Motorhoming in Austria: Your Ultimate Guide (Videos Inc.)

Who hasn’t wanted to visit Austria after watching the Sound of Music? Where Alpine meadows meet stunning Baroque (an opulent style of building) architecture.

Mozart, Strauss, strudel, schnitzel, and Alpine-style houses with blooming window boxes and picture-perfect landscapes await you while motorhoming in Austria.

Our Austria Motorhome road trip began in Vienna, the capital city. We’d just finished our Slovenia road trip and had a whistlestop visit to Bratislava (the capital of neighbouring Slovakia).

We arrived enthused and excited for the next leg of our European road trip to campervan in Austria.

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Overview of Places to Visit on Your Austria Campervan Trip

Summary of places to visit on your motorhome or campervan trip through Austria (we cover these in more detail with extra recommendations in the post – click on a place name to find it in the post)

Vienna

Ottenschlagg

Ardagger

Attersee

Salzburg

Hallstatt

Gosau

Heiligenblut

Obervellach

Ferlach

Suggested Austria Road Trip Route

• Vienna > Ottenschlagg (115km, 1.5 hours)
• Ottenschlagg > Ardagger (65km, 1 hour)
• Ardagger > Attersee (130km, 1.5 hours)
• Attersee > Salzburg (70km, 1 hour)
• Salzburg > Halstatt (80km, 1.5 hours)
• Halstatt > Gosau (15km, 20 mins)
• Gosau > Grossglockner (90km, 1.5 hours)
• Grossglockner > Heiligenblut (48km, 2 hours or more, depending on stops)
• Heiligenblut > Obervellach (53km, 45 minutes)
• Obervellach > Ferlach (110km, 1.5 hours)

12-Day Austria Itinerary

Planning a campervan or motorhome road trip in Austria can be overwhelming, with many incredible places to visit.

To make it easier, here’s a realistic itinerary covering the highlights to start your planning adventure. Tweek to spend more or less time at the places that interest you above or other places you read about visiting in Austria.

All places are discussed in detail further in the post.

Day 1: Arrival in Vienna

• Explore Vienna: Hofburg Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Austrian Parliament.
• Attend a Mozart Concert: Enjoy the Vienna Mozart Orchestra in historical costumes.
• Stay: Reisemobil Stellplatz Wien.

Day 2: Vienna to Ottenschlag (115 km, 1.5 hours)

• Drive to Ottenschlag: Scenic drive through the Austrian countryside.
• Visit Mohnhof Gressl: Explore the poppy farm and museum.
• Hike and Bike: Pick wild strawberries and blueberries in the adjacent forest.
• Stay: Ottenschlag Wohnmobil Stellplatz.

Day 3: Ottenschlag to Ardagger (65 km, 1 hour)

• Cycle the Danube Cycle Path: Enjoy a 25 km ride along the Danube River.
• Relax at Naturbadeteiche Hößgang: Swim and unwind in the nature reserve.
• Stay: Parkplatz Donauwelle.

Day 4: Ardagger to Attersee (130 km, 1.5 hours)

• Explore Attersee: Drive around Austria’s largest lake and enjoy the Alpine views.
• Dinner at Rosslwirt: Park for free at the Rosslwirt Stellplatz if you dine at the restaurant.
• Stay: Rosslwirt Stellplatz.

Day 5: Attersee to Salzburg (70 km, 1 hour)

• Discover Salzburg: Walk through the old town, visit St. Peter’s Abbey, and explore Mirabel Palace and Gardens.
• Optional Sound of Music Tour: Relive iconic scenes from the movie.
• Stay: Reisemobile Stellplatz Salzburg.

Day 6: Salzburg to Hallstatt (80 km, 1.5 hours)

• Arrive Early: Beat the crowds in this picturesque village.
• Explore Hallstatt: Visit the salt mine and the Charnel Chapel.
• Photography Tour: Consider a sunrise or guided walking tour.
• Stay: Nearby camper stop (check the interactive map).

