Hi,.
We are planning a road trip (renting a car in Vienna) and travelling to Budapest via Bratislava. And then will stay in Budapest. And then drive from there to Ljubljana through Zagreb. Stay in Slovakia. And finally drive back to Vienna.
What should we know before crossing these international borders? Do we need some sort of permit to travel between these countries. We hold US passports.
Any suggestions are highly appreciated
Thanks a lot
As these countries are all in the Schengen Zone, there is no formal border procedure between these countries. You will need vignettes for your car for Austria and Slovenia. Croatia uses a toll system.
And then drive from there to Ljubljana through Zagreb. Stay in
Slovakia. And finally drive back to Vienna.
Maybe you didn't mean " Slovakia"? Maybe you meant "Slovenia"? Or your description is out of sequence?
You realize that car is going to cost you thousands of $$ before it's all over ..... which is okay. Just a heads up this isn't a drive across the Midwest US cost wise.
Have a blast.
Yes, I meant from ZAgreb to Slovenia
Why do you say that sir?
We looked up rental charges and they were decent enough.
Just the gas and Toll charges we had to take care of now.
Is there something else we are missing?
Thanks
In all countries you want to go to, i.e. Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, you have to pay toll for using the freeways (Autobahn). In Croatia you pay at toll booths, in all other countries you need a toll sticker (either physically at the windshield or virtually linked to the car's license plate).
You will need an international driver's permit. Usually issued by automobile clubs.
And gas is considerably more expensive and for parking i would figure 30 euro a night. Then maybe 100 euro in traffic fines.
We are booking hotels with parking spot. And if we pay toll charges and purchase the vignettes, why are we fined? Is there something here we are missing?
Thanks
anusha.phd, no you arent missing anythng. I was sort of joking. Reading the posts here sometimes it seems a lot of people end up getting traffic tickets in the mail 6 months later. And if you got hotels with free parking you are all set to go. To be honest I cant think of a better way to see Croatia and Slovenia than to drive, so I think that much is a brilliant idea. And do take a moment to let us know which hotels in Budpaest, Vienna and Salzburg you found with the free parking. That will be useful for a lot of people.
... why are we fined?
Most people are fined for exceeding the speed limits.
