Driving through boarders in Europe

Hi everyone

My husband and I are going to Europe in July/August and I am just wondering about driving through the boarders from country to country.

We have planned to drive from Munich to Salzburg in one day, then the next day are heading to Innsbruck but via Neuschwanstein castle in Germany.

We are Australians and are wondering if any one knows if this will be an issue criss crossing through the countries like this??? We are also doing this same sort of thing through France and Italy.

I dont believe there are any out of the ordinary visa restrictions for Australians travelling through Western Europe.

Thank you

Adelmelb

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Well, you certainly will draw a lot of attention walking your favoured pet Kangaroo on a leach.

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There%26#39;s a better than good chance that you won%26#39;t even stop at the borders.

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Chances are good that you won´t even recognise it when you pass the border.

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The only borders you have to worry about are when you are driving on autobahns into Austria and Switzerland. Both require a vignette (sticker) for autobahn use, or you pay a large fine if caught. Gas stations near the border usually sell them.

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Fantastic, thank you everyone for that. At least I now dont have to change our travel plans because of this.

Thanks

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Just to re-enforce what %26#39;marcopolko%26#39; said. Be certain that you have the auto vignette for driving on the Autobahns in Austria or Switzerland.

You do not want to see the blue lights of the Autobahnpolizei in your rear view mirror. In Austria, the minimum fine which has to be paid on the spot is between 120 and 520 €. http://www.german-way.com/autobahn2.html

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Wow that is a massive fine especially with the currency conversion to Aussie dollars. Will definitely make sure we get one of those passes.

Thank you for that. Would we be able to pick one of those up in Munich when we start our trip???

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%26gt;Would we be able to pick one of those up in Munich%26lt;

They are available at the ADAC(German Automobile Association) branches in Munich:

Sonnenstr. 23, München

Elsässer Str. 33, München

Ridlerstr. 35, München

Frankfurter Ring 30, München

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Generally the borders between EEC countries (except the UK!) are open so you don%26#39;t need to stop at all and the old border posts have gone. You will probably be stopped at the border in to Switzerland and, if you are already on the motorway, you will be sold a vignette unless you already have one. Swiss vignettes are only annual ones valid for a calendar year.

I believe that you can get an Austrian one for 2 weeks - they sell them at service stations on the autobahn approaching Austria. In France and Italy you pay motorway tolls as you travel - generally by getting a ticket as you enter the toll area and then paying as you exit based on the distance travelled.

Beware of speed cameras, particularly in Switzerland where the fines can be very expensive.

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%26gt;You will probably be stopped at the border in to Switzerland%26lt;

In Dec. 2008 Switzerland has joined the border free Schengen Zone, which means no border checks on individuals. There are just spot checks, and the smaller border points are mostly unmanned now. At motorway border points you may very well be waved through. In that case you have to stop and ask for the sticker at the customs office.