Day 7: Hallstatt to Gosau (15 km, 20 mins)

• Relax in Gosau: Enjoy the serene lakes and forests with fewer tourists.
• Hike Around Lake Gosausee: Take in the stunning Dachstein Mountain views.
• Stay: Gosauschmied Camperstop.

Day 8: Gosau to Großglockner (90 km, 1.5 hours)

• Drive the Großglockner High Alpine Road: Experience Austria’s highest surfaced mountain pass with 36 hairpin bends.
• Wildlife Spotting: Look out for vultures, ibex, and marmots.
• Stay: Campsite near Heiligenblut.

Day 9: Großglockner to Heiligenblut (48 km, 2 hours)

• Explore Heiligenblut: Visit St. Vincent’s Church and the Iron Book memorial.
• Hiking: Enjoy scenic trails around this picturesque village.
• Stay: Local camperstop (check the interactive map).

Day 10: Heiligenblut to Obervellach (53 km, 45 mins)

• Visit Falkenstein Castle: Walk to the castle and see the railway bridge.
• Hike to Groppenstein Waterfalls: Climb the gorge for stunning views.
• Stay: Aktiv-Sport Erlebnis-Camp.

Day 11: Obervellach to Ferlach (110 km, 1.5 hours)

• Hike the Tscheppa Gorge: Discover waterfalls and scenic trails.
• Relax by the Stream: Cool off in the stream at your campsite.
• Stay: Ferlach Wohnmobile Stellplatz.

Day 12: Return to Vienna or Continue to Slovenia

• Option 1: Return to Vienna: Visit Graz on the way back (260 km, 3.5 hours).
• Option 2: Head to Slovenia: Explore Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and Bohinj Lake (70 km, 1 hour).

👉 READ MORE: If you are travelling as a couple, this post: 21 Fantastic Road Trip Tips for Couples will be helpful. 

Motorhoming in Austria Interactive Map

How to Use This Motorhoming in Austria Route Map

1. To use this interactive map effectively, click the square icon in the upper right corner to expand.
2. A key will appear on the left, guiding you through various locations.
3. Clicking on any site reveals detailed information about that spot.
4. Each campervan stopover on the map links to the Camper Contact website. Here, you can explore available amenities, pricing, and operational hours and read reviews from other travellers.
5. Look for motorhome overnight stops marked by an orange circle (🟠) with a motorhome icon.
6. The places we’ve personally visited are also highlighted with distinct location icons.

To make your road trip planning easier, download our FREE printable planner below:

Austria Road Trip Video

Here’s a small taster of the stunning landscapes and vibrant experiences awaiting you on this Austrian road trip.

Enjoy a preview of the breathtaking scenery, historic landmarks, and cultural highlights that make this journey unforgettable.

Where Can You Camp When Motorhoming in Austria?

Austria has many stellplatz  – places where you can stay overnight in your motorhome or campervan.

We used the Camper Contact app (about 6 euros/year) to find our overnight motorhome spots on our Austria Road Trip. They have over 600 motorhome parking and service areas listed throughout Austria.

Some motorhomers also use Park4night. Our European preference is Camper Contact, but it’s good to know you have a backup option.

To help with your planning, we’ve included our motorhome overnight stops on the above map.

Can You Wildcamp in Austria?

No, you can’t wild camp in Austria. It is prohibited. You can park on private land only with the owner’s permission. Also, the authorities will likely issue you a fine on the spot rather than ask you to move on.

Motorhome Hire in Austria

If you are hiring a campervan or motorhome, then German motorhome rental is one of the cheaper European countries to rent from. For this reason, our European year in a motorhome journey began with our first road trip through Germany.

Germany shares a border with Austria, so starting your Austria road trip in Germany may be more economical. We travel on a budget, so this was an important factor for us.

However, compare prices and see what is best for you.

We hired the first motorhome from McRent, and the second was from DRM. Being newbies, we organised our McRent motorhome ourselves, but when we wanted to extend our trip and change our motorhome, we went through Motorhome Republic. 

