🇦🇹 Cross-border drive · Austria → Germany 🇩🇪
Driving from Vienna to Hamburg
Plan your Vienna to Hamburg road trip across Austria & Czech Republic. Discover route details, border crossings, and essential driver tips.
- Drive time
- 10h 6m
- Distance
- 973 km
- Same day?
- Long day
- under 12 h
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €137
- 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
+47m- Distance:
- 1,090 km (+118 km)
- Duration:
- 10h 53m
Via: A 93 · A1 · A 3 · A 7
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 6m
973 km · €137 fuel
See details ↓
Not realistic
973 km is far beyond a typical multi-day cycle tour. Try a shorter pair like a day or weekend stage.
15h
FlixBus-eu
See details ↓
2h 22m
from €40
See details ↓
11h 23m
Österreichische Bundesbahnen · 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.
Your journey north from Vienna begins on the S2 expressway, quickly merging onto the S1 ring road before picking up the A5 heading towards the Czech Republic. Shortly after crossing the border, you'll be navigating the D1 motorway, the main artery through the Czech Republic towards Brno. Keep an eye out for the change in speed limits and potentially different signage as you leave Austria behind. Tolls in the Czech Republic typically require a vignette, which you can purchase online in advance or at border stations.
The D1 will lead you through the heart of the Czech Republic, connecting you to the MO route which marks your transition towards Germany and ultimately, the E40. As you approach the German border, be aware of differing speed regulations. Germany famously has sections of unrestricted Autobahn, but many areas have variable or fixed speed limits, especially around construction zones and urban areas. Fuel prices can also fluctuate significantly between the Czech Republic and Germany, so it’s worth topping up strategically.
Once in Germany, the MO will guide you onto the E40, which will be your primary highway for much of the remaining drive. This section of the route is generally well-maintained and offers ample service areas for breaks. The landscape will gradually shift from the rolling hills of central Europe to the flatter terrain as you approach northern Germany. Be mindful of low-emission zones if your vehicle doesn't meet certain standards, particularly as you get closer to Hamburg, though these are less common on the main Autobahn routes themselves.
As you near Hamburg, the final approach will involve a series of Autobahn connections, likely including sections of the A1, which will take you directly into the city. Watch for road signs directing you to your specific destination within Hamburg. The transition from long stretches of Autobahn to the denser urban driving of a major city like Hamburg requires renewed focus. Remember to allow for potential traffic delays, especially during peak hours, as you complete your drive.
Route highlights
- A5 Autobahn towards the Czech border
- D1 Motorway through the Czech Republic
- Brno's proximity
- German Autobahn sections
- E40 Highway routing
- Approaching Hamburg's urban sprawl
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:
- 973 km
- Duration:
- 10h 6m (free-flow, no traffic)
Where to stop
Places along the route that make natural breaks for coffee, lunch, or a night.
-
Kohoutovice 🇨🇿 cz
≈139 km≈ 3.8 km detour from the main route
-
Vlašim 🇨🇿 cz
≈278 km≈ 9.7 km detour from the main route
-
Ústí nad Labem 🇨🇿 cz
≈417 km≈ 5.5 km detour from the main route
-
Grimma 🇩🇪 de
≈556 km≈ 2.7 km detour from the main route
-
Magdeburg 🇩🇪 de
≈695 km≈ 10.4 km detour from the main route
-
Isernhagen Farster Bauerschaft 🇩🇪 de
≈834 km≈ 1.6 km detour from the main route
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Multi-country chain · AT → CZ → DE
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 AT / CZ
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
Plan for about 194 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Long rural stretch on 8 Cínovecká
Plan for about 64 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.
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.
Emergency & breakdown
112 works everywhere in the EU and continental neighbours
TipSingle number for police, ambulance, fire — works from any phone, any network, any country. On motorways, the orange SOS pillars every 2km connect direct to the regional traffic control centre and pinpoint your location. Use them over your phone if you can — it speeds the response.
