Navigating Austria's roads comes with its own set of regulations. Dive into this guide for comprehensive advice to guarantee a seamless and delightful Austrian getaway. Discover insights on refueling, handling toll fees, understanding vignettes, and other essential travel prerequisites when journeying through Austria.
Toll Roads and Vignettes in Austria
For most Austrian motorways, a vignette is obligatory. Delve deeper into Austria's vignette requirements and their nuances here. While the majority of routes require a standard vignette, certain specific roads, predominantly tunnels, necessitate an additional toll fee.
Before embarking on your Austrian adventure, ensure you secure the appropriate vignette, readily available online and valid for regular motorways. For specific stretches known as 'sondermautstrecken', especially tunnels, a unique toll vignette is required. Cameras on these routes scan license plates, enabling a smooth journey and ensuring you make the most of your Austrian vacation. These special routes include:
Austrian Routes & Tunnels
- A9 Pyhrn Motorway -Bosruck and Gleinalm Tunnels
- A10 Tauern Motorway -Tauern and Katschberg Tunnels
- A11 Karawanks Motorway -Karawanks Tunnel
- A13 Brenner Motorway -Brenner Pass
- S16 Arlberg Expressway -Arlberg Tunnel
Austria border crossing locations
Austria has numerous border crossing points with its neighboring countries. Some popular border crossings include:
- Germany: Walserberg (A8) and Kiefersfelden (A93)
- Czech Republic: Wullowitz (E55) and Mikulov (E461)
- Slovakia: Berg (E58) and Kittsee (E65)
- Hungary: Nickelsdorf (E60) and Szentgotthárd (E66)
- Slovenia: Spielfeld (E59) and Loibltunnel (E652)
- Italy: Brenner Pass (E45) and Tarvisio (E55)
- Switzerland: St. Margrethen (E43) and Feldkirch (E60)
- Liechtenstein: Feldkirch (E60)
Rules and required documents for traveling in Austria
When crossing borders with a car, it is essential to have the following documents:
- A valid passport or ID card (for EU citizens)
- An international driver's license or EU driving license
- The car agreement, including permission to cross borders
- A valid insurance certificate (Green Card)
- Vehicle registration documents
Additionally, you may need to purchase a vignette (road tax sticker) for the countries you plan to visit. Vignettes are required in Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic.
Austrian Driving Fines & Limits
Enjoying the scenic roads of Austria requires adherence to local driving laws. Familiarize yourself with the speed limits and associated fines to ensure a hassle-free journey.
Speed Limits:
- Built-up areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
- Outside built-up areas: 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Motorways 130 km/h (81 mph)
Inside and outside built-up areas
- Exceeding up to 10 km/h: € 20 or more
- Exceeding 11 to 20 km/h: € 35
- Exceeding 20 to 25 km/h: € 35 or more
- Exceeding 26 to 30 km/h: € 50 or more
- Exceeding by more than 30 km/h: € 150 or more and possibly a driving license suspension
- Exceeding by more than 40 km/h: € 300 or more and possibly a driving license suspension.
Motorways (130 km/h)
- Exceeding up to 10 km/h: € 20 or more
- Exceeding 11 to 20 km/h: € 35 or more
- Exceeding 20 to 25 km/h: € 50 or more
- Exceeding 26 to 30 km/h: € 50 or more
- Exceeding by more than 30 km/h: € 150 or more and possibly a driving license suspension.
- Exceeding by more than 50 km/h: € 150 or more and possibly a driving license suspension.
Traffic rules in Austria
- Child Seat Violation: Failing to secure children in child seats results in a €35 fine.
- Drunk Driving Fines vary between €300 to €5,900 based on the driver's blood alcohol concentration.
- Seatbelt Violation: A flat fee of €35 for not wearing a seat belt.
- Mobile Phone Use: Using a phone while driving incurs a €50 fine.
- Parking Violations: Depending on the violation's severity, fines range from €20 to €365.
- Red Light Offense: Running a red light can result in fines between €70 to €150.
For these fines, payment options include immediate on-the-spot payment or settling the amount within two weeks at the nearest police station, post office, or bank.
Where to watch out for traffic jams in Austria
Drivers may face challenges with traffic congestion on certain roads, especially during peak seasons. To help you navigate, we've categorized the most notorious traffic-prone areas:
Major Autobahns:
- A10 Tauern Autobahn: Connecting Salzburg and Villach, this north-south route is especially busy during summer holidays and the winter ski season.
- A1 West Autobahn: This primary east-west corridor between Vienna and Salzburg often sees heavy traffic.
- A4 Ost Autobahn: Popular for travelers heading to Vienna Airport or towards Hungary, especially near the Nickelsdorf border crossing.
- A13 Brennerautobahn: This southward route towards Italy can witness long queues, more so during weekends and holidays.
- A9 Pyhrn Autobahn: An important link between Linz, Graz, and further south to Slovenia.
- A12 Inntal Autobahn: Particularly congested near the German border at Kufstein.
Mountain Passes & Scenic Routes:
- Fernpass B179: A picturesque yet busy route connecting southern Germany with Tyrol, especially during peak seasons.
- Brenner Pass: A primary summer passage from Austria to Italy that's notorious for its jams.
Urban Congestions:
- Vienna: Being the capital, Vienna's roads can get pretty congested, especially during rush hours.
Border Areas:
- A14 Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn: Traffic can pile up near Switzerland and Liechtenstein borders, particularly around Bregenz and Feldkirch.
While Austria offers a visual treat, being aware of these traffic hotspots can ensure a smoother journey. It's always advisable to check real-time traffic updates, especially during holidays and weekends.
Austria fuel prices 2023 (Updates every 600ms)
In Austria, you'll find a range of fuel options for your vehicle. Though the fuel types might have different names, you'll often discover that petrol prices are significantly lower than in Germany. This is yet another reason why a drive to Austria can be a rewarding experience.
- 'E95' is commonly referred to as 'Super' or 'Bleifrei.'
- 'Superplus 98' is often dubbed 'Super Plus.'
- Both 'Diesel' and 'LPG' retain their international names.
For cost-effective refueling, consider the following:
- In Austria, it's a common observation that fuel prices tend to dip on Sundays and Mondays, allowing motorists to benefit from cost savings.
- Strategically, gas stations located slightly away from the main motorways often set their prices lower. This means that by taking a short detour, drivers might find more competitive rates compared to stations directly on the motorway.
- An early bird tip: making your fuel stops before noon can be advantageous. Prices during these morning hours are frequently set lower, potentially giving you more value for your money.