Austria Road Trip Itinerary: A Complete Guide to 2 Weeks in Austria

Before you start your road trip across Austria, you may want to spend a few days exploring Vienna. You absolutely do not need a car in the city, as public transit is excellent. And, it’s a hassle to figure out where to park legally. So, we recommend picking up your rental car after visiting the city.

Vienna is one of the most immaculate cities in Europe. You’ll be romanced from the moment you arrive. Though there are many things to do and see, I find that Vienna is never stressful. You can explore slowly, taking in the sites between breaks in traditional coffee houses. 

Explore Vienna

We’ve written a lot about Vienna, so explore these posts at your leisure. 

• Vienna City Guide
• Vienna Hidden Gems
• Best Traditional Coffee Houses in Vienna
• How to Get Vienna State Opera Standing Tickets

Stay in Vienna

Budget | Comfy apartments at Siebertgasse is a cheerful, and light-filled apartment-style accommodation in the 12th district, close to the Margaretengürtel U-Bahn station (U4). Each apartment has a kitchen and dining area. We love the airiness, the pastel accents, and the minimalist design of these apartments. This is a great place to stay if you’re an independent traveler, who craves exploring a city on your own terms.

Midrange | Hotel Schani Salon is an excellent hotel located on Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s biggest shopping street, a few steps away from the Neubaugasse U-Bahn station (U3). We love this Vienna hotel, because of the bright, modern rooms, the friendly vibe, the communal lounge and bar, and the helpful staff. Breakfast is healthy and varied.

Luxury | Altstadt Vienna is a boutique 4-star hotel in the charming Spittelberg quarter, close to Kunsthistorisches Museum. This contemporary-art-filled hotel features uniquely designed interiors and a hidden rooftop terrace (open from March until October). A wonderful breakfast is served in the Red Salon daily. In the afternoon, complimentary tea and homemade cakes are served in front of the open fireplace.

Splurge | SO/ Vienna is a stylish and modern hotel located in the 2nd district, directly on the Danube Canal, at the Schwedenbrücke bridge. From this prime location, it takes only 10-minutes to walk to Stephansdom. Flaunting a 750 m² spa area and a panoramic rooftop bar and restaurant (Das Loft), So/ Vienna offers the discerning traveler a place to relax and savor the very heart of the city.

Look for accommodation in Vienna.

Let’s officially kick off this Austria road trip. We recommend spending your first whole day at a Therme, aka an Austrian spa. You’re on vacation after all. 

Experience a Therme

A Therme is a thermal spa complex that houses thermal pools, various saunas, resting and silent rooms, and a cafeteria. They typically offer massage, spa, and wellness treatments as well. But unlike spa complexes in other parts of the world, you don’t need to have a treatment in order to access all the pools and saunas.

Typically, the price structure is broken down into a 3-hour pass, all-day pass, or an evening pass. Sauna access is an extra charge. 

The sauna complex in a Therme is an adults-only area. For hygienic purposes, saunas in Austria are always textile-free. That means bathing suits are strictly prohibited in the sauna. Get ready to take it all off and rock your birthday suit. In most saunas, genders are integrated. It’s not creepy, I promise!

If you stay the night at a Therme spa hotel, access to the thermal spa is included. You’ll also be supplied with slippers, bathrobes, and towels. It’s actually one of the most relaxing things you can do. So, if you need some time to get over your jet lag, or just want to integrate wellness and relaxation into your trip (in a super authentic way), this is it. Remember to bring your Kindle.

Stay in a Therme Wellness Hotel

Choose one of these Thermen, and book an overnight. 

Therme Linsberg Asia in Lower Austria 

This wellness hotel in Lower Austria combines great lighting with impeccable design. Because it’s adults-only, the pool and sauna areas flow together seamlessly. 

Book your Stay at Therme Linsberg Asia.

