ROAD TRAVEL REPORT:
AUSTRIA
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO…
„ Throughout Austria, road networks are well
established. Road conditions are generally excellent.
„ All main roads are paved. Secondary roads may be
narrow and winding.
„ Austrians tend to be somewhat aggressive drivers.
„ There are 13.4 road fatalities per 100,000 population
compared to 5.9 in the UK.
ROAD REALITIES
DRIVER BEHAVIORS
„ Taxi and truck drivers tend to be somewhat worse than
their American counterparts about obeying speed
limits, driving recklessly and passing illegally.
„ “Ghost drivers” (Geisterfahrer) who enter motorway
lanes from the wrong direction and drive against
oncoming traffic are a high road crash risk. The radio
carries warnings, alerting drivers of an approaching
Geisterfahrer. Recommended responses to warnings are
do not pass, stay in inner lane and flash headlights as
Geisterfahrer approaches.
„ Less salt is being used on highways in the winter, and
few drivers seem to adjust their driving to
accommodate the ice hazards.
GENERAL ROAD CONDITIONS
„ Austria has well-established road networks throughout
the country.
„ Road conditions are generally excellent.
„ All main roads are paved. Secondary roads may be
narrow and winding.
„ The road fatality rate fell 41% from 1990-2000, the
largest decrease in the EU, in part because of electronic
warning systems and more rigid police controls.
„ The mountainous landscape causes problems for both
truck and passenger traffic.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
„ The road crash fatality rate per 10,000 vehicles in
Austria is 2.3 compared to 2.0 in the US.
„ In 2000, there were 13.2 fatalities per 1 billion vehicle
kilometers as compared to 7.5 in the UK.
„ The vehicle fleet is increasing annually, straining the
road infrastructure.
„ Non-toll mountain passes tend to be more difficult
than toll roads.
„ Alpine region drivers face gradients of 6-16% or greater
in some areas.
„ Route number prefixes:
o ‘A’ indicates motorways, Autobahns
o ‘S’ indicates expressways
o ‘B’ indicates national roads, Bundesstrassen
o ‘E’ indicates trans-European routes
„ Over 10% of the tunnels in Europe are located in
Austria.
„ Problems with tunnels in Austria and throughout
Europe are as follows:
o Many tunnels are aging and need improved
lighting and ventilation.
o Congestion is common. Traffic volume exceeds
the levels many tunnels were designed to carry.
Expect delays and/or detours near tunnels being
upgraded.
o Non-resident drivers have a higher road crash risk
due to a lack of equipment harmonization, safety
information and communication in the tunnel
network.
1 © ASIRT 2006
„ The Loibl Tunnel, which crosses the Austrian- „ The use of cars is often discouraged in city centers.
Slovenian border, was rated the worst of 30 tunnels on Some towns ban driving at certain times.
key routes in Europe inspected for safety. The
„ Driving in many small towns may be forbidden entirely
Katschberg tunnel (on A10 near Katschberg) and
to visitors.
Lainberg tunnel (on A9) were rated acceptable. The
Bosruck tunnel (on A9) was rated good. „ Home Zones: Over 200 neighborhoods are Home
Zones (ie, areas where roads are designed primarily for
„ The website, Road Tunnels in Austria, has extensive
cyclists and pedestrians rather than motorists). Roads,
information on current tunnels and tunnels planned or
sidewalks and curbs are replaced by level surfaces,
that are under construction.
shared by all users. Speed is restricted to 10 mph;
„ Roads may be temporarily closed because of heavy parking is very restricted.
snowfall or avalanche danger.
„ Short-term parking zones (Blue Zones) are provided in
„ In September, the back roads are often clogged with many cities. Blue road markings (Kurzparkzone) signs
cows. mark the borders of these zones. Fees are charged in
Blue Zones in Baden, Bludenz, Bregenz, Feldkirch,
„ Autobahn construction zones
Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Krems, Linz, St. Pölten,
o Use extra caution when driving through Autobahn St. Veit/Glan, Salzburg, Schwaz, Vienna, Villach,
construction zones, especially those on the A-1 Völkermarkt, Wiener Neustadt and Wolfsberg. Parking
East/West Autobahn. is generally restricted to 3 hours. Parking vouchers
o There is an increased risk of serious road crashes must be displayed clearly on the inside of windshield.
