Austria

Austria is best known for the Alps, winter sports, beautiful mountain lakes and charming cities such as Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck. You’ll also find countless walking routes, traditional mountain huts and cosy mountain villages. Of course, typical Austrian dishes such as Wiener schnitzel, Kaiserschmarrn and Apfelstrudel are an essential part of any trip through the country.

Which region of Austria is the best depends mainly on what you’re looking for. Tyrol is popular for its mountains, hiking and winter sports, whilst the Salzburg region offers a great combination of natural beauty and a visit to Salzburg. Carinthia is known for its many lakes and is particularly popular in summer. For a city break, Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck are great destinations. We visited Tyrol ourselves and discovered, amongst other things, Kufstein and the surrounding Kufsteinerland region.

Austria has an incredible number of beautiful places. Think of well-known destinations such as Salzburg, Innsbruck, Hallstatt and Vienna, but also the many mountain villages, lakes and nature reserves in the Alps. We particularly enjoy mixing well-known places with less obvious destinations. For example, we visited Kufstein in Tyrol, where you can easily combine a historic town with mountains, lakes and lovely walking routes.

Well… you name it! There’s much more to do in Austria than just skiing. In summer, you can go hiking in the Alps, cycling, swimming in mountain lakes and taking mountain cable cars up the mountains. You can also visit castles and historic towns, or simply relax in a cosy mountain village. In winter, skiing and snowboarding are popular, but you can also go winter walking, tobogganing and visit Christmas markets, for example.

The best time to visit Austria depends mainly on what you want to do. Summer is popular for walking, cycling and other activities in the mountains, whilst winter is mainly about winter sports. Spring and autumn can also be lovely times to visit, but bear in mind that some mountain lifts, mountain huts and attractions may be closed during these months.

Austria is an easy country to travel through, but it’s a good idea to be well prepared. Before you set off, check your travel documents, the latest traffic and weather conditions and, if you’re travelling by car, whether you need a vignette and, if applicable, a road toll. On our page with Austria travel tips We’ve brought together all our practical tips and personal experiences.

Yes, Austria is easily accessible by car from the Netherlands. Most routes go via Germany, and the exact journey time and route depend on your point of departure and destination in Austria. Please bear in mind traffic jams, roadworks, the Austrian vignette and any section tolls whilst travelling. In our blog Car holiday in Austria: everything you need to know before you set off You can read all about the route, traffic regulations and how to prepare.

Yes, Austria is easily accessible by train. From the Netherlands, you can travel via Germany to various Austrian cities and regions. You can travel during the day, but there are also options for travelling to Austria overnight. Once you arrive, there’s an extensive public transport network, meaning you can easily holiday in various destinations without needing your own car.

Depending on your starting point and destination, the drive from the Netherlands to Austria usually takes around 8 to 12 hours. Tyrol and other destinations in the west are closer than Vienna, for example. During busy holiday periods, allow for extra journey time due to traffic jams, particularly around Munich and on popular routes towards the Alps.

On most Austrian motorways and expressways, you need a valid vignette if you’re driving a passenger car. There are various validity periods, and you can choose between a digital vignette and, whilst available, a physical sticker vignette. In our comprehensive blog about the vignette for Austria You can find out how much it costs, where you can buy it and which vignette you need.

On some sections of the Austrian motorway network, you have to pay a separate section toll. This applies, amongst other things, to a number of tunnels and mountain sections. This section toll is separate from the standard Austrian vignette. Take a look at our blog about the toll roads in Austria for toll roads, current charges and information on payment.

The road traffic regulations are largely similar to those in the Netherlands, but there are a few important differences. For example, if a traffic jam forms on a motorway, you must form a ‘Rettungsgasse’ (emergency corridor), and there are rules regarding winter tyres in wintry conditions. Certain safety equipment must also be carried in the car. In our blog about a car holiday in Austria We have set out the key points for motorists to bear in mind.

In Austria, between 1 November and 15 April, winter tyres are compulsory for passenger cars and light vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes in wintry conditions, such as snow, slush or ice. During this period, winter tyres are therefore not automatically compulsory every day, but they are required in wintry conditions. Are you travelling to Austria in winter? Make sure you are well prepared before setting off and check the current traffic regulations before you leave.

Yes, Austria is a wonderful destination, especially in summer. You can go hiking in the Alps, cycle, swim in mountain lakes and take the cable cars up into the mountains. You can also easily combine an active holiday with visits to charming towns and cosy villages. We visited Kufstein ourselves in the summer and particularly enjoyed the combination of the town, the mountains and the countryside.

Yes, Austria is a great destination for a holiday with children. In summer, you can go hiking, swim in mountain lakes, take the mountain lifts up the slopes and enjoy a range of family activities. In winter, there are plenty of opportunities for winter sports. Many regions also offer special visitor cards that give you free or discounted access to public transport, mountain lifts or activities.

As a Dutch national, you can travel to Austria with a valid passport or a valid Dutch identity card. You do not need a visa for a holiday. Are you travelling by car? If so, make sure you bring your driving licence and vehicle documents with you, and check in advance which rules apply regarding, for example, the vignette, toll roads and compulsory equipment.

When going on holiday to Austria, there are a few handy travel essentials we always take with us. These include practical items for travelling, hiking in the mountains and active days out in the countryside. We’ve gathered our favourite travel essentials in one place, so you can easily see which items we like to use and take with us on our travels.

Take a look at our favourite travel products