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Getting around Austria
Domestic air travel is available in Austria, although the network is limited because of the country's compact size and extensive rail connections. Austrian Airlines operates scheduled flights from Vienna to Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. For most journeys between major Austrian cities, however, rail is generally more convenient and provides frequent city-centre connections.
Austria has an extensive and well-maintained road network, with motorways and expressways connecting all major cities and providing access to neighbouring countries. The A1 is the principal east-west motorway between Vienna, Linz and Salzburg, while the A2 connects Vienna with Graz and southern Austria. The A12 runs through the Inn Valley in Tirol towards Innsbruck and the A13 continues south across the Brenner Pass towards Italy.
Driving is particularly useful for exploring Alpine valleys, lakes, villages and rural areas that are less easily reached by rail. Mountain roads can be steep and winding, and some high passes may close temporarily due to snow in winter. Traffic can be heavy on major Alpine routes during summer holidays and winter ski weekends.
Cars, motorcycles and light motorhomes require a vignette to use most Austrian motorways and expressways. The vignette is available either as a sticker attached to the windscreen or digitally, linked to the vehicle's registration number. It can be purchased at petrol stations, automobile clubs and other authorised outlets, while digital vignettes are also available through the official ASFINAG website and app. Certain Alpine routes, tunnels and mountain passes carry additional tolls.
Road standards in Austria are excellent. Motorways and principal roads are well-maintained and clearly signposted, while secondary roads provide good access to most towns, villages and tourist areas.
Conditions can be more demanding in the Alps, where roads may be narrow, steep and winding. Snow, ice and avalanches can affect mountain routes in winter, and some high passes close seasonally. Drivers should check local conditions before travelling through mountain areas during periods of severe weather.
Austria's highest-standard roads are motorways (Autobahnen), identified by the letter A followed by a number, such as the A1 between Vienna and Salzburg. Expressways (Schnellstraßen) use the prefix S and connect important regional centres and motorway routes.
Federal and regional roads provide connections between towns, villages and rural areas. These are generally well-maintained, although roads through Alpine regions may be narrower and slower than their distance suggests.
Car hire is widely available at Austria's international airports, railway stations and in major cities. Most international rental companies operate in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and other large centres.
A car is most useful for exploring rural and Alpine areas where public transport is less frequent. Travellers visiting mountain regions in winter should ensure that the vehicle has appropriate winter equipment. Winter tyres are compulsory in wintry road conditions between 1 November and 15 April.
Drivers should check whether their rental agreement permits travel into neighbouring countries. Cross-border driving within the EU and Schengen Area is common, but individual rental companies may impose restrictions or additional charges for particular countries or vehicle categories.
Taxis are readily available in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and other Austrian cities. They can be found at designated ranks, booked by telephone or app, and are usually metered. Taxi fares are relatively high compared with public transport, particularly for longer journeys. At airports and major railway stations, official taxi ranks are clearly marked.
Ride-hailing and app-based taxi booking services (Uber, Bolt, FreeNow and SIXT Ride) are also available in larger cities, although availability varies by location.
Austria has an extensive network of cycling routes, ranging from urban cycle paths to long-distance routes through river valleys and Alpine regions. The Danube Cycle Path is the country's best-known long-distance route, following the river through Upper and Lower Austria and passing towns such as Linz, Melk and Krems before reaching Vienna.
Other popular cycling areas include the Salzkammergut, Lake Constance and the valleys of Tirol and Salzburg. Mountain biking is widespread in Alpine regions, although access to some forest tracks and private land is restricted and cyclists should follow designated routes.
Bicycles can be carried on many trains, although a separate bicycle ticket is normally required and reservations may be compulsory on some long-distance services.
Regional buses serve towns, villages, ski resorts and rural areas not reached by rail, and often connect with trains at local railway stations. Services are generally reliable, although frequencies may be lower in rural areas and at weekends.
Long-distance coaches also operate between major Austrian cities, although trains offer a much wider range of domestic routes and services. Vienna is the main hub for long-distance coaches, but departure points vary by operator, so travellers should check the terminal when booking.
Traffic drives on the right. Unless signs indicate otherwise, the general speed limits for cars are 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 100km/h (62mph) outside built-up areas and 130km/h (81mph) on motorways.
Seat belts are compulsory, and children must use an appropriate child restraint according to their age and size. Drivers may use a mobile phone only with an approved hands-free system. Cars must carry a warning triangle, reflective warning clothing and a first-aid kit.
The general legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, with a lower limit applying to certain drivers, including novice and professional drivers. Winter tyres are compulsory for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes in wintry road conditions between 1 November and 15 April.
A valid vignette is required for cars and motorcycles using most Austrian motorways and expressways, with separate tolls applying on certain Alpine routes and tunnels.
Austria has comprehensive roadside assistance services. ÖAMTC provides nationwide breakdown assistance on 120, while ARBÖ can be contacted on 123. The European emergency number is 112.
Drivers using hire cars should normally contact the rental company first, as roadside assistance is commonly included in the rental agreement. Emergency telephones are also provided along sections of the motorway network.
Drivers must carry a valid driving licence. Driving licences issued by EU and EEA countries are recognised in Austria. Visitors from other countries should check whether their national licence is sufficient or whether an International Driving Permit is required.
Drivers using their own vehicle should carry the vehicle registration documents and proof of insurance. Rental-car users should keep the rental agreement in the vehicle, particularly when travelling across international borders.
Austria's cities have comprehensive public transport systems. Vienna has one of the country's most extensive networks, combining U-Bahn trains, trams, buses and suburban S-Bahn services. Much of the historic centre is easily explored on foot, while public transport provides straightforward connections to outer districts and attractions such as Schönbrunn Palace.
Salzburg relies mainly on buses and trolleybuses, while Graz has an extensive tram and bus network. Innsbruck also operates trams and buses, including services connecting the city with surrounding communities and mountain areas. Linz has trams, buses and trolleybuses.
Tickets are generally integrated within regional transport networks and can often be used across trains, trams and buses within the relevant fare zones. Day tickets and other visitor passes are available in the larger cities.
Rail is one of the easiest ways to travel around Austria. ÖBB operates an extensive national network connecting Vienna with Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Klagenfurt, Villach and other regional centres. Railjet and Railjet Xpress trains provide the principal long-distance services, supported by InterCity, Interregio and regional trains.
The Western Line is the country's main east-west rail corridor, linking Vienna, St Pölten, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck before continuing towards Vorarlberg. Trains between Vienna and Salzburg operate several times an hour, with direct services continuing west towards Innsbruck, Feldkirch and Bregenz.
The Southern Line links Vienna with Graz, Klagenfurt and Villach. The opening of the Koralm Railway between Graz and Klagenfurt in December 2025 considerably shortened journeys between Styria and Carinthia and created new and improved connections across southern Austria.
Regional railways provide access to many smaller towns and tourist regions, and train services are commonly coordinated with local buses. Tickets can be purchased at stations, from ticket machines and through ÖBB's website and mobile app.
Eurail and Interrail passes can be used on most domestic ÖBB trains, including Railjet, InterCity and regional services. Seat reservations are generally not compulsory on daytime domestic trains, although they are recommended on busy long-distance services.
Passenger boats operate on several Austrian lakes and along sections of the Danube, primarily for sightseeing and tourism rather than everyday transport. Regular seasonal services operate on lakes including Wolfgangsee, Wörthersee, Traunsee and Lake Constance.
On the Danube, sightseeing and excursion boats operate particularly through the Wachau Valley between Melk and Krems and around Vienna. Services are generally most frequent from spring to autumn.
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