Stressful or not ? - driving from Salzburg to Mittenwald
 

Hey,everyone, our family are visiting MIttenwald, Garmisch, Oberammergau area from Salzburg. We have never been to this area and are nervous about the driving since we live in small town in U.S. and are not used to stressful driving condition. Please let us know whether it will be a leisurely drive or pretty busy fast traffic. (Any driving around high mountain or cliffs?) Thank you in advance for your insight so that I can plan accordingly.

It depends upon how much you like to drive. Driving in Germany is easy. Know the rules of the road and follow them and you'll have a nice drive. If you're a nervous driver, public transportation is very good.

This drive especially depending upon the day done is not really stressful, but on roads with a good amount of traffic. The better portion of the driving is on autobahns. Salzburg is very close to the german border.
Depending on your departure place in Salzburg head toward the A- 1 or A- 10 autobhan then in direction Munchen ( Munich.)

In just a short distance you come to the border area with a much lower speed limit - the roadway is designated A-8 -
speed limits well vary between 100 - 130 kilometers per hour ( 60- 78 miles per hour )

This area on weekends can be very busy and conjested with vacationers in those seasons summer and winter. Some rolling hills but nothing to be considered in any way dangerous.

Weekdays generally only moderate traffic.
Slower moving traffic will stay to the right- many trucks
For lane changing most all will indicate this by turn signals.

This is an older autobahn - well maintained - mostly 2 lanes in each direction- the last time I was on this some construction but no real problems.

Near Rosenheim you will see signs for connection to Innsbruck ( A-93) - I would suggest this routing toward Innsbruck as all autobahn driving - Back in Austria watch speed limit signs as much of this route is 100- 120 . Austrian designation of roadway is A-12

Just after passing Innsbruck watch for signs by the area of Zirl.
You exit there to the roadway #177 direction Seefeld - then shortly after Seefeld you find Mittenwald.

depending on your driving about 2 1/2 hours

No real cliffs or mountain to worry about -

A portion of the roadway toward Seefeld asfter leaving the autobahn is up a relatively long hill - but the roadway is quite wide - and no trouble.

Alternate way exists to Mittenwald .but the above is most direct and easiestin my opinion.

I think in the end you may find driving in that area a lot LESS stressful than it is in your "small town."

Why?

For one thing, you aren't going to see a lot of people HOGGING the left lane as you do in the US.

Amazingly enough, drivers in Europe actually USE their turn signals when they are changing lanes, turning corners, etc.

Horns are not used as they are here in the US as when somebody is really impatient and just HAS to get somewhere BEFORE you do.

The roads are in EXCELLENT repair and well-marked.

Keep in mind, that in Austria you need a road sticker, a vignette, that's placed in the windshield when driving on the autobahn. Not expensive and I think you can purchase at any gas station. As for the driving, roads are well marked, as suggested. You should not have a problem.

The driving is fine but plan on a roundtrip of almost 6 hours of driving---it is a good distance.

Regarding austrian vignettes - my comments above assumed renting the auto by Salzburg .
Most every austrian rental office autos will alrerady have a year vignette affixed to the windshield . this year a gold color and will have a " J " in upper corner year in german =jahre and 2011
Best to check to be certain - if not a 10 day vignette costs 7,90 euro.

What are you flight plans? It seems like you are ending up your travel in Germany. Is it R/T from Munich? Very easy to rent a car at the Munich airport and drive to Salzburg. Of our three trips to Salzburg, we have driven into old Salzburg twice and it was a bit trying, but manageable. Between 2 and 2 1/2 hours from the airport. You might also find renting a car in Germany is cheaper.

If you tell the rental company you're going to Austria, they will make sure you are equiped with what you need. If I remember correctly you need to carry a roadside kit, that the rental company usually has in the car.

>need to carry a roadside kit
Just as in Germany, except in Austria you also have to carry at least one warning vest.

Thanks logos, it's the warning vest that I was thinking about.

Hi,

I find driving, in general, in Germany and Austria LESS stressful than here at home. On highways, people actually stay to the right except to pass... what a concept. Depending on your route, you could take practically all highways or all secondary roads. All depends on what you'd like to do. If you can drive here without being stressed out, you can drive in Germany and Austria.

Driving is almost completely on the autobahn via Innsbruck and Zirler Berg (mountain) road. Easy driving, except when going uphill to Seefeld there may be some trucks/campers going REALLY slow.
This is the road http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m57u1fpzLB0 ,
but you'll be going uphill.

Thank you all for taking the time to share your experiences and give me your insightful opinions. I feel somewhat relieved. I am indeed a nervous backseat driver.(My husband is going to do the driving.) I would rather take the train if possible but we only have 1 1/2 days to explore Mittenwald areas before we take the train to Interlaken to continue our 4-day journey in Switzerland. What do you all think if I take the train from Salzburg to Innsbruck, pick up the rental car there to visit Germany, stay 2 nights in Mittenwald or Garmisch ( which is better?), then return car in Innsbruck, then take the train to Interlaken. The back tracking to Innsbruck seems unavoidable since there are more trains to Interlaken from there and the train ride is not as long.
Please let me know your thoughts on this. It sounds so complicated but I am just trying to cut back the driving.
I am anxious to hear your inputs. Thank you all so much.

Um - well all of those towns are in the foothills of the mountains - and at some point you will have to take a pass through the mountains. So yes, there will be mountain roads. I didn't find it scary at all - but I'm a confident driver. If you're a nervous one perhaps consider taking the train.

Oh - and overall find driving in europe much esier than in the US since 1) roads and signage are generally better and 2) drivers are much better than in the US (where a chimp can get a license if he doesn;t hit anything on the test). Granted speeds are higher but drivers are much more proficient as a rule.

If your husband is a good driver, sit back and be in charge of the music.

I agree that drivers in Germany are excellent. You don't see people eating, talking on their cell phones etc. They drive.

Remember that the left lane is for passing only. You do not want to be toodling along mindlessly in the left lane while some big fast mercedes comes barreling down on your compact rear.

I found this to be a useful website.
http://www.gettingaroundgermany.info/regeln.shtml#row

Hi,

You stated... "it sounds so complicated but I am just trying to cut back the driving."

It's not that much driving and it's really not complicated at all. Salzburg to Mittenwald/Garmisch is easy and can be done in about 3 hours. Say for instance you left Salzburg at 10am. You could be in Mittenwald/Garmisch by 1pm. Not bad at all. By the way, Garmisch to Oberammergau is about 20 min. drive, Garmisch to Mittenwald is about 20 min. and Mittenwald to Innsbruck is about 45 min. drive.

We prefer Mittenwald to Garmisch. We stayed in Mittenwald twice, in April '05 and October '06, and love it there. We also visited Mittenwald as a day trip recently in Nov. '10.

If you decide to train to Innsbruck to rent a car, train to Garmisch and rent the car there instead. Rental prices are generally cheaper in Germany than in Austria.

Paul

You all are wonderful to give tips and advice and,most of all, make me feel well-equipped to venture out in these foreign countries. Thanks so much. I decide to ride the train to Garmisch and pick up the rental car as pja1 suggested. Thanks to you all great people.