Travelling through Austria - roads, airports, railway, bus transportation

Austria is one of the most economically stable and prosperous states in Europe. That is why the infrastructure here is set at the highest level. AImost all means of transport are presented in the country; all of them go strictly on time without delays and overlays. The Austrians are fond of cars, but in the pursuit of pure ecology, the trends are gradually changing. The bus and tram is considered the most common public transport both among both locals and tourists. In large cities, there is also a trolleybus. You can travel within a city or region by bus. Special buses carry holidaymakers to ski resorts along dangerous serpentines, where it’s not that simple to drive a car.

The railway in Austria is considered to be one of the longest in Europe. Its total length is more than six thousand kilometers. The railway communication is well developed. All trains always go on schedule. The cost of the trip varies depending on the selected class of the train and direction. If there is a need to travel with stops, it’s better to purchase a travel card, which will help to save considerably. There are huge fines for a ticketless trip in the country; they are enormous even for Austrians. The subway is available in Vienna and Linz. A convenient underground intersection allows tourists to get from one place of interest to another quickly and inexpensively. In cities, you can buy a ticket in every store or kiosk. That ticket will be valid in any transport, including subway. Thus, traveling will be much easier. The presence of a large river, Danube, caused the emergence of water transport in Austria. The largest ports are in Vienna, Enns, and Linz. Ferries and boats run the river; some of them are designed not for transportation, but for sightseeing cruises.

Cycling has been very popular in Austria for several years now. Local authorities are promoting the green way of life and protection of the environment, and all Austrians are proud of their clean unpolluted mountain air. There are bike lanes in almost every city. These routes pass through the most picturesque landscapes and historical places. In large cities, you can rent a bicycle; many vacationers do that. More than fifty airports operate in Austria. In general, the air transport is used for the international communication, because the ground transport of the country is developed quite well. You can rent a car in Austria or take a taxi. However, this option is relevant only for wealthy tourists, because gasoline is quite expensive, and many highways are paid. In the tourist season, even the cost of a taxi service is significantly increased.

International air communication is well-developed in Austria. Many airports accept domestic flights, but they are less popular. The largest and most significant in Austria is the airport in Schwechat. It is 18 kilometers away from the capital and welcomes both standard and wide-body aircrafts. In 2006, a new terminal was opened, where exclusively VIP aircrafts and charter flights land. Since then, the airport in Schwechat has become one of the busiest in the whole country. The air harbor has shops and souvenir stalls, offices of international banks and currency exchange, cafes and restaurants of various classes, as well as baby care rooms and specially equipped facilities for disabled people. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Innsbruck Kranebitten Airport is located in Western Austria. It serves, for the most part, regional flights. However, in the midst of the tourist season, a lot of international flights arrive there. In winter, the airport is experiencing a significant traffic flow. Due to the mountainous terrain, many aircraft do not have an ability to land at the Innsbruck Kranebitten. The transport connection of the airport with the city center and railway stations is developed; buses run every 15 minutes. Salzburg has the airport named after Mozart. It is located just a few kilometers from the city center; they are interconnected with buses and trolleybuses. After opening of the second terminal, Graz Airport is able to serve more than a million passengers a year. The railway station of Graz is in close proximity to the airport. The time by train is 12 minutes. Klagenfurt Airport is in the south of the country. Its capacity is not too big, but, nevertheless, it welcomes all international flights.

The transport in Austria is well developed and very effective. The bus is the most popular mean of public transport. All routes are always on time. At each stop, there is an information board with the schedule of routes. Buses serve not only city lines, but long distance too. The state buses, Bundesbus, are very popular. However, the bus service reduces a number of runs on holidays. On Sundays, buses don’t go to some hardly accessible cities and towns. At the same time, on weekdays, so-called postal buses will take passengers to the most remote settlements. Trams operate in several major cities, such as Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and others.

Railway communication in the country is great, so trains are considered the most popular mean of transport among the local population. Based on the level of comfort, train lines are divided into the first and second class. In the first case, the space in the compartment is much larger, the number of seats is reduced and there is a folding table. The seats in the trains are soft and comfortable. In the second class of trains, there are more seats and less comfort during a ride. The cost of a trip apart from the class of the train will also be affected by its type. Long-distance trains are considered to be the fastest, followed by regional ones, and standard commuter trains.

To appreciate the high quality of pavement, you can rent a car. That can be done in any major city and practically at every airport. To do this, you must have an international-class driver license and a credit card. Drivers pay for highways in Austria. A receipt for payment must be kept under the windshield. Gasoline is also quite expensive, so car rental is in demand only for interregional and world travel. In large cities, it is advisable to use public transport or ride bicycles during the day. The second one can also be rented in any city. A large number of bike lanes allow tourists and locals to get to any desired point of the city. Routes, for the most part, are laid through the most picturesque places of cities.

Subway operates in Vienna and Linz; stations are located along the main sights. From mid-April to mid-October, the ferryboats and cruise ships begin to run along the Danube river. Moving by means of water transport is possible not only within the country, but also abroad. The largest lakes in Austria have ferries and boats too. Tickets for public transport can be purchased at any kiosk or store. There is an opportunity to buy a one-time ticket, as well as a ticket for a day, a week or even a month. The same ticket can be used absolutely in all types of public transport. There are special discounts for the disabled, children and families. There is an opportunity to buy a family ticket, which implies free transportation of children under 16 years. Stowaways in the country are punished with a huge fine.