ian81 Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 We are thinking of crossing from Austria to Italy in late April and are wondering what the alternatives are to the Brenner pass? What passes will be open? Are there any websites giving up to date information? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Hello Ian, It depends on which part of Austria you are. All passes in April could be affected with snow. I have been over the Brenner in June and it as snowed! Anyway, the best route is the Brenner for being kept open, they do their utmost to keep it open. If you are coming from Bregenz/St Anton way you will come to Landeck, take the 180 to Nauders and onto Merano. The other route is from Kitzbuhel to Lienz, you then have a choice at Lienz, turn right on the E66 to Dobbiaco then left on to the S51 to Cortina. Or from Lienz turn left and take the 100 to Mauthen then down to Udine in Italy. You will be required to carry snow chains with you during the Winter months and i think April is classed as one. If you are coming down from Graz/Klagenfurt area you should not have any problems as a rule only the heavy traffic especially East European truckers, hope this helps and safe journey. Almost forgot, dont forget your M/way toll pass if using M/ways in Austria. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 ian81 - 2009-04-02 9:19 PM We are thinking of crossing from Austria to Italy in late April and are wondering what the alternatives are to the Brenner pass? What passes will be open? Are there any websites giving up to date information? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. Some details of mountain passes are in the Caravan Club site books, height, normal opening periods, difficulty etc. Their has been a lot of snow all over the alps this year so this will create problems with the high passes early in the year. Most of the high scenic ones, which I assume you are looking for, have no specific opening time and this year anything over 2000 mtrs will be suspect in April/early May. The Brenner itself for example has two, the old one would probably be closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 "Almost forgot, dont forget your M/way toll pass if using M/ways in Austria." What Motorway toll pass? I read this time and time again from loads of posters. I am beginning think I am wrong so hopefully someone wil tell me if I am wrong. Austria has a Mororway Vignette system. If you are under 3500 Kg, you need to buy a Vignette. Most garages sell. If you are over 3500, you need a Go Box, which you load up with money and then automatic systems read them at select points and debits your account. When you leave Austria you get a refund of balance when you return the Go box. Tolls are payable for some tunnels, if there are no alternatve routes for non motorway traffic, then you can join the motorway before the tunnel to get access and pay a toll for the tunnel only. The danger I see is many people are believing it is a toll system so will happily join the Motorway ignoring the signs as they have been led to believe it is a toll system and happily drive down without a vignette and end up getting a heavy steep fine, steeper than the highest mountain pass. Now, if you are travelling to Slovenia, be warned they no longer have Motorway tolls but a vignette system for Motorways, and unlike Austria is a LOT more expensive (non M/Way Free). Like Switzerland it is an annual fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian81 Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hi guys and thanks for the responses. We are coming from Germany having travelled along the Swiss / German border and looking to go towards Innsburck and turn right but would like to not use the over used Brenner. Having done a number of the Swiss passes in the past we also would resent paying for the Swiss vignette -40Francs for a year whereas the Austrian one is just over €7 for 10 days. There are a number of sources online as well as the quoted books stating 'normal' months when passes are open but I was looking for an online site for Italy / Austria along the lines of http://www.swissinfo.org/ger/verkehrsinfo/index.html?siteSect=490#pass which gives an update on the Swiss passes status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hello Ian, Jon is correct, it is a vignette you need. It is so easy to say toll but I did say a M/way toll pass which is near enough the same meaning. I'm assuming you will be coming down through Bregenz if you are coming from Germany so I would think it would be best if you come off at Landeck, it is aside the M/way only a smallish town so it might be prudent just to go to the police station to find out if the 180 to Nauders is fully open (i think it will be OK). The customs post at Bregenz is still open as far as I'm aware so you can get your vignette from there or failing that stop at the first service station garage and get one, also at any post office. The last time i went through the Arlberg tunnel (just over 11km) it was free, it by-passes St Anton. As Jon pointed out make sure you get your vignette or Go-box if over 3.5 tonne because the fined's are steep. If you go this way ,stop at Merano if you have time, it's well worth it. That Swiss vignette as gone up a lot, it was only about £15 two year ago. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian81 Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Thanks Dave for your suggestion. That is one of the routes that I have been wondering about. Assuming one can get to Naders have you any ideas on the state of the roads on the Italian side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted April 3, 2009 Share Posted April 3, 2009 Hi Ian, No problems with roads, quite good. After Nauders you will go through the Passo Di Resia, this is a well known landmark, you may have seen a church tower sticking up out of a lake on some of the tourist brochures. There are some bendy bits but nothing to worry about, quite a pleasant run. I am starting a 3 week break to-morrow so im login out now but will check on here before i leave to see if you have any more questions, if not have a great journey. Just to reaffirm you should be ok on this route as it is only a low pass. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian81 Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Thanks Dave We shall try this way at the end of the month on our way to Pisa. Will post an update in mid May if the Chianti hasn't totally number the brain!! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Head for Fussen in Bavaria, then Reutte in Austria, Nassereith, Imst, Landeck (avoiding Autobahn), Prutz, Pfunds, Nauders, Resia, Malles Venosta, Merano, Bolzano, and thereafter where you like. No tolls, no vignette. Easy gradients, and a pretty ride on good roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silicongyro Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Brian i also commend that route - used many times and totally toll free. I can recommend staying at the Nesslewang stellplatz about 10 miles west of Fussen. This is adjacent to the ski lift car park at Nesslewang and provides wonderfull alpine views during your stay. Also as a point of interest my few years old TomTom navigator selects this very route (from Nesslewang) if you ask to keep off toll roads - so no worries on the precise routing either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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