When planning a trip to Austria by car, it is necessary to choose a convenient route in advance and get acquainted with the rules for drivers in the country. Find out more about the necessary documents, convenient routes and the main provisions of the traffic code in Austria

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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Travelling from Ukraine to Austria by car requires careful preparation and planning. It is necessary to choose a convenient route in advance, because the journey time will be long. The article below will tell you about driving your own car to Austria, which country is convenient to get there, traffic rules and everything you need to know before you go.

Route Ukraine - Austria

There are two ways to get from Ukraine to Austria by car: transit through Slovakia or Hungary.

In our previous articles, we described in detail the rules for crossing the border with Hungary and Slovakia.

Taking into account the region of Austria you are heading to and the city of departure from Ukraine, choose the most convenient way in advance.

Documents for entering Austria by car

All drivers travelling from Ukraine by car must have the following documents with them:

● international passport;

● national driving licence with an expiry date;
● vehicle registration certificate;
● the identification mark of Ukraine on the vehicle;
● nationally issued number plate;
● compulsory insurance contract Green Card.

Travelling to Austria by car: Green Card to enter the country

Remember that all vehicles with Ukrainian registration are required to have a valid Green Card insurance policy when entering Austria.

The Green Card is a mandatory international motor third party liability insurance policy that covers the costs of compensation for damage to life, health and property of third parties caused by road accidents in Austria and other member states of the international Green Card agreement.

It is also worth remembering that in the event of an accident abroad, a driver who does not have a Green Card for his or her car risks spending tens of thousands of euros on car repairs and compensation for damages.

It is better to buy insurance online, as it is quick and easy. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a Green Card policy from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters. It should be borne in mind that the insurance starts the next day after the registration, so we advise you to read the terms and conditions in advance and purchase a Green Card.

How long will it take to get from Ukrainian cities to Austria by car?

● From Kyiv:

Distance to Vienna in transit through Slovakia: 1 394 km.
Travelling time: 17 hours and 12 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Zhytomyr, Lviv. In Slovakia - Bratislava.

Distance to Vienna by transit through Hungary: 1,385 km.
Travelling time: 16 hours and 17 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Zhytomyr, Lviv. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Lviv:

Distance to Vienna via Slovakia: 841 km.
Travelling time: 10 hours 49 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Slovakia - Bratislava.

Distance to Vienna in transit through Hungary: 844 km.
Travelling time: 10 hours and 1 minute.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Uzhhorod. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Odesa:

Distance to Vienna via Slovakia: 1,637 km.
Travelling time: 20 hours and 19 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod, in Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava.

Distance to Vienna in transit through Hungary: 1,595 km.
Travelling time: 19 hours and 17 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Dnipro:

Distance to Vienna via Slovakia: 1,785 km.
Travelling time: 22 hours and 38 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod, in Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava.

Distance to Vienna in transit through Hungary: 1,743 km.
Travelling time: 21 hours and 54 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Vinnytsia, Uzhhorod. In Hungary - Budapest.

● From Chernivtsi:

Distance to Vienna via Slovakia: 1,026 km.
Travelling time: 14 hours and 22 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Uzhhorod, in Slovakia - Kosice, Bratislava.

Distance to Vienna in transit through Hungary: 975 km.
Travelling time: 12 hours and 18 minutes.

Major cities along the way: in Ukraine - Ivano-Frankivsk. In Hungary - Budapest.

Due to the length of the trip, we recommend stopping for a rest.

From any point of departure in Ukraine, choosing a route in transit through Slovakia, your route will go through Bratislava. This is a great opportunity to spend the night. The price of hotel rooms and apartments in Bratislava starts from 2,500 UAH per night.

If you decide to travel through Hungary, your route will go through Budapest. Similar prices for hotel rooms and apartments in the city start from 2,000 UAH.

Toll roads in Austria

To drive on the country's toll roads, you need to purchase a vignette.

There are two formats of vignettes in Austria. The traditional one is a sticker that is sold at the entrance to the country, at petrol stations, post offices, etc. You can also buy a digital vignette in the country, which is linked to a number plate. It can be issued through the Unterwegs app at checkpoints, petrol stations and in some shops.

The cost of a vignette for a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes will depend on its validity period:

● for 10+1 days - EUR 9.6 (UAH 433.19);
● for 2 months - EUR 28.2 (UAH 747.13);
● for a year - 93.8 EUR (4 232.63 UAH).

Toll road map in Austria

Please note that some road sections are not covered by the vignette. You will need to pay an additional fee for travelling on the following high mountain roads: Großglockner, Timmelsjoch, Villach, Silvretta High Alpine Road, Nockalm Road, Gerlos.

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Road traffic regulations in Austria

● A passenger who is at least 150 cm tall and at least 12 years old may ride in the front seat of a car. Children under 12 years of age must not be transported without a special child seat or booster.
● Using a telephone while driving is prohibited.
● Dipped beam headlights must be switched on at night and in poor visibility, optional during the day.
● Drinking before driving is prohibited in the Czech Republic - if you have 0.5 ppm of alcohol, you will be fined from 300 to 5,900 euros and lose your driving licence.
● From 1 November to 15 April, all cars must be equipped with winter tyres with the M&S brand with a minimum tread depth of 4 mm.
Speed limit: 50 km/h within settlements, 100 km/h on roads outside settlements, 130 km/h on motorways.

Petrol price in Austria

As of 12 August 2024, the following fuel prices were recorded in the country:

● unleaded petrol - EUR 1.60 per litre (UAH 72.22);
● LPG - €1.15 per litre (UAH 51.91);
● diesel - EUR 1.60 per litre (UAH 72.22).

Just to remind you. A Green Card is a necessary document for travelling abroad by car. In 2024, the online purchase of a policy became more convenient and affordable. Find out about current prices and how to buy insurance online here.

Photo: Freepik

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