Transportation
Traveling by plane
According to top-medical-schools, Austrian Airlines (OS) domestic flights operate between Vienna and Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg. There are also flight connections between Salzburg and Linz as well as Graz and Linz. Attention: Austrian Airlines (OS) no longer offers a connection between Vienna and Salzburg. However, there are frequent train connections between these two cities. Airail trains can be booked through Austrian Airlines (OS).
Traveling by car/bus
Toll: In Austria, almost all motorways and expressways are subject to tolls. Motorized vehicles (cars, motorcycles, mobile homes, etc.) require a vignette (sticker) for toll roads. The vignette is available in two versions – digital and as a sticker. The following sections are currently toll-free: the A 1 West Autobahn between the state border at Walserberg and the Salzburg North junction, the A 12 Inntal Autobahn between the state border near Kufstein and the Kufstein-Süd junction, the A 14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn between the state border near Hörbranz and the Hohenems junction, as well as the A 26 toll road in Linz, which is currently still under construction). Vignettes for 10 days, 2 months or a year can be purchased in advance from ADAC sales outlets, via the ADAC shop or by telephone on 0800 5 10 11 12 (Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) as well as at the border Petrol stations and available from ASFINAG sales offices. The correct way is to stick the vignette on the inside of the windshield in the upper left area or behind the rear-view mirror. A digital vignette is available both for single journeys and as an annual ticket in the ASFINAG shop. A mileage-based toll applies to mobile homes, buses and trucks. The GO-Box is available from designated sales outlets in Austria, Germany and Switzerland as well as via GO Maut. For some routes Toll is charged separately on the so-called special toll routes. The Austrian Automobile, Motorcycle and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) provides further information. Gas stations: The gas station network is available nationwide in Austria.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Right
Car rental
Rental car companies can be found in almost all cities, airports and train stations. As a rule, the driver must have held a driver’s license valid in Austria for at least 1 year prior to the rental. German driving licenses are valid in Austria, just like those of other countries in the European Economic Area. A minimum age of 21 or 25 years is required for some vehicle categories.
Coach
Flixbus operates between numerous cities within Austria.
Regulations
Traffic regulations: – Seat belts are compulsory. – Motorbike, quad (those approved for more than 25 km/h), moped riders and passengers must wear crash helmets and drive with dipped headlights. – Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰ (0.1 ‰ for drivers up to the age of 21). – Telephoning at the wheel is only permitted with hands-free devices. – It is mandatory for drivers to wear fluorescent safety vests when leaving their vehicle outside built-up areas and staying on the road, which is the case in the event of a breakdown or accident. – Motorists must travel between November 1st and November 15th. April of a year on snow-covered and icy roads have winter tires fitted on all wheels or snow chains attached to the drive wheels. Snow chains are only permitted if the road is continuously or almost continuously covered with snow or ice. – Motorists may and single-track motorcycles must switch on their dipped headlights all year round during the day. – Smoking is prohibited in private cars if at least one minor is driving. – Children up to the age of 14 or less than 135 cm tall must be secured using a suitable child restraint system (baby seat, child seat, booster seat, etc.). – The prescribed minimum tread depth of tires must be observed. Speed limits: – in built-up areas: 50 km/h; – on rural roads: 100 km/h; – on motorways: 130 km/h.
Roadside Assistance
In emergencies, the Austrian Automobile Club ÖAMTC can be reached around the clock by dialing 120. The ADAC foreign emergency call offers ADAC members and holders of ADAC foreign health and accident insurance comprehensive assistance in the event of vehicle breakdowns, traffic accidents, loss of documents and money, and medical emergencies. The emergency number is available around the clock; in the event of vehicle damage: Tel. +49 (89) 22 22 22, in the event of illness: +49 (89) 76 76 76.
Documentation
The national driving license is sufficient. For citizens of EU and EFTA countries, the license plate number is valid as proof of insurance. Nevertheless, EU and EFTA citizens are recommended to take their international motor insurance card with them in order to be able to enjoy full insurance cover in the event of damage. Otherwise, the statutory minimum liability insurance coverage applies. The insurance card can also make it easier to record the accident.
