🇩🇪 Cross-border drive · Germany → Austria 🇦🇹
Driving from Hamburg to Vienna
Your Hamburg to Vienna road trip guide. Navigate Germany and Austria via A1, A7, A2, A14, A4, A17. Essential driving info for your journey.
- Drive time
- 10h
- Distance
- 971 km
- Same day?
- Long day
- under 12 h
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €136
- petrol · diesel ≈ €108
- Tolls
- ≈ €23
- vignette
- EV charging
- Unknown
- not yet surveyed
On this page
Route map
Route options
Other paths OSRM found between the two cities — handy when traffic, tolls, or scenery matter more than raw speed.
Alternative
+50m- Distance:
- 1,100 km (+129 km)
- Duration:
- 10h 51m
Via: A 93 · A1 · A 9 · A 3
How else can you make this trip?
Driving is the focus of this guide; here's how cycling, coach, and (soon) train and plane stack up for the same pair.
10h
971 km · €136 fuel
See details ↓
Not realistic
971 km is far beyond a typical multi-day cycle tour. Try a shorter pair like a day or weekend stage.
14h 45m
FlixBus-eu
See details ↓
2h 22m
from €40
See details ↓
11h 26m
metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH · DB Fernverkehr AG
See details ↓
What the drive is like
Drafted from the route's computed data on April 24, 2026 and reviewed against the route summary card. Read our methodology.
Picking up the A1 just outside Hamburg, your drive south-east towards Vienna begins, quickly merging onto the A7. This major artery will be your companion for a significant stretch through Germany, guiding you towards the heart of the country. The landscape gradually shifts from the flatter northern plains towards more varied terrain as you approach the central regions. Expect a mix of bustling German cities and quieter rural stretches, all accessible via the well-maintained Autobahn network. Keep an eye out for the iconic black and white speed limit signs, though large sections will be derestricted.
Your route then angles towards the A2, a key east-west connection, before you transition onto the A14. This leg takes you through Saxony-Anhalt and into Saxony, heading in the general direction of the Czech border, although you'll remain within Germany. As you push further south, the A4 becomes your primary road, leading you towards the crossing into Austria. This border is typically seamless for drivers, marked by a change in signage and potentially a slight shift in driving style from your fellow motorists. Remember that Austrian motorways require a vignette, unlike the German Autobahn system where most sections are toll-free.
Once in Austria, the A4, known locally as the Ostautobahn, is your direct path to Vienna. This modern motorway offers a clear and efficient route into the Austrian capital. As you approach Vienna, be aware of potential urban traffic, especially during peak hours. The transition from the German Autobahn to the Austrian motorway system is straightforward, but always ensure you have your Austrian vignette displayed correctly before entering toll sections. Fuel prices can vary between Germany and Austria, so planning your refueling stops can be beneficial. This drive, while long, is largely on high-speed motorways, making it a manageable one-day journey with good planning and minimal stops.
Route highlights
- A7 Autobahn scenery changes
- German Autobahn derestricted sections
- Transitioning to Austrian A4 Ostautobahn
- Vignette purchase for Austria
- Potential for urban traffic near Vienna
Trip plan
How to think about the drive: one day, split, or overnight.
Overnight recommended
Too long for a single-driver day. Plan on 1 overnight stop(s) to do this trip right.
A natural overnight stop near the halfway point: Ústí nad Labem (cz).
- Distance:
- 971 km
- Duration:
- 10h (free-flow, no traffic)
Where to stop
Places along the route that make natural breaks for coffee, lunch, or a night.
-
Isernhagen Farster Bauerschaft 🇩🇪 de
≈139 km≈ 2.1 km detour from the main route
-
Magdeburg 🇩🇪 de
≈277 km≈ 10.4 km detour from the main route
-
Grimma 🇩🇪 de
≈416 km≈ 2.7 km detour from the main route
-
Ústí nad Labem 🇨🇿 cz
≈555 km≈ 5.3 km detour from the main route
-
Vlašim 🇨🇿 cz
≈694 km≈ 9.4 km detour from the main route
-
Žebětín 🇨🇿 cz
≈832 km≈ 4.1 km detour from the main route
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Multi-country chain · DE → CZ → AT
You'll cross 3 countries on this drive — each with its own toll system, fuel pricing, and motorway rules. Skim the must-know section below before you set off, and have your registration plus insurance card in the door pocket for any roadside check.
Vignette required in CZ / AT
Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Romania require a sticker or e-vignette for motorway use. Buy at the border — missing one is a heavy on-the-spot fine.