They negotiated a much better deal than we could get when we tried going to the motorhome rental companies ourselves. And they did all the hard work! We are now affiliated with them because we were so impressed.

Also, remember to check what campervan accessories and gadgets come with the motorhome and whether the price includes them.

👉 READ MORE: How to Plan A Road Trip — Your Ultimate Guide

Places to visit on your Austrian Motorhome Road Trip Route

1. Vienna (Wien)

We bought a 48-hour train ticket for the Austrian subway, which was easy to use and handy to get around various parts of Vienna.

Along with this easy transport system, the subway was only about 200 metres from the campsite.

We wandered around the Hofburg (the Burg), once the Imperial Palace for the Habsburgs (part of the German dynasty, once a prominent Royal House of Europe).

Gardens, statues and ornate buildings surround it. Nowadays, it’s the residence of the Austrian president.

Trotting through the streets of Vienna are many Viennese fiakers ( horse-drawn four-wheeled carriages) that take tourists on a tour of this decadent city.

Just as ostentatious as the Burg are the Parliament buildings, a mere 500 metres away.

Across the road from the Parliament Buildings is a beautiful rose garden (Rosengarten) with what seemed to have every rose known to man.

We passed the famous Musikverein, and as it was Lars’s birthday, we decided to book a concert for the evening, Mozart and Strauss, played by the Vienna (Weiner) Mozart Orchestra.

Lars loves that type of music, but I am somewhat of a philistine and can’t see the appeal.

But I do dearly love my husband, so I sat through what most would find moving and melodic.

The orchestra was dressed in historical period costumes, creating a unique atmosphere in one of Vienna’s largest and most famous concert halls.

While in Vienna, head to the fabulous Schonbrunn Palace, a short distance via the underground system. It was once the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers.

The vast grounds are filled with beautiful gardens and flower displays. You can watch a virtual tour of the palace and its amazing grounds here.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop Vienna: Reisemobil Stellplatz Wien

If you want to have a break from driving the motorhome and explore some of the best places in Austria with a private tour – this one leaves from Vienna and covers some of Austria’s favourites:

🏆 Private tour of Melk, Hallstatt and Salzburg

• Melk Abbey, a Benedictine abbey overlooking the Danube River,
• Hallstatt, Austria’s oldest and possibly most photographed village and
• Salzburg, Mozart’s hometown, explore its UNESCO-protected Old Town and “The Sound of Music” filming location.
• ⭐️4/5 Star Reviews | ⏰ 12 hours | Check availability here

2. Ottenschlag, Waldviertel

The next stop on our Austria motorhome road trip was Ottenschlag. Fields of pink and red poppies blanketed the fields.

The camperstop was on a great site beside an adjacent forest where we picked wild strawberries and blueberries. We even saw our first wild deer since beginning our motorhoming in Europe.

Ottenschlagg is famous for its locally produced grey poppy seed, and back in the day, this local poppy seed was even traded on the stock exchange.

The poppy strudel is popular here, and as the poppy seed is known for its healthy unsaturated fatty acids, this has to be a healthy snack option.

More than 200 hectares of poppy fields can be found in the Waldviertel area.

Just 3 kilometres from Ottenschlagg is Mohnhof Gressl, a small family-run poppy farm and museum. Here, you can buy several poppy-related products, such as soaps, pesto, liqueur, and a variety of others.

Other nearby attractions include the world-famous Benedictine Abbey, Melk Abbey and the city of Melk, all within the Wachau area, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Back at camp, we headed into the forest on our bikes. Not for the first time on our travels, Lars found a shortcut.

I now know better, and my ears prick up like an anxious animal when I hear him suggest a short cut;) Back then, though, I still believed he must have memorised the map and knew what he was talking about.

As it turned out – he had no idea where we were going!

I wasn’t ecstatically dragging my bike through head-high grass, but luckily, we have our alter-egos, Lady Penelope and Parker, to revert to and can find the funny side in most of our travel misadventures.

You can read more about this with many other tips on staying sane and having fun while travelling full-time in our article on travelling together as a couple.