Rogner Bad Blumau in Styria

The Blumau hotel and thermal complex were designed by none other than Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Need I say more? If you love art and want to bathe and steam in basically a huge Huntertwasser installation, stay here. 

Book your Stay at Rogner Bad Blumau.

St Martins Therme & Lodge in Burgenland 

This is a blissfully tranquil Therme-hotel with an “Austrian Safari” theme. The whole complex is surrounded by water. I spent my birthday here and have never felt more relaxed. Staying overnight in St. Martins is a treat. However, it’s a bit out of the way. The other two Thermen above are almost directly on the route.

Book your Stay at St. Martins Therme & Lodge.

Photo Credit: Rogner Bad Blumau © Hundertwasser Architekturprojekt 

After a relaxing day/night at the Therme, your Austria road trip continues south to Südsteiermark (South Styria), Austria’s unofficial culinary and wine capital.

While you’ll certainly find great food everywhere in Austria, South Styria combines respect for tradition with a spirit of innovation. Food is (dare I say) more interesting and creative here. 

Visit Riegersburg

On your way down, you can visit Riegersburg, a picturesque medieval castle enthroned on top of a mighty volcanic rock. The castle and town of Riegersburg are located in the Styrian region of Vulkanland, which is also a wine-growing region.

For great views of the castle and the surrounding wine country, visit a local wine tavern (Buschenschank). We recommend visiting Wippel for wine, food, and great views, or Buschenschank Bernhart for wine and Jause (meat and cheese platters). 

Gamlitz, South Styria

Continue driving to Gamlitz, the heart of South Styria. We recommend using Gamlitz as your base for exploring this region for several reasons. First, it’s central. Second, you can take advantage of the free Gamlitz Taxi Service, which will usher you between your accommodation and the wine tavern (Buschenschank), winery (Weingut), or restaurant (Wirtshaus) of your choice.

Your hotel will call the taxi for you and make any necessary reservations (at least ours did – Jaglhof). 

Eat Dinner in Gamlitz

For dinner, you can decide between eating at a Wirtshaus (restaurant), Heuriger (wine tavern), or a Buschenschank (rustic wine tavern). 

One of the loveliest ways to experience Styrian wine culture is in a traditional wine tavern. Buschenschänke are taverns run by winemakers. Some wine taverns are open all year round, while others are only open during certain months. By law, Buschenschänke can only serve cold food and their own wines. A Heuriger, by contrast, can also serve warm food and other wines. 

We ate dinner at Buschenschank Hack – Gebell. We were blown away by the quality and taste of the cheese and meats. We ordered two different Jausen (platters). We used the free Gamlitz taxi to get here. 

If you’re looking for a more formal meal, consider Jaglhof by Domaines Kilger, Wirtshaus Maitz, or Kogel 3. We recommend making a reservation. 

Stay in Jaglhof by Domaines Kilger in Gamlitz

Domaines Kilger is a Styrian winery that operates the restaurant and Jaglhof. Here are 5 reasons to stay here: 

1. Dream Location. The hotel isn’t located in the town center of Gamlitz, but rather on a hill surrounded by vineyards. After a few days of wandering about this region, we can confirm that the views from Jaglhof are simply the finest. 
2. Divine Sunrise and Sunset. The outdoor terrace is perfect for watching the sunset.
3. Luxurious Mattress and Bedding.  
4. On-site Restaurant (open Thursday – Monday). 
5. Private Wine Tasting. Guests can request a private wine tasting of Domaines Kilger and Schiefer wines.

Book your stay at Jaglhof.

Look for accommodation in Gamlitz.

Day 3 of your Austria itinerary is all about relishing the tastes, smells, and sites of South Styria. We wrote this wine tasting guide to South Styria where we explain how wines are classified in this region, which wineries to visit, tips for wine tasting, and more. 

South Styrian Wine Road

You can spend the day driving the South Styrian Wine Road, which starts in Ehrenhausen and ends in Leutschach. There are many (too many to name) wineries located along the route. 