Long rural stretch on D1 Brněnská
Plan for about 193 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Long rural stretch on D8
Plan for about 98 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Must-know before you go
The things a driver from another country wouldn't think to ask about — fines, stickers, payment cards, opening hours.
City access & emission zones
Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart need a green Umweltplakette
Must knowGermany's low-emission zones (Umweltzone) are simpler than the French system but stricter on entry. You need a colour-coded sticker physically on your windscreen before entering. The vast majority of zones today require a green sticker (Euro 4+ petrol, Euro 6+ diesel). Order via TÜV / DEKRA / certified workshops — about €6–13, ships in days. Driving without one costs €100 even if your car would qualify.
Two streets in Altona ban older diesels — Max-Brauer-Allee and Stresemannstrasse
Must knowHamburg
Hamburg doesn't run a citywide LEZ but has Germany's only **street-level** diesel ban: Max-Brauer-Allee (Euro 6 only) and Stresemannstrasse (trucks Euro 6+ only) since 2018. Cameras enforce both. Sat-nav usually routes around them automatically; check your route if you've set "shortest" mode.
Whole-city paid parking — no free street spaces inside the Gürtel
Must knowVienna
Vienna extended its short-term parking zone (Kurzparkzone) to all 23 districts in 2022. Foreign plates pay via Handyparken app or paper "Parkschein" tickets at trafiks (newsagents). Daytime parking is €2.50/hour, max 2 hours per ticket — meaning practically you need a private parking garage for any stay over 2 hours. Garages average €4–6/hour or €25/day.
Tolls, vignettes & road payment
Digital vignette before crossing the border
Must knowAustrian motorways need a vignette — €10.10 for 10 days, €30.40 for 2 months, or €103.80 annual. The digital version (linked to your plate) is bought online at asfinag.at and activates from a chosen date — if you buy on the Austrian side of the border, it's only valid 18 days later under consumer-protection rules. Buy ahead.
Czech e-vignette is plate-linked, no sticker
Must knowCzechia replaced paper vignettes in 2021. Buy on edalnice.cz with your plate, valid from the chosen date. 10-day is CZK 290 (~€12), annual CZK 2,300 (~€95). Police read plates electronically — no display required. The first 90 minutes after purchase, the system sometimes hasn't synced; keep your purchase confirmation accessible.
Brenner, Tauern and Karawanken tunnels are extra
UsefulEight Austrian routes charge separate tolls on top of the vignette: Brenner (A13, ~€11.50), Pyhrn (A9, ~€6.50), Tauern (A10, ~€14), Karawanken (A11, ~€8.50) and others. Pay at the booth — no vignette discount. If you're heading south to Italy via the A13, budget for it.
What your car must carry
Triangle, first-aid kit, hi-vis vest — all three
Must knowGermany requires a warning triangle, a first-aid kit (compliant with DIN 13164, with a "use by" date — €10 at any pharmacy), and a reflective vest in every passenger car. Roadside checks do happen at borders. The first-aid kit is the one foreign drivers most commonly miss.
Driving rules & habits
Left lane is for overtaking only — return immediately
UsefulOn unrestricted Autobahn sections (where you'll see no speed-limit-end signs), faster cars expect to use the left lane unobstructed. Drift into it without checking the mirror and a 911 closing at 250 km/h becomes your problem. Indicate, overtake, return right — every time. Slowing in the left lane to "make space" is more dangerous than predictable speed.
Phone-mounted radar warnings are illegal
UsefulActive radar-detector apps (and the "police nearby" feature on Waze / Google Maps) are technically banned in Germany — fines hit €75. Most drivers leave them on without consequence, but if you're stopped for any reason, the officer can ask to see your phone. Switch the warning layer off when crossing into DE if you want to play it strict.
Elbtunnel queue 17:00–19:00 weekdays
UsefulHamburg
The A7 Elbtunnel under the river is the only continuous north-south route through Hamburg. Weekday 17:00–19:00 it backs up to 30 minutes both directions; Sunday evening returning from coastal weekends adds the same. The Köhlbrandbrücke is a 12 km detour but flows reliably.
Plan your stops, not just your finish time
UsefulOSRM gives you free-flow drive time. Realistic add: 10% on motorway-heavy routes, 25% if you're crossing two cities. Eat at off-peak hours (11:30 lunch, 18:00 dinner) — service-area queues at noon kill 20 minutes. EU fatigue research is consistent: 15-minute break every 2 hours, full 45-minute break before 6 hours. The drive between hours 7 and 9 is where avoidable accidents cluster.