When we arrived back at camp, we were welcomed with a poppy cake bought by the lovely couple in the motorhome next to us, Fred and Rica.

This amazing couple from Vienna set out on their electric bikes each day, went hiking, and were full of the joie de vivre, even though they were 80 and 81.

Health concerns kept them motorhoming in Austria, their home country, but they had previously travelled far and wide in their motorhome. They were a truly inspiring couple.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop: Ottenschlag Wohnmobil Stellplatz

3. Ardagger

This is the perfect stop on your Austria road trip to cycle or walk along the Danube Cycle Path (Donauradweg). Naturbadeteiche Hößgang is a beautiful small reserve on the cycle path where you can stop for a swim, admire the scenery, and enjoy the peace and quiet.

The Danube cycle path is mainly flat, and we cycled for more than 25km alongside the beautiful, albeit khaki-coloured Danube River.

It was at the Ardagger campsite that we met a Dutch couple and were amazed by the guy who wore his wooden clogs all the time. He even wore them when going for a walk and riding his bike.

I was so interested in this that he suggested I try them to see how comfy they were. They felt exactly like they were — wooden shoes.

I don’t think I’ll be swapping out my comfy Skechers any day soon.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop Ardagger Markt: Parkplatz Donauwelle

4. Attersee

Our next stop was in Austria’s Lake District, where you’ll find Austria’s largest lake, Lake Attersee.

We drove around the lake, stopping at various points to take in what was the all too familiar amazing Alpine views. If you are in a large motorhome or camper, be mindful that the road is pretty narrow in places.

Overnight parking around the lake was expensive, so we found a more reasonably priced camper stop just a few kilometres away at Rosslwirt Stellplatz.

There is space for ten motorhomes, and you can stay for free if you eat at the restaurant.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop: Rosslwirt Stellplatz

5. Salzburg

The next stop on this Austrian road trip is Salzburg. If you didn’t know that Mozart was born in Salzburg, you’ll soon discover that the city is very proud of that fact, with reminders everywhere you look.

And, of course, some of the renowned Sound of Music scenes were filmed here.

But Salzburg is more than Mozart and a Holywood movie set. Since 1997, the city’s old town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a city of “outstanding value to humanity”.

We wandered around the old town, taking in the numerous sights in the old town, and visited the intriguing St Peter’s Abbey.

Its cemetery has ancient catacombs and rock caves carved into Mönchsberg (the surrounding rock).

 We recommend the 4km walk through Salzberg’s UNESCO and historical sights, detailed in their tourism route map below.

For me, the Mirabel Palace and its breathtaking Baroque gardens were the highlight of Salzburg. I could picture myself singing “Do-re-mi ” with the Von Trapp children around the Pegasus Fountain in front of the palace.

In hindsight, I wish I’d planned to take the Sound of Music tour. It would have been just up my street.

We cycled 5km into Salzburg Old Town from the campsite, but there is also a bus route from the motorhome parking.

And Salzburg is just a hop and a skip from southern Germany.

Therefore, if you have time, we recommend popping into Germany (if your passport and insurance allow) and exploring its beautiful southwest corner of Bavaria. Lake Konigssee is spectacular, as is the surrounding area.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop Salzburg: Reisemobile Stellplatz

6. Hallstatt

I was looking forward to our stop in Hallstatt on our Austria camping trip because I’d seen so many amazing photos of what is one of Austria’s most well-known and photogenic villages.

I must admit that the landscape is beautiful, and the setting of this small town is breathtaking. It looks like it is straight out of a fairytale picture book.

However, Hallstatt is very commercialised and it was extremely busy with tourists. It’s hardly surprising that locals protested in August 2023 to complain about Hallstatt’s mass tourism. Although the village has only about 700 residents, it can see up to 10,000 visitors in summer.

Therefore, if you want to visit this village, we recommend arriving early in the morning to avoid the peak crowds and to visit in the shoulder or off-peak seasons.

OR

Hallstatt is surrounded by magnificent landscapes and traditional Alpine houses festooned with floral window boxes and is also home to the world’s oldest operating salt mine.

