austria

[smiley]

Have any of you been to Austria?

Can you tell me how you did it?
Looking at vienna and Salzburg on way back. A shortish trip 9 days in total.

Would you stop and view as you go and retrun or just go and split the sites?

thanks

 

[DavidKlyne]

We have travelled through several times usually staying a few days en route, usually to Italy. Vienna and Salzburg are both worth a visit although 9 days (I assume in total including from the UK) is not very long. as you will spend a couple of days in each direction travelling. If the total holiday is only 9 days then I would suggest staying in or near Salzburg, it might even be possible to visit Vienna by train.
David

 

[NickinFrance]

We stayed at Schloss Aigen (http://www.eurocampings.co.uk/en/europe/austria/salzburg/campsite-schloss-aigen-salzburg-106028/ just outside Salzburg 4 or 5 years ago & it was quite good.
9 days including traveling would be pushing it, particularly to Vienna.
We found Austria very expensive, if they could find a way to charge you to breathe the air, they would.

 

[RayS]

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but I have to agree with the others that 9 days including travel is really very tight. I went a few years ago, Hook of Holland to Luxembourg (first night) site south of Munich near Border with Austia for second night then on to near Linz and on round the country. For a short stay i might think about going down through Germany and to Innsbruck and particularly the Zillertal valley.

You need vignettes for some if not all autobahn - I'm a bit out of touch but see the CC Europe 2 site guide or the website for current info.

 

[smiley]

That was going to be my next stage to find out what is required for driving through Germany and Austria.
I know in Germany we must drive around 50mph, but thats all.

I agree I think one place only, we would be setting off crack of dawn in Calais day 1 and day nine is our last day driving to Calais where we would stop over and catch ferry earlyish next day for home.

 

[DavidKlyne]

According to MSAutoroute Calais to Salzburg is 700 miles so that is two pretty long days!
Speed limits in Austria are the same as Germany. To use the Austrian autobahns you need a vignette, but just for the car. These can be purchased at the border of at service stations approaching the border. Austrian police won't take to kindly to finding you on the autobahn without one! For the length of time you are spending in Austria you will have the cheapest option, under 10 euros. Fuel in Austria is cheaper than in Germany. Have you thought where you might stay?

David

 

[DianneT]

smiley
It is rubbish that Austria is expensive. We have been visiting with the caravan for 7 years now. It is a lot lot cheaper than UK and France to start with. Food, Clothing, Eating Out, Fuel (Diesel currently is € 1.20 a litre) Car Parking, Vignette for Motorways, Transport, Entrance Fees to places of interest, Mountain Passes to name a few items that make up a holiday are cheaper than the rest of Europe except Fuel in Luxemburg and perhaps food as Germany is the cheapest in Europe for that. Some 10 years ago it was expensive, but I can assure you we would not be stopping there for 6 weeks at a time, like we are this year if it was expensive. Plenty of ACSI CC sites in Austria too.
9 Days is not really long enough to travel as far as Vienna the nearest ACSI site to the City is 823 miles from Calais at reasonable mileage a day it will take you 4 days to get there and 4 days to get back you could make it 6 days there and back but you would not see anything of Austria or be able to spend the 3/4 days you need in Vienna. I would, personally, just go to the Tyrol which is a very beautiful part of Austria. Innsbruck is a good base or further West at either of the sites we stopped at last year at Bludenz. You could go that bit further East to a lovely site at Kramsach in the Zillertal or even a bit further East to Salzburg where you can visit the interesting town of Berchtesgaden in Germany. Have a look on my website for details of Info on Austria or in last years trip 2010 for site details. Any more info please contact me on the website. www.joysofeuopeancaravanning.co.uk

 

[Huw_374475043]

First visited Austria in 1988 and have lost count of the number of times we have towed our caravans there for both summer holidays and winter skiing holidays. Our last visit was just after Christmas 2010 for one week skiing in the Mayrhofen area. For us it is a journey of 900 miles from door to door and our record is departure 4pm Friday evening and arrival in campsite in Tyrol at 4.30 on Saturday with just one driver and a sleep in a service area between trucks for about 5 hours. Caravan is large twin axle towed by Land Rovers or Range Rovers. There are a number of quite quick routes along autobahns with few hold ups and generally an excellent standard of driving - care needs to be taken on certain stretches of roads where caravans and lorries are not allowed in the outside lane. A good route is via Luxembourg for cheap fuel but the fastest appears to be via Brussles, Cologne, Frankfurt, Wurtzburg, Nurnburg and Munich. From there you have to decide what you will be doing there and I would agree with the previous post that the Tyrol is the place to head for. I would recommend this site http://www.camping-itter.at/ this site is excellent and is not far from the motorway with no hidden problems for entry etc (recommend booking) run by family Ager. From this site you can quite easily reach many of the fabulous beauty spots of the area.
We have even taken a day trip (by train) from the Ziller valley to Vienna (let the rain take the strain) they run on time with no problems from the wrong sort of snow or leaves on the track. To try and cover the whole country in the time you have available is a big ask and could spoil the experience. We have travelled to Salzburg from this campsite for a day trip and to the Gross Glockner pass (Can be snowing in August).
Huw

 

[DianneT]

smiley, What time of the year were you thinking of going to Austria?.