Bicycles on the right — turn right with extreme care
TipVienna
Vienna built out a Copenhagen-style bike network from 2020–2024. Most major streets now have a separated bike lane on the right. Right-turning cars must yield to a bike going straight in the bike lane — the rule that catches most foreigners. Look over your right shoulder before turning.
Fuel stations
Contactless cards work at virtually every motorway pump
TipMajor brand stations (Shell, Total, BP, Repsol, Cepsa, OMV, Eni, Esso) take Visa and Mastercard contactless without an issue. American Express and Diners are spotty south of the Alps. A €100 pre-authorisation hold is normal — it releases within 5 days. Carry €50 cash for the rare independent station.
Money & connectivity
EU roaming covers calls, texts and data at no extra cost
TipYour home EU SIM works at home rates across every EU member, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The "fair use" cap on data only applies if you're abroad more than four months. For a 2-week road trip, just use your phone normally — but switch off "data roaming" if you're leaving the EU into UK / CH for any segment.
Rules, fees, and thresholds change. Always verify against the official source the day before you drive — this page is a checklist, not a legal reference.
Main roads
The highways this route spends the most kilometres on.
-
A 14 —201 km
-
D1 Brněnská193 km
-
A 7 —123 km
-
A 2 —114 km
-
D8 —98 km
-
A5 Umfahrung Drasenhofen52 km
-
A 17 —44 km
-
52 Vídeňská44 km
-
A 4 —16 km
-
A 1 —13 km
-
S1 Wiener Außenring Schnellstraße8 km
-
601 Průmyslová7 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Mixed motorway + secondary — varied pace, some scenic stretches.
- Motorway
- 59%
- Secondary
- 32%
- Other / rural
- 9%
Drive difficulty
At-a-glance feel: how demanding is this drive for one driver?
Overall
Demanding
Tough drive — multiple complicating factors compound fatigue. Strongly recommend splitting across days.
- Long drive: 10h behind the wheel at free-flow speeds.
- Cross-border: DE → AT. Keep documents accessible and check border rules.
- About 352 km on non-motorway roads where speeds and conditions vary.
Fuel & tolls
Rough cost expectation for a typical EU passenger car. Treat as an estimate — pump prices change weekly.
Petrol (RON 95)
≈ €136
72.8 L × €1.87 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €108
58.3 L × €1.86 / L · 6 L/100 km
Electric (DC fast)
≈ €107
170 kWh × €0.63 / kWh · 17.5 kWh/100 km
Public DC fast charging — slower AC charging at home or hotels typically costs about half.
Motorway tolls & vignettes
≈ €23
- CZ — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €13.00 for 10 days Annual vignette is €88.00 if you drive often
- AT — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €10.10 for 10 days Annual vignette is €103.80 if you drive often
Prices last refreshed 2026-05-11.
Weather by month
Average daytime high / overnight low and typical monthly rainfall, over the past five years.
🇩🇪 Hamburg
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5°
1°
|
7°
2°
|
11°
3°
|
14°
5°
|
19°
10°
|
22°
13°
|
22°
15°
|
23°
14°
|
21°
13°
|
14°
9°
|
8°
4°
|
6°
3°
|
| 92mm | 58mm | 51mm | 64mm | 56mm | 87mm | 128mm | 72mm | 57mm | 118mm | 83mm | 68mm |
hot mild cold
🇦🇹 Vienna
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5°
-1°
|
8°
1°
|
13°
4°
|
16°
7°
|
20°
10°
|
26°
16°
|
28°
18°
|
28°
17°
|
23°
13°
|
17°
9°
|
9°
3°
|
5°
1°
|
| 37mm | 28mm | 49mm | 76mm | 74mm | 62mm | 62mm | 47mm | 130mm | 53mm | 50mm | 46mm |
hot mild cold
Next 5 days at Vienna
Live forecast — refreshes every few hours.
