Adventurous Road Trips through Austria

Austria is practically made for a road trip: from alpine panoramic roads to crystal-clear lakes and historic cities, many highlights are just one to two hours' drive apart. In this guide, we present three varied road trips (5–10 days), including concrete planning tips, recommendations for hiking and ski areas, and a compact toll overview. Secure the right digital vignette for Austria in advance so you can enjoy motorways and expressways without any hassle.

Continue reading: Castles and Palaces in Austria.

Before you set off: planning is everything!

The ideal itinerary for your road trip through Austria depends mainly on the time you have available and your priorities. Austria offers great diversity: cities such as Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruck, the Austrian Water World with its lakes and waterfalls, varied hiking areas, ski areas, as well as regions such as the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve or Schladming-Dachstein. The following rough guideline can help you with your planning:

• 5–6 days: Focus on one region (e.g. the Alps & lakes or cities & wine regions). Ideal for experiencing the main highlights without rushing.

• 7–10 days: Perfect for combining the Alps, lakes and at least one larger city (e.g. Salzburg or Vienna).

• 10–14 days: Ideal if you want to combine several regions – for example, western Austria (Tyrol, Vorarlberg) with Styria or Burgenland.

Tips from us

With our sample routes, you have a solid basis for a shorter or longer adventure. A simple rule of thumb for relaxed road trips is: plan a maximum of 1–3 hours of driving per day and two activities. This leaves enough time to enjoy the journey instead of rushing from one highlight to the next.

When planning, also take the seasons and weather into account, especially in the Alps:

• May to October: The ideal time to travel for road trips. Many mountain roads are open, and hiking regions such as Schladming-Dachstein, the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve or the Austrian Water World are easily accessible.

• July and August: Peak season with a classic summer feel at lakes and in cities, but with heavier traffic and the need to book accommodation well in advance.

• Winter (December to March): Perfect for combining a road trip with ski areas in Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Styria or the Salzburg region. Be aware of winter equipment requirements and weather-related road closures. Alpine roads in particular may be closed.

If you're planning your road trip during school holidays or over long weekends, expect heavier traffic congestion on motorways and around popular holiday destinations.

Austria by car: getting there and starting points

Your starting point depends largely on where you're coming from. However, some places are particularly well suited as a "hub" for a road trip:

• Salzburg: Ideal if arriving from southern Germany. The perfect starting point for Alpine and lake routes (e.g. the Salzkammergut, the city of Salzburg).

• Vienna: Ideal if arriving from eastern Austria or the neighbouring countries to the east. A combination of culture, the Danube and onward travel towards Styria or Burgenland. (Continue reading: Vienna)

• Innsbruck: A perfect starting point for western Austria, with Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Lake Achensee, Lake Plansee and the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve. (Continue reading: Innsbruck)

• Graz / Styria: Recommended if you want to include Styria, Schladming-Dachstein or Burgenland in your route. (Continue reading in Hiking Areas or in Natural Attractions)

If you'll be using Austrian motorways on your way in anyway, it's advisable to buy a digital vignette before setting off. This keeps you flexible and helps you avoid unnecessary stops at sales points.

Road trip 1: Alps, lakes & panoramic roads (7–10 days)

This route is ideal if you're travelling around Austria by car for the first time and want to experience a mix of city, lakes and high alpine scenery. It takes you from Salzburg via the Salzkammergut and Schladming-Dachstein to the lake landscapes of Carinthia – with plenty of opportunities for hikes, swimming breaks and short detours into the Austrian Water World.

• Salzburg: Old town, fortress and culture (1–2 nights)

• Salzkammergut: Lakes & the "Austrian Water World" (1–2 nights)

• Schladming-Dachstein: Hiking region & mountain panorama (1–2 nights)

• Hohe Tauern National Park / Grossglockner region: Panoramic roads & high mountains (1–2 nights)

• Carinthian lakes: A swimming and indulgence finale (1–2 nights)

Salzburg (1–2 nights)

Start your road trip in a relaxed way in Salzburg. The compact old town with its fortress, Getreidegasse and riverside promenades is the perfect place to settle in first. Stroll through the lanes in the morning, enjoy the view from Hohensalzburg Fortress, and round off the evening in one of the many restaurants or by the Salzach river. In our guide, you'll find further information on getting there, parking options and the ideal length of stay in Salzburg.

Salzkammergut & the Austrian Water World (1–2 nights)

The next day takes you into the Austrian Water World – specifically the Salzkammergut. Here you'll find lakes such as Wolfgangsee, Traunsee or Hallstätter See. Depending on your route, you can look forward to a combination of easy hikes, boat trips, swimming breaks and cultural excursions (e.g. Hallstatt). You'll find detailed information on lakes, waterfalls and recommended routes in our article on the Austrian Water World.