 

[smiley]

Hi Everyone
What a lot to take in. We wanting to go this easter. leaving dover now Wed night 20 apr sleep at calais port and set off crack of dawn. (hubbys managed an extra day off)
We thought as its roughly 700miles our first day would be 400 miles anything above is a plus. and stopping over so trying to find place on the net, then the remainder on the 2nd day and arrive where will throw our hats. LOL

Have taken on board your comments and yes we will cut it to Salzburg and look at the surrounding area.
I have looked at ACSI and they have much more sites I could do with an army to do the filtering.

 

[John_374564913]

Smiley

I don't know if this will be of any assistance to you but anyway I hope it does give you some help.
I keep a log of everywhere we go with the caravan and last year travelled from Warrington in Cheshire to Bosnia which meant we had to go through Germany and Austria.

Although it was a very nice holiday we tried to do it in only two stops which meant it took us at least three days to recover eachway from all the driving.
my calculations are based on the two computers I have in the car to double check my calculations it does not include any stops or ferry time it is purely based on actual driving time so please note the following:
From Warrington in cheshire UK to Rudesheim Campsite Germany 648 Miles driving 13 hours and 45 mins average speed 47MPH average fuel 25.1MPG
From Rudesheim Campsite in Germany to Terrassen Campsite ossiach Austria 491 Miles driving 10hours and 40 Mins Average speed 46 MPH avererage fuel 21MPG
From Terrassen Campsite ossiach Austria to Bihac Bosnia 241 miles driving 6 hours 4 mins Average speed 40MPH average consumption 22.1MPG
In order for you to verify the figures regardin time and distance I have listed below three other journeys I made last year
Warrington to Garlieston Dumfries Scotland distance 214 miles driving time 4 hours and 27 mins average speed 48MPH average consumption 21.9MPG
Warrington to Penhrose Nort Wales distance 96 Miles Driving Time 2hours and 7 minutes average speed 45MPH average fuel 22.1MPG
warrington to Meathop Fell Cumbria Distance 76 Miles Driving Time 1 hour and 51 Minutes Average speed 41MPH average fuel 22.9MPG

I am sure many people will tell you there average speed is much higher or there fuel consumption is much lower but for my outfit these figures are exact and rest assured to achieve an average speed of around 46MPH you have to exceed the legal towing limit for the UK.
Anyway as I said if you look how many miles you ntend to drive and base it onn the above figures it will give you a rough idea of what you will encounter on your trip to Austria

regards

John

 

[DianneT]

I asked what time of year you were going as to whether you could use ACSI Camping Card some sites you will be able to over the Easter period, others do not take it for the Easter Period. The site we stop at near Bitburg,Prumtal Camping, Oberweis take the card over Easter OK Hope this helps.
DianneT

 

[Tony_5041742]

We stayed near Innsbruck last year at Natterer See, http://www.natterersee.com/urlaub-am-campingplatz-in-tirol-en.php
Great site, plenty to see and do, but I'd echo others about the feasibility of doing the trip in much under a fortnight. It took us 3 days travelling from the channel ports, stopping in Luxembourg (end of day 1), Germany (end of day 2), and onto Innsbruck by the end of day 3. While it's probably possible to do it in 2 days, don't forget that the towing speed limit in Germany and Austria is 80kph, or 50mph so you don't cover the sort of ground that you'd do in countries with a higher speed limit such as France.

However, the site was fantastic, Austria was fantastic, and we all can't wait to go back.

 

[DianneT]

Yes Nattersee is a wonderful site and takes ACSI card too out of season. Can thoroughly recommend it.

 

[smiley]

Hi All
I have been going through all your comments.

Hopefully I can nab hubby and start to sort some of it out.....

thanks
Will keep you posted

 

[DianneT]

When are you going smiley?

 

[smiley]

Hi Everyone
Were going on Wednesday 20th Diane..

Just managed to get hubby in front of a map..

Can any of you tell me where we would have to go for the MOT on the caravan?
Have to go faster than 80km/h I know a 100km/h isn't mush more but its better.

Looked at the tirol and yes, it looks nice.

 

[JonnyG]

If as you say you are going for 9 days,unless you plan to go through germany every year on holiday,I cannot see it being worth getting to a tuv station in germany to have your caravan updated.but i am sure if LUTZ reads this he will help.
Also on German m/way 2 lane ones, i seem to recall caravan cannot over take or use outside lane of 2 lane m/ways anyway.
but again stand to be corrected
I too have never found Austria particular "cheap" but thankfully its not as expensive as it was

 

[Lutz]

