I'm going to Austria for the last two weeks of October, beginning in Vienna and working my way west to Innsbruck. I'll be going to Melk, then roughly heading south through Styria before swinging up to Hallstat, then onto Salzburg and finally to Tirol. I went to Austria about 20 years ago, but I only spent time in Vienna and Salzburg. This time I'll be renting a car for most of the journey to maximize my ability to explore the countryside. Rather than start a new topic for each question, I decided to consolidate them here:
I know vignettes are required for driving on certain roads, and I'd like to have one so as not to limit myself when choosing a route. I know they're available at gas stations. My question is whether rental cars come with vignettes, or will I have to purchase one after picking up my rental car, or does it just depend on which car rental company I choose? Also, are tolls paid at the beginning (or end) of the toll road section?
I would like to visit an ice cave but can't decide between the Dachstein Eispalast and the Eisriesenwelt. What is the difference? Is one much more strenuous than the other?
I also wondered if there are any areas where a person could go sledding or tobogganing that would be open in late October.
I greatly appreciate any guidance you can give on any of these questions!