Vienna Roundtrip - Ice Caves Alpine Lakes and Giant Wheels

Route Snapshot: Vienna to the Austrian Alps

Leaving the imperial grandeur of the Austrian capital and venturing into the majestic alpine landscapes of the east provides an unforgettable European holiday. This 15-day journey beautifully combines the sophisticated coffee house culture of Vienna with the soaring peaks, ancient salt mines, and pristine lakes of the Salzkammergut and Carinthia regions.

Why This Route Works for RV Travel

Taking a motorhome across this spectacular country gives you the ultimate freedom to explore deep valleys and towering fortresses at your own pace. Emphasizing environmentally conscious travel on The Green Road ensures that the beautiful alpine meadows and delicate water systems remain pristine for decades to come. Having an RV guarantees you always have a cozy refuge when the alpine wind picks up, giving you a massive advantage over traditional travelers. Furthermore, a solid campervan route planner helps you navigate tight European cities and steep mountain passes, ensuring you know exactly where to park your large vehicle while avoiding the impossibly narrow streets of historic villages.

Route Rhythm: Pacing Your 1,378 km Journey

We recommend embracing slow travel on this route. Rather than rushing from one photo opportunity to the next, break your journey into distinct regional stages. For the detailed day-by-day stops and exact parking locations, refer to the full itinerary on RV PLANET.

Stage 1: Imperial Vienna & Eastern Approaches

Begin by soaking in the culture of Vienna before transitioning into the rolling eastern foothills. This leg is about getting comfortable with your motorhome and leaving the city limits behind for open roads.

Stage 2: Salzkammergut Lakes & Salt Mines

Slow down significantly as you enter the Salzkammergut region. The focus here is on pristine alpine lakes and ancient local industry. You will want ample time to park your RV near the water and explore the deep valleys on foot or by bike.

Stage 3: Carinthia Heights & Ice Caves

This stage takes you into the heart of the mountains. Navigate majestic alpine landscapes and towering fortresses. The driving requires more attention on mountain passes, but the reward of crisp mountain air and subterranean cave explorations is unparalleled.

Stage 4: The Green Road Return

A leisurely drive back toward the capital, emphasizing environmentally conscious travel through beautiful alpine meadows. This final stretch allows you to reflect on the journey while enjoying the last of Austria's natural beauty before returning your vehicle in Vienna.

What to See Along the Route: Key Themes

This diverse 1,378 km loop offers a rich blend of attractions. While specific stops are detailed inside RV PLANET, you can expect to encounter these overarching themes:

• Nature & Alpine Wonders: Explore subterranean caves (including famous ice caves), pristine natural features, and majestic alpine lakes. Opportunities for wildlife watching and relaxing at a traditional spa or terme are abundant.
• Family & Active Pursuits: The route is packed with family activities, including amusement parks featuring giant wheels, zoos, bike rentals for lakeside trails, and even extreme activities for the adventurous traveler.
• Culture & Heritage: Transition from Vienna's coffee houses to historic sites and towering fortresses. Discover ancient local industries like salt mining, browse traditional markets, and indulge in traditional restaurants and fine dining along the way.
• Waterfront Experiences: Take advantage of cruise terminals and sailing opportunities on the vast lakes of Carinthia and Salzkammergut.

Trip-Prep Q&A: Planning Your Austrian Adventure

How many days do I need for this trip?

We highly recommend dedicating the full 15 days to this route. Covering 1,378 km over two weeks allows for a relaxed pace, giving you time to safely navigate mountain passes and thoroughly enjoy the lakes and historical sites without feeling rushed.

Is this RV route worth it?

Absolutely. Experiencing the contrast between Vienna's sophistication and the rugged beauty of the Salzkammergut and Carinthia regions from the comfort of a motorhome is a premier European holiday experience.

Who is this itinerary best for?

This route is exceptionally versatile. It is ideal for families seeking amusement parks and zoos, couples looking for romantic lakeside fine dining and spas, and outdoor enthusiasts eager to hike alpine meadows and explore caves.

When is the best season to travel?

Planning your road trip for the spring bloom or the long, warm days of summer provides the absolute best conditions for outdoor hiking and lake swimming. Understanding the mountain weather of Austria is vital; while winter transforms the landscape into a snowy wonderland, it requires proper cold-weather tires and highly careful driving.

Booking Your Motorhome & Budget Framing

When planning your budget for this 15-day Austrian adventure, consider the primary categories: your motorhome rental rate, campground fees, fuel, food, and attraction tickets. Because this is a roundtrip journey starting and ending in Vienna, you will not have to worry about one-way drop-off fees, which keeps costs streamlined.

Your fuel budget will be based on the 1,378 km distance, though you should allow a small buffer for side trips to scenic viewpoints or lakeside parking areas. Campground costs in Austria vary depending on proximity to major lakes and alpine resorts; booking a mix of premium resort sites and quieter, nature-focused parks will balance your nightly expenses. For specific vehicle availability, seasonal rates, and live pricing, use the search tools below.

Ready to secure your vehicle for the Ice Caves, Alpine Lakes, and Giant Wheels route? Head over to the full itinerary and booking platform at RV PLANET to finalize your travel dates and reserve the perfect motorhome for your Austrian expedition.

Interactive route map

Official RV PLAN route map

Route rhythm at a glance

A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.

Days 1-4 — Imperial Vienna & Eastern Approaches

~150–250 km across this leg

Settle into your motorhome and transition from the grand capital to the rolling eastern foothills.

Days 5-8 — Salzkammergut Lakes & Salt Mines

~300–400 km across this leg

Slow down to explore pristine alpine lakes, ancient salt mines, and deep valleys at your own pace.

Days 9-12 — Carinthia Heights & Ice Caves

~400–500 km across this leg

Navigate majestic alpine landscapes and towering fortresses while enjoying the crisp mountain air.

Days 13-15 — The Green Road Return to Vienna

~200–300 km across this leg

A leisurely drive back toward the capital, emphasizing environmentally conscious travel through beautiful alpine meadows.

Verified RV logistics for this route

• Average daily drive: roughly 92 km/day. Build in shorter days near national parks and scenic stops.
• Fuel stops: expect at least 3 fill-ups along the route (typical Class C tank range ~600 km / 370 mi).
• Dump stations: plan 5 dump stops, roughly every 3 days.
• Campground booking lead time: 3–6 months ahead for state/national park sites; 2–4 weeks is usually fine for private RV resorts.
• Season check: confirm on RV PLAN that every overnight stop is open for your dates — several close out of season.

Live availability and pricing

Total cost for this 15-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 1,378 km route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Vienna → Vienna pickup window on Rent Motorhome.

Motorhomes available in Vienna for this route

These are real vehicles in our Vienna pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.

Check availability and book this route

Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Vienna → Vienna route.

More RV routes from Vienna

Picking up in Vienna but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot:

• Vienna Round trip - The Imperial and Thermal Loop
  8 days • 532 km • to Vienna
• 

  Vienna Round trip - The Imperial Loop
  
  8 days • 1,011 km • to Vienna
• Vienna Round-trip - The Blue Danube & Bohemian Forest
  8 days • 1,136 km • to Vienna
• 

  Vienna Round-trip - The Adriatic Alpine Loop
  
  9 days • 1,510 km • to Vienna
• 

  Vienna Roundtrip - The Epic Austrian and Slovakian Loop
  
  16 days • 1,334 km • to Vienna