Wine Tasting in Kitzeck im Sausal

You can also head to Kitzeck im Sausal and visit Weingut and Buschenschank Schauer (winery and wine tavern) Genusshof Kilger (wine tavern),  Weingut Kodolitsch (winery), and Kogel 3 (restaurant).

Stay a Second Night in Gamlitz

Stay another night at Jaglhof by Domaines Kilger in Gamlitz.

Look for accommodation in Gamlitz.

Your Austria road trip continues to Graz, the charming capital of Styria, and then northeast to Filzmoos. 

Visit Graz, Capital of Styria

Driving Time: 45 min
Total Kilometers: 49 km

Graz is actually Austria’s second-largest city, though it feels more like a town. The Styrian capital impresses immediately with its beautiful architecture and laid-back atmosphere. We recommend eating lunch here and walking around the city’s Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The historical center sports splendidly medieval facades as well as visionary modern buildings. From the Old Town, head to Schlossberg (Castle Hill). The uphill walk will take you to the iconic Uhrturm (clock tower), where you’ll have a great view of the city.

Eat lunch at Der Steier and treat yourself to coffee and cake at Tagescafe Freiblick, a rooftop café located in the Kastner & Öhler department store.

Drive to Filzmoos

Driving Time: 2.5 hours
Total Kilometers:  187 km

From Graz, drive 2.5 hours to the alpine town of Filzmoos in Salzburg State. Facing the Gosaukamm, which forms part of the Dachstein mountain range, Filzmoos is a lovely base for exploring the magical Northern Limestone Alps. 

Learn More: Wonderful things to do in Filzmoos in the summer

Stay in Filzmoos

Midrange | Hotel Bergglück is a traditional Austria bed and breakfast, owned by the same family for over 250 years. With its affordable price point and friendly hosts, you can’t go wrong if you stay here.

Luxury | meiZeit Lodge is a new hotel in Filzmoos that is quickly becoming the best base in the area for skiing as well as hiking. Guests praise the caring staff, the sunny terrace, the Fit & Well facilities (Finnish pine sauna, BIO herbal sauna, Infrared relaxation loungers, relaxation zone, and Vital drink bar), the generous and varied breakfast buffet, and the overall charm. A bonus of staying here is the complimentary afternoon pie and cake selection served daily between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.

Look for accommodation in Filzmoos. 

Hike to Alm Pasture Huts in the Dachstein Mountains

What makes Salzburg a particularly delightful hiking destination is the region’s Alm culture. An Alm is a high alpine pasture where livestock graze freely in the summer months. To learn more about Almen and alpine transhumance, read The Alps in Summer: 10 Things you Need to Know Before Visiting.

In fact, Salzburger Land has the highest density of alpine pastures among the Austrian states. During the hiking season, mountain pasture huts (Almhütten) welcome hikers and make for divinely sinful lunch breaks.

You have a full day to explore Filzmoos. Start your day by driving to Hofalmen. There’s a small toll (5 EUR) to drive to Hofalmen. Here, you’ll find two alpine pasture huts and the trailheads to Hofpürglhütte (mountain hut) and Sulzenalmen (two more alpine pasture huts).

For the most divine, mouth-watering Kaiserschmarrn you’ll ever have, head directly to Sulzenalmen (1-hour hike). You can easily extend this hike into a full-day adventure. Use our Filzmoos guide for more information. 

Side Trip to Ramsau am Dachstein

You can also head to Ramsau am Dachstein (15-minute drive), another holiday town facing the Dachstein range for more hiking and walking. We love this scenic 5 huts trail. 

Stay in Filzmoos

• Midrange | Hotel Bergglück
• Luxury | meiZeit Lodge

Look for accommodation in Filzmoos.

Your Austria road trip dramatically crescendos as you drive the awe-inspiring Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Großglockner Hochalpenstraße) today. The road is typically open from early-mid May until the end of October. 