Schladming-Dachstein (1–2 nights)

From the lakes, continue on to the mountain world of the Schladming-Dachstein region. It's an appealing destination both in summer and in winter: in summer, hiking trails, alpine pastures and mountain lakes take centre stage, while in winter, its slopes are part of a network of well-known ski areas. Depending on your preference, plan in a panoramic hike, a visit to the Dachstein cable car, or a more relaxed day in the alpine pastures. You'll find an overview of hikes, mountain lifts and activities in our guide to Schladming-Dachstein as well as in our articles on Hiking Areas in Austria.

Hohe Tauern National Park & Grossglockner region (1–2 nights)

Continue towards the Hohe Tauern National Park with its famous Grossglockner High Alpine Road. Here you'll experience Austria's high mountain landscape up close: hairpin bends, viewpoints, short panoramic trails and visitor centres make the region accessible even for less experienced hikers. Please note that the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and certain access roads may be subject to a toll. You'll find relevant information in our overview of special tolls and section tolls.

Carinthian lakes (1–2 nights)

To round things off, a stay at one of the Carinthian lakes is a great choice. These are part of the Austrian Water World and combine a lakeside holiday with mountain views. Whether it's Wörthersee, Millstätter See or one of the smaller lakes – here you can deliberately slow the pace of your road trip: swimming, strolls along the lakeside promenade and easy excursions into the surrounding landscape. Our article on the Austrian Water World provides further inspiration.

Road trip by car

The legs of this route are usually between 45 minutes and 2.5 hours of driving time. Many sections run along motorways or expressways, for which a vignette is required. Depending on the route chosen, special toll routes may also apply (e.g. Grossglockner, certain tunnels and alpine roads).

You'll find all the important information on the digital vignette and toll regulations in our guide to the digital toll in Austria as well as in the overview of section tolls & special tolls.

Road trip 2: cities, wine & rolling hills (6–9 days)

This road trip is aimed at anyone wanting to combine culture, cuisine and gentle landscapes. Cities such as Vienna and Graz meet wine regions in Burgenland and Styria. Ideal for travellers who want to spend less time in the high mountains but still experience nature, indulgence and history.

• Vienna: Capital, culture & the Danube (2 nights)

• Wachau or Lower Austria (optional): The Danube, wine & abbeys (1 night)

• Styria: Cities & rolling landscapes (1–2 nights)

• Burgenland: Wine, the Pannonian Plain & nature parks (1–2 nights)

• Graz: Old town & cuisine (1 night)

Vienna (2 nights)

Start your route in Vienna, the country's cultural hub. Between the Ringstrasse, palace grounds and Danube Island, you can easily fill two days: museums, coffeehouse culture, Wiener Schnitzel and a Danube boat trip. In our article on Vienna, you'll find tips on parking, short-term parking zones and excursion options in the surrounding area – ideal for planning your arrival and departure as part of your road trip.

Styria (1–2 nights)

From Vienna, the route via Styria is a great option. Depending on your interests, you can combine a stop in Graz with detours into the wine and hill country of southern Styria or to hiking areas in the north. Styria combines urban centres with nature experiences, thermal spas and culinary specialities. You'll find further inspiration and regional tips in our guide to Schladming-Dachstein as well as in our articles on hiking areas and ski areas.

Burgenland (1–2 nights)

Burgenland is characterised by wide plains, vineyards and Lake Neusiedl. It's ideal for cycling, leisurely walks and wine tastings. The terrain here is noticeably flatter, making this section particularly well suited to quieter days in between. In our article on the Water World in Austria, you'll find suggestions for well-known lakes you shouldn't miss on your trip to Burgenland.

Graz (1 night)

To round things off, a stay in Graz is a great choice – a city that combines tradition and modernity. The Schlossberg, the Murinsel and the old town lanes make for a varied programme. From Graz, you can shape your return journey flexibly: back to Vienna via Styria, or westward towards Salzburg or Innsbruck.

Road trip by car

Since this road trip relies more heavily on motorways and expressways, a digital vignette is especially important. Driving times between stages are usually between 1 and 3 hours. Special toll routes play a smaller role on this route than in the high Alps, but may still apply depending on your individual choice of route.

You'll find an overview of all relevant toll regulations in our article on tolls in Austria.

Road trip 3: western Alps, valleys & biosphere reserve (8–10 days)

The third road trip is aimed at nature lovers who want to get to know western Austria more intensively. With Tyrol, Vorarlberg, lakes such as Achensee or Plansee, the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve and well-known ski areas that are also appealing hiking regions in summer, this road trip is sure to impress you.

