:confused:

The priority road sign does not mean the speed limit has changed to 50km/h, only the town limit sign (Yellow rectangle, black writing, name of town and landkreis) means the speed limit has gone down to 50.

The priority road signs serve to show that traffic on that particular road has priority and is not subject to the right-before-left rule (among other things).

I was in Germany few years ago and I like Germany roads! And speed.. They drive in Germany very fast

Just a warning about Austrian autoroutes. 130 km/h is the top speed limit which isn't posted anywhere. There are fixed speed cameras as well as moving/radar traps.

In Austria you'll need to have a special sticker on your windshield called "vignette", that is the equivalent of paying a toll. Actually, you should purchase it before crossing the border. Any gas station along autobahn A8 (Munich-Salzburg) should have it.
If your vacation is going to be in the Winter, make sure you get winter tires.
Also, your dream of driving without speed limits on German autobahns (Autobahnen) can, and certainly will, be shattered by lots of construction zones, traffic jams and areas that do have speed limits.
Another thing - please anybody correct me if I am wrong and/or add more precise info: if you are driving over 130km/h and have an accident, your insurance may deny coverage.

you're right!! interesting info here: http://kfz-versicherung.suite101.de/...nhalten_werden
(in german only)

Driving at more than 130 kph
 

"Germany has no speed limit" is indeed a bit of a myth.

It is correct that, unless otherwise indicated, you can drive at any speed you like on the Autobahn, and you cannot be prosecuted for simply driving too fast.

However, there is a recommended maximum speed of 130 kph.

If you are driving at more than 130 kph, and you have an accident, then the burden of proof is on you to prove that speed was NOT a contributory factor. If you can't prove this then your insurance will only cover 75% of any claim that arises from an accident, so you could be left seriously out of pocket.

Speed limit controls in Austria
 

I've heard a rumor, austrian policemen are entitled to guess your speed, when they think you've been driving to fast?! Anybody as some more information about that?

In germany, driving on an autobahn with more than 2 lanes, you HAVE TO drive on the right lane except for overtaking. Even many germans think they "are not allowed, as in this case the right lane is for trucks only", therefore anoying me as i have to cross from the right lane to the left and back (giving them a short indication/reminder by the headlights (what's allowed to indicate the intention of overtaking :D)). Be careful not to interfere with others in this case.

The Austrian Vignette is very important. In this Area are many controls from the higway Police. You can buy an Austrian vignette at gasstations, ore at kiosks before border crossings

prices are

10 Days: 7,70 €
60 Days: 22:50 €

Minimum Fine for not having a vignette is 120 Euro . You must stick the vignette on the windshield.

Everything will look so narrow
 

After having been driving recently in the US and Canada I suppose you will find roads narrow. Maybe not motorways but local roads are definetely narrower in Europe. And if you drive in areas around the mountains expect to find tiny winding roads. In Canada, in Jasper National Park, we have seen mountain roads that in parts of Italy or Austrian Alps would be considered as motorways. Usually this roads are the most beutfiful or take you to beutiful places. In Austria and through the Black Forest you will travel on them a lot because motorways are not very extended.

In Germany, as pointed in some messages, pay attention to your rear mirror.

Parking in German cities is not easy and you have to understand all those signs that limit the area to only neighbours.

We frequently rent cars in Austria (at VIE) and drive into Slovakia. I have never once purchased the Vignette since I assume that a rental car in Austria will have one. Now am wondering if this is a safe assumption...

But I can't imagine they expect every renter to buy one??

Edit: Remembered this thread about this very topic. @szg notes that rental cars in Austria already have the Vignette. Note that if you come in from another country this will not be the case -- EUR 7.7 seems a pretty small price to pay to avoid problems IMO.