Road Genius compares campervan rentals across Austria so you can choose the size, layout and price that fit your trip. Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck airports are the main pick-up locations and connect quickly to highways that cross the Alps. Austria is compact, so you can cover lakes, high mountain passes and historic towns in one trip, but alpine weather changes quickly—plan according to the season.
Season | Average High Temperature (°F │ °C) | Good for Travel? |
---|---|---|
Winter (Dec-Feb) | 34 │ 1 | Good for skiing, cold for road touring |
Spring (Mar-May) | 59 │ 15 | Good, snow cleared from most roads by May |
Summer (Jun-Aug) | 77 │ 25 | Best for hiking and festivals, but campsites are busy |
Autumn (Sep-Nov) | 55 │ 13 | Good, fewer crowds, early snow possible on high passes |
Buy a Vignette (highway toll sticker) before entering any Austrian highway. Most gas stations near borders sell 10-day, 2-month or annual stickers.
Some alpine highways and tunnels use GO-Box electronic tolls for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Rental vans under this weight pay a separate cash fee at the toll booth.
Standard speed limits are 50 km/h (31 mph) in towns, 100 km/h (62 mph) on rural roads and 130 km/h (81 mph) on highways unless signs show different limits.
Winter tires are required in winter conditions between 1 November and 15 April. Carry snow chains when crossing mountain passes; police may check.
Blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%. Austria conducts roadside breath tests.
Overnight street parking is strictly controlled; expect restrictions from 22:00 to 06:00 in many towns unless signs specifically permit RVs.
Place | Available Connections | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|---|
Camping Wien West (Vienna) | Water+Electric | Bus and metro to city center in 30 minutes, shaded parking spaces | No gray water disposal |
Natterer See Resort (Innsbruck) | Full connections | Lakeside swimming, children's facilities, accepts vehicles up to 10 meters | Must book 6 months ahead for peak season |
Seecamp Zell am See | Full connections | Walking distance to lake beach and town center | Limited operation in winter |
Campingplatz Hallstatt (Salzkammergut) | Water+Electric | UNESCO village views, ferry dock nearby | Difficult access for vehicles over 7 meters |
Stellplatz P1 Hallstatt car park | None | Legal overnight parking for maximum 24 hours, pay-and-display | No connections, crowded by midday |
Alpine parking areas on Grossglockner High Alpine Road | None | Mountain sunrise views, free outside toll season | Wild camping only legal after toll gates close (October-April); no facilities |
Dial 112 for all emergencies; 144 reaches ambulance directly, 133 reaches police.
Alpine passes like Grossglockner and Silvretta close after the first heavy snow; check the mountain pass status website each morning.
Bring a CEE blue 16A electrical adapter for campsite power connections.
Most shops close on Sundays and public holidays, but highway service stations remain open for supplies.