Flooding in Europe, Do We Need to Change Destinations?

Hello Andrea,

Mr E has posted weather updates under both Austria and Hungary in the forum. So have others.

I would also suggest going to the website of your airlines or maybe even calling.

And what about our State Department.

I will look forward to reading your trip reports.

Thank you, but I already saw the weather updates. It is going to be getting better before we arrive, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is flooding and it may get worse.

I’m thinking about skipping Austria altogether and staying in Augsburg for a week before traveling to Budapest, when hopefully any flooding will have subsided. We already have Deutschland tickets for this month, so we would be able to use Augsburg as a base and do day trips. Am I overthinking this? Help!

Andrea, I would probably try to avoid Vienna at the very least, and possibly Salzburg as well, which is dealing with a lot of snow causing some railway closures. From everything I've read, it sounds like many roads are closed in the area, and the surrounding area has been declared a disaster area. See this article:

https://planetski.eu/2024/09/16/severe-flooding-hits-austria-beyond/

ETA: I don't think you are overthinking it. It's obviously a huge issue right now. I think if I were in your shoes, I would probably opt for your Augsburg choice. And if it gets better, you could probably find a hotel at the last minute. Have you contacted your hotel to ask them about how things are?

I think I would implement plan B by finding lodging in Germany and cancel the Salzburg and Vienna lodging. I texted our friends in Vienna today and have heard nothing back yet but the weather forecast and pleas from ÖBB would have me staying out of the way of their storm recovery.

Andrea, from everything I am reading, at the moment my feeling is that the best thing you can do at the moment, if it is possible is probably to pivot to Germany. That will give time for transport routes in Austria to begin to function again.
I have just been long winded and emotional on another thread.

The current transport situation looks to be very volatile, and with water levels apparently still rising there is potential risk of various sorts IMO in trying to continue with Austria in the near term.

I don't think there is a perfect answer in this very difficult situation.

Thanks everyone. I’ve cancelled our reservations in Salzburg and Vienna, and now we will spend a week in Dachau before going to Budapest. We can do day trips from there. We’ve been to Munich, but it has been a long time and there is a lot we haven’t seen. My homework for tonight is to dust off my old Germany guidebook and make some notes. I’m hoping that by the 25th things will have improved. My heart is with those suffering these terrible conditions.

So sorry that your plans got fruit basket turned over.

Carol and I are supposed to be in southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria but we saw what was coming and decided not to go - still at home. Easier for us. Sorry for all the victims and sorry for the travellers, and especially the two of you.

Andrea, I suspect that by the 25th very little will be hampering travel plans. Maybe not back to 100% but I would be very surprised if not very, very doable. Sorry you had to go through this. Enjoy the trip.