where lane reductions and 2-way traffic are Purchase vouchers at banks or tobacco shops.
necessary. „ In other cities, free parking is permitted in Blue Zones
„ English language up-to-date reports on road conditions for 90 minutes. Free parking discs are required and
are available on the Blue Danube Radio channel at must be displayed even on motorcycles. Obtain from
102.5 FM. tobacco shops.
„ For information on road and traffic conditions in „ Areas where parking is not permitted except for quick
English, contact the Austrian Automobile Club. loading or unloading
„ In Vienna, call 71 19 97. From anywhere else in o Where a Halten Verboten sign is posted
Austria, call 1 71 19 97. o Where crosses are painted on the road in front of
„ Trucks are banned on motorways on Saturdays and houses
Sundays. o Within 15 meters (16.4 yards) of public
„ Meanings of some basic road signs transportation stops or pedestrian crossings
o In front of gas stations
Strasse Gesperrt Road Closed
Steinschlag Falling Rocks o On narrow roads
Querstrasse Crossroads o On left side of 1-way streets
Lawinen Gefahr Avalanche Danger o Priority roads when visibility significantly reduced
Hupverbot Do Not Use Horn
Beschrankung fur Stopping or Parking o Never park an unhitched trailer in a public parking
Halten oder Parken Restricted place
Ausweiche Diversion „ Parking caravans (Recreation Vehicles)
Anhanger Verboten Trailers Not Allowed
o In the Upper Austria, Tyrol, and Salzburg
Provinces, park only in special parking lots and
URBAN TRAVEL never within 500 meters (547 yards) of lakes.
„ Urban roads are excellent. o In Salzburg Province, do not park within 200
„ Traffic jams are common in urban areas. Electronic meters of an expressway.
systems and more rigid police controls have been o Do not park within 200 meters (219 yards) of the
instituted to improve this situation. Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA 2 © ASIRT 2006
„ Parking Regulations for Handicapped Tag holders:
o No time limit in short-term parking areas
o No time limit where C18 signs are posted
o No time limit where C19 signs (limits waiting or
parking to 10 minutes) posted; double parking for
tag holders in these areas
VIENNA
CONDITIONS
Traffic in the city has increased considerably over the last
10 years.
On-street parking is hard to find, but parking garages are
abundant. A parking voucher for on-street parking is
required.
During timeframe of 8:00 pm to 5:00 am from December
15 to March 31 it is illegal to park on streets with tram
rails (allows for efficient snow removal).
Facilities for the handicapped are limited; distances
between key tourist sites are short.
Wien Schwechat, Vienna’s international airport, is 12 miles
southeast of the inner city. The Vienna Tourist
Information Office provides traveler information there.
o Taxis and buses provide transportation to Vienna.
Regular bus service is available to the U-Bahn and
streetcar lines.
o Local train service, Schnellbahn, connects the
airport and the Wien Nord and Wien Mitte train
stations.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
o Parking in pedestrian zones for tag holders where
loading and unloading permitted, but only during
indicated times
o Reserved spaces for handicapped drivers at
hospitals and public service facilities possible
where people with disabilities receive care
USEFUL INFORMATION
Key highways coming into Vienna include the following:
Autobahn A-1 from Munich, Salzburg and Linz
Autobahn-2 from Graz and Klagenfurt
Autobahn-4 from the east (connects with E-58 to Bratslavia
and Prague)
Autobahn A-22 to northwest
Route E-10 to SE Austria and Hungary
Public transportation is readily available. Buses, streetcars
and the metro use a common ticket, which must be
purchased before boarding. It allows transfers to other
forms of public transport.
Taxi stands are indicated by signs. For additional charge,
call a cab at 01 31 300.
The subway (U-Bahn) is the fastest way to get to the
suburbs or across the city. It runs from 6:00 am to
midnight.
Rental cars are available and less expensive when reserved
in advance.
Vienna is bicycle-friendly, with more than 155 miles of
marked bicycle paths. Some U-ban cars allow bicycles on
for free. Rental bikes are readily available.
