Private transport

Cars and motorcycles – Bikes – On foot

Cars and motorcycles

Getting here and around

Of course there are also roads in Austria, so it’s easy to get around by car or motorbike, as well. The biggest advantage is, of course, that you can travel wherever you want and whenever you want. Roads are generally well maintained, although going on certain motorways like the Westautobahn you might doubt that – it seems to be a permanent construction site … And although Austrians generally don’t have a reputation for being hot tempered, behind a wheel this is a totally different story …

Age and driving license
The minimum age in Austria to drive a car or motorbike is 18. And of course you need a driving license. Licenses issued in an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway are recognized in Austria, otherwise you need an International Driver's Permit (IDP).

Road charges
You have to pay a road charge for all motorways and dual carriageways (expressways). Therefore you have to buy a toll sticker (“Vignette”) at a border entry point, a petrol station or a newsagent's.

Car rentals
The minimum age to rent a car varies from 19 to 25 depending on the car rental agency and the type of car you want to hire. You also must have held your driving license for at least one year. Mostly you can only pay with credit card. As always it’s wise to compare prices of different companies – usually it’s cheaper when you book online and most expensive at airports.
Note! Make sure that the mandatory fire and third party liability insurance is included in the rental price!

Not all rental companies offer vehicles suited for disabled people, so checking with the company in advance is necessary.

Traffic regulations and rules

Generally speaking, there’s not much difference to other European countries.

– Drive on the right-hand side.

– Always buckle up! Not only because wearing seatbelts is mandatory, but because it can save your life.

– As a motorcyclist always wear a helmet! It’s the same as with seatbelts – wear it not only because it’s compulsory, but because it’s a life-saver.

– Turn on the headlights when it’s dark or when the sight is bad. Lights on is compulsory at night (what a surprise!). Motorcycles have to turn on the dimmed light also during daytime.

– Don’t drink and drive! It’s generally not a wise thing to do. Moreover, the legal alcohol limit for driving is 0,5‰. Fines are high and above all you cannot only lose your driving license but even your life …

– Don’t drive and talk on the phone – unless you use a handsfree set. Using your mobile without a handsfree set is forbidden. And yes, this applies to writing text messages as well …

– Always carry a warning triangle and a high visibility vest. Use them if your vehicle breaks down. Also always carry a first aid kit. Check its content regularly and replace items that have passed their expiry date.

– Roundabouts: Note that vehicles inside a roundabout have the right of way. Indicate when you want to leave the roundabout (and not when entering!).

– Winterize you car! Between 1 November and 15 April winter tires or all-season tires (marked with M&S / mud and snow) are obligatory when driving on slick or snow-covered roads. If the road is heavily and continuously covered with snow, you can also use summer tires with snow chains instead.

General 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)

Traffic Accidents
Call the police: 133
If someone gets injured, you have to immediately report the accident to the police.
If there’s only material damage, you only have to exchange your personal data and contact details with the other party. If the other party refuses to do so, you also report to the police.

Breakdowns
The emergency breakdown services of the Austrian motoring organisations ÖAMTC and ARBÖ operate 24/7. Just call 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ).

Parking
In larger cities, during work days you have to pay a fee for parking in the city centre. These parking zones usually are highlighted by blue lines on the street and by accompanying traffic signs. Some cities like Vienna or Graz even have area-wide short-term parking zones which are not specially denotated. If you are not sure, just have a look at the cars around you or simply ask a passer-by. Parking vouchers can be bought from tobacconists, cigarette vending machines, ticket machines, via mobile phone etc. – each city has a different retail system.
Often visited places like public buildings, hospitals, supermarkets etc. have special parking spaces for people with a walking disability. In order to park there the handicapped ID must be placed behind the windscreen. Holders of a handicapped ID are also allowed to park in short-term parking zones for an unlimited time and free of charge.

Bikes

Getting around

Going by bike is really common both for simply getting from A to B and for outdoor recreation. But remember that Austria is a quite hilly country. So don’t expect it to be no sport at all – it’s not for nothing that people come here for mountain biking!

You can find bike rentals in almost all the cities and tourist areas. In addition to “normal” rentals, some cities like Vienna offer so-called citybikes which are intended for short term use. There is no or a very low rental fee for them and you can pick them up at special terminals around the city.

During the last years cities have been improving their networks of bicycle paths and lanes, so cycling has become an even more attractive way of quick transport in the city or exploring a city.

If you like to go on bicycle tours in your free time, you’re in the right place. Popular routes and regions are the Danube Bike Trail, the plains of Eastern Austria and – if you’re into mountain biking – pretty much all of the Western and Southern parts of Austria.

Some general rules and recommendations for cyclists

– Light up. Make sure your bike has a white front and a red back light as well as reflectors (cat's-eyes) in the front, the back, on the sides and on the pedals.

– Make yourself heard. Make sure your bike has a bell or a horn.

– Wear a helmet. Yes, you do look like Calimero. But if you’ve got brains and want to keep them, wear it nevertheless.

– Buy a good bike lock. Bicycle theft unfortunately is very common especially in the bigger cities.

– When there’s a bicycle path or lane, use it.

– Don’t ride on pavements, footpaths or motorways.

– Don’t drink and ride! The legal alcohol limit for riding a bike is 0,8‰. Fines are high, you can even lose your driving (!) license and it’s dangerous.

On foot

Getting around

Exploring the country on foot is surely rewarding. Hiking is very popular in Austria, also among locals. And hiking is losing its image as a sport for elderly people – more and more young people discover it as a relaxing way of spending time outdoors. You can do nice walking or hiking tours almost everywhere in the countryside, hiking in the Alps is especially enchanting. But please remember that hiking in the mountains is definitely not just going for a walk! Bring or buy appropriate gear and above all wear decent hiking shoes. Every year the mountain rescue service has to pick up tourists with broken ankles or even worse injuries because they were running around in the mountains wearing sandals or flip-flops (!)  …

There’s not much else to say about walking, isn’t there? Just two more remarks:

– If you want to cross the street and there’s a zebra crossing, use it. Cars are obliged to stop, but don’t bet your life on it.

– Do not walk on bike paths and lanes. Cyclists (especially in the cities) hate it. At best you will hear some rude words, at worst you might get hit by a bike.