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 —194 km
-
A 7 —123 km
-
A 2 —114 km
-
8 Cínovecká64 km
-
A5 Nord/Weinviertel Autobahn52 km
-
52 —45 km
-
A 17 —44 km
-
D8 tunel Radejčín33 km
-
A 4 —16 km
-
A 1 —13 km
-
601 Průmyslová8 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Mixed motorway + secondary — varied pace, some scenic stretches.
- Motorway
- 60%
- Secondary
- 26%
- Other / rural
- 14%
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 6m behind the wheel at free-flow speeds.
- Cross-border: AT → DE. Keep documents accessible and check border rules.
- About 351 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)
≈ €137
72.9 L × €1.88 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €108
58.4 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
- AT — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €10.10 for 10 days Annual vignette is €103.80 if you drive often
- CZ — Vignette (motorway sticker / e-vignette) — €13.00 for 10 days Annual vignette is €88.00 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.
🇦🇹 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
🇩🇪 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
Next 5 days at Hamburg
Live forecast — refreshes every few hours.
-
Fri 22
⛅
24° / 19°
—
-
Sat 23
⛅
28° / 16°
—
-
Sun 24
☀️
24° / 15°
—
-
Mon 25
☀️
26° / 15°
—
-
Tue 26
☀️
25° / 17°
—
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 45 manoeuvres
- Jasomirgottstraße
- — 0.5 km
- Südosttangente (A23) 1 km
- Wiener Nordrand Schnellstraße (S2) 7 km
- Wiener Außenring Schnellstraße (S1) 8 km
- Nord/Weinviertel Autobahn (A5) 47 km
- (B7) 3 km
- Umfahrung Drasenhofen (A5)
- Umfahrung Drasenhofen (A5) 5 km
- (B7)
- (52) 45 km
- (D1) 194 km
- Brněnská (D1)
- Spořilovská 1 km
- Jižní spojka (MO) 5 km
- — 0.3 km
- Průmyslová (601) 4 km
- Kbelská (601) 4 km
- (601) 0.6 km
- Cínovecká (8) 64 km
- tunel Radejčín (D8) 33 km
- (A 17) 5 km
- — 0.2 km
- (A 17) 39 km
- — 0.9 km
- (A 4) 16 km
- (A 14) 66 km
- (A 14) 29 km
- (A 14) 14 km
- — 0.4 km
- — 0.6 km
- (A 14) 91 km
- — 1 km
- (A 2) 91 km
- — 2 km
- — 0.5 km
- (A 2) 23 km
- — 0.9 km
- (A 7) 123 km
- — 1 km
- (A 1) 13 km
- (A 255) 3 km
- Amsinckstraße 0.3 km
- Wallringtunnel (Ring 1) 1.0 km
- Rathausmarkt
By coach from Vienna to Hamburg
Indicative duration of the fastest direct long-distance coach found in the FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus EU schedules.
- Travel time
- 15h
- 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 Vienna to Hamburg
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
- VIE → HAM
- 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 Vienna to Hamburg
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 23m
- 4 changes
- Lead operator
- Österreichische Bundesbahnen
- + 3 more
- Alternatives
- 5
- Itineraries returned by the planner.
Trains on the fastest itinerary
- ICE 1220
- ICE 782
- ICE 572
All operators across alternatives
- Österreichische Bundesbahnen
- DB Fernverkehr AG
- OEBB Personenverkehr AG Kundenservice
- Ceske Drahy
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 the Czech Republic?
Yes, a vignette is mandatory for using Czech motorways. You can purchase short-term or annual vignettes online or at border crossings and petrol stations.
Are there tolls on the German Autobahn?
For passenger cars, most of the German Autobahn network is toll-free. However, some specific tunnels or bridges may have separate charges.
What are the speed limits on the German Autobahn?
While some sections have no mandatory speed limit, many parts of the Autobahn have recommended limits (e.g., 130 km/h) or fixed speed limits, especially near cities or construction sites.
Can I drive through Hamburg without a specific sticker?
Hamburg has introduced low-emission zones (Umweltzone). Check if your vehicle's emissions class allows entry into the city center, though driving on the main Autobahn routes should generally be unaffected.
Where can I buy Czech vignettes?
Vignettes can be purchased online in advance, at border crossings, or at many petrol stations within the Czech Republic.
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.