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Driving Vienna-Salzburg-Ljubljana in December

My husband and I are considering a December trip to Vienna for the Christmas market. We would like to rent a car after a few days and drive on to Salzburg and Ljubljana. What are the roads like in December?

Posted by
492 posts

They'll likely handle snow removal quite quickly and efficiently there, with highways and major roads especially.

Any car you rent in Austria should come with winter tires, as well (I believe they're required by law to have them after October and through to end of winter). Beyond that, it'll likely depend on where you plan to go - if you're driving off major roads and hitting up some back roads, snow removal could take a little longer or not be as frequent.

Posted by
1875 posts

Picking up a car in Austria (i.e. Vienna) and returning it in Slovenia (i.e. Ljubljana) will impose a hefty fee for bringing back the car to Austria.

Posted by
613 posts

Michelin Green Guide to Austria is essential for sight seeing by car. In your case, it is also useful for listing the dates mountain pass roads are closed for winter. Suggest seeing Melk, Maria Tafrl & Wilhering churches & Mauthausen concentration camp on Vienna-Salzburg leg. In good weather, a swing thru Slazkaaergut is scenic.