This city has over 496 miles of well-maintained cycling
paths, trails and routes in low-traffic areas. Mountain
tour bike routes to the Vienna Forest can be accessed at
12 different points in the city. Security is high in
commercially operated parking garages. For extensive
information on parking in Vienna, visit
www.wkw.at/garagen/English/indexenglish.htm.
Extensive information on Vienna and other locations in
Austria is available on the web at
www.magwien.gv.at/english/
3 © ASIRT 2006
 INNSBRUCK
CONDITIONS
The city is a busy commerce center. Traffic is heavy,
especially during rush hours.
Flughafen Innsbruck-Kranebitten airport is 2 miles west of
the city.
o Buses and taxis provide transportation to the city.
o Rental cars available.
SALZBURG
CONDITIONS
Driving is not recommended within Salzburg because
many tourist sites only allow pedestrian or bicycle traffic.
The Salzburg Airport, Innsbrucker Bundesstrasse 95, is 2
miles southwest of the city center.
o Bus and train service is available to the city.
GRAZ
CONDITIONS
Congestion is limited to rush hour times and to the key
interchanges at the city boundary.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
USEFUL INFORMATION
Two key routes across the central Alps, one running north-
south and one running east-west, converge on the city.
Bus and streetcar services are readily available.
Rental cars and bikes are readily available.
Covered parking lots are easy to find in the city’s central
areas.
On-street parking is short term and limited to marked
parking zones. A parking voucher is required.
Taxis are available at taxi stands or by phone at 0512 or
5311.
The Autobahn A-93/A-12 links the city with Munich. The
Brenner toll motorway enters the city from the south.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Good roads lead into the city from all directions. Autobahn
links: A-8 to Munich, A-1 to Vienna, and A-10 to Villach.
Trams and buses offer efficient transportation within the
city.
Taxis are available.
Public parking lots are readily available.
The city is bicycle-friendly with a highly developed network
of bike paths. Rental bikes are available.
Useful numbers are local buses and street cars at 0662 62 05
51 552, airport at 0662 8580 and train at 0662 17 17.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Public transportation options are excellent. Integrated
tickets reduce fares up to 40% on some routes. Service is
frequent. Information on routes and schedules is readily
available.
There are over 100 km of bike paths, cyclist and pedestrian-
only areas.
Handicap-accessible public transport is available.
Road crash fatality/injury statistics for all road users are
improved markedly.
4 © ASIRT 2006
 LINZ
CONDITIONS
The city has a high level of commuter traffic.
Parking is difficult to find.
Traffic calming in specific neighborhoods includes the
following: Neighborhoods with traffic-calming schemes
have a 30-km/h speed limit, except for public transport
vehicles and on through streets. Motorcycle traffic is
banned from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am. Truck traffic is
banned all night. The speed limit is very strictly enforced
and has resulted in a reduction of road crashes.
RURAL TRAVEL
„ Rural roads are excellent.
„ Roads in mountainous areas include the following:
„ On smaller mountain roads, take care on bends and
steep stretches.
„ Some minor passes are blocked by snow from
November to May.
„ Drive in low gear on steep downhill stretches.
„ On many mountain roads, the use of chains is required.
„ Gradients on alpine roads range from 6-16%. The road
between Innsbruck and Seefeld is heavily traveled and
has a gradient of 16%. The stretch between Obertraun
and Aussee has a gradient of 24%.
„ If mountain driving experience is lacking, it might be
advisable not to drive to alpine destinations.
„ About 65% of all road crashes occur on rural sections
of main inter-city highways.
PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL
„ Drivers are required to slow down and, if necessary,
stop for pedestrians who are already in or who are
preparing to enter a pedestrian crossing.
„ Pedestrians are not permitted to enter a pedestrian
crossing if an approaching vehicle is too close to stop.
„ Enforcement of priority rules and visibility at
pedestrian crossings are not always adequate.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
USEFUL INFORMATION
A well-developed network of bus, trams and trolleys is
available. Public transport has priority at traffic lights by
infrared sensors that prolong or shorten the green phase
of the lights at key intersections. This has speeded
transport 18% without increasing vehicles in operation.
There are 115 km of bike paths and 24,000 km of pedestrian
zones.
Special signal systems at intersections detect approaching
cyclists and switch the light to green, giving cyclists
priority at traffic lights. This reduces cyclists’ waiting
time, and the short green phase is only a minor
interruption for motorists. The measure has proved very
effective.
