Venice to Salzburg- how is the drive?

Old Jan 18th, 2016, 11:56 AM
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Venice to Salzburg- how is the drive?

We are considering making a side trip to Salzburg during a trip to Venice (yes, I know I can't drive in Venice). How is the road to Salzburg? I'm thinking I might rather take the train but we will have a rental car anyway for another part of our trip, so I thought I'd at least investigate the roads. For comparison- we live in California, and I'd consider the I-80 to Tahoe not too scary but the road from Carmel to Cambria pretty hair raising in parts. I don't enjoy steep drop offs with no guard rail (this doesn't bother me on the train for some reason). Thanks for any information about the roads.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 12:21 PM
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Look up the route on viamichelin and you will see that most of it is on freeways. I've been on part of it and the views are terrific. However trains may be more practical. For all manner of car rental information [including cross-border dropoff fees, which can be horrifying] speak to someone at Autoeurope using the toll free number.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 02:38 PM
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Thanks, will go check out viamichelin. We're planning on coming back to Italy, so no horrific drop off fees, but thanks for pointing that out. I agree, the drop off fees are really high!
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 03:11 PM
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It's freeways, with several tunnels in Austria.
You will need a toll sticker to drive on Austrian motorways, plus pay extra for the Tauern tunnel.
The sticker needs to be bought and attached to the windshield BEFORE you drive the very first kilometer on Austrian motorways (i.e. while still in Italy). The toll for the tunnels will be paid on the spot.

The alternative to the freeway-only option is to take the Grossglockner Alpine Road (in summer) one way. But since you are not to comfortable with drop offs, it may not be your cup of tea. Though the road itself is very easy to navigate and needs no skills for mountain driving.
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 10:30 AM
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Thank you, Cowboy1968. That's very helpful. Will I be able to buy the sticker at the car rental agency? This will be late April. I guess I need to go investigate snow chain requirements now.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2016, 12:35 AM
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The snow tire requirement for Austria is 1 November to 15 April; for Italy, 15 October to 15 April. You likely won't need chains for the driving route you propose. The Grossglockner highway doesn't open until May.

Not sure if you can purchase a vignette at the car rental agency, but there will be places as you approach the border at which you can purchase the vignette. Do be certain the place the sticker on your windscreen immediately.
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