Airplane: Austrian airlines and its subsidiaries Austrian arrow and Tyrolean Airways offer several flights daily between Vienna and Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt,Linzand Salzburg but also flights between Graz and Linz and Linz and Salzburg. Welcome Air offers flights from Innsbruck to Graz.
Ship: The Danube serves as a shipping route between Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria. There are numerous possibilities for excursions. There are also ferry connections on larger lakes in the country, such as Lake Constance or Wörthersee.
Railway: Austria The rail network is very well developed and extends to almost every corner of the country. The train is fast, efficient and is used frequently. The most important operator is the ÖBB. There are also some small private lines. The different train classes that operate in the country include EuroCity (EC), InterCity (IC), InterCityExpress (ICE) – all express trains with stops at the most important stations -, the international night train EuroNight (EN) with sleeping and couchette cars, the express train (D) and the express train (E). The latter two stop at many smaller stations. Local trains, on the other hand, stop at all stations. Most trains have first and second class areas. Visit shoe-wiki for Austria Economy.
With a few exceptions, tickets are available at train stations. Train stations where tickets are not available are marked on timetables with a rectangle with a diagonal line. Most train stations have facilities for storing luggage and collecting money. However, tickets can also be purchased on most trains at an additional cost. Reservations are particularly recommended for trips on the weekends.
Car: Driving in Austria is pleasant due to the well-kept roads and good signage, but if you want to visit larger cities, you should leave your car behind and switch to public transport. More than 200 Austrian train stations offer park-and-ride facilities.
The highest speeds apply on national (A) and European (E) motorways. In order to use them, drivers in Austria need a vignette. For vehicles under 3.5 tons, they can be purchased for a period of 19 days, two months or one year. You can find them in tobacco shops, automobile clubs, border crossings, petrol stations and post offices. For vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, we calculate according to kilometers. The electronic toll system works by means of a GO-Box, which is available on motorways and has to be recharged by the driver every time. Information about the system and fees can be found on the Internet at go-maut.
Alternative routes along the motorways often offer federal highways. In the mountains, the roads are often narrower and some passes are closed from November to May. The use of snow chains is strongly recommended in winter and is compulsory in some regions.
If you want, you can have your car transported in so-called motorail trains. There are train connections of this kind between Vienna and Feldkirch, Innsbruck, Linz, Salzburg and Villach. There is also a connection between Graz and Feldkirch as well as Villach and Feldkirch.
The Austrian Tourist Office has a brochure with the best tours (totaling around 3,000 kilometers in length) available especially for motorcycle travelers.
Rental car
The minimum age for renting a car is 19 years for small cars and 25 years for everyone else. The driver’s license should be valid for one year. If you want to leave Austria by rental car, you should inform the landlord about this, as additional insurance and fees apply, especially for trips to Eastern Europe.
If you want to rent cheaply, you should do so in advance if possible. Holiday Autos often offer low rates and early bird discounts, and have offices in more than 20 countries. Numerous international (e.g. Avis, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt) and local rental car agencies have their branches in Austria. Prices can vary widely. However, local providers usually have the cheaper tariffs.
Bus: The post bus system offers individual travelers a reliable way to be transported from place to place, especially in mountainous regions where there are no train connections. The buses are reliable and usually leave from train stations. There are few connections on Saturdays and none at all on Sundays.
Local transport: buses are the backbone of public transport in Austria. Almost all cities have a local and efficient bus network. Many larger cities, such as Vienna, Graz and Linz, also have comfortable and environmentally friendly tram systems. Vienna is the only city with an underground network.
Most cities have an integrated transport system with shared ticket counters for buses and trams. Tickets are also available in newsagents and tobacco shops and, in some cases, in tourist offices. In addition to single tickets, there are also day, week and combination tickets. Anyone caught without a ticket must expect fines.
Cycling: Cycling is a popular activity in Austria, and most regional tourism associations have brochures available about cycling facilities and routes within their region. Often there are separate cycle paths, not only in the cities but also in the countryside. Many cycling enthusiasts prefer the route along the Danube. However, there are many other worthwhile cycle routes, mostly near rivers and lakes.
Bicycles are allowed on some trains for a fee. They are marked with a corresponding pictogram on the timetables. There is also the option of sending bicycles as a train courier package.
Bicycles can be rented in all major cities. Bicycles are also available in popular cycling regions, for example on the Wachau in Lower Austria and on Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland. Prices vary from city to city.