-
Fri 22
⛅
23° / 16°
—
-
Sat 23
⛅
26° / 14°
—
-
Sun 24
⛅
31° / 16°
—
-
Mon 25
⛅
29° / 19°
—
-
Tue 26
☀️
31° / 20°
—
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 41 manoeuvres
- Rathausmarkt
- Neue Elbbrücke (B 4; B 75) 0.3 km
- (A 255) 3 km
- (A 1) 13 km
- (A 7) 106 km
- (A 7) 17 km
- — 0.5 km
- — 0.2 km
- — 0.5 km
- (A 2) 4 km
- (A 2) 20 km
- — 2 km
- — 0.5 km
- (A 2) 91 km
- — 1.0 km
- (A 14) 44 km
- — 0.9 km
- (A 14) 157 km
- (A 14) 1 km
- (A 4) 16 km
- (A 17) 44 km
- (D8) 98 km
- (601) 4 km
- Průmyslová (601) 4 km
- Jižní spojka 5 km
- Spořilovská (243) 3 km
- Brněnská (D1) 193 km
- Vídeňská (52) 4 km
- Brněnská (52) 41 km
- Umfahrung Drasenhofen (A5)
- Umfahrung Drasenhofen (A5) 5 km
- (B7) 3 km
- Nord/Weinviertel Autobahn (A5) 47 km
- — 0.7 km
- Wiener Außenring Schnellstraße (S1) 8 km
- Wiener Nordrand Schnellstraße (S2) 7 km
- Südosttangente (A23) 3 km
- Ost Autobahn (A4) 0.1 km
- Schüttelstraße (B227) 3 km
- Marc-Aurel-Straße
- Jasomirgottstraße
By coach from Hamburg to Vienna
Indicative duration of the fastest direct long-distance coach found in the FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus EU schedules.
- Travel time
- 14h 45m
- Direct
- Operator
- FlixBus-eu
- Departures / day
- ~1
- Approximate based on the published schedule.
Show coach corridor on map
Schedules sourced from the FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus GTFS feeds via transport.data.gouv.fr. Times are indicative; verify on the operator's site before booking.
Booking link coming soon.
By plane from Hamburg to Vienna
Indicative travel time on a non-stop flight, based on great-circle distance, average commercial cruise speed (850 km/h), and a 90-minute allowance for taxi, security, and boarding.
- Total time
- 2h 22m
- Door-to-door from :from airport.
- In the air
- 52 min
- At ~850 km/h cruise speed.
- On the ground
- 90 min
- Taxi + security + boarding (typical short-haul).
- Route
- HAM → VIE
- 743 km great-circle.
Indicative fare: from €40 — fares vary by season, day of week, and how far ahead you book. Always check the airline or a meta-search before planning around this number.
Show flight path on map
Estimate-only. We don't pull live schedules or fares for flights — see the methodology page for how this number is computed.
Air travel emits roughly 5–10× the CO₂ per passenger-km of rail for the same distance.
By train from Hamburg to Vienna
Fastest cross-border rail itinerary from the public Transitous planner. Times reflect a typical Monday-morning departure on the next available service-day.
- Fastest journey
- 11h 26m
- 5 changes
- Lead operator
- metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH
- + 5 more
- Alternatives
- 5
- Itineraries returned by the planner.
Trains on the fastest itinerary
- RE4
- ICE 789
- RE5 (79037)
- WB 931
All operators across alternatives
- metronom Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH
- DB Fernverkehr AG
- Meridian
- WESTbahn Management GmbH
- OEBB Personenverkehr AG Kundenservice
- Deutsche Bahn AG
Includes a high-speed rail leg (TGV, ICE, AVE, Frecciarossa-class).
Show route on map
Routing via the public Transitous OTP planner (community-run MOTIS instance). Cached 24 hours; verify on the operator's site before booking.
Frequently asked
Do I need a vignette for Austria?
Yes, a vignette is mandatory for driving on Austrian motorways and expressways. You can purchase them at border crossings, fuel stations near the border, or online in advance.
Are there tolls on German Autobahns for cars?
Generally, passenger cars are exempt from tolls on German Autobahns. However, there can be exceptions for certain tunnels or specific routes, so it's wise to check for any specific road charges.
What are the speed limits on German Autobahns?
While there is a recommended speed limit of 130 km/h on many sections of the Autobahn, large parts have no mandatory speed limit. However, advisory speed limits and variable speed restrictions are in place on many stretches, so always pay attention to signage.
What should I know about fuel prices?
Fuel prices can differ between Germany and Austria. It's often advisable to refuel before entering Austria if prices are significantly lower in Germany, or vice versa depending on your route and timing.
Are winter tires required?
In Austria, winter tires (or 'all-season' tires with the M+S marking) are mandatory during winter conditions (typically from November 1st to April 15th). In Germany, there's a situational obligation: tires must be suitable for winter conditions if the weather dictates (snow, ice, slush).
How this page is built
Compiled by COD Solutions Oy from open European data — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for the route geometry, Open-Meteo for monthly climate normals, EU Weekly Oil Bulletin for cross-border fuel-price bands, and Google Gemini drafts the narrative and FAQ from the computed route data. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.