Driving in Europe l Self-drive in Austria l Fantastic experience l Some pointers for Indian drivers.

First time driving in Europe, what a fantastic experience.
Austria has strict driving rules but the quality of their roads and routes is beyond compare, not a single pothole or bump in the 1500 odd kms that I covered there.
Got to learn so many new things along the way, memories made, which will be forever cherished.
#austria #selfdriving #selfdrive #europe #salzburg #innsbruck #vienna #Graz #grundlsee #hallstatt #bmw #bmwactive2series

[@OnyxandChico]

Thank you very much for this.

[@vikramjawalkar]

if there is any constructions happening on the road then the orange line are drawn ... if you see orange line it means that you can ignore the white lines and follow only the orange line.

[@iPhonesuechtler]

About the roundabouts. In Austria, by law, the person inside the roundabout actually has to yield. (Very little people know this) But literally almost every roundabout as yield signs at every entrance, turning the general law completely upside down. (Signs of course overrule the default) That’s what everybody is used to and expects is every case. If you’re in the roundabout, you can and do expect the people to break, that are driving up to the roundabout, to wait for you to pass and enter after, if there isn’t already someone behind you in the roundabout. To be able to be sure, the yield sign is the only upside down triangle sign, so that you can know by looking at the backside, that the other person has a yield sign. I actually know of only a single roundabout, used by only a couple of dozen people a day, very away from most things, that doesn’t have the yield signs at the entrances! The only backwards (or not?) roundabout I know, and I’ve seen and used hundreds, if not thousands in Austria.

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Thank you for clarifying the air of uncertainty that hovers around roundabouts. Honestly, your answer has refreshed the anxiety i had experienced while navigating through the roundabouts from two years ago..lol

[@santajijadhav2323]

Nice sir 👍

[@ameyajoshi2237]

Thank you so much brother, good information 👍

[@ashishdebsikdar]

You are welcome brother, thanks for the appreciation.

[@iPhonesuechtler]

This comment section seems like it needs a few pro tips from someone living and driving here: -Keeping to the speed limits: You should, especially if you don’t know the roads. Locals will get impatient, sometimes very uncomfortably getting close, flashing the lights even honking, if you go 5km/h under or even if you go exactly the speed limit. They really shouldn’t and I hate it too. If people start out on an angry foot with you, you should generally ignore and just say ok, move on. Sometimes people let their anger out on the road, because of the anonymity, and it gets quite sad and offensive… Try to not let it get to you! -When not on the highway, and you are not on a priority road (look it up!) always slow down at every intersection to appropriate speeds to be able to give way to people coming from the right! Right before left is a general rule, only if a sign says differently, it is different. Traffic handlers (yellow vest) or Police of course outrank everything. -Traffics lights and LED signs overpower fixed signs, if they conflict. (Intersections at night will often only have blinking yellow light, that’s what the signs at intersections with traffic lights are for. If there are no signs -> right before left!) -Mountain roads, especially in the villages and towns, can get very narrow and steep. If there isn’t a minimum lane width available, the middle marking will be gone, indicating that you should be able to stop in half the distance you can see. If someone has to back up, the general rule and courtesy is, that the person that only has to roll backwards downhill goes back, not the person that has to back up up the hill. -General speed limits: In Austria it’s 130 for highways (Autobahn, has a special sign and your vehicle has to be able to go at least 60 to be allowed to go on [no red number plates] Also, you need the Vignette (toll) before you go on the Autobahn, could get very expensive otherwise [150€]! 100 “überland” basically anywhere not in a city/town/village or Autobahn. If the city/town name is crossed out, you can accelerate to 100 if no sign says otherwise. (Except of course, the next town is starting where previous one ended, which is often the case) In city/towns its 50. Know where you are, and the “end of all limits” sign will never be a mystery to you again.

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Wow, comprehensive and concise. T hanks a ton for taking the time to write your tips and helping all who wish to drive in Europe, especially Austria. Much appreciated, cheers. Wish i had access to this information before my roadtrip.

[@mistryapurva]

Wonderful video and very valuable points! I recently drove in Italy and can relate to everything you said. Again, rented the car from SIXT and am very happy with the decision. However, what I learned about the yellow/orange lines are that they are temporary lanes created by the road construction teams, while there is work going on any road. If there are yellow/orange lines, those are the lanes you follow instead of the white lined lanes. Hope you had fun though!

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hi Apurva, thank you for your appreciation and for clarifying my doubt regarding the orange and yellow lines. Happy motoring, cheers.

[@arpitsharma1362]

Hello..is gomore car sharing platform an authentic one in Austria ?

[@ashishkl]

Do you need an IDP to drive in Austria or general Indian license works? Did you get an IDP - how did you get? I have english version with smartchip for the license. Wondering if we still need or any workaround for the same.

[@gagan39]

Thank you so much

[@gagan39]

We are planning to drive across Austria and Croatia and your tips were very helpfyl

[@ashishdebsikdar]

@@gagan39 Thank you for the appreciation. 👍🏻

[@ramihaddad799]

Thank you for your tips. We are planning to drive from Vienna to Salzburg (and then to Kaprun and Halstatt). I've seen from your video how organized and calm driving is to Salzburg. Would you say it's the same in more countryside or rural areas like Halstatt or Zell Am See, or is it more tricky and difficult (steep inclines, disorganized driving, tight lanes, etc.)?