Driving Time: 3:30 hours (Filzmoos to Matrei in Osttirol)
Total Kilometers: 182 km

Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The 48-km Grossglockner High Alpine Road is a paved serpentine road that steers you into the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park and directly to the base of the Grossglockner (3,798 m), Austria’s highest mountain. The alpine road stretches between Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße in Salzburg with Heiligenblut am Großglockner in Carinthia. 

The drive from Filzmoos to Fusch an der Großglocknerstraße is about 1 hour. You’ll pay a 37.50 EUR toll (see pricing table) to access the road. Here’s everything you need to know about driving the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße, including where to stop, hike, and eat. 

Stay in Matrei in Osttirol

After exploring all the beautiful places on and off Austria’s most majestic road, you can either stay the night in Heiligenblut, the southern gateway to the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße, or continue the drive to either Lienz or Matrei in Osttirol.

Budget | Zedlacherhof is a lovely and authentic place to stay when you’re on a budget. Located in Zedlach village, 4.5 km from the town center of Matrei in Osttirol, this family-run guesthouse is advantageously surrounded by mountains. The hosts are extremely welcoming and helpful.

Midrange | AlpenParks Montana Matrei is located directly in Matrei and offers both double rooms and family studios. The breakfast is excellent and the alpine views are superb.

Luxury | Natur- und Wanderhotel Outside combines alpine charm with modern sensibilities. Located in the center of Matrei, this 4-star hotel checks all the boxes: spa and wellness, regional sourcing of ingredients, gourmet food, and fresh design.

Look for accommodation in Matrei in Osttirol.

Or Stay in Gschlösstal

Tomorrow, we recommend hiking the Innergschlöss Glacier Trail. If you want to spend the night at the trailhead, you can stay at Matreier Tauernhaus (where we stayed).

This traditional Austrian guesthouse is located at the entrance of the Gschlösstal valley. This is where you’ll take the shuttle to the small hamlet of Innergschlöss, in order to start the Glacier Trail. If you decide to stay in Matreier Tauernhaus, you’ll have a pretty stress-free day (plus free parking). 

Book your Stay at Matreier Tauernhaus.

Drive to Matreier Tauernhaus in Gschlösstal

Your Austria road trip continues to the stunning Gschlößtal valley in East Tyrol.

If you’re staying in Matrei in Osttirol, it’s a 15-minute drive to Gschlößtal valley.

Innergschlöss Glacier Trail

From Gschlöss Valley, you’ll embark on one of Austria’s finest day hiking trails: the Innergschlöss Glacier Loop Trail (Gletscherweg in German).

Learn More About this Hike: Secret Escape to Innergschlöss

Stay a Second night in Gschlösstal or in Matrei in Osttirol

• Budget: Matreier Tauernhaus in Gschlösstal
• Budget: Zedlacherhof
• Midrange: AlpenParks Montana Matrei
• Luxury: Natur- und Wanderhotel Outside

Look for accommodation in Matrei in Osttirol.

After experiencing the hidden splendors of Hohe Tauern National Park, it’s time to journey further West to the town of Mayrhofen in Zillertal Valley. Note: there’s a toll on this route (explained below).

Drive to Mayrhofen

Driving Time: 2 hours
Total Kilometers: 90.4 km

Südportal Felbertauerntunnel – Mautstelle (Toll Station)

After leaving Matreier Tauernhaus, continue driving on 108 (north) in the direction of Südportal Felbertauerntunnel. You have to pay a toll of 11 EUR (private cars) to drive through the tunnel. See current pricing here.

