Mad Cow Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Hi all Other half has seen an article in recent motorhome mag about Austria and I must say it looks fab. Still being in employment (roll on retirement) I only get so much hols so can anyone tell me the best way to cross and the best route and the essentials to see in Austria. We live in the South East and about 2.5 hours from Dover. Mad Cow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapido-lass Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 It is possible to do lots in 2 weeks as we are limited to time through work. The way we see things is that you'll never have enough time to see everything where ever you go, but, if you do as much as you can it gives you an insight and you can always go back and do it at leisure when you are lucky enough to have the time. Just to put it in prospective - we managed to see Santa Land in Finland as well as go to the Nordkapp, Hammerfest, Tromso etc in a fortnight - admittedly rushed, but what an experience! We'll be back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I agree with Cathy here - get over there and do what you can in the time you've got. Any of the short crossings (Dover/Ramsgate/Folkestone - Boulogne/Calais/Dunkerque/Ostend) will point you in the right direction for Austria. Check out the prices and times which suit you. If Austria is the main point of the trip, I'd recommend using motorways to get there. Hang the expense, and don't spare the horses. I know fuel consumption is better if you take it easy, but you've only got a fortnight so put your foot down and get the max possible time in your destination country. You can enjoy the intervening scenery another time. We spent some time in Vienna as part of our recent Grand Tour. There's a free Stellplatz at the train station at Kritzendorf. You can park for a few days and go into town by train each day. Need to be sound sleepers though - it's very near the track! Enjoy yourselves Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Cow Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Thanks for the encouragement. We only did our first trip abroad this year to France and had great fun but like to stay a couple of nights in some places so that we can actually have a bit of a rest in between. Mad Cow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Cow Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 Will have to get the map out and check out the motorways. Lots of time to do research on places to see. Vienna is a must do and will have to take the ear plugs with me! Cheers Mad Cow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Momma Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 I used to travel through Austria (over Brenner Pass to Italy) when I lived in Germany. Often said I would stop in Austria at some point but never have. If you do the trip grateful if when you come back you let me know about the 'Go Box' system that they have introduced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest peter Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Salzburg and salzkamergut then down to Krimmel falls and Grossglockner. Then back up to Innsbruk and over the German border at Kufstein and home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapido-lass Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Big Momma - 2009-09-29 7:13 PM I used to travel through Austria (over Brenner Pass to Italy) when I lived in Germany. Often said I would stop in Austria at some point but never have. If you do the trip grateful if when you come back you let me know about the 'Go Box' system that they have introduced. Regarding the Go-Box, we got one last year when we travelled in Austria. This is needed if your motorhome is over 3.5ton otherwise a vignette is all you require. You need your log book to actually get the Go-Box registered to your vehicle. If memory serves me right, it cost about Euro 80, but most of that becomes credit on the machine. You can get these Go-Box near the motorway in Austria - follow signs saying 'Vertreib' all the trucks go there to top up their boxes. Every time you go past one of the sensors on the motorway gantry, it bleeps and deducts a fee automatically. Contrary to some peoples belief - when you leave Austria, you can surrender the Go-box and get yhe remainder credit refunded or leave it on the box for your next holiday! I also believe (memory serving me correct) that the G-Box is valid for 2 years. However, I have seen something about Austria's Go-Box charges changing depending on emissions on the forum but not had time to read it, so please don't take what I have said as gospel until you have confirmed the later. Hope this helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 seefeld is nice, and a short scenic train journey to Innsbruck It has a cracking campsite http://www.camp-alpin.at/english/camp2.php This is the best Salzburg campsite http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17160&posts=1 Its at the bottom of this post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 and it took us 15hrs to drive salzburg (1.5 hrs of stops) to tunnel in the summer, going the tomtom route, and averaging 70-80mph (when there wasnt any roadworks- they seemed to be for half the journey in germany :-( ) It was a long drive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 There's a travel report on Austria in the "November" (yeah whatever) issue of PMH you might find helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catinou Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Travelling to Italy for the last couple of times we have gone via France, Belgium, Germany, Austria.(Thanks to info on this site after our first expensive trip via French motorways!) There were no motorway charges on any we used until we reached Austria so not really expensive to drive to. Enjoy your trip wherever you end up. B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Cow Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Wow - what a response to my question. Loads of stuff here to get on with. Bit concerned about the Go Box thingy as we are definitely over 3.5tons! Thanks to everyone and I will research all your points thoroughly. Regards, Mad Cow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Obvious, I know, but to get as much as possible out of a short trip, you need to decide what you want to see before you go, and then target that. Most (but not all!) of Austria is mountainous and very scenic, but there is much, much, more, if you are interested in the culture. Why not get a guide from the library and read that, then see what appeals, then get out the maps and see what, realistically, you can get to in one trip? To save time and money, generally stay out of France on the way down, by using the German Autobahnen. If you want free stopovers, there are plenty of stellplatze you can use: if you prefer campsites, ditto. You will be speed limited (even on the autobahn) as you are over 3.5 tonnes, so don't forget to check the appropriate limits. You will need a Go Box for Austrian Autobahnen (and one or two other roads around Vienna), but not if you say off these roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.