Tirol peaks, the Grossglockner road, Salzburg's baroque grandeur & warm Carinthian lakes
Austria delivers Alpine grandeur at a significantly lower cost than Switzerland. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the finest drives in Europe, the Tirol valleys are extraordinary in any season, the Carinthian lakes warm enough to swim in from June to September, and Salzburg and Vienna are two of the most beautiful cities on the continent.
Austria is deeply accommodating to vanlifers: a well-developed campsite network, reasonable prices by Alpine standards, and roads that seem designed specifically for scenic driving. The country punches far above its weight for a nation of nine million people.
Austria is compact and varied — from Alpine rock to Baroque cities and warm swimming lakes.
The 48 km Grossglockner High Alpine Road is Austria's greatest drive — 36 hairpin bends climbing to 2,571 m, the Franz-Josefs-Höhe glacier viewpoint, and panoramic views over the highest peak in Austria. Open May to November. Separate toll required.
The Ötztal, Zillertal, Stubaital, and Lech valleys — some of the finest Alpine terrain in Europe. Innsbruck is a world-class city with mountains directly above it. The Hahntennjoch pass between the Lechtal and Inn valley is one of Austria's most dramatic drives.
Mozart's birthplace and one of the finest Baroque cities in Europe. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the fortress above is superbly preserved, and the Salzkammergut lake district begins just 30 km to the east. A mandatory stop on any Austrian route.
Austria's warmest region — the Wörthersee, Weissensee, and Millstätter See warm to 26°C in summer. Surrounded by mountains, these lakes are Austria's answer to Italy's lake district, at significantly lower prices and with far fewer crowds.
A UNESCO World Heritage region of 76 lakes in the mountains east of Salzburg. Hallstatt — possibly the most photographed village in the world — sits above a salt-mine that has been worked for 7,000 years. St Wolfgang and Bad Ischl are equally beautiful and far less crowded.
Austria's westernmost province borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein — and shares their level of mountain grandeur at lower prices. The Bregenzerwald valley's cheese road, the Arlberg ski area, and Lake Constance at the northern edge make it one of the country's most underrated corners.
Austria is one of the most van-friendly Alpine countries — here's what to prepare for.
Austria requires a vignette for all motorway use. Unlike Switzerland, Austria offers a short-term 10-day option (€9.90) which is ideal for through-trips. The 2-month vignette (€29.90) is better value for longer stays. Stick it to the windscreen — cameras enforce compliance.
Wild camping is prohibited throughout Austria. Enforcement is active, particularly in Tirol and Vorarlberg. The good news: Austria has an excellent campsite network with outstanding locations — many sit directly beside the mountain lakes or in alpine valleys with peak views.
Austrian campsites are notably cheaper than Switzerland: expect €18–35 per night for a pitch. Quality is generally high, with good facilities. Mountain valley sites fill quickly in July and August — book ahead for peak weeks.
Austria's mountain passes are less famous than Switzerland's but equally dramatic and significantly less crowded. The Timmelsjoch on the Italian border, the Hahntennjoch in Tirol, and the Nockalm Road in Carinthia are all world-class drives.
Austria's EV infrastructure is good in cities and along motorway corridors, and improving rapidly in alpine areas. The main challenge is remote mountain valleys where charger density drops. Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Vienna are very well served. Carinthia is expanding fast ahead of lake-tourism demand.
Carinthia's lakes are the warmest in Austria — the Wörthersee, Millstätter See, and Weissensee regularly reach 26–28°C by mid-July. The Weissensee in particular is Austria's cleanest lake and has almost no motor boat traffic — perfectly quiet, crystalline, and surrounded by mountains.
Austrian food straddles Central European and Alpine traditions. Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Gulasch, and Kaiserschmarrn (shredded caramelised pancake) are all outstanding. Mountain hut (Almhütte) food — Tiroler Gröstl, Kasnocken, fresh milk — is one of the great pleasures of alpine vanlife.
Austria rewards those who take the scenic roads and avoid the tunnels. These routes do exactly that.
Tirol valleys, the Grossglockner, Salzburg, and the Salzkammergut — Austria's greatest hits in a single loop.
Austria's warmest corner — lakes, the Nockalm Road, and the Drava valley through to Slovenia.
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Austria borders some of Europe's finest vanlife countries. Here's where most vanlifers head next.
