Austria Travel Tips
One of the most visited countries in Europe is the country of Austria. A landlocked country, Austria is situated right in the heart of the European continent. It shares its borders with Germany and Czech Republic on the north, Slovakia and Hungary on the east, Italy and Slovenia on the south and Switzerland on the west. The country is also bordered by the majestic Swiss Alps, giving the country the beautiful landscapes and sceneries.
With the country being recognized as a center of commerce and finance in the region, Austria, indeed, features a perfect blend of the traditional, natural and the modern. If you are planning to travel to Austria for the first time, here are just some tips to help you get the most out of your travel experience.
Public Transportation
Generally speaking, Austria is one country that is visited by tourists all year round. Deciding on when to go would greatly be based on your travel itinerary. For first time travelers, the best time to visit Austria is during the spring time. Austria experiences a humid continental climate, partly due to its geography. While travelers need not to really worry about heavy rainfalls during their stay, the country can be extremely warm during the summer months and very cold during the winter months.
Car Rentals
Austria is a cosmopolitan city and as such, there is a wide variety of different modes of transportation that you can avail of during your travel. Buses and trains are ideal if you are visiting the country of Austria for the very first time. Apart from taking you to the major tourist spots within a particular city, these buses and trains would also take you to and from one major city to the next at regular schedules. You can avail of all-day and weekly passes from your local travel agent prior to your trip. These passes provide you unlimited access to buses and trains that go through the country, making it ideal if your itinerary involves you traveling from one major city in Austria to another.
Unless you are coming from another European Union country, it is highly advisable to make sure that you first secure an International Driver’s Passport with a German translation in your home country before you make your reservations for the car rental. This is because in Austria, not all valid drivers’ licenses from different countries in the world would be accepted.
Where To Stay
In some cases, you may also need to provide some proof of insurance to the car rental company before they would allow you to take the car. Make sure that you get these necessary documents first in order prior to booking your car rental for your trip to Austria. Austrian traffic authorities are extremely strict. Make sure that you adhere to all of the rules and regulations of the country with regards to driving in order to save you the inconvenience of having to pay a fine, which can be rather costly. For example, when driving, make sure that you keep your headlights open, even in the day time. Failure to do this can mean you having to pay a fine of €15.