Driving from Munich to innsbrooke ski areas

Driving in rental car from Munich to spend week around innsbrooke ski areas. How do we find out about road conditions in English? Are snow tires or chains necessary? Thanks.

Hi
Winter tyres are compulsory in Austria so make sure you order them. Traffic around Munich is a bit hairy as many of the autobahns are unrestricted and the locals like to drive very fast and willntailgatebyou if you linger in the outside lane. The good news is that in some places, lorries are not allowed in the overtaking lanes so the traffic runs more smoothly. I don't think you need to worry about the driving conditions on the main routes as the Austrians and Germans are both very efficient at keeping the main roads open. You should a only need snow chains if wher you are going is very steep and/or the roads have not been cleared. We drive often from Munich and the roads are excellent. Don't forget to buy your Vignette when you enter Austria. You must display it prominently on your windscreen or risk incurring a fine as the Austrians have camera on the main routes. They also have speed cameras and follow up on anyone found speeding. Have a good trip!

Yes the above is all spot on
Traffic around Munich can be stop - start
Your hire car at Munich will have winter tyres so don't get caught being charged extra by the rental company for them

Can be stop-start is an understatement!....I would suggest you have something to eat before leaving the airport as it can be an absolute nightmare especially around the exit off A8 towards Innsbruck. Having said that, last year was pretty good if i remember correctly

As Buntycake says, don't forget your Vignette. They don't sell them at the car hire counters(at least not ones I've used) but you will be able to pick one up at the first service station on the Autobahn

Tony_H....good tip on the winter tyres....is that definite that they will have them by default?...if it is then I've been "done" for the last 5 years!

robandliza wrote:

Tony_H....good tip on the winter tyres....is that definite that they will have them by default?...if it is then I've been "done" for the last 5 years!

Unless they have changed their policy in the past couple of years, yes.
I rented a car in December for 4 days, it was only a Fiat Punto, and it had winter tyres on. I believe it is policy in that region for winter tyres to be fitted to all vehicles, I may be wrong, and it may just have been the rental company I used.

I was asked at the counter if I wanted to pay extra for winter tyres and declined, and the car they gave me already had them fitted. In fact, every car in the rental bays had them on, so yes I believe in this case they do try to extorte extra money out of people.

It is different in different countries and areas though, so dont take it as read.

Thanks Tony_H.......i'll give them a call I think to find out

Due to complaints, many of the rental companies now include the winter tyre charge ~ this started last year, but is more dominant this year.

When you do your car hire search, look for offers which explicitly state "winter tyre charge included". If it isn't specific, then read carefully, "What is included", and "What is not included"

Also, it is usually worth taking out a separate excess insurance before you leave.

W usually manage to avoid the stop-start because of the late arrival time of the flight from Manchester but at busy times, holidays, half terms etc, you can sit in traffic for hours.