Traveling in the city
Buses, subways, suburban trains and trams operate in Vienna. Standard fares, season tickets and collective tickets are available from Wiener Verkehrsbetriebe and tobacconists. In the center of Vienna you can use the equally environmentally friendly rickshaw service in addition to the traditional Fiaker. We recommend the Vienna City Card for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It includes the ticket for the Wiener Linien (underground, bus and tram) as well as the hop-on hop-off tours from Big Bus Tours, and it also offers more than 210 advantages – from museums to wine taverns. Children up to the age of 6 always travel for free, children up to the age of 15 travel for free on Sundays and public holidays and during the Vienna school holidays (photo ID required!). Regular buses operate in almost all cities. Trams also run in Linz, Innsbruck and Graz; in Linz, Innsbruck and Salzburg trolleybuses. In Innsbruck, Welcome Card holders can use public transport free of charge. Taxis: The taxis in the larger cities have an officially calibrated taximeter. The tariff is calculated both by kilometers driven and by time. There is no baggage surcharge for baggage in Vienna. For journeys from Vienna to the airport (please ask for an “airport taxi” when ordering), there are various providers with fixed prices starting at €25. Information on taxis, chauffeur services and sightseeing tours for the disabled is available from the Austrian Tourist Office (see addresses).
Vor Ort unterwegs mit der Bahn
The network of the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB is connected to the entire European railway network. On all main routes, trains run every one and two hours. Direct connections are guaranteed in the larger cities. The most attractive train routes for tourists include the Innsbruck-Brenner, Innsbruck-Buchs, Innsbruck-Bruck an der Mur-Vienna, Innsbruck-Feldkirch-Innsbruck, Innsbruck-Garmisch-Zugspitze, Innsbruck-Salzburg-Innsbruck, Linz-Selzthal-Amstetten-Linz routes, Salzburg-Zell am See-Innsbruck, Salzburg-Gmünden-Stainach-Salzburg, Salzburg-Vienna, Salzburg-Villach-Salzburg, Vienna-Puchberg am Schneeberg-Hochschneeberg-Vienna-Bruck an der Mur-Innsbruck, Vienna-Klagenfurt-Udine- Trieste. In the metropolitan areas, local trains run at frequent intervals. The romantic regional or cogwheel railway routes, the so-called nostalgia offers, are particularly attractive for holidaymakers. The Nightjet night trains run on the following routes: Bregenz – Feldkirch – Innsbruck – Salzburg – Vienna Graz – Bruck an der Mur – Feldkirch Villach – Bruck an der Mur – Vienna. A motorail train runs on the connection Vienna – Graz – Villach – Feldkirch. Special cards of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) are: – The VORTEILScard (50% discount when booking online or at ticket machines, 45% at ticket counters and in ÖBB travel agencies); – There are also short-haul return tickets at discounted prices, network tickets, leisure tickets, senior citizen passes, student passes, youth tickets and family and group tickets.
rail passes
The Interrail One Country Pass and the Interrail Global Pass are valid in Austria.
Note on the train journey
Note: Early bookers and those who book online get their ÖBB ticket at a lower price.
Unterwegs mit dem Schiff
Ship Austria offers an overview of shipping in Austria. Round trips: Some tour operators offer cruises on the Danube and on Lake Constance. The cruises last between one day and one week and are offered from spring to autumn. Ardagger offers round trips in the Strudengau and in the Enns Donauwinkel, A-3321 Ardagger 155, Tel. +43 7479 6464. Boat trips are also possible for groups on weekdays by prior arrangement. Brandner operates between Melk and Krems, Ufer 50, A-3313 Wallsee, Tel. +43 7433 25 90-21. DDSG Blue Danube, tel. +43 158 880, offers other various Danube tours. Charter: Nostalgie Tours rents boats on the Danube, tel. +43 2732 75588. Ferries: Various shipping companies operate regular ferry services on the Danube between mid-April and the end of October. A cheap offer is the Lake Constance Experience Card. The card is available for 3, 7 or 14 days at all train stations, shipping piers and tourist offices around Lake Constance. You can choose between 3 variants: “Landlubbers” and “Seebären” offer free entry to 160 excursion destinations, including the Bodensee classics such as the Affenberg and the castle in Salem, the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen, the SEA LIFE Konstanz, the old castle Meersburg, the Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen, the Pfänderbahn Bregenz and the Säntis Schwebebahn Schwägalp. Lake Constance shipping is included in both variants. The variant “Bargain Foxes” grants a discount of around 30% on the Bodensee classics.
