Adventurous Road Trips through Austria

Austria is made for a road trip: from alpine panoramic roads to crystal-clear lakes and historic towns, many highlights lie 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 use motorways and expressways with ease.

Continue reading: Castles and palaces in Austria.

Before you set off: planning is everything!

The ideal route for your road trip through Austria depends above all 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 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 guidance can help you with your planning:

• 5–6 days: Focus on one region (e.g. 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: Optimal if you want to connect 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 short or longer adventure. A simple rule of thumb for relaxed road trips is: plan a maximum of 1–3 hours' driving time per day and two activities. This leaves plenty of time to enjoy the trip rather than just rushing from highlight to highlight.

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

• May to October: Ideal travel time 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: High season with a classic summer feel at lakes and in cities, but with heavier traffic and the need for early reservations.

• 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 plan your road trip during school holidays or long weekends, you should expect heavier traffic on motorways and around popular holiday destinations.

Austria by car: getting there and starting points

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

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

• Vienna: Optimal 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, Achensee, 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 the hiking areas or in natural sights)

If you'll be using Austrian motorways on your journey anyway, it's advisable to purchase a digital vignette before setting off. This way you stay flexible and 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 & "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)

Begin your road trip at a relaxed pace in Salzburg. The compact old town with its fortress, Getreidegasse and riverside promenades invites you to first settle in. 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 along the Salzach river. Our guide offers further tips on getting there, parking options and the ideal length of stay in Salzburg.

Salzkammergut & 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 Lake Hallstatt. 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 into the mountain world of the Schladming-Dachstein region. It's an attractive destination both in summer and winter: in summer, hiking trails, alpine pastures and mountain lakes take centre stage, while in winter the slopes belong to a network of well-known ski areas. Depending on your preference, plan a panoramic hike, a visit to the Dachstein cable car, or a more relaxed day at an alpine pasture. You'll find an overview of hikes, mountain cable cars 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)

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

Carinthian Lakes (1–2 nights)

To finish, a stay at one of the Carinthian lakes is a great option. These are part of the Austrian Water World and combine a lake 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, walks along the lakeside promenade and gentle excursions into the surrounding landscape. Our article on the Austrian Water World offers 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, which require a vignette. Depending on the route chosen, additional tolls may also apply (e.g. the route toll for certain tunnels, or the Grossglockner and other alpine roads).

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

Road Trip 2: Cities, Wine & Gentle Hills (6–9 days)

This road trip is aimed at anyone wanting to combine culture, culinary delights 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, enjoyment and history.

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

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

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

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

• Graz: Old town & culinary delights (1 night)

Vienna (2 nights)

Start your route in Vienna, the country's cultural hub. Between the Ringstrasse, palace complexes and Danube Island, you can easily fill two days: museums, coffee house culture, Wiener schnitzel and a Danube boat trip. Our article on Vienna gives you tips on parking, short-term parking zones and excursion options into the surrounding area – ideal for planning your arrival and departure within your road trip.

Styria (1–2 nights)

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

Burgenland (1–2 nights)

Burgenland is characterised by wide plains, vineyards and Lake Neusiedl. It's excellent for cycling, leisurely walks and wine tastings. The elevation profile here drops considerably, making this section particularly well suited for quiet days in between. Our article on the Water World in Austria offers suggestions for well-known lakes you shouldn't miss on your trip to Burgenland.

Graz (1 night)

To finish, a stay in Graz is a great option – a city that combines tradition and modernity. The Schlossberg, the Murinsel and the old town's lanes provide a varied programme. From Graz, you can shape your return journey flexibly: back via Styria to Vienna, 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 legs are usually between 1 and 3 hours. Route tolls play a smaller role on this route than in the high Alps, but may still arise depending on your individual choice of route.

An overview of all relevant toll regulations can be found 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 as well as well-known ski areas that are also attractive hiking regions in summer, this road trip is sure to delight 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 the 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 & Tyrolean Water World (1–2 nights)

Achensee is known as the "Tyrolean fjord" and is part of the Austrian Water World. Here you can swim, stand-up paddle, enjoy leisurely lakeside paths, or explore the surroundings with a panoramic boat trip. Numerous easy to moderate hiking trails are also available around the lake. Further lakes and waterfalls in Tyrol and Vorarlberg are presented in more detail in our article on the Austrian Water World.

Plansee & Surrounding Mountain Landscapes (1 night)

Plansee in Tyrol offers an equally impressive backdrop and is excellent for an overnight stop along the way. The drive there takes you along winding roads with many 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-close experiences. Here it's less about spectacular staging and more about tranquillity, sweeping 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 finish, a stay in one of the well-known ski areas that function as hiking regions in summer is a great option (e.g. the Tyrolean Oberland, Montafon or the Arlberg area). Many cable cars 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 chosen route, additional tolls for certain tunnels (route toll) or alpine roads may also apply.

Toll Guide Austria

Not sure whether a vignette is enough for your route, or whether an additional route toll applies? In Austria, three terms play a central role: vignette, distance-based toll and route toll. 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 only 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 the appropriate vignette there. 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 easy: the digital vignette is ordered online in just a few minutes, linked to your licence plate and, if you wish, 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 14 languages is on hand to help with questions about tolls, vehicle classes and route tolls.

Practical Tips for the Road

To make sure your road trip through Austria goes smoothly all round, you should keep a few practical aspects in mind:

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

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

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

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

• Safety: Take regular breaks, especially on mountain pass roads. Only use viewpoints and parking areas where they are 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, through 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 drives, sweeping panoramas and the special interplay of nature, culture and cuisine. We wish you a good journey and an unforgettable travel adventure. If you have any questions, you can reach us by email.