In order to obtain a 100km/h permit for Germany the oufit must fulfil the following technical requirements:
1. The towcar must be fitted with ABS braking system
2. Documentary confirmation from the caravan manufacturer that the caravan is suitable for 100km/h is required
3. The tyres must have a speed rating of at least 120km/h
4. The tyres must be less than 6 years old
5. The weight ratio must not exceed 100% if the caravan or the car is fitted with a suitable trailer stabilising system and the caravan has hydraulic shock absorbers (80% if no stabiliser is fitted, 30% if the caravan has no shock absorbers)
If all these criteria are fulfilled you can go to the nearest TÜV station once you are in Germany and obtain a permit. However, as JonnyG says, it's hardly worth the bother for a 9 day stay. Besides, unless you are in a signposted 80km/h speed limit anyway, the chances of being caught for exceeding 80km/h are fairly remote unless you are speeding excessively. The biggest potential problem is if you have an accident and one can prove that you were going over 80km/h, in which case the German insurance company of any third party involved will be down on you like a ton of bricks.
Note that a 100km/h permit for Germany doesn't allow you to drive over 80km/h in Austria (or most other countries other than France and Belgium).
Except where specifically signposted you can overtake on a 2 lane motorway, but you may not use the 3rd lane.

 

[DianneT]

Austria is cheaper than all other countries we visit it is certainly much much cheaper than the UK.. Fuel is a lot cheaper than Germany or even Belgium. Food is slightly cheaper in Germany which is virtually the cheapest in Europe.

 

[smiley]

Hi Lutz
1 yes on car
2 Documentary confirmation from the caravan manufacturer that the caravan is suitable for 100km/h is required What sort?
3 The tyres must have a speed rating of at least 120km/h How would know the speed of tyres?
4 that's ok
5 The weight ratio must not exceed 100% if the caravan or the car is fitted with a suitable trailer stabilising system. We have an ALKO....
and the caravan has hydraulic shock absorbers (80% if no stabiliser is fitted, 30% if the caravan has no shock absorbers) Do you mean hydrolics brakes???
I think i'm getting confused. LOL
What other countries are 80km/h ?
Just want to make sure were towing right..
thanks
On anther note I think I'll post separately it will be less confusing for me anyway!! LOL

 

[Lutz]

Hi Lutz
1 yes on car
2 Documentary confirmation from the caravan manufacturer that the caravan is suitable for 100km/h is required What sort?
A letter of confirmation from the caravan manufacturer or a carbon copy of a note to that effect in the owner's handbook will suffice.
3 The tyres must have a speed rating of at least 120km/h How would know the speed of tyres?
An 'N' or higher letter on the sidewall designation indicates a speed rating of at least 120km/h. (I don't know of any caravan tyre that doesn't meet this requirement).
4 that's ok
5 The weight ratio must not exceed 100% if the caravan or the car is fitted with a suitable trailer stabilising system. We have an ALKO....
and the caravan has hydraulic shock absorbers (80% if no stabiliser is fitted, 30% if the caravan has no shock absorbers) Do you mean hydrolics brakes???
No, I mean hydraulic shock absorbers, also known as viscous dampers, but they are the standard sort anyway.
I think i'm getting confused. LOL
What other countries are 80km/h ?

All countries except France (130km/h), Belgium (120m/h), Bulgaria and Portugal (both 100km/h), Netherlands, Slovakia and Romania (all 90km/h), Portugal (100km/h).
In Austria the speed limit is 100km/h if the gross train weight is less than 3.5 tonnes, otherwise 80km/h applies.
Just want to make sure were towing right..
thanks
On anther note I think I'll post separately it will be less confusing for me anyway!! LOL

 

[DavidKlyne]

Hi Everyone
Were going on Wednesday 20th Diane..

Just managed to get hubby in front of a map..

Can any of you tell me where we would have to go for the MOT on the caravan?
Have to go faster than 80km/h I know a 100km/h isn't mush more but its better.

Looked at the tirol and yes, it looks nice.

Why? You are going to waste half a day at a TUV station getting a Tempo 100 certificate and that is only possible if your caravan meets the requirements as set out by Lutz. Whilst not quite legal you could do as we do and many of the Dutch just keep up with the trucks which can be between 50 and 60 mph but don't rely on your car speedo as they tend to over read, I find my sat nav gives me a more accurate speed. On some sections of autobahn there are overtaking restrictions on 2 lane carraigeways although its not always clear if it applies to towed caravans. Perhaps Lutz could clarify?
David

 

[Tony_5041742]

Couldn't agree more with David. We travelled through a lot of 80kph territory last year through Germany and Austria en route to Italy, and used the sat nav and cruise control to settle at a speed of around 50mph/80kph on sat nav which related to 55mph/88kph on the speedo. The up side of that was the fuel economy of the outfit (2008 2 litre diesel Galaxy towing 1500kg) was excellent, around mid 30s mpg. We get closer to mid - late 20s at 60-65mph which is our usual UK or France touring speed. We did around 250 miles a day so perhaps it took the odd 20 or 30 minutes extra each day, but the reduction in fuel cost and relaxed driving environment more than made up for it IMHO.

 

[Lutz]

On some sections of autobahn there are overtaking restrictions on 2 lane carraigeways although its not always clear if it applies to towed caravans. Perhaps Lutz could clarify?
David

Only if the 'No overtaking' sign is accompanied by a symbol showing a car towing a trailer does the restriction apply to caravans (see below). One usually finds such signs only in road works where there is a lane width restriction in the overtaking lane. If the 'No overtaking' sign is only accompanied by a lorry symbol, it does not apply to caravans.