„ Drivers sometimes fail to observe priority rules at
pedestrian crossings.
„ There are 1.9 pedestrians involved in fatal road crashes
per 100,000 population in Austria compared to 2.0 in
the US and 0.8 in Sweden.
SEASONAL TRAVEL
„ In summer, transit routes become extremely crowded
as of Europeans traveling to vacation sites.
„ Weather conditions may change rapidly, especially in
spring and fall when sudden snowstorms are common.
„ May, September and the first half of October tend to be
the driest months. April and November tend to have
the most precipitation.
„ From June through August, thunderstorms are
common. Heavy snowfalls may occur, even in summer
at elevations above 2000 m.
„ Bad weather conditions can cause major obstructions.
Snow, ice, floods and storms may block or slow traffic
flow and increase the road crash risk.
Exercise extra caution when driving during winter
vacation months (December to February), Easter and
summer vacation (July and August) due to heavier
traffic.
„ In winter, snow usually covers the ground from late
December through March in the valleys and from
November through May at elevations above 1,800
meters. Above 2,500, snow cover is always present.
5 © ASIRT 2006
„ Highways, city streets and major roads are cleared of
snow around the clock.
„ In Alpine areas, road conditions may change rapidly.
Roads may be dangerous due to heavy snows, ice or
avalanches. Some roads may be closed for
weeks/months. Tire chains are frequently required.
„ Snow tires are necessary for winter driving and may
also need chains. Snow chains can be rented at all
major border crossings.
ROAD REGULATIONS
„ Traffic drives on the right.
„ The minimum driving age is 18 years.
„ An international driving permit (IDP) is required if
driver’s license is not in English. An IDP is a legal
identification document on which driving license
information is translated into 11 languages, including
English, and can only be used as a supplement to a
valid driving license. Contact AAA at
http://www.aaa.com or one of the Austrian automobile
clubs (OAMTC or ARBO). After six months, an
Austrian license is required.
„ Speed limits are 100 km/h (62 mph) on overland roads,
130 km/h (80.7 mph) on motorways and 50 km/h (31
mph) in urban areas, unless otherwise posted.
„ Different speed limits in the Vorarlberg and Tyrol
provinces are 80 km/h on overland roads and 100 km/h
(62 mph) on the following motorways: A14 (Rheintal),
A13 (Brenner), A12 (Inntal), A10 (Tauern), A9 (Pyhrn)
and A8 (Innkreis).
„ Seat belts are compulsory.
„ Children younger than 12 years are not permitted to
ride in the front seat, unless they are over 1.5 meters
(4.9 feet) tall or a special seat or seat belt is available. In
the rear seat, children younger than 12 years must be in
a special child seat or restraint.
„ Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is severely punished.
The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 mg/ml.
„ Using a handheld cell phone while driving is illegal.
„ Passing on the right is permitted only on 1-way streets
or when passing a tram or a vehicle that is indicating a
left turn.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
POLICE ENFORCEMENT
„ Police are friendly and polite.
„ Police can collect fines on the spot. Fines are payable in
cash or by Visa.
„ On mountain roads, ascending vehicles have priority.
„ The use of hand-held cell phones while driving is
„ Trams always have priority.
„ Cyclists riding on a cycling facility (cycling track,
sidewalk, bike lane, cycle way and multi-purpose lanes,
cycle crossings) have right of way over almost all other
road users. Cyclists leaving or not riding on a cycling
facility do not have priority over other road users.
„ Use of lights:
o Flashing headlights indicate a warning.
o Headlights must always be on when driving in
urban areas.
o Parking lights are not required unless visibility is
less than 50 meters (54.7 yards).
„ Use of horns is not permitted in Vienna. Signs may
prohibit use elsewhere.
„ Right turns on red are prohibited.
„ Use caution when driving through Autobahn
construction zones, particularly on the A-1 East/West
Autobahn. The reduced lanes and 2-way traffic zones
have resulted in several fatal crashes.
„ All vehicles using the Autobahn and other major
highways must purchase and display an Autobahn
Vignette—a highway tax sticker—on the inside of the
windshield of the vehicle. Fines for failing to do so are
high. Vignettes can be purchased on roads leading to
Austria, at border crossings or at gas stations and small
Tabak shops within Austria.
