🇳🇱 Cross-border drive · Netherlands → Austria 🇦🇹
Driving from The Hague to Vienna
Drive from The Hague to Vienna via Germany. Navigate A12, A3, A8, A25, A1. Essential tips for tolls, vignettes, and German speed limits.
- Drive time
- 11h 58m
- Distance
- 1,168 km
- Same day?
- Long day
- under 12 h
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €179
- petrol · diesel ≈ €148
- 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
+1h 13m- Distance:
- 1,251 km (+82 km)
- Duration:
- 13h 11m
Via: A 38 · D1 · A 44 · A12
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.
11h 58m
1.168 km · €179 fuel
See details ↓
Not realistic
1.168 km is far beyond a typical multi-day cycle tour. Try a shorter pair like a day or weekend stage.
17h 15m
FlixBus-eu
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.
Your journey begins picking up the A12 at The Hague, heading east towards the German border. Soon after crossing into Germany, this becomes the A3 Autobahn, your primary artery for the next several hundred kilometers. Keep in mind that while much of the German Autobahn network has no general speed limit, there are strictly enforced limits in construction zones and built-up areas. Pay close attention to signage, especially as you approach major cities. The A3 will eventually merge with or feed into the A8 near the Munich area. You'll transition onto the A96, then switch to the A99 for a brief bypass, before rejoining the A8. Continue south on the A8, which leads you towards the Austrian border. As you cross into Austria, the road numbers will change. You'll follow the A1 motorway, which is part of the E45. Be aware that Austrian motorways require a vignette; you can purchase this electronically or at border crossings and service stations. Fuel prices can also fluctuate between Germany and Austria, so it's worth comparing before filling up. The A1 will take you directly towards Linz and then continue towards Vienna, completing your route.
Route highlights
- A3 Autobahn stretches across much of Germany
- Navigating the Munich ring road (A99)
- Transition from German A8 to Austrian A1
- Austrian Vignette requirement on A1
- Potential for fuel price variations between NL, DE, AT
- Strict speed limit enforcement in German construction zones
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: Rottendorf (de).
- Distance:
- 1,168 km
- Duration:
- 11h 58m (free-flow, no traffic)
Where to stop
Places along the route that make natural breaks for coffee, lunch, or a night.
-
Emmerich 🇩🇪 de
≈146 km≈ 4.2 km detour from the main route
-
Rösrath 🇩🇪 de
≈292 km≈ 2.8 km detour from the main route
-
Flörsheim 🇩🇪 de
≈438 km≈ 2.8 km detour from the main route
-
Dettelbach 🇩🇪 de
≈584 km≈ 4.2 km detour from the main route
-
Velburg 🇩🇪 de
≈730 km≈ 4.4 km detour from the main route
-
Vilshofen 🇩🇪 de
≈876 km≈ 12.3 km detour from the main route
-
Sankt Valentin 🇦🇹 at
≈1,022 km≈ 10.4 km detour from the main route
Along the way
Places to stop for coffee, a bite, a view, or the night — from OpenStreetMap.
Food · 6
-
+0.1 km
fast food · Wien
-
+0.1 km
restaurant · Wien
-
+0.1 km
fast food · Wien
-
+0.3 km
restaurant · Wien
-
+0.3 km
restaurant · Wien
-
+0.4 km
restaurant · 's-Gravenhage
Coffee · 6
-
+0.1 km
cafe · Wien
-
+0.2 km
cafe · Wien
-
+0.4 km
Moments
cafe · 's-Gravenhage
-
+0.9 km
cafe · 's-Gravenhage
-
+1.1 km
cafe · Wien
-
+1.2 km
cafe · Wien
Museums & history · 6
-
+0.5 km
museum · Wien
-
+0.6 km
museum · Wien
-
+0.5 km
museum
-
+0.3 km
Zusters van Liefde
memorial
-
+0.3 km
Aartsengel Michael
memorial
-
+0.4 km
Sinti- en Roma monument
memorial
Outdoors · 6
-
+0.4 km
attraction · Wien
-
+0.4 km
attraction
-
+0.7 km
Heldenplatz
attraction
-
+1.2 km
Wereldvredesvlam
attraction
-
+1.5 km
Constantyn Huygens
attraction
-
+1.6 km
Hundertwasserhaus
attraction
Stay the night · 6
-
+0.6 km
hotel
-
+0.8 km
hotel · 's-Gravenhage
-
+0.9 km
hotel · 's-Gravenhage
-
+0.8 km
De Salon van Fagel
hotel · 's-Gravenhage
-
+1.3 km
hotel · Wien
-
+1.6 km
hotel · Wien
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Multi-country chain · NL → DE → CZ → AT
You'll cross 4 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.
