I will be driving from eastern Switzerland to Innsbruck, Austria in early May. Will driving through the Austrian Alps be a slow, cumbersome trek? It's only about 120 miles, but I fear that could take 8 hours through the mountains. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

It's been years since we drive through the Alps (more north to south than east to west), but it shouldn't take anywhere near that long. There are some rather good roads through much of the Alps. You don't say where exactly you'd be leaving from, but Zurich to Innsbruck, for instance, should only take a little over three hours.

Ann

Once you get to Feldkirch, Austria, it should take a little more than two hours to get to Innsbruck. It is almost completely an highway route, with only a few short and easy sections where the highway is still to be completed. This assuming you are driving through the Arlberg tunnel; driving the Arlberg pass would probably take forever.

Remember that you need to have the Swiss highway sticker, as well as the Austrian one. Nobody will check at the border if you have the Austrian sticker; but you are likely to find at least a check on the highway, and if you do not have the sticker you get a huge fine to be paid on the spot. An extra fee is due for the Arlberg tunnel.

Also remember to stick religiously to speed limits. Radar checks are very frequent, especially in tunnels.

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Also remember to stick religiously to speed limits. Radar checks are very frequent, especially in tunnels.

Very prudent advice. The fines are extremely high in Switzerland, and while I have no first hand experience with getting a ticket in Austria, I am sure they are not much lower.