„ All vehicles must carry a warning triangle and first aid
kit. A spare bulb kit and a fire extinguisher are
recommended.
6 © ASIRT 2006
„ Snow tires or chains are permissible from November 15
to the first Sunday after Easter and can be rented at all
major border crossings.
ROAD WATCH
ROAD INFORMATION
ROADS
SILVRETTA HIGH-ALPINE
GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD
(FROM BRUCK TO HEILIGENBLUT)
GARMISCH TO SEEFELD VIA ZIRLERBERG
MOUNTAIN (ROUTE B177)
VIENNA TO BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA
S16 FROM LANDECK TO BLUDENZ VIA ST.
ANTON AM ARLBERG
S31 EXPRESSWAY (EISENSTADT TO
MATTERSBURG TO OBERPULLENDORF)
NOCKALM ROAD
GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD
(GLOCKNER ROAD) FROM BRUCK TO
HEILIGENBLUT
S35 FROM GRAZ RUNS NORTH TOWARD
KAPFENBERG AND THE S6
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
„ Third party insurance is required.
CONDITIONS
This road has 25 hairpin turns, is closed in winter and is open from May
to October. Caravans and trailers are prohibited.
Maximum gradient is 12%. The road has 39 hairpin curves.
It is closed in winter and open from early May to early November. From
June 15 to September 15, it closes from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. In the
off-season, the road is closed from 8:30 pm to 6:00 am.
This road ends at the Hohe Tauern National Park at the foot of the
Grossglockner Mountain, Austria’s highest mountain, as well as its
largest glacier, the Pasterze.
This road crosses through the Scharnitzpass. It is closed to caravans. The
gradient is relatively gentle until just before Seefeld; then, it becomes
very steep. Improvements cut the gradient from 1:7 to 1:4.
This road is very narrow and scheduled to be replaced by the A6. It will
run from the A4, just north of Bruck an der Leitha to the Slovakian
border. It is to be completed in 2007.
New expressway; in Landeck, the S16 becomes the A12 and runs east to
Innsbruck
No speeding; heavily monitored by radar
Open only from May to early November, weather permitting; has slight
gradients, making travel by car, motorcycle or bicycle easy
Crosses the Alps at Hochtor; construction of 311-meter-long Hochtor
tunnel has made this 4,000-year-old trade route easy for cars,
motorcycles and buses to negotiate if drivers are accustomed to alpine
driving
Maximum gradient 12%; has 39 hairpin curves
Closed in winter; open from early May to early November
Road has been upgraded.
7 © ASIRT 2006
 ROAD RECOMMENDATIONS
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
BUSES
„ Public transportation safety is excellent.
„ The Austrian government provides two bus services:
the Austrian Postal Service (generally painted reddish-
orange) and the Austrian Federal Railways buses (some
are painted blue and white). In some areas, the two
services are merged into—the Bundesbus System.
„ Some private bus companies exist, which primarily
offer long-distance transport to other countries.
„ Bus schedules generally coincide with train schedules.
TAXIS
„ Taxi transportation safety is excellent.
RENTAL CARS
„ If renting, read the contract carefully. Many companies
prohibit taking rental vehicles into the Eastern
European countries. Drivers attempting to do so may
be arrested, fined and/or convicted of attempted auto
theft.
„ A driver’s license that has been valid for at least one
year is required to rent a car.
„ Determine whether the rental fee includes insurance. If
credit card does not offer insurance coverage, consider
purchasing a loss-damage waiver, which covers
damages to the rental vehicle even if driver is at fault.
MOTORCYCLES & BICYCLES
„ Motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear
helmets. Low beams are required, even during daytime.
„ Cycling is a popular way to travel in Austria. Mountain
bikes or touring bikes are the most suitable. Most
scenic bike trails are not paved all the way. May to
October is the time for cycling.
„ Required equipment should include at least two
independently operating brakes, a clear headlight, a red
tail light, yellow reflectors on the pedals, at least one
white or yellow reflector in the spokes of each wheel
and a clear sounding bell.
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
„ Rental bikes are widely available. Bicycles can be rented
at most hotels and Austrian railroad stations from
April 1 to November 1. Photo ID is required. The bikes
can be returned to any manned Austrian train station.