Saltzwelton is Halstatt’s UNESCO mine, dating back to prehistoric times. The wealth from the salt mine led to the town’s development.

An unusual attraction in this idyllic town is the Charnel Chapel (Bone House), where over 600 skulls have been painted. This mainly occurred in the 18th century when an existing grave needed to be reused. The skull was cleaned, painted and transferred to the ossuary.

You can only access Hallstatt on foot, so park in the designated car parks and walk or cycle into the town. (See Map above for motorhome parking)

7. Gosau

Heading away from Hallstatt and looking for our next campervan overnight stop in Austria, we found Gosau.

Gosau is a small Alpine Village in Upper Austria, near its stunning Lake, Gosausee. The Dachstein Mountain backdrop makes for spectacular scenic views. Gosau’s Alpine forests and sparkling lakes seem to be widely bypassed by the throngs of tourists that head to Hallstatt.

The motorhome stop we stayed at in Gosau was awesome. Even though we were in Austria at the end of June, the camperstop was empty and a lovely retreat after the nearby crowded Hallstatt.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop: Gosauschmied Camperstop

8. Großglockner High Alpine Pass

We recommend leaving Gossau early in the morning because the next road, as you motorhome Austria will be an adventure and a half.

The Grossglockner can get busy in peak season, so leave plenty of time to explore it. If you prefer, you can take an alternative route and avoid it if you travel in the months when the pass is closed.

It will take about an hour and a half to get to the start of the Großglockner and another two or so hours to drive its 48km winding road with 36 hairpin bends.

The Großglockner is Austria’s highest surfaced mountain pass, and it takes you through the snowy peaks of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

⭐️ This was one of our our favourite road trip routes in Europe, exciting, scenic and a tick off the bucket list!

Grossglockner Video

This video takes you along on our drive across the Grossglockner.

Almost a million visitors drive this road, considered Austria’s most scenic route.

There are plenty of designated stops along the way, and if you’re lucky, you might spot vultures, ibex, or marmots. If you don’t see the marmots, you will likely hear their chirps, which can easily be mistaken for birds.

The Großglockner opens from May to October. A car or motorhome up to 3500kg costs 43 Euros (2024 prices)

A motorhome over 3500kg is classed as a Truck and costs 48 Euros. For more details, check out the Großglockner website.

Großglockner Opening times:

• May: 6 am – 8 pm
• June/July/Aug: 5.30 am – 9.00 pm
• Sept/Oct: 6 am-7.30 pm
• Last entrance: 45 mins before close

9. Heiligenblut am Großglockner

Heiligenblut am Großglockner is another fairytale, picture-postcard village in Austria. Not surprisingly, its picturesque Alpine mountain landscape attracts hikers.

Its attractive gem of a church, St Vincents, appears in many Heilingenblut photos. But, not only is the church set amongst the jaw-dropping background of Grossglockner but it is said to be home to a special vial of Christ’s holy blood.

The Legend of Briccius tells us that a Danish knight, Briccius, obtained a vial of the holy blood of Christ in 914 AD in Constantinople. However, on his return home, while crossing the Alps, an avalanche buried him.

Facing death, he placed the vial into a large cut in his leg. When the snow cleared, locals found him at the point where three wheat shoots poked through the ground.

Due to this miraculous find, a church was built on the site, ‘Heiligen Bluet’ – the holy blood‘. Documents reference the first pilgrimage to the church in 1273.

Following this, in 1491, the church was officially consecrated.

Inside the church is a series of paintings depicting the story of Briccius. Moreover, the town’s coat of arms includes three ears of wheat, representing those found where Briccius lay dead.

In the church graveyard, you’ll find an interesting metal book with the names of those who have died in the Grossglockner Nature Reserve.

10. Obervallach

Our next stop on our motorhome trip through Austria was one of our best camper stops in the impressive Obervallach Valley.

We stayed in a site run by a couple of locals, but they no longer run it now – however, there is another camping site with good reviews nearer the town.

