Landmarks
Melk Abbey
A magnificent Baroque Benedictine abbey perched on a cliff above the Danube at the entrance to the Wachau Valley.
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Road trip route · Austria
Vienna to Salzburg drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 3 hr 10 min
- Distance
- 296 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €34
- Tolls (est.)
- None
The Vienna to Salzburg drive
The drive from Vienna to Salzburg covers 184 miles (296 km) and takes about 3 hr 10 min without stops. That makes it a comfortable one-day drive. Leave in the morning and you'll arrive with the day ahead of you.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €34 one-way with no significant motorway tolls on the way. Austria requires a motorway vignette (~€12.4 sticker (10-day/weekly)). Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
At 184 miles this is longer than 47% of the 144 routes covered here.
Best stops between Vienna and Salzburg
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Natural Wonders
Königssee
A pristine emerald-green lake nestled between steep mountain walls, famous for its echo and the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä.
Scenic Viewpoints
Wachau Valley
A UNESCO-listed stretch of the Danube between Melk and Krems, lined with terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and medieval castles.
Scenic Viewpoints
Danube Valley (Donautal)
The scenic Austrian stretch of the Danube from Passau to Vienna, passing Baroque abbeys, ruined castles, and the Wachau wine region.
Photo Spots
St. Wolfgang & Schafbergbahn
Lakefront pilgrimage village on the Wolfgangsee from which Austria's steepest steam cog railway, running since 1893, grinds up the Schafberg to a summit view over five Salzkammergut lakes.
Photo Spots
Ramsau Church St. Sebastian
The 1512 parish church above the Ramsauer Ache with the Reiter Alpe behind is Bavaria's most-painted postcard; the classic angle is from the small wooden Malerwinkel footbridge a minute from the road.
Famous Roads
Postalm Panoramastrasse
A toll road onto Austria's largest alpine pasture plateau above the Wolfgangsee, gentle and wide open.
What you need for this drive
Rules for each country on the route, in the order you meet them.
Austria
- Motorway
- 130 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Vignette (ASFINAG)
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first-aid kit
- Winter tyres
- 1 November - 15 April
Checked against national road authorities and the ECB reference rates. Rules change — confirm before you travel.
Famous drives in Austria
Legendary routes you could bolt onto this trip, with real distances and stop counts.
Vienna to Salzburg FAQs
How long is the drive from Vienna to Salzburg?
Driving from Vienna to Salzburg takes about 3 hr 10 min nonstop, covering 184 miles (296 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Vienna to Salzburg?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €34 one-way. There are no significant motorway tolls on this route. Austria requires a motorway vignette (~€12.4 sticker (10-day/weekly)). Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Vienna to Salzburg in one day?
Yes, at about 3 hr 10 min of driving, Vienna to Salzburg is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What other drives can I plan on Plan Your Road Trips?
We publish drive times, distances and fuel estimates for 144 routes across Europe and beyond, including 5 other drives in the same country. Browse them all on the routes index.
What are the best stops between Vienna and Salzburg?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Melk Abbey, Königssee, Wachau Valley: see the full list of 7 stops on this page.
More drives from Vienna & Salzburg
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free Austria road trip planner, browse every destination we cover, take it with you on the road, or read the driving in Austria guide.