A rental fee is discounted by 50% with purchase of rail
ticket for the day renting it. Bikes can be transported
on Austrian trains for a low fee.
„ Austrian Cycle Tours provides extensive information
on cycle routes in Austria. Website:
http://www.radtouren.at/en/start.html. Information is
available in German and English.
„ Popular cycling trails include
o Vorarlberg Trail and Lake Constance Loop
connects Bludenz and Bregenz. The route is mostly
flat and consists of paved bike paths or paved roads
with little traffic. This trail is easily reached by
train and passes through 5 valleys. Part of the route
follows the Ill River to Feldkirch. From Bregenz,
connecting with the Lake Constance Loop and tour
Germany and Switzerland is possible. The route is
well marked and suitable for families. For
information, contact Vorarlberg Tourism,
Bahnhofstr 14, Postfach 302, A-6901 Bregenz,
Austria. Phone: 01143 5574 42525 0, fax: 01143
5574 42525 5 and website: www.vorarlberg-
tourism.at.
o Tauernradweg, or the Hohe Tauern Biking Path,
follows the northern boundary of the Hohe Tauern
National Park and has some hills and minor
climbs. Most trails are paved, and the roads carry
only local traffic. The route connects with some
gravel or mountain trails (not recommended for
racing bikes). The route either follows the Salzach
River to Zell am See and then to Salzburg or it
follows the Saalach River to Maria Alm and Lofer
to Salzburg. From Salzburg, the route heads north
to Oberndorf and crosses the German border at
Passau, where the Danube bike trail to Vienna can
be taken. For information, contact the Salzburg
State Tourist Board, P.O. Box 1, 5300, Hallwang,
Austria. Phone: 01143 662 6256 12, and fax is
01143 662 62 30 70.
8 © ASIRT 2006
 o The Salzkammergut Lake District Tour passes 13
lakes in the Salzkammergut District, which starts at
Salzburg. This area consists mostly of bike paths
and side roads with little traffic. Highways are used
for short distances, but rail or bus service is also an
option for these sections. Good area for families.
Rail and boat connections are available for some
sections of the trail, which connects to cycling
network in the Upper Austria District. For
information, contact Upper Austria Information,
Schillerstrasse 50, 4021 Linz, Austria. Phone: 01143
732 663 022, and fax is 01143 723 600 229.
o The Danube Bike Trail from Passau to Vienna (or
on to Hainburg), which starts at the German
border town of Passau and follows the Danube
River to Vienna and continues on to Hainburg
near the Slovakian border. The route consists of
almost 90% traffic-free bike trails. It is mostly flat
or slightly downhill and is clearly marked with
green or white signs. This area is good for families
with children aged 9 years or older. For
information, contact Upper Austria Information
Schillerstrasse 50, 4021 Linz, Austria. Phone: 01143
732 600 2211, and fax: 01143 723 600 220.
„ Many hotels in the Alps offer services tailored to the
needs of cyclists.
„ General information on cycling in Austria is available
in English from the Radtouren website at
www.radtouren.at/english. The site has an interactive
map giving a brief description of 23 cycling and/or
mountain biking routes as well as information on
weather and road conditions.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
TOURIST ASSISTANCE
„ Roadside assistance is excellent.
„ Emergency numbers
Standard Euro emergency number—112
Police—133
Fire—122
Ambulance—144
Doctor on call—141
Mountain Rescue—140
„ Roadside assistance, towing services, or information—
123 for the ARBO Automobile Club or 120 for the
ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA
For extensive information on cycling routes and
mountain tour bike routes in Austria, see Travel Notes
website at http://homes.tiscover.com. Select “Special
Interests” for information on regional cycling.
TRAIN TRAVEL
„ Train service reaches most destinations, even remote
villages. Bus links to trains are readily available.
„ For information on train service or for train
transportation for vehicles through the Tauern Tunnel,
contact the Austrian Federal Railways at the P.O. Box
1142, New York, NY 10108-1142. Phone: 212 944 6880.
MOUNTAIN TRANSPORTATION
„ Some of the approximate 3,200 cable cars, chair lifts
and T-bars that provide transportation in the
mountainous areas of Austria reach altitudes of up to
3000 meters.