• Innsbruck: Alpine city & starting point (1–2 nights)

• Achensee / Tyrolean Water World: Lake & easy hikes (1–2 nights)

• Plansee & Tyrol/Vorarlberg: Mountain lakes & panoramic roads (1 night)

• Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve: Nature conservation & tranquillity (2 nights)

• Ski areas & hiking regions: Summer freshness in the mountains (1–2 nights)

Innsbruck (1–2 nights)

Innsbruck combines urban infrastructure with direct access to the mountains. The old town, the Nordkette cable car, Bergisel and proximity to numerous hiking and ski areas make the city a perfect starting point. You'll find further tips on the city, parking options and excursions in our guide to Innsbruck.

Achensee & the Tyrolean Water World (1–2 nights)

Lake Achensee is known as the "Tyrolean fjord" and is part of the Austrian Water World. Here you can swim, go stand-up paddleboarding, enjoy leisurely lakeside paths, or explore the surrounding area on a scenic boat trip. There are also numerous easy to moderate hiking trails around the lake. Further lakes and waterfalls in Tyrol and Vorarlberg are introduced in more detail in our article on the Austrian Water World.

Plansee & the surrounding mountain landscapes (1 night)

Lake Plansee in Tyrol offers an equally impressive backdrop and is a great choice for an overnight stop along the way. The drive there takes you along winding roads with plenty of photo opportunities. Here you can combine a day of short hikes, a dip in the water and a drive along the lakeside roads.

Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve (2 nights)

A special stretch of this road trip is the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve in Vorarlberg. As a protected area, it places great value on sustainable tourism, gentle mobility and nature-based experiences. The focus here is less on spectacular staging and more on tranquillity, panoramic views and hiking areas suited to all levels of fitness. You can find more detailed information in our guide to the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve.

Ski areas & hiking regions in summer (1–2 nights)

To round things off, a stay in one of the well-known ski areas that function as hiking regions in summer is a great choice (e.g. the Tyrolean Oberland, Montafon or the Arlberg region). Many mountain lifts also operate during the warmer months, providing easy access to panoramic viewpoints. You'll find further information in our articles on ski areas and hiking areas in Austria.

Road trip by car: driving times & tolls

Driving times are usually between 45 minutes and 2 hours, with many legs running along country and mountain roads. Motorways are mainly used when arriving and departing. Here, the vignette requirement applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. Depending on the route chosen, special toll routes such as certain tunnels or alpine roads may also apply.

Toll guide Austria

Not sure whether a vignette is enough for your route or whether an additional section toll applies? In Austria, three terms play a central role: the vignette, distance-based tolls and section tolls (special tolls). You'll find a comprehensive overview in our guide to tolls in Austria.

Vignettes are country-specific

Please note that the digital vignette for Austria is valid exclusively in Austria. Neighbouring countries may also have a toll requirement in the form of a vignette or distance-based toll. If your road trip crosses the border, you'll need an appropriate vignette there as well. With our vignette flat rate, you're covered in 8 countries: Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Bulgaria. With us, you're ideally prepared for combined road trips across Europe.

Why our digital vignette is the right choice

Europamaut makes your journey through Austria especially simple: the digital vignette can be ordered online in just a few minutes, is linked to your licence plate and, if you wish, comes with an individual start date. Since 2019, we have offered digital vignettes for several European countries, ideal for transit trips and road trips. Our email support in 15 languages is on hand to help with questions about tolls, vehicle classes and special toll routes.

Practical tips for the road

To make sure your road trip through Austria goes smoothly, keep a few practical points in mind:

• Timing: Avoid (if possible) peak traffic times on Fridays and Sundays, as well as the start and end of school holidays. Instead, travel either very early in the morning or later in the evening.

• Traffic rules: Observe the speed limits and blood alcohol limits. You'll find further information on this in our guide to traffic rules in Austria.

• Nature & protected areas: Stick to marked trails only, don't leave any rubbish behind, and pay attention to information signs in nature and biosphere parks. Respect nature and follow the regulations, especially in the Großes Walsertal Biosphere Reserve and in other sensitive alpine regions.

• Camping: Wild camping is heavily restricted or not permitted in many regions. Find out in advance about official campsites or designated parking areas.

• Weather conditions: Weather in the Alps can change quickly. Dress in layers, bring a rain jacket and sturdy footwear, and check the current conditions before crossing high mountain passes.

• Safety: Take regular breaks, especially on mountain pass roads. Only use viewpoints and parking areas where they're explicitly provided.

The Europamaut team wishes you a wonderful trip!

With these three road trips, you'll experience Austria in all its diversity: from alpine panoramas to lake landscapes and hiking areas, all the way to culturally rich cities such as Salzburg, Vienna or Innsbruck. Secure the right digital vignette in advance with your preferred start date, and enjoy short driving times, sweeping panoramas and the special interplay of nature, culture and cuisine. We wish you a safe journey and an unforgettable travel adventure. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via email.