7suns

We are driving by car from Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary.

Can you give us any SAFETY TIPS on how to prevent pick-pockets, or anything else we should be aware of?

Thank you for your help.

Michael

Be as aware of your surroundings in large cities as you would be in your home country.

Michael

Nothing to do with safety tips: Make sure that you have the vignette for you car while driving through Austria and Hungary (I do not know if the Czech Republic has the same system).

Gretchen

Don't leave things in your car. Drive on the right side except to pass. Be aware of your surroundings as I would be in my home town.

Michael

<i>Don't leave things in your car.</i>

This may be unavoidable as you visit sites between your overnight stops. But backing the car against a wall if possible might stop someone from popping the trunk open.

Viajero2

LOCK YOUR DOORS even when you are inside the car. SPECIFICALLY, make sure you lock the hatchback door if your car has one. During a recent trip to Nice, we were stuck in traffic. A mopped carrying two youngsters drove the opposite direction to our lane, stopped next to us, and one of the youngsters tried to open the hatchback. Unable to opened it, he quickly ran and opened my (passenger) door, which was unlocked. He swiftly reached for my handbag which was on the floor. Luckily, the handbag was sort of wrapped around my shoe and he had to hesitate, which gave me enough time to pushed him off, slammed the door and locked it. This ALL happens in less than 15 seconds. Had he been successful, his partner would had catch the bounty (bags, etc...) and had ample opportunity to escape in a mopped as we were stuck in traffic going the opposite direction. These economic times are turning a lot of people into a life of crime. Beware.

bilboburgler

Not only lock the doors, but in stationary traffic leave a car's space in front of you, this offers you some chance to move about if you get "biked". Always reverse into a car parking position, this means you can move off quickly if you need to. Ensure that all luggage is out of site, also ensure that GSM, laptops etc are put away.

Many motorways in Germany have no speed limit. So KEEP OUT OF THE WAY . Move into the overtaking lane only when you need to overtake. However watch out for idiot truck drivers, often exhausted from driving across Europe who just pull out into the flow when they want to.

In Austria watch out for police pulling you over close to any border, they are police but are trying to be some sort of barrier to people trafficking that Schengen seems to support.

Michael

<i>make sure you lock the hatchback door if your car has one.</i>

Every car I have rented in recent years automatically locks the doors, including the hatchback, once it moves at more than 10 km. per hour. In some cars there is no key system to lock or unlock the trunk, it is done either electronically or manually from inside the car.

chartley

We live in Europe, and in every car we have bought in the past 15 years the doors have locked autonatically as soon as the speed has reached 5 miles per hour. Vehicle security has improved to such an extent in recent years that car crime has reduced considerably.

There are simple precautions you can take, such as not leaving valuables in sight, parking so thaat the rear of the car is close to a wall so that the rear cannot be opened, and not letting people see what you have in the boot when you are leaving the car. However, you really should not worry too much. Theft is really not that common.

fourfortravel

You will need a vignette for Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary. They are easy enough to purchase prior to, and just as you enter each country. Be prepared to pay for them in cash.

We live in Austria and have been driving about all four countries without problems. Follow your basic personal safety guidelines ( for example, do not leave valuables visible, lock your car doors and so forth) and enjoy your road trip. The speed limits do not vary much between countries on the highways, but often they are not posted. Do respect that the left lane on highways is reserved for passing and for those who enjoy driving at high speeds.

Bilboburgler, I am curious about your Austria comment. Would you mind sharing your experiences, observed or otherwise?

BigRuss

<<Bilboburgler, I am curious about your Austria comment. Would you mind sharing your experiences, observed or otherwise?>>

Austria has a reputation for having a strong police presence on its motorways near the border crossings. But I've always heard that in relation to nabbing unsuspecting drivers who don't purchase the vignettes.

nytraveler

You simply follow the same basic rules as at home:

Keep your car - all doors locked at all times (in or out of car)

Never leave anything showing in a parked car (put everything in the closed trunk - but not near where yuo will park) Do not take a hatchback in which anything shows

Keep your hands on your purse or luggage at all times. Do not let go for a minute anywhere - even in airport toilets. - or hotel dining rooms.

Keep you valuable with you at all times in a secure place - not a back pack or back pocket or fanny pack or purse on your arm. Use a cross body bag and be sure the valuable s are in a zipper compartment not easily accessible.

If anyone approaches you - you do NOT have to engage with them. Ignoring them and walking by is just fine.

If anyone bothers you scream police as loud as you can.

Mainhattengirl

Gosh, nytraveler, I help people all the time, at ticket machines, at the airport and train stations or ones that are just lost in the city and I think I would freak out if they starting screaming Police, let alone be rude and ignore me. Not every person who is trying to help is a scammer or a thief. Being aware and savvy is not the same as being paranoid and scared of all strangers.

I do enjoy seeing the tourists who are trying so hard to "blend", but still have a death grip on their pacsafe purse. I call it the tourist clutch and it is a clear give-away. If you want to call attention to yourself and your possesions, this is a good way to do it.

In a car, do remove the GPS from the dashboard or window and lock it in the trunk or glove compartment. Have had several friends get their windows smashed and their GPS stolen. This happened in small towns and rural areas too, not in a big city.

bilboburgler

fourfortravel

Well our Slovenian friends almost expect to be stopped if they use any of the back roads between the two countries and I received it last winter as a bunch of us were travelling in a taxi to a Slovenian ski resort, meanwhile over at the East end of Lake Constance I have been stopped crossing on the non-motorway road between Germany and Austria for the sane reason.

No one locally (in either area) thinks this is abnormal or wrong, the Austrians are trying to do something about the people trafficking that comes in from Albania and Greece both of enslaved prostitutes and illegal immigrants, basically Schengen is completely porous south of Austria (Greece, Italy, Slovenia) so the guys are doing what they can to stop this dreadful business. I support it but they are trying to hold back the rising tide. (if this means nothing look up Canute)

logos999

I'm quite regularly at Lake Spitzing for star watching. It's right at the Austrian border. I've seen shady people in the woods crossing over into Germany several times. I never felt threatend, minding my own business, but in case, I wouldn't have a chance. Don't do as I do.