Austria is one of the easiest Alpine countries for a campervan trip. The roads are excellent, the distances are manageable and a lot of the scenery that people queue for in Switzerland is also here: glaciers, turquoise lakes, mountain huts and villages that look like paintings. It is also a country with strict camping rules and a few road charges that surprise first-time visitors.

This is a researched guide based on the CampervanPlanet Austria page as we saw it in early November 2026. We have not hired a van in Austria ourselves, so we stick to what the page and stable local facts tell us.

Our campervan rental guide covers hiring basics, and this post focuses on Austria.

Where to pick up

The page lists Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, plus smaller towns. Vienna suits a Danube and eastern Austria start, with the Wachau valley close by. Salzburg is ideal for the Salzkammergut lakes and the Grossglockner. Innsbruck is the gateway to Tyrol, with its high valleys and ski resorts. A one-way trip from Vienna to Innsbruck covers most of the country in a week.

Austria drives on the right, and the road network is among the best in Europe. The page lists four vehicle types, from a Budget Camper at €85 a day to a Family Motorhome from €219 a day. Compact vans suit Vienna, Salzburg and the Wachau valley, while larger motorhomes are better for families but less comfortable on narrow mountain roads.

Three routes that work

The classic route is the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria’s highest paved mountain road, with views of the Pasterze glacier. It is a toll road, usually open from early May to late October or early November depending on snow. Plan to arrive early, because it can be busy in summer.

The Salzkammergut lake district around Hallstatt, Wolfgangsee and Attersee suits a slow trip of lakeside campsites and short hikes. Hallstatt itself is crowded, so go early or stay at a campground outside the village. The Tyrol and Arlberg route heads west through Innsbruck, the Zillertal and the Arlberg pass, with high valleys and mountain villages.

In the east, the Wachau valley offers Danube cycling, wine and abbeys, and the Styrian wine road is a gentle late-summer option. A combined ten-day trip could run Vienna, Wachau, Salzkammergut, Grossglockner and Innsbruck.

Seasons and prices

The page splits the year into shoulder, summer and winter. Typical rates were about €157 a day in May and September and €188 a day from June to August. The cheapest listed vehicle, the Budget Camper, started from €85 a day. The shoulder months are the best compromise, with open passes and quieter roads. September brings stable weather, golden colours and the Styrian wine harvest.

Late May to mid-October is the sweet spot, when the high passes are open and campsites are fully operating. In winter, many passes close and a campervan needs winter equipment, so check conditions.

Fuel is a significant cost in mountains. The page quotes campervans typically using 8 to 10 litres per 100 km and larger motorhomes 10 to 14, with Austria’s mountains pushing consumption higher, at around €1.80 per litre (check current prices). Our real cost of a Nordic road trip shows a method for adding up fuel, food and camping.

Road charges and rules

Austrian motorways require a vignette, which is a paid pass that you must have before you enter. Ask your rental company whether it is included. Some mountain roads and tunnels, such as the Grossglockner, charge separate tolls. Check the current prices and rules on official sources.

Austria also has strict rules about vehicle size and weight on some roads, and speed limits are enforced. Mountain roads need low gears on descents. In winter, winter tyres are mandatory in certain months, and rental companies should supply them.

Camping rules

The page is clear that camping outside designated areas is banned outright, with heavy fines. That includes parking overnight at viewpoints and lay-bys in many regions. Use campsites, which are plentiful and usually well equipped, with hot showers, flush toilets and electricity hook-ups (the page mentions CEE 16A, so bring an adapter), and often a shop or restaurant on site.

Campsite costs are higher near ski resorts and big cities. In July and August, book ahead for lakeside sites. We wrote about why camping changes how we travel, and Austria’s campsites are a good example of how comfortable it can be.

A simple ten-day plan

Day one: pick up in Vienna and drive to the Wachau valley. Day two: Melk Abbey and Danube vineyards. Day three: Salzburg. Day four: Salzkammergut lakes and Hallstatt. Day five: drive to the Grossglockner. Day six: Grossglockner High Alpine Road and Zell am See. Day seven: Krimml waterfalls. Day eight: Innsbruck. Day nine: Tyrol valleys. Day ten: drop off the van.

If you have fewer days, skip Vienna and the Wachau and start in Salzburg. If you have more, add the Dolomites across the Italian border.

Booking tips

Check whether the vignette is included, whether winter tyres are provided and what the rules are for cross-border driving into Italy, Germany or Switzerland. Compare insurance excess, deposit and mileage. Check the electrical adapter and gas supply for campsites.

You can compare vans on CampervanPlanet’s Austria page, or consider a neighbouring country on the Switzerland page and the Germany page. Our code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off your booking at checkout.