driving to austria - any advice please?

The AA route planner shows as 1141km, 10hr 5min. However, as Finn points out, if you hit Munich on Friday pm, add more time, another 1 or even 2 hours.

If you can do, consider an evening/late night crossing, arrive early hours of the morning, and drive through the night. Providing you are sharing the driving, and you are comfortable doing this, you can get to the resort by mid afternoon.

You will need winter tyres in Austria, even with a UK plate. The only time you are likely to be caught out is if there is an accident, and the police will look at the tyres.

Found this on the net

Austria

Winter tyres are mandatory in Austria. The law states that passenger cars with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes may be operated only between 1 November and 15 April in winter conditions such as snow, slush or ice if winter tyres have been installed on all wheels. All-season tyres are also considered winter tyres if they have the "M + S" mark.

As an alternative to winter tyres, snow chains may be used on at least two driving wheels, however, these may only be used in case the road is covered by a complete or scarcely broken snow cover or sheet of ice. Failure to comply with the law results in a fine up to 5,000 Euros and the vehicle could be impounded. Insurance is deemed void if a vehicle which is involved in an accident between November 1 and April 15 is not fitted with winter tyres.

Germany

Winter tyres are not compulsory in Germany but they are a legal requirement in some mountainous areas.

Slightly contradictary info, but the locals living in the Alps are quite firm that they all must use winter tyres: -

The use of winter tyres is not mandatory in Austria, although their use can be enforced through road signs. In particularly snowy areas drivers have two options; either use winter tyres or fit snow chains around the car's summer tyres. All-season tyres can be accepted as winter tyres if they carry the M+S mark and have at least 4mm of tread. Any tyre with a tread depth of less than 4mm is regarded as a summer tyre. Snow chains may be used when the motorist deems them necessary. In addition chains canbe made compulsory in certain regions. Spikes can be used with cars that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes and speed limits are enforced for these vehicles.

Austrian Government Info
Compulsory Winter Tyres

Passenger cars and trucks with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 t
Passenger cars and trucks with a permissible maximum weight of up to 3.5 t may be operated only between 1 November and 15 April in winter conditions such as snow, slush or ice if winter tyres have been installed on all wheels.

As an alternative to winter tyres, snow chains may be used on at least two driving wheels, however, these may only be used in case the road is covered by a complete or scarcely broken snow cover or sheet of ice.

Please Note: Winter tyres are tyres with a certain depth of profile used as snow and mud tyres or as snow, mud and ice tyres, i.e., tyres marked "M/E" or "M/S/E".

So the sticking point seems to be if its slushy, summer tyres wont do, neither will snow chains. It does make sense I guess. Hmmmm, think we'll take a different type of risk by booking BA flights :lol:

Austrian Vignette (sticker) prices for 10 days (€7,70), 2 months (€22,20) and a year (€73,80).

The Brenner Pass autobahn is an extra (€8.00), the Tauern autobahn (€10.00), and the Arlberg tunnel (€8.50). Driving through the Felbertauern tunnel costs €10.00, while the scenic Großglockner Alpine road will cost you €26.00.

Do NOT drive without a sticker as the police keep watch with binoculars and will fine you several hundred euros as well as charge you for a sticker.

Hope you have a great time - like most people here would love to be coming with you!

Don't think anyone mentioned the 'vignette' needed to drive in Austria on the autobahns. Similar rules apply if using Swiss motorways too, but not such a good deal, as you have to pay a year's worth for one trip! Gotta get the stickers though. Big fines if you get caught without one!

PS: :mrgreen: I still have a very good set of winter tyres, they need a new home. Nokian 205/55 R16 94V XL (used on one winter and perfect nick) at a bargain price!!!

Ha ha :D:) DixieD... Serves me right for making a cup of tea before pressing submit!

benny12345 wrote:eek. no. I've got chains ready for when I need them but no winter tyres.

They'll save you a lot of hassle if you're doing a road trip in the mountains in winter! Seriously, just get some - you'll have way more grip and be way safer when it does get marginal. You will only rarely need to put the chains on too.

Ignore the outdated nonsense that's often spouted about winter tyres - modern ones are brilliant; high speed rated and will last for several winters. Wouldn't have thought they'd cost the earth in "camper van size" either.

HTH - bloody jealous actually. :mrgreen: