Austria Getting Around
Getting Around by Air
Getting Around by Water
Ferries: There are regular passenger boat services from mid-May to mid-September along the Danube and on Austria's lakes. The Danube steamer services are run by DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt (tel: (1) 588 800; website: www.ddsg-blue-danube.at) and private companies.
Getting Around by Rail
Discount fares: Throughout Austria, up to two children under six years who are accompanied or require no seat travel free and a third child qualifies for a 50% discount. Children aged six to 15 pay half fare.
InterRail One-Country Pass: offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in one month within Austria. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction. Children's tickets are reduced by about 50%. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK; website: www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Getting Around by Road
Bus/coach: Services are run by federal and local authorities, as well as private companies. Some 70 international coach services travel to or through Austria. For further information, contact Central Bus Information (tel: (1) 794 440; website: www.postbus.at). Coach excursions and sightseeing tours run from most major cities.
Car hire: There are car hire firms with offices in most cities, as well as at airports and major railway stations.
Regulations: Tolls must be paid on all Austrian motorways and 'S' roads. Tourists can purchase either 10-day, two-month or one-year discs which are available at all major border crossings, newsagents, petrol stations, automobile clubs, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, and at post offices.
Cars must be driven with lights throughout the year. Seat belts must be worn and children under the age of 12 and under 150cm (4ft 11in) tall may not sit in the front seat unless a special child's seat has been fitted. All cars must have a first-aid kit and a warning triangle. All motorists must also carry high-visibility waistcoats and wear them whenever outside their vehicle on an Austrian roads. Both driver and passenger on a motorcycle must wear helmets, and the vehicle must have lights on at all times. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas, 100kph (62mph) outside built-up areas and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. The minimum legal age for driving is 18.
Emergency breakdown service: Tel: 120 or 123.
Documentation: National driving licences issued by EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are accepted, and enable holders to drive in Austria for up to one year. UK licences without a photo must be accompanied by some form of photo ID such as a passport. Car registration papers issued in the UK are also valid in Austria. A Green Card is recommended.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
There are bus systems in all the other main towns, and also tramways in Linz, Innsbruck and Graz, and trolleybuses in Linz, Innsbruck and Salzburg.
Journey Times
| Air | Road | Rail | |
| Salzburg | 0.45 | 3.00 | 3.18 |
| Innsbruck | 1.10 | 5.00 | 5.20 |
| Klagenfurt | 0.50 | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Graz | 0.40 | 2.40 | 2.45 |
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