Austria

A LUXURIOUS ROAD TRIP THROUGH STUNNING LANDSCAPES IN AUSTRIA

Austria, a land of Alpine landscapes, rich history, and charming villages makes it the perfect destination for a scenic road trip. For this journey, we started and ended our adventure in Munich, Germany. We travelled with KLM Airlines via Amsterdam, where the spacious economy class and excellent connectivity through Schiphol Airport made for a comfortable start to our trip.

This itinerary is all about showing you the magic of the Austrian Alps—winding through stunning mountain ranges, and storybook towns that truly bring out Austria’s natural charm.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

From May to September, Austria is alive with warm sunshine, wildflower-covered meadows, and perfect weather for exploring those fairytale villages and hiking the Alps. It’s a road-tripper’s dream. But if you’re all about that cozy, wintery magic, December to February is when Austria turns into a snow-dusted wonderland—think skiing, mulled wine, and Christmas markets that look like they came straight out of a storybook. Whichever season you choose, Austria’s ready to wow you.

RENTING A CAR FOR AUSTRIA

Renting a car for an Austrian road trip is easiest (and cheaper!) if you pick up and drop off in Munich, making it a smooth round trip. We went for a stylish black Mercedes Cabriolet from Sixt—perfect for those scenic drives! Just keep in mind, driving is on the right side here, so stay sharp on the road and stick to speed limits because fines can be quite high. Also, don’t skip the insurance—it’s a must for peace of mind on those winding Alpine routes.


"Our Road trip buddy - The Mercedes Cabriolet"

DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN MUNICH AND DRIVE TO SALZBURG

We arrived in Munich, picked up our rental car, and hit the road for a scenic drive to Salzburg, Austria. Once we checked into our hotel, we spent the evening unwinding with a leisurely stroll along the Salzach River.


"Strolling around Salzburg’s lakefront"

DAY 2 – DAY TRIP TO HALLSTATT

Today, we embarked on a scenic day trip to Hallstatt, one of Austria’s most iconic fairytale villages. On arriving in Hallstatt, we took the funicular to the Hallstatt High Valley. From there, we enjoyed a breathtaking view from the panoramic lift and bridge, leading to a charming restaurant and an unforgettable viewing platform. The free-floating Skywalk, perched 360 meters above the UNESCO World Heritage town, offers a one-of-a-kind view of Hallstatt.


"Hallstatt - A UNESCO World Heritage Site"


"From the Hallstatt Skywalk"

After a short 10-minute walk from ‘Top of Hallstatt,’ we took a mine train that carries you through sparkling rock faces deep into the mountain. For an extra thrill, ride the 64-meter-long slides to change levels—though you can always take the stairs if you prefer. Don’t miss out on the fun!


"From the Hallstatt Salt Mines"

DAY 3 – SALZBURG CITY

Today, we explored Salzburg, a city rich in history and culture, mostly on foot and by local buses. Start with a visit to the iconic Hohensalzburg Fortress (Salzburg Castle), where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Afterward, stroll through the beautiful Mirabell Palace and Gardens, a serene spot perfect for relaxing and taking in the scenery. Then, head to Mozart’s Residence and Mozartplatz, where you can immerse yourself in the life of the city’s most famous son. If you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, don’t miss the chance to take the Sound of Music Tour, visiting the original filming locations that made the movie a classic.


"Fortress Hohensalzburg"


"The Mirabell Palace and Gardens"


"The Mozart’s Residence"


"Leopoldskron Palace from the Sound of Music"

DAY 4 – SALZBURG TO ZELL AM SEE

Today, we took a scenic drive from Salzburg to Zell am See, and it was nothing short of spectacular.. As we left Salzburg behind, we were greeted by lush green landscapes and sparkling lakes along the way. We made several stops to take in the views and snap some photos, as the landscapes kept changing, each more beautiful than the last. By the time we reached Zell am See, we couldn’t get over how beautiful the lake looked, surrounded by the towering Alps—it was one of those views that just took your breath away.


