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| Austria
Getting Around - Internal Travel |
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Air
Vienna is connected to Graz, Klagenfurt,
Linz and Salzburg by Tyrolean
Airways (VO). Rheintalflug (WE) also operates
internal services.
Charter companies also offer charter services for single and twin-engined
aircraft and executive jets.
River/Lake
A number of operators run cruises along the Danube,
and from Switzerland (Bregenz) across Lake Constance. On some cruises,
a passport is required, they last from 1 to 8 days depending on
the itinerary. These services run between spring and autumn.
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 (telephone number: (1) 588 800) and private
companies.
Rail
Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB)
(Austrian Federal Railways) runs an efficient internal
service, with a 5,700km network of tracks throughout Austria.
There is a frequent intercity service from Vienna
to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt,
and regular motorrail services through the Tauern Tunnel.
Information and booking can be obtained from railway stations or
Austrian Federal Railways. Local information can
be obtained on (1) 1717. For bookings from the UK, contact Deutsche
Bahn (German Rail) (telephone number: (0870) 243 5363), or Rail
Europe (telephone number: (08705) 848 848).
The most scenic routes are:
Innsbruck–Brenner
Innsbruck–Buchs
Innsbruck–Bruck an der Mur–Vienna
Innsbruck–Feldkirch–Innsbruck
Innsbruck– Garmisch– Zugspitze
Innsbruck–Salzburg– Innsbruck
Linz–Selzthal–Amstetten–Linz
Salzburg–Zell am See–Innsbruck
Salzburg– Gmunden–Stainach–Salzburg
Salzburg–Vienna
Salzburg–Villach
Salzburg, Vienna
Puchberg am Schneeberg– Hochschneeberg–Vienna
Vienna–Bruck an der Mur–Innsbruck
Vienna–Klagenfurt– Udine–Trieste.
Railways have fixed charges for portering. Tickets can be obtained
from any station ticket office (Reisebüro am Bahnhof) or from
most Austrian travel agents. For further information consult Austrian
National Tourist Office (see Contact
section).
Discount fares
Throughout Austria, up to 2 children under 6 years who are accompanied
or require no seat travel free and a third child qualifies for a
50% discount. Children aged 6 to 15 pay half the fare.
The Vorteilscard is available to purchase, and
offers a 45 per cent discount on rail travel within a one-year period.
This ID card can be purchased at all Austrian railway stations.
Senior citizens (women 60 and over and men 65 and over) may buy
train and bus tickets at half price after purchasing the Vorteilscard
for approximately €25.50, those under 26 years of age pay approximately
€17.90.
Austria offers a number of discount rail passes including the Euro
Domino and Euro Domino Junior, both valid
for 3 to 8 days within a 30-day period. The Austrian Rail
Pass is available to foreigners. Reductions are also available
for groups of more than 6 people. For more information, contact
the Austrian Railways Head Office (see Travel –
International section) or enquire locally.
Road
Austria has an excellent network of roads. The traffic drives on
the right.
Help is readily given by the Austrian Motoring Association
(ÖAMTC); there is a fee for non-members. For emergency
breakdowns, dial 120 or 123.
Tolls must be paid on all Austrian motorways. Tourists
can purchase either 10-day, 2-month or 1-year discs which are available
at all major border crossings and at post offices. The weekly disc
is valid for up to 10 days and costs approximately €7.63 for
cars up to 3.5 tons. The two-monthly disc, valid for 2 consecutive
calendar months costs €21.80 for cars below 3.5 tons. Heavy
vehicles pay higher tariffs and motorcycles pay less.
Seat
belts must be worn and children under the age of 12 and
under 150cm tall may not sit in the front seat unless a special
child’s seat has been fitted.
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 (the speed limit
in Graz is 30kph), 100kph (62mph) outside built-up areas and 130kph
(81mph) on motorways.
Bus and Coach
Bus and coach services are run by federal and local authorities,
as well as private companies. There are over 1800 services in operation.
Some 70 international coach services travel to or through Austria
and 22 routes with timetables and prices can be found in the Austrian
bus guide which can be consulted via the Austrian National Tourist
Office. For further information, contact Central Bus Information
(telephone number: (1) 794 440, e-mail: service@postbus.at,
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.
Documentation
National driving licences issued by EU countries, Norway, Iceland
and Liechtenstein are accepted, and enable holders to drive in Austria
for up to 1 year. UK licenses without a photo must be accompanied
by some form of photo ID such as a passport. The minimum
legal age for driving is 18. Car registration papers issue
in the UK are also valid in Austria. A Green Card
is compulsory.
Urban Transport
Vienna has an extensive system of metro, bus, light rail and tramway
services. Most routes have a standard flat fare, and there are pre-purchase
multi-journey tickets and passes. The Vienna Card
entitles visitors to 72 hours of unlimited travel by underground,
tram and bus. It also entitles the holder to reductions at several
museums and other tourist attractions in the city as well as cafes,
shops and wine taverns. The card can be purchased at hotels or at
Vienna Transport’s ticket offices.
Those trams marked schaffnerlos on the outside of the carriage do
not have conductors, but tickets can be bought from machines on
board. Tickets are available from newspaper shops or tobacconists
called Trafik. The classic way to travel round
the capital is by horse-drawn carriage (Fiaker) but fares should
be agreed in advance. 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.
Travel times: The following chart gives approximate travel
times (in hours and minutes) from Vienna to other major cities/towns
in Austria. |
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Air |
Road |
Rail |
Salzburg |
0.45 |
3.00 |
3.18 |
Linz |
0.45 |
2.00 |
1.54 |
Innsbruck |
1.10 |
5.00 |
5.20 |
Bregenz |
- |
7.00 |
7.58 |
Klagenfurt |
0.50 |
4.00 |
4.25 |
Graz |
0.40 |
2.40 |
2.45 |
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