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.
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.
No motorway tolls, but Westerschelde tunnel charges
TipDutch motorways are free for cars, but a few specific crossings charge. The Westerscheldetunnel near Vlissingen is €5–7. Kil Tunnel (A29) and Liefkenshoektunnel (Antwerp side) are similarly priced. Pay contactless on entry — there's no booth queue.
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.
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 have right-of-way at unmarked junctions
UsefulIn the Netherlands, cyclists are treated as full traffic and often given priority you'd expect from a pedestrian crossing back home. Always check the bike lane before turning. At a roundabout in town, cyclists get the inside line and you yield. The rule that bites is unmarked junctions in residential streets — yield to the bike.
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 3 —764 km
-
A1 West Autobahn165 km
-
A12 Utrechtsebaan138 km
-
A8 Innkreis Autobahn61 km
-
A25 Welser Autobahn19 km
-
B1 Wientalstraße2 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Motorway drive — fast, predictable, uneventful.
- Motorway
- 98%
- Secondary
- 0%
- Other / rural
- 2%
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: 11h 58m behind the wheel at free-flow speeds.
- Cross-border: NL → AT. Keep documents accessible and check border rules.
Fuel & tolls
Rough cost expectation for a typical EU passenger car. Treat as an estimate — pump prices change weekly.
Petrol (RON 95)
≈ €179
87.6 L × €2.05 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €148
70.1 L × €2.11 / L · 6 L/100 km
Electric (DC fast)
≈ €128
204 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 2026-05-04.
Weather by month
Average daytime high / overnight low and typical monthly rainfall, over the past five years.
🇳🇱 The Hague
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7°
3°
|
9°
4°
|
11°
4°
|
14°
7°
|
17°
10°
|
21°
14°
|
21°
15°
|
22°
15°
|
20°
13°
|
16°
11°
|
11°
6°
|
9°
5°
|
| 111mm | 65mm | 67mm | 80mm | 78mm | 52mm | 114mm | 76mm | 95mm | 120mm | 128mm | 86mm |
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.
-
Tue 12
☀️
9° / 8°
—
-
Wed 13
☀️
17° / 6°
1.3mm
-
Thu 14
🌧️
19° / 10°
36.7mm
-
Fri 15
⛅
16° / 9°
3.7mm
-
Sat 16
⛅
18° / 10°
6.8mm
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 24 manoeuvres
- Sirtemastraat
- Utrechtsebaan (A12) 54 km
- (A12) 60 km
- Europaweg (A12) 20 km
- (A12) 3 km
- (A 3) 65 km
- (A 3) 75 km
- (A 3) 299 km
- — 0.4 km
- — 1 km
- — 0.4 km
- (A 3) 326 km
- Innkreis Autobahn (A8) 61 km
- Welser Autobahn (A25) 19 km
- Welser Autobahn (A25) 2 km
- West Autobahn (A1) 143 km
- West Autobahn (A1) 22 km
- Wientalstraße (B1) 2 km
- Bergmillergasse
- Linzer Straße 1 km
- Hütteldorfer Straße 5 km
- Carl-Szokoll-Platz
- Marc-Aurel-Straße
- Jasomirgottstraße
By coach from The Hague to Vienna
Indicative duration of the fastest direct long-distance coach found in the FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus EU schedules.
- Travel time
- 17h 15m
- 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.
Frequently asked
Do I need a vignette for Austria?
Yes, a vignette is mandatory for driving on Austrian motorways (Autobahn and Schnellstraße). You can purchase it digitally online in advance or buy a physical sticker at border crossings, service stations, or distribution points.
Are there tolls on the German Autobahn?
For cars, most of the German Autobahn network is free to use. However, some specific sections, like certain tunnels or bridges, may have tolls. Truck tolls are in place.
What are the speed limits in Germany?
While many sections of the Autobahn have recommended or no general speed limits, there are mandatory limits in construction zones, residential areas, and other specific locations. Always adhere to posted signs.
What is the best way to buy an Austrian vignette?
The easiest way is often to buy it digitally online before your trip, linking it to your license plate. Alternatively, you can purchase a sticker at border crossings, petrol stations near the border, or designated shops.
Are there low-emission zones in cities along this route?
Yes, many German cities have 'Umweltzonen' (low-emission zones) requiring a sticker. While this route primarily uses motorways and bypasses the absolute city centers, be mindful if you plan detours into urban areas.
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, OpenStreetMap via Overpass for sights along the route, and Google Gemini drafts the narrative and FAQ from the computed route data. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.