"The serene Zell am See Lake"

DAY 5 – KITZSTEINHORN AND THE GROSSGLOCKNER ALPINE ROAD

Today, we headed out to Kitzsteinhorn, and getting there was a breeze. It’s just a short drive from Zell am See to Kaprun Valley, where we hopped on the cable cars that take you right up the mountain. The ride itself was amazing, with views of snowy peaks all around.

“Skiing at the Kitzsteinhorn, Kaprun Valley”

Once we got to the top, there was so much to do! First, we checked out the Gipfelwelt 3000 viewing platform, which has these unreal panoramic views of the Hohe Tauern mountains—it was like something out of a postcard. If you’re into skiing or snowboarding, you can hit the slopes here year-round, since it’s on a glacier! But if you’d rather take it slow, there are trails for snowshoeing or just wandering around and soaking up the mountain vibes. We also popped into Cinema 3000, where they show a short film on the area’s natural beauty, and then grabbed a cozy spot at the restaurant to warm up with a meal and take in the views.


"Tejas at the Top of Salzburg"


"Tanvi at the Top of Salzburg"

Then came the most exciting part of our Austria road trip! The legendary Grossglockner Alpine Road—easily one of the best driving routes in Europe. This stunning road winds through the heart of the Alps, taking us up mountain passes with views that were absolutely surreal. It felt like we were in a dream—just us in our black Mercedes convertible, alone on the road, surrounded by towering, snow-covered mountains on all sides. The thrilling sense of freedom made it feel like we were on top of the world.


"From Austria’s High Alpine Road"


"Snow-capped peaks of Austrian Alps"


"Cruising the Grossglockner"

DAY 6 – KRIMML WATERFALLS AND MAYRHOFEN

We checked out of Zell am See and set off for Krimml Waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Austria. After a short drive, we parked and took a quick hike up to the falls. And wow—what a sight! The water plunges down nearly 380 meters in three powerful tiers, with this cool mist that hits you as you get closer.


"Tejas at Krimml Waterfalls"

"Tanvi at Krimml Waterfalls"

After soaking in the views at Krimml, we hit the road again, heading toward Mayrhofen. The drive was like something out of a storybook, winding through peaceful valleys and tiny alpine villages that looked frozen in time. From Mayrhofen, we continued on to Innsbruck, with the scenery just getting better and better. As we got closer to Innsbruck, the Alps rose around us—it felt like the mountains were welcoming us in.


"Mayrhofen View"


"Nestled in the Alps: Innsbruck"

DAY 7 – SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WORLD

When in Innsbruck, you cannot miss the Swarovski Crystal World! This place is more than just a museum—it’s like stepping into a world of shimmering art and creativity. We explored the Chambers of Wonder, filled with mesmerizing crystal art installations, each one more impressive than the last. Outside, the beautiful gardens and the iconic Giant sculpture added a magical touch.


"Tanvi at Swarovski Crystal World"


"Swarovski Crystal World"

“Tejas at Swarovski Crystal World”

DAY 8 – THE NORDKETTE MOUNTAINS

On our last day, we decided to go big and head up to the Nordkette Mountains, just a short journey from Innsbruck. Getting there was a breeze—the funicular from the city center took us up to the Hungerburg station, where we switched to cable cars that carried us higher into the Alps.

At the top, we were greeted with jaw-dropping panoramas of the Inn Valley on one side and rugged Alpine peaks on the other. For a thrill, there’s also a viewing platform right on the cliff’s edge that gave us a real sense of the mountain’s height and scale. After a day in the heights, we took the cable cars back down, feeling like we’d really ended our trip on a high (literally and figuratively!).


"Nordkette Mountains"

DAY 9 – RETURN TO MUNICH

Our final drive took us back to Munich, and we couldn’t resist the thrill of the Autobahn in Germany. With stretches of road with no speed limits, we got a real taste of open-road freedom, letting the Mercedes stretch its legs one last time! It was the perfect way to wrap up our journey before dropping off the car and getting ready to head home, still buzzing from the amazing adventure we’d had.

WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTRIA?

Salzburg – Hotel Hohenstauffen or Wyndham Grand Hotel Salzburg Conference Center
Zell am See – Hotel Neue Post
Innsbruck – Hilton Garden Inn Innsbruck Tivoli

myluxevoyage

15/11/2024