Driving rules in Austria
Austria drives on the right-hand side of the road, the same as the rest of continental Europe, in left-hand-drive vehicles. If you are arriving from the UK, Ireland, Australia, or Japan, take extra care at roundabouts and intersections until you adjust. Austrian traffic laws are strictly enforced with both fixed and mobile speed cameras throughout the country. Fines start at around EUR 30 for minor speeding and can run far higher for serious violations.
Here are the key traffic regulations to keep in mind when driving a campervan in Austria:
- Speed limits: 130 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h outside towns, 50 km/h in towns, and 30 km/h in residential zones. Campervans and motorhomes over 3,500 kg are limited to 100 km/h on motorways and 70-80 km/h on other roads.
- Lights and safety kit: Use dipped headlights in poor visibility and in tunnels; daytime running lights are fitted to newer vehicles. Carry a warning triangle, hi-vis vest, and first-aid kit, which are legally required in the vehicle.
- Seatbelts mandatory: All passengers, front and rear, must wear seatbelts. Children under 14 or shorter than 150 cm must use an appropriate child seat or booster.
- Blood alcohol limit: 0.05% for standard drivers, 0.01% for new drivers (first 2 years) and professional drivers. Penalties are severe, including heavy fines and licence suspension.
- Motorway vignette: A digital, plate-linked e-vignette is mandatory on all Austrian motorways (A roads) and expressways (S roads). 2026 car-class prices: 10-day EUR 12.80, 2-month EUR 25.60, annual EUR 106.80. Most rental campervans up to 3.5 t include one, but always confirm with the operator.
- Special section tolls: Separate from the vignette, premium tolls apply to the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the Brenner motorway (A13), the Arlberg road tunnel, the Felbertauern, and the Tauern routes. Budget these on top.
- Right of way: Give way to traffic from the right unless signed otherwise. On narrow alpine roads, ascending vehicles generally have priority over descending ones, and buses always have right of way.
- Mobile phone use: Strictly prohibited while driving without a hands-free system. Pull over safely if you need to use your phone, or face on-the-spot fines.
Mountain passes and Alpine driving
Austria has a string of spectacular high alpine roads that deliver some of Europe's most thrilling driving. The crown jewel is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a 48 km hairpin route beneath Austria's highest peak, alongside scenic passes such as the Silvretta Hochalpenstrasse (Bielerhöhe), the Nockalmstrasse in Carinthia, the Gerlos Pass, and the Timmelsjoch in the Ötztal.
Most high passes are only open from roughly early May through late October/November, depending on snow. The Grossglockner's 2026 season runs from about 25 April to 2 November, with a separate day-ticket toll (~EUR 46.50 per car-class vehicle). Always check the current status before setting out. Year-round through-routes include the Brenner motorway (A13), the Arlberg road tunnel, and the Felbertauern and Tauern links.
Pro tip: If you are driving a larger motorhome (over 7 m), the Grossglockner has no hard size ban, but its 48 km of hairpins and steep grades are far more comfortable in a compact 2-berth campervan. Note that overnighting and camping on the pass are strictly prohibited. Confirm the road is seasonally open before planning your route.
Road conditions and weather
Austrian roads are among the best-maintained in Europe, with an excellent, well-signposted motorway network. However, mountain roads require extra attention, especially in changing conditions. Even in summer, alpine weather can shift rapidly, bringing fog, rain, or afternoon thunderstorms, and snow is possible on high passes in any month.
- Winter driving (Nov-mid Apr): Winter tyres (or snow chains on snow-covered roads) are legally required in wintry conditions roughly 1 November to 15 April, with a minimum 4 mm tread. Austrian rental vans are winterised in season, but confirm that winter tyres and chains are fitted or supplied.
- Road condition information: Check ASFINAG and ÖAMTC traffic services for current road conditions and pass closures. Many high passes close entirely in winter.
- Tunnels: Austria has major road tunnels including the Arlberg, Felbertauern, Tauern, and Karawanken tunnels, several of which carry special tolls. Keep headlights on and maintain a safe following distance.
- Livestock and wildlife: On alpine roads in summer, cattle may graze near or cross the road, and deer are common at dawn and dusk. Slow down and give them room.
Fuel and charging stations
Petrol and diesel stations are well-distributed across Austria, with coverage even in smaller alpine villages. You will rarely be far from a fuel station on main routes, though gaps can be longer on remote mountain passes. Major chains include OMV, Shell, BP, Eni, and discount stations like Turmöl.
Diesel (most rental vans run on diesel) averages around EUR 1.72-1.83 per litre as of mid-2026, though prices are volatile, so budget a buffer. Most stations accept credit cards at self-service pumps 24/7. For electric or hybrid campervans, Austria has an expanding charging network; check apps like PlugShare, Chargemap, or the SMATRICS network for locations.
Parking and tolls
Beyond the mandatory vignette and the special alpine section tolls (Grossglockner, Brenner A13, Arlberg and Felbertauern tunnels), Austria has no general road tolls for campervans up to 3.5 t. Heavier motorhomes over 3.5 t use the distance-based GO-Box system instead of the car vignette, relevant only for the largest rigs.
Parking in Austrian cities is well-organised but can be pricey, with paid short-stay zones (Kurzparkzonen) in city centres requiring a parking ticket or app. Many alpine villages and trailheads charge for parking, and width or overnight restrictions for motorhomes are common in historic old towns. Overnight parking is generally only permitted at designated Stellplätze or campsites, not in car parks, rest stops, or residential streets.
