivery time windows on the day of delivery
- +Easy online booking and label printing
Cons
- −Fewer branches than Post AG for walk-in service
- −Saturday delivery is optional only
- −Less brand recognition outside Europe
4. GLS Austria
A pan-European parcel delivery network with strong Austrian coverage and business-friendly pricing. GLS is especially popular with online sellers and B2B logistics thanks to its predictable delivery windows and EU-wide service.
Best for: Business shippers and online sellers looking for consistent EU delivery windows and competitive rates
Pros
- +Reliable next-business-day delivery in Austria and neighbouring EU states
- +Predictable delivery time windows with text-message updates
- +ParcelShop network across Austria for pickup and drop-off
- +Competitive B2B pricing with volume discounts
Cons
- −Less suited to one-off private senders without an account
- −Fewer retail touchpoints than Post AG
- −No global express service, EU-focused only
5. UPS Austria
Premium global express courier with particularly strong performance on transatlantic routes. UPS Austria specializes in business logistics, air freight, and time-definite delivery for corporate shippers.
Best for: Businesses shipping time-critical documents and parcels to North America or globally
Pros
- +Strongest performance on Austria to US and Austria to Canada routes
- +Time-definite delivery with end-to-end tracking
- +Robust customs clearance and brokerage services
- +Comprehensive B2B air freight and logistics options
Cons
- −Domestic Austrian coverage is smaller than Post AG or DPD
- −Premium pricing, not suited for casual senders
- −Fewer drop-off points than competitors
6. FedEx Austria
Global express carrier serving Austria with competitive international air service. FedEx is best known for transatlantic overnight delivery and cross-border B2B logistics, with service tiers from economy to priority overnight.
Best for: Businesses with global shipping needs and time-definite international delivery requirements
Pros
- +Global express network with strong North American routes
- +Multiple service tiers from economy to priority overnight
- +Reliable customs clearance and tracking
- +Integrated ecommerce shipping tools
Cons
- −Smaller domestic Austrian footprint than DHL or Post AG
- −Premium pricing across all service tiers
- −Limited retail drop-off network in Austria
7. Hermes Austria
A parcel delivery service specializing in e-commerce, particularly returns and low-cost B2C shipments. Hermes is the preferred returns partner for many German and Austrian fashion retailers and operates an extensive ParcelShop network across the country.
Best for: Consumers returning online orders and small sellers looking for low-cost B2C parcel service
Pros
- +Specialist in e-commerce returns with retailer integrations
- +Low-cost B2C parcel service for small items
- +ParcelShop drop-off network in most Austrian towns
- +Easy label generation via retailer portals
Cons
- −Slower delivery times than DHL, DPD, or GLS
- −Customer service is often criticized in reviews
- −Limited suitability for heavy or high-value shipments
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Austrian Post take within Austria?
Österreichische Post delivers standard letters (Brief) next business day within Austria in roughly 95 percent of cases. Standard parcels (Paket) arrive within 1 to 2 business days nationwide. Economy parcels (Päckchen) can take up to 3 business days. For guaranteed next-day delivery, use the Prio service, which adds a small surcharge but includes tracking.
What is the cheapest way to send a parcel from Austria?
For small items up to 2 kg within Austria, Post AG's Päckchen service starts at around EUR 4.60. For larger parcels, DPD Austria and GLS Austria typically undercut Post AG on B2C rates, starting around EUR 5.50 for up to 5 kg within Austria. For EU shipping, Post AG's EU-Paket starts at around EUR 16.50 for 5 kg, while DPD and GLS often match or beat that for business customers.
Can you pick up packages at Post AG branches?
Yes. If you are not home for delivery, Post AG leaves a notification slip (Benachrichtigungskarte) and holds the parcel at the nearest Postfiliale or Post Partner for 10 working days. You need the notification slip and a valid photo ID to collect it. You can also divert deliveries to a Post AG pickup station (Abholstation) or to a neighbour via the Post AG app. See our Vienna registration guide for how your address is set up officially.
Are there postage machines in Austria?
Yes. Self-service postage machines (Briefmarken-Automaten) are available at most Postfilialen and many train stations. They accept cash and card, dispense stamps in every denomination, and also print customized postage labels for parcels. The Post AG app additionally generates digital postage codes (Digitale Briefmarke) that you can write directly onto your envelope.
Does DHL deliver on Saturdays in Austria?
DHL Austria offers Saturday delivery as an optional premium service for business customers and select residential parcels, mainly in Vienna and other major metropolitan areas. Standard DHL residential shipments are delivered Monday to Friday only. Post AG also offers Saturday delivery for Prio letters and some parcel products, and most parcel lockers are accessible 24/7 including weekends.