Explore Mayrhofen and Hike in the Zillertal Alps

Mayrhofen is a quintessential alpine town in Tyrol. Lively and charming, Mayrhofen is the perfect base for exploring the celebrated Zillertal Alps. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, outdoor clothing stores, and hotels to keep you busy when you’re not out hiking. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Mayrhofen in Summer. And, here’s a guide to the popular Olpererhütte day hike. Quick summary of things to do in Mayrhofen in summer and early fall:

1. Eat cake at Konditorei Kostner 
2. Grab a Schnitzel Semmel at Butcher Hans Gasser 
3. Eat dinner at Hotel Neue Post
4. Hike to Olpererhütte
5. Walk around Speicher Zillergründl to Hohenau Alm
6. Hike from Speicher Zillergründl to Plauener Hütte 
7. Visit Stilluptal Valley

Stay 2 Nights in Mayrhofen

Budget | Landhotel Rauchenwalderhof is a cozy and traditional guesthouse in Mayrhofen with an attractive price point. Guests love the location, outdoor swimming pool, and hospitality. Breakfast is included.

Midrange | We stayed in the 4-star Alpenhotel Kramerwirt, a family-run hotel in the center of Mayrhofen. This traditional Austrian hotel exhibits a high standard of hospitality, food, and comfort. We loved the spaciousness, light, bedding, and design of our sunkissed “Superior Room.” In the evening, local bands and ensembles perform on the outdoor patio. Their breakfast buffet is also outstanding. As soon as you finish breakfast, you’ll be excited for the next morning.

Luxury | ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat- Adults only is a luxurious hotel in Mayrhofen featuring beautiful spa facilities, outstanding cuisine, and alpine-modern furnishings. This is the best place to stay in Mayrhofen for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway.

Look for accommodation in Mayrhofen.

Drive to Lech am Arlberg in Vorarlberg

The fastest way to get to Lech am Arlberg from Mayrhofen is via St. Anton am Arlberg via the A12 (Inntal Autobahn). However, a more scenic route is via the Bschlaber Landesstrasse (L246) and the Hahntennjoch saddle, which cuts through the Lechtal Alps.

The Bschlaber Landesstrasse connects Inntal valley and the Lechtal valley.

When you reach Lechtal, turn right and make a quick detour to LechZeit hotel and restaurant in Elmen for lunch. They serve their full menu between 11:30 am and 2:00 pm and a limited menu between 2:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

Driving Time: 3 hours
Total Distance: 195 km

What to Do in Lech am Arlberg

Lech am Arlberg is a famous ski resort town. While everyone associates Lech with winter, we think summer is the best time to visit.

Lech is a particularly enjoyable destination because it’s wedged between the Lechquellen Mountains to the west and the Lechtal Alps to the east. Both ranges are accessible directly from the town via cableways and seasonal buses.

We recommend the following day hikes:

• Lake Fomarinsee to Lake Spullersee: Moderately Difficult
• Rüfikopf – Stuttgarter Hut – Zürs: Moderate
• Oberlech – Göppinger Hütte – Gasthaus Älpele: Moderately Difficult
• Lechweg Stage 1: Lake Formarinsee to Lech am Arlberg: Easy

Learn More: Lech am Arlberg Summer Hiking Guide

Stay 2 Nights in Lech am Arlberg

Hotel Auenhof is a family-run, 4-star hotel in Lech am Arlberg. Located directly on the River Lech and facing Omeshorn, this welcoming hotel offers swell alpine views as well as a central location.

The family and staff work side-by-side to ensure that every guest is well looked after. During our stay, it became quickly apparent that many of the guests were return visitors, loyal to the hotel and very fond of the staff.

In addition to the excellent management, we loved the gourmet dinners, afternoon snacks (“Nachmittagsjause”), the location, the wellness area and tea bar.

Book your stay at Hotel Auenhof.

Look for accommodation in Lech am Arlberg.

This Austria road trip itinerary continues west to Brandnertal, a valley in the Austrian State of Vorarlberg. Brandnertal is the gateway to the Rätikon, a limestone mountain range that straddles the border between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. 

