crossing international borders

We