Traffic

By Car

Driving is one of the best ways to explore Austria, especially if you plan to visit alpine regions, lakes, or smaller villages.

Highways & Vignette (“Pickerl”)

To drive on Austrian highways and expressways, you need a vignette (“Pickerl”). You can buy it at gas stations, tobacco shops, or online via ASFINAG.

Available options:

• 10-day vignette

• 2-month vignette

• Annual vignette

Tip: Digital vignettes purchased online by private individuals usually become valid after 18 days.

Toll Roads & Alpine Passes

Some scenic mountain roads require additional toll fees, including:

• Großglockner High Alpine Road

• Nockalm Road

Prices and seasonal opening times can be checked on their official websites.

Parking

Most cities have short-term parking zones with time limits and paid parking regulations. Helpful parking apps:

• EasyPark

• ParkNow

Speed Limits

Typical speed limits in Austria:

• Cities: 50 km/h

• Rural roads: 100 km/h

• Highways: 130 km/h

Public Transport

Austria has a reliable and well-connected public transport system.

Train

ÖBB operates trains throughout the country and offers schedules, mobile tickets, real-time updates and route planning. Major cities also have commuter rail systems and local public transport networks.

Bus

For long-distance travel:

• FlixBus

• RegioJet

Regional buses can be found via local transport apps such as:

• VOR

• Verbund Tirol

• Kärntner Linien

Alternative Mobility

In larger cities, you’ll also find:

• e-scooters like Lime and Tier

• bike-sharing services such as Nextbike

• Ride-hailing & taxis such as Uber

Travel Tips

• Use Google Maps or Komoot for navigation and route planning

• Check traffic updates via ÖAMTC

• Keep a safety vest and warning triangle in your car — both are mandatory in Austria