Van life country guides

🇦🇹 Austria

Content

1.Our route
2.Our blog posts about Austria
3.What you need to know about Austria

Our route

Trip stats

🗓️ 16. July 2025 - 23. July 2025
🕒 Time spent: 6 d 23 h 35 m
🚐 Distance driven: 573 km
💨 Average speed: 66 km/h
🗻 Max elevation: 653 m
📍 Overnight locations: 4

Our blog posts about Austria

Image of a car on the Vienna Prater Chain Carussel

🇦🇹 Austria🌄 On the road🚐 Van life

AT25.1 A weekend in Vienna

We arrived in Vienna on a Friday evening and checked into a busy campsite. Luckily, we found a quiet spot in the back corner. The weather was on our side this weekend, with blue skies and sunshine and we were so excited to explore Vienna. And what should I say: Vienna is overwhelming in the best possible way. Walking through the city feels like stepping into a giant open-air museum. Every corner reveals another architectural masterpiece or historic story carved into stone. It’s no wonder that Vienna consistently ranks among the most liveable cities in the world.

22 July 2025Episode #16Kathrin

🇦🇹 Austria🌄 On the road🚐 Van life

AT25.2 From deep lakes to vintage vans

After exploring city after city, we felt the pull of nature again, not to mention the itch to finally try out our SUP board. Our first stop was Gmunden, a picture-perfect town on the shores of Lake Traun. On Sunday, we spent the whole day out on the water, paddling with the mountains as our backdrop. Did you know that Traunsee is Austria’s deepest lake at over 190 metres? In the evening, we bought a pizza, sat down on the lakeshore and watched the sun set over the water, it’s the simple moments that really are the best.

25 July 2025Episode #17Kathrin

What you need to know about Austria

🧭 Country Basics

Safety

No concerns, we felt super safe.

Local Attitudes Toward Campers

Mixed - some areas are clearly fed up with us campers (due to our own fault of course). But some are very open and we even found a couple who run a free campsite!

Noise & Peacefulness

It's usually very quite once you leave bigger cities.

Cultural Highlights

Wiener Schnitzel (so we heard - we are vegetarians) and Apfelstrudel!

Language & Communication

English is widely accepted.

🚗 Getting Around

Road Quality & Driving Conditions

Road conditions are quite good. They should be as you pay a toll!

Toll Roads & Vignettes

Highways are toll roads and you must purchase before entering otherwise you will face steep fines. You can purchase online and it's priced ok.

Border Crossings

Austria is part of the Schengen are, meaning no border checks when you enter from another Schengen country.

Police Attitude & Checks

We did not have any experience with the police.

🏕️ Where to Sleep

Free Camping Availability

We found it exceptionally hard to find spots. Mostly, because the spots that once existed are now prohibited due to the usual reason: Some campers ruin it for all of us. Let's all please follow the basic rules and leave spots cleaner than we found them!

Paid Campsites

You can easily find lots of paid campsites or smaller sites run by private individuals. The cost varies a lot and in our opinion is way too high - some charge upwards of 40€ for a simple pitch with no services.

Motorhome Infrastructure

Also quite difficult at times and we didn't really find a "trick" we can share.

💶 Budget & Daily Life

Groceries & Dining Out

Groceries and dinner are OK mostly. Some items are on the more expensive side.

Fuel Prices

Diesel - I'd say "standard" mid-European prices. Watch out on highways though - they will charge a premium of up to 0,50€ extra just because it's on the highway.

Camping Costs

40€ and upwards

Laundry

Depending on size of the machine somewhere between 6€ and 12€..

Mobile Internet Quality

4G/5G signal strength is exceptional in most places.

SIM Card Access

We can't comment..

Wi-Fi Availability

Didn't seem like there is a lot of free Wi-Fi going around.

Water Access

Sometimes a bit tricky to find fresh water.

Dump Stations & Toilets

Also a bit tricky, best to plan ahead a little..

Shopping & Supplies

No issues at all here, it's Europe, you get everything everywhere any time.

Laundromats

Very easy to find good ones with plenty of machines.

☀️ Climate & Tips

Best Time to Visit

I'd say pretty much all year round, it's your typical mid-European weather: wet in Winter without any real extremes, somewhat hot yet also wet in Summer.

Weather Extremes

Nothing worth mentioning.

Bug/Mosquito Factor

When you are close to open waters you will find bugs/mosquitos, but far from Scotland levels ;)

Hidden Gems or Disappointments

Biggest disappointment was the cost of camping!

Apps That Helped

Park4Night