CRIME & SECURITY
„ In general, Austria has a relatively low crime rate, and
violent crime is rare. The theft of personal property has
increased in recent years, however.
„ In Vienna, pickpockets and purse snatchers are a
problem in the plaza near St. Stephan’s Cathedral,
associated pedestrian shopping areas (Vienna’s First
District) and the two largest train stations.
„ Women traveling alone are prime targets.
Austrian Automobile Club (OAMTC) Fee charged to
non-members
„ Information on road and traffic conditions is available
in English seven days a week from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
from the Austrian Automobile Club. Phone: 71 19 97
in Vienna or 1 71 19 97 from anywhere in Austria.
9 © ASIRT 2006
„ Fuel information
o Unleaded Regular 91 (Bleifrei Normal), Unleaded
Super 95 (Bleifrei Super), and Diesel are available.
o A maximum of 10 liters of spare fuel may be
carried in an approved can.
o Credit cards are seldom accepted for fuel
purchases.
„ The Austrian National Tourist Office,
Margaretenstrasse 1, A-1040, Vienna. Phone: 1 588 66
0, fax is 1 588 66 20, email is
turizm.bilgi.islem@fim.net.tr, and website::
http://www.austria-tourism.at/.
„ New York office: The Austrian National Tourist Office,
P.O. Box 1142, New York, NY 10181-1142. Phone: 212
944 6880, and fax is 212 730 4568.
MEDICAL CARE
„ Good medical care is widely available.
„ In Salzburg, hospitals include Unfahl Hospital, Dr.-
Franz-Rehrl-Platz 5. Phone: 0662 65 80 0 and
Krankenhaus und Konvent der Barmherzigen Brüder,
Kajetanerplatz 1. Phone: 0662 80 88 0. For an English-
speaking dentist, call 0662 87 34 66. The Austrian Red
Cross Medical Emergency Center hotline Phone: 141.
„ In Innsbuck, the hospital is the University Clinic,
Anichstrasse 35. Phone: 0512-504. Lists of English-
speaking doctors and dentists in private practice are
available from the tourist office.
„ In Vienna, Allgemeines Krankenhaus, Währinger
Gürtel 18-20. Phone: 01 40400.
„ In Graz, hospitals include the Krankenhaus der
Elisabethinen, Elisabethinergasse 14. Phone: 0316 706
30 and the Landeskrankenhaus, Riesstrasse 1. Phone:
0316 141. Emergency rooms and many English-
speaking staff members are available at both.
„ U.S. medical insurance is not always valid in other
countries. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover
medical expenses rendered outside the U.S. Medigap
policies (plans C through J) cover 80 percent of what
Medicare would cover in the U.S. for the first 60 days
of each trip; a $250 deductible applies. Maximum
lifetime limit of $50,000. Medicare Advantage may
offer coverage for care abroad. Phone: 800-633-4227;
website:
www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/11037.pdf
EMBASSY INFORMATION
„ The Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Court,
NW, Washington, D.C. 20008. Phone: 202 895 6767,
and website: www.austria.org/index.html. Phone for
the Embassy and Consular Section: 43 1 31 339.
„ The US Embassy in Austria, Boltzmanngasse 16 in the
Ninth District, Vienna. Phone: 43 1 31 339, and
website: www.usembassy-vienna.at.
„ The Consular Section of the US Embassy is in the
Marriott Building on the fourth floor of
Gartenbaupromenade 2 in the First District. US
Consulate in Salzburg, Austria, Alter Markt 1. Phone:
43 662 84 87 76.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact the Association for Safe International Road Travel
11769 Gainsborough Road, Potomac MD 20854, USA
Telephone: (301) 983-5252
Fax: (301) 983-3663
Web Site: www.asirt.org
E-mail: asirt@asirt.org

ASIRT is a non-profit humanitarian organization established in memory of Aron Sobel, age 25, who was killed
along with 22 other passengers in a Pamukkale Bus Company crash on the roads of Turkey. © ASIRT 2006

Disclaimer: ASIRT provides this information as a service to the traveling public.

This report is intended to represent general road conditions, driving environment, quality of public transportation,
medical care and emergency response. It may not be totally accurate in a specific location or circumstance.

ROAD TRAVEL REPORT: AUSTRIA 10 © ASIRT 2006