Davos to Steyr Road Trip: Alpine Highways to Austrian Charm

The road from Davos to Steyr, spanning roughly 540km, traverses the heart of the Alps and the Salzkammergut region. A surprising fact: the route passes near the birthplace of the iconic Austrian composer Anton Bruckner in Ansfelden, a short detour from Steyr. This trip combines Switzerland's dramatic Alpine passes with Austria's gentle river valleys.

Drivers typically need 6-7 hours of pure driving time, but with stops, plan for a full day. The best stops Davos to Steyr include Liechtenstein's capital Vaduz, the medieval town of Feldkirch, and the stunning Hallstatt-Dachstein region. If you're wondering how long to drive Davos to Steyr, expect about 6 hours without delays. But is it worth driving Davos to Steyr? Absolutely—the changing scenery from Swiss peaks to Austrian lakes is unparalleled.

The route follows the A13/E43 in Switzerland to the A14 in Austria, then onto the A1/E55 towards Steyr. For hidden discoveries, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Below is a quick overview of key logistics for this route.

The geography shifts dramatically: from the high Alpine tundra of the Davos region (1,560m) through the Rhine Valley, into the limestone Alps of the Salzkammergut, and finally the rolling hills of Upper Austria. The Landquart valley offers steep vineyards, while near Salzburg, the Untersberg massif dominates.

• UNESCO Sites: Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage site reachable via a 30km detour from the A1 near Bad Ischl. Also, the historic center of Salzburg is UNESCO-listed.
• Best scenic spots: The view from the 'Schönberg' viewpoint on the A13 near Sargans. For a sunset, stop at 'Mondsee' lake off the A1—the west-facing shoreline offers golden hour reflections.
• Climatic conditions: Expect fog in valleys from November to February, especially near Salzburg. The 'Föhn' wind can bring warm spells but also strong gusts around the Alps.

Local commerce includes Swiss 'Bündnerfleisch' (air-dried beef) from Davos, Austrian 'Mozartkugeln' from Salzburg, and handmade wooden toys in Steyr. At the 'Röthis' rest stop (A14), a farmer's stall sells fresh cheese and local wine.

For food, try 'Gasthof Hirschen' in Bürs (traditional Austrian cuisine), 'Da Eugenio' at Feldkirch (Italian-Austrian fusion), and at Mondsee, 'Gasthof zur Post' offers fresh fish from the lake. Don't miss the 'Bauernkrapfen' (jam-filled donuts) at most bakeries in Steyr.

The Davos to Steyr drive demands careful planning, especially regarding fuel and tolls. Switzerland uses a vignette system (CHF 40 for 1 year, but short-term options exist), while Austria requires a separate vignette (€9.90 for 10 days). Both can be purchased at border gas stations or online.

• Fuel stops: Gas stations are frequent along the A13/E43 in Switzerland and A1 in Austria, but sparse in between. Refuel in Davos before crossing the Alps. Along the A12 in Austria, stations like Shell at Imst and Aral at Salzburg are reliable.
• Estimated costs: A petrol car averaging 8L/100km will cost roughly CHF 80-90 (€80-90) total, given current petrol prices around €1.60/L in Austria and CHF 1.80/L in Switzerland.
• Fuel efficiency tips: Use cruise control on long highways to save fuel. The climbs from Davos to the Flüela Pass (2,383m) consume more, but descents regenerate some energy in hybrids.

Road conditions are excellent overall, but note: the A13 between Chur and St. Margrethen is a well-maintained motorway, while the A14 through Vorarlberg has tunnels with strict speed limits. Toll gates are all automated with the vignette; no cash booths.

Parking in Steyr is easy—use the garage at 'Wehrgraben' (€1.50/hr). For families, rest stops like 'Grödig' between Salzburg and Steyr offer clean WC areas. Pet owners can walk dogs at 'Seepark' in Feldkirch.

Road quality is high: Swiss motorways are flawless, Austrian ones good with occasional patching. Night lighting is present on the A1/A14 but minimal on the A13. Safety tip: watch for wildlife (deer, ibex) on the A13 between Landquart and Chur, especially at dawn/dusk.

• Family stops: 'Swiss Science Center Technorama' near Winterthur (short detour) for interactive science; 'Haus der Natur' in Salzburg (dinosaur exhibits); 'Schloss Steyr' kids' museum. The 'Mondsee' beach has a playground.
• Pet-friendly: 'Raststätte Enns' at the A1 near Enns has a pet walking area. 'Café Katzung' in Steyr allows pets inside.
• Fatigue management: 'Rastplatz' at 'Klösterle' (A14) with quiet parking. 'Parkplatz Knutwil' near the Swiss-Liechtenstein border offers a rest area with picnic tables.

Hidden off-route spots: 2km before Feldkirch, turn onto the 'L97' to visit the ruins of 'Schattenburg' (castle). Near Steyr, the medieval village of 'Grünburg' (5min detour) has a restored paper mill.

To avoid fatigue, take a 20-min break every 2h. The 'St. Lambrecht' rest area on the A2 south of Graz is a good halfway point, but not directly on route. Plan to sleep at 'Mondsee' for a luxurious night, or just power through to Steyr.