While in Obervallach, walk to Falkenstein Castle, with the Falkenstein railway bridge behind it.

About 5 km along the road towards Heilegunblut are the Groppenstein waterfalls. They are a steep but gorgeous climb up the side of the gorge beside the waterfall.

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop Obervellach: Aktiv- Sport Erlebnis-Camp

11. Ferlach

Our final stop on this Austrian road trip is Ferlach. The area has many hiking routes, including the Tscheppa Gorge, a popular hike with numerous waterfalls.

We stayed at a great site beside a small stream, which is great for a quick dip in hot weather. Although it was only late June, the temperature reached the 30s (Celcius).

🚐 Motorhome Camperstop: Ferlach Wohnmobile Stellplatz

How to Continue Your Motorhoming Austria Trip

If you were only doing an Austrian road trip, this would be a good point to get back to Vienna, perhaps visiting Graz, the second-largest city after Vienna, on the way.

Alternatively, you could travel south to Slovenia. Its beautiful capital, Ljubljana, one of our favourite European cities due to its compactness, is only 70 kilometres (an hour’s drive) from Ferlach.

Additionally, Slovenia’s Lake Bled, Bohinj Lake and the beautiful Jezesko Valley are all within one to two hours away.

However, we were off to motorhome in Switzerland, so we backtracked and headed to Switzerland via the Tyrol area of Austria.

Driving Tips for Your Austria Motorhome Trip

• In Austria, you drive on the right and overtake on the left
• Seatbelts are compulsory
• Always have the following documents to hand:
  • Driver’s licence (An international driver’s licence isn’t required if you hold a driver’s licence issued by an EU Member State) See more here
  • Vehicle insurance (including a green card)
  • Vehicle registration document
  • Passport
• The following equipment is compulsory:
  • Reflective Vest – to be used when getting out of the car in the event of an accident or breakdown on any road.
  • Warning triangle in case of an accident
  • First Aid Kit
• You need a vignette displayed on your windscreen or a digital vignette. These can be bought at the border, post offices and petrol stations, or you can buy a Digital Vignette.
• Speed Limits on Austrian roads are as follows unless otherwise signposted:
  • 130 km/h (80mph) on motorways (Autobahns)
  • 100 km/h (60mph) on expressways and outside towns
  • 50 km/h (30mph) in built-up areas.

• Winter Tyres: Drivers must be suitably equipped for winter conditions between 1 November and 15 April. This means that drivers using the roads in wintry conditions during this period must have winter tyres fitted.
• Austria Road signs – find a comprehensive guide here
• Emergency Number: 112
• Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes may have different rules – check the Austrian Road Rules here.

Handy Tips for Motorhoming In Austria

• Currency: Euro
• Language: German
• Shopping: Most Shops close on Sunday
• ‘ß’ represents the double ‘s’ (ss) in German

Handy German Words for Motorhoming in Austria

The main language in Austria is German. Some people also speak English, but knowing some words relevant to your motorhoming Austria road trip will occasionally help.

• Motorhome → Wohnmobile
• Motorway → Autobahn
• Motorhome overnight stop → Stellplatz or Wohnmobilstellplatz or Reisemobilstellplatz
• Pay and Display → Nur mit Parkschein
• Exit /Entrance→ Ausfarht/einfarht
• Petrol Station → Tankstelle
• Petrol → Benzine

Handy Phrases

• A common greeting used as a hello/hi is Gruß Gott (Groos got)
• Please: Bitte (bit-a)
• Many thanks: Vielen Dank (vee- len-dank)

Motorhoming in Austria … That’s a Wrap

A motorhome journey through Austria is an adventure filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, and cultural treasures. Each stop offers unique experiences and lasting memories.

Whether exploring charming villages, hiking scenic trails, or enjoying vibrant city life, Austria has something for everyone. Use this guide to make the most of your Austrian adventure.

Bookmark this guide, share your travel experiences in the comments and check out our related posts for more tips and itineraries.

Happy travels!

PS. Don’t forget to download our FREE Printable Road Trip Planner