Drive to Brandnertal

Driving Time: 50 Minutes 
Total Kilometers: 50.2 km

Take the Lünerseebahn to Lünersee Lake

• Roundtrip Prices (as of Summer 2021): 18.10 EUR for Adults; 17.20 EUR for Seniors; 10.90 EUR for Children.
• Operating hours: ascent: every 15 min between 8:00 am and 16:55 pm; descent: every 15 min between 8:10 am and 17:00 pm

Lünersee Walks and Hikes

Once you ascend to the lake, you have several options. 

1. You can walk the easy circuit trail that wraps around the entire lake – 2 hours, 6.1 km (easy)
2. You can hike the circuit trail and then ascend to Gafalljoch ridge (2239 m) – 3 hours, 8.7 km (moderate).
3. Or, if you’re looking for a challenge, you can hike to Schesaplana (2964 m) – 7 hours, 11.2 km – the highest peak in the Rätikon Alps (difficult).

Learn More: Lünersee Hiking Guide

Where to Eat around Lünersee

There’s a mountain hut located at the Lünerseebahn top station called Douglashütte. The food is excellent and the service is swift. On the other side of the lake, there’ a small alpine pasture hut called Lünersee Alpe. Their menu is very limited, so if you’re hungry, definitely eat at Douglashütte. And, then grab a mid-walk beer or beverage at the Alm.

Stay 2 Nights in Brandnertal

We suggest basing yourself in the town of Brand in Brandnertal, or on the high alpine plateau Tschengla, which overlooks Brandnertal

Budget | Pension Bergkristall is an apartment-style accommodation in Brand, next to the Dorfbahn Cable Car Station. If you’re planning to base yourself in Brandnertal for a few days, or even a week, you’ll feel very comfortable here. Breakfast is available upon request.

Midrange | Hotel Lün is a top-rated modern alpine hotel in Brand, offering double rooms as well as apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes and dining areas. Highlights of staying here are the spa area, the breakfast buffet, the fresh and cheerful design.

Luxury | Aktiv-Hotel Sarotla is a stylish and modern hotel with excellent spa facilities, spacious rooms with balconies, and a fabulous hotel restaurant and bar. Guests can participate in guided hiking and cycling tours free of charge.

Luxury | The 4-star Schillerkopf Alpine Resort is an exceptional place to stay when you’re ready to take a vacation from your vacation. Positioned on the Tschengla Plateau, high above Brandertal, you’ll be treated to mountain and valley views whether you’re in your bedroom, in the dining room, or in the garden. 

Staying in Schillerkopf is also a culinary experience. Each day, guests are pampered with a 4 chapter Gaumenpoesie (“poetry of the palate”) package. In a nutshell that means that your stay includes a bountiful breakfast (7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.), followed by a lunch buffet (12:00 p.m.), followed by a late afternoon dessert buffet (3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.), followed by a 6-course dinner accompanied by live music. So, basically, you don’t want to leave. 

The 4 chapter concept pays homage to the literary genius Friedrich Schiller. Like reading a novel, you progress through the day, one culinary chapter at a time. 

Look for accommodation in Brandnertal.

Drive to Innsbruck

Driving Time: 2 hours
Total Kilometers: 146 km

Your Austria trip heads back east to the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck. Framed by the Karwendel Mountains and the Tux Alps, Innsbruck is a stunner. Spend a few hours walking around the Altstadt (Old Town), and you’ll be completely mesmerized. 

Your Austria travel itinerary concludes here in Innsbruck. If you want to stay the night, look for accommodation here.

Heading Back to Vienna

Many of you will want to return to Vienna. It’s about a 6-hour drive from Innsbruck to Austria. 

Consider adding a day to visit Salzburg City on your way back to Vienna.

We didn’t include Salzburg in our itinerary, because we’re not fans. It feels like a bloated tourist bus stop. That’s just our opinion, though. If you’ve always wanted to see Mozart’s birthplace and Sound of Music filming locations, by all means, go.

Where to Next?

• Northern Italy: Dolomites Road Trip
• Slovenia: Slovenia Road Trip
• Germany: Germany Travel Guide