[@iPhonesuechtler]

About the roundabouts. In Austria, by law, the person inside the roundabout actually has to yield. (Very little people know this) But literally almost every roundabout as yield signs at every entrance, turning the general law completely upside down. (Signs of course overrule the default) That’s what everybody is used to and expects is every case. If you’re in the roundabout, you can and do expect the people to break, that are driving up to the roundabout, to wait for you to pass and enter after, if there isn’t already someone behind you in the roundabout. To be able to be sure, the yield sign is the only upside down triangle sign, so that you can know by looking at the backside, that the other person has a yield sign. I actually know of only a single roundabout, used by only a couple of dozen people a day, very away from most things, that doesn’t have the yield signs at the entrances! The only backwards (or not?) roundabout I know, and I’ve seen and used hundreds, if not thousands in Austria.

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Driving to Salzburg from Innsbruck is calm and hassle free because one uses the highway. The road network and quality of roads in Austria is beyond fanstastic. The countryside (rural areas) are even more enjoyable to drive around in. The roads are narrrow but traffic was less. Infact, the Salzkammergut region of Austria is best enjoyed by car because it gives you the freedom to explore places where connectivity is sparse and make impromptu halts (designated areas) along the way. The drive to Hallstat was scenic and enjoyable, finding a parking space there was a hassle. Had to go up and down the road a couple of times before i could find a parking slot. Maybe, it will be easier if you visit Hallstat in the early morning hours before the vast number of tourists crowd the place.

[@subhajitnag9044]

I’m planning to explore Austria on this August. Where can I rent a car ? Can I get it from Vienna airport like pick and drop or any other places you can recommend?

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hello, usually, charges for airport pick and drop services tend to be on the higher side. You can go to the car rental website of your choosing (some options are Sixt, Europcar, Avis, Budget) and check whether they have a pick and drop point in the city center. I had picked my car from a Sixt center near the central railway station in Vienna. Alternatively, you can reach your destination and search for available car options directly. I have been told you can negotiate and get a better deal that way. Also, you know for sure that what you see is what you get.

[@subhajitnag9044]

@@ashishdebsikdar thank you so much !

[@aniketnraut]

Can you also share your experience on Child safety related regulations. Could hear a kid in background. Do you need a booster or child seat in the car?

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hi, yes, a child seat is compulsory when in Europe and many other countries. Whether you need a child seat or a booster seat depends upon the age and height of your child. I had purchased a child seat here and gotten my child accustomed to it beforehand. While booking your car, you have the option of selecting a child seat for an extra charge. So, the car you choose (compact/sedan/suv/van) depends upon the number of people, including children and the luggage.

[@aniketnraut]

@@ashishdebsikdar thanks for the quick reply can you share some insights from here did you book the car? was it pre booked or u got one once you reached there? also i saw on a site where the rent for baby booster seat is almost equal or more than the cost of buying one lol..

[@krunalpatel629]

From where did you rent a car? I mean which dealer

[@ramihaddad799]

Sixt

[@ramamurthyshivanna9539]

How about the Toll payments with rental cars ?

[@ashishdebsikdar]

I had done a road-trip of Austria, so I'm not sure about all of the European countries. In Austria, the rental cars come with a vignette, which is basically a sticker placed on the windshield. There were barely any toll plazas as such on the highways. A vignette is mandatory and usually included with the rental car fare. If a car has been rented from a country other than Austria, then one can purchase the vignette from gas stations. Had to pass through this tunnel called the Gleinalm Tunnel for which I had to shell out 10 Euros, that's about it. Rest everywhere the vignette was sufficient.

[@ramihaddad799]

Does the vignette automatically give the car the permission to be driven, or do you need to pay to fill the credit in the vignette?

[@DeepakSharma-gg4pp]

Hi ashish if possible can we get connected somehow. i am planning to drive through Europe in first & second week of June. If u can guide me with your exp over there.

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hi Deepak, you can connect on Instagram I suppose, my Insta handle is by my name.

[@shubhampb95]

Can we go without an International driving perimit

[@ashishdebsikdar]

Hi, to be honest, you can. But, one never knows what the car rental guys/cops might ask for when abroad. In my case, I had my international driving license made, which is usually valid for a year. But the guys from the car rental company (Sixt) did not ask me for it. They said, and I quote, "If your driving license has a chip (smart card), then you don't need an international driving license." It's best you get one made, that is, to be on the safer side.

[@vikaspathak2411]

​@@ashishdebsikdar Hi Ashish did you get your international driving license via RTO or using some website like international drivers association? If you got it from RTO then do they ask for VISA too ?

[@ashishdebsikdar]

@@vikaspathak2411 Hi Vikas, I got my license through an agent, personally from the RTO. Visa was not a requirement for application. Basically, in Maharashtra, the international license i got is a booklet which had particulars entered by hand (only your luck will tell whether the clerk has a good handwriting), and with a one year validity. Do make sure that the address on your driving licence and passport is the same. Also, Aadhar is not a requirement, but the RTO officer insisted on one. The application fee is nominal, but the actual fee one pays depends on the officer, i hope you get my drift.

[@vijaypatodi1771]

@@ashishdebsikdar Hi Ashish, can you tell me if the Maharashtra RTO can issue an IDP for multiple countries? The RTO Sarathi website does not have an option to select multiple countries while applying for the IDP. Lets say If I applied for an IDP specifying Austria, but I'm wondering if it will also be valid in other EU countries like Germany or France. Do you know if the IDP for Austria will be accepted in Germany or France? I also have a smart card driving license with a chip. Another international driving organization's provides the IDP for multiple countries, but when I checked with a rental car company, they told me to get a government-issued IDP, as they don't recognize or accept IDPs from other issuing organizations.