Road into St Gilgen

We will be driving to St Gilgen from Munich next week - from looking on the net it looks like we will be taking A8 tto the Austrian border, then A1 followed by B154 .

There%26#39;s been a lot of snow recently, can anyone tell me what the road into St Gilgen is like? (the B154 - I am assuming the others are fairly large and will be reasonably clear to drive on). Is it twisty/mountainous/treacherous?

Just trying to be forewarned and fore-armed!

Thanks

Ellie

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Yes, some places have experienced considerable snow recently. However most places are experienced with this and can rapidly respond. Usually any snow related problems occur during the snowstorm but crews react quickly to keep roadways open.

Here the bus lines often carry school children also so added need to keep this travel open..

Generally roads in that area are cleared quickly of any snow. The lakes also act to temper the temperatures making accumulated snow amounts smaller.

However I suggest that you exit the autobahn at Thalgau exit 274- this is the exit before the one you mention. this road will take you directly into the town of Hof- turning onto route # 150 and on this road directly passing Fuschl to St, Gilgen.

This is a slightly better and wider roadway- more heavily traveled- example by regular bus to salzburg - fewer hilly areas and fewer sharp curves.

The # 154 has several more narrow and winding areas - a little steeper in several pklaces.

I think driving time via either route would be similar and scenery on both very nice.

Enjoy St. Gilgen and surooundings

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Just watching the evening news here- some more snow perhaps Monday - but by wednesday it appears to offer milder temperatures + 3 grad ( about 38 grad F ) and partly sunny

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Thanks Vertical, that%26#39;s brilliant. We are really looking forward to coming back to Austria.

By the way, is it probable that we can pick up snow chains at petrol stations? Our hire car company can%26#39;t guarantee providing them and we%26#39;re not 100% sure whether we need them but are hoping we can pick some up if they%26#39;re needed.

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Several things regarding the rental auto -

be certain to have snow tires - these are mandatory -

chains- hopefully you will not need.

perhaps a few larger gas stations may have chains but the best chance, better selection would be a dedicated auto shop .

The OAMTC austrian auto club has places in Mondsee and Bad Ischl not far from St. Gilgen . If they should not have them certainly they could direct you

Also a large auto supply company ATU has shops in Salzburg. large selection

www.atu.at

As you already know , a highway use sticker, a Vignette is needed to drive on major austrian roadways. Be certain to get one at or near to the border from Germany.

7,70 euro for 10 days- At least 120 euro fine without it . The police closely moniter this.

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Thanks again for your advice.

I am confused about the tyres now though! I%26#39;ve tried to get to the bottom of this and all the information I read seems to contradict itself.

As I understand it, there are four kinds of tyres: summer tyres, winter tyres , all-weathertyres, and snow tyres, the latter being studded for driving in thick snow. Is that right?

We have been told that the car we are hiring comes with all-weather tyres, and that winter tyres are not available. We can hire snow tyres if we pay 20E a day or thereabouts.

Now, I didn%26#39;t think we needed snow tyres unless there is thick snow on the ground - is that wrong? We had assumed that the all-weather tyres would be legal for the journey we%26#39;re making, and that we needed snow chains in the back of the car in case there was a snowstorm while we were driving (so a legal requirement to fit them) and/or a steep, snowy bit of road to negotiate (i.e. fit them for our own safety).

Will we be illegal without specific snow tyres? I am so confused........ The hire company (a large international one) are being no use whatsoever.

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Actually ignore me, I managed to find the Austrian government%26#39;s advice in English which should be the most accurate.

The hire car company are still not able to tell me whether the car will come with M%26amp;S tyres though. Grrr. I suspect we are going to have to pay through the nose to get the right tyres fitted as an extra.

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