Rip off Austria?
- Stephen Bolton
- Jul 28, 2023
- 4 min read
We left Taching am See in Germany on another damp and cold morning. Our journey took us through some very scenic parts of Bavaria. We journeyed on until we came to Freilassing. Here we spotted a Lidl, with a decent car park. We took the opportunity to replenish the larder, as we’d heard that food prices in Austria would be higher (which was to be correct).
Soon we were back on the road and came across heavy traffic. This was caused by roadworks and delayed us for 20 minutes. Once we’d negotiated the roadworks we started to move again heading towards the motorway, which would take us around Salzburg. We were surprised to see that once more we had come to the border with little to tell us we were entering another country, apart from a road sign and other signage giving drivers information about changes to road regulations.
But, before I take us further into Austria, I need to retrace my steps and tell you about something important when driving on Austrian motorways and was to prove expensive.
Austrian Road Tolls and Go-Box
When the roads are mountainous, we prefer to drive on motorways as it’s easier for Sheldon’s engine and brakes. As you will probably realise, Austria is a mountainous country which you can drive through toll-free. For us though, the stress of anticipating where the road will take us through the mountains is too great, so we take the easier option - the motorway.
To drive on Austrian motorways (Autobahns) you need to pay toll charges in advance. For vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, this comes in the form of a vignette sticker, which for a motorhome under 3.5 tonnes would cost about 10 euros for 10 days. This is affordable and whilst I’d rather not pay the fee, would do so without any complaint.
RANT WARNING!
However, Sheldon is over 3.5 tonnes, which means he falls into another category. The ‘Holidays in Austria’ website says this:-
‘Drivers of vehicles with a permissible maximum weight exceeding 3.5 t (e.g. heavy goods vehicles, buses, heavy mobile homes) must pay a mileage-based toll for the use of motorways and expressways.
To be able to pay this toll, you need to get a so-called GO-Box before you drive onto a motorway or expressway. The toll can only be paid if you have a GO-Box, which is available from many petrol stations and other GO-Box partners in Austria.’
It goes on to say:-
‘The rates depend, among other things, on the number of axles, the number of kilometres driven, and the vehicle's EURO emission class.’
As explained in an earlier blog, Sheldon is an elderly vehicle with an early euro emissions class and is therefore priced at a high toll rate. When we purchased his Go-Box, we paid about 100 euros (over £85) to drive across the country - we would need more credit for our return journey which more than doubled the cost. Whilst I understand that Austria has a very good road system and I also appreciate that maintaining roads, tunnels and bridges in its climate is expensive, I feel that tourists from other countries should be offered a reduction in this fee, (Austrian drivers of large motorhomes in the UK will not be charged for the privilege of driving on our motorways). As you may appreciate, I was very unhappy about this charge and feel it is excessive and exploitative. But it has to be paid, if you choose to drive on the Autobahn and as we didn’t want a hefty fine, we reluctantly purchased the Go-Box and necessary mileage credits.
RANT OVER.
Travel through Austria
The scenery on this journey was incredible. We love mountains, lakes, rivers and valleys and Austria is undoubtedly a beautiful country. Generally, the roads were pleasant and easy to drive. However, when we drove around Salzburg this seemed to be different. When driving in Sheldon we travel at around the early 50’s mph - we are retired, doing slow travel and are in no rush. Most of the time this is OK, but the lorry drivers around Salzburg didn’t seem to be very patient. A number of them were sounding their horns, flashing us and gesticulating as they passed us - so much so I began to wonder if there was something wrong with Sheldon. At our first stop, I checked everything and could find nothing untoward. So, I regretfully must put this down to driver rudeness or impatience!
Suffice to say, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
Once we’d passed the Salzburg area, the roads became quieter and the drivers seemingly less stressed. We stopped at a delightful motorway service (Austria has some excellent services) and took lunch surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It was amazing.
Our journey continued onto where we’d be staying for the next 5 nights which was at a site in Fisching, near the Red Bull Ring. It was the weekend of Easter 2023. The site was very pleasant with spotlessly clean facilities. It was an interesting site, in that it was specifically for people aged over 50 and adults only. Added to this, it is also worth noting that no dogs are allowed on the site.
Due to the inclement weather and that it was early season, the site was quiet (it had also only just opened for the new season). We enjoyed a very cold and occasionally damp Easter, walking in the area and admiring the scenery of distant snow-capped mountains.
The scenery around Fisching
One of the walks we enjoyed was to the local town and specifically its Church. This is known as the 'White Church' and stands out in the locality. The current Church isn't particularly old, but I understand other Church structures have been there previously. It was very interesting to visit the Church which had a few banners to remind visitors that this was Easter.
Our walk to and into 'The White Church'
It must be said, that as anticipated food prices were generally higher than in Germany. The good news was that the price of Diesel for Sheldon was lower, which was a welcome bonus.
Overall, we had an enjoyable stay in Austria but were getting a little fed up with the poor weather. Our next destination beckoned, where we hoped the weather would improve.
But that’s enough for now, I’ll tell you whether that happens in the next blog……………….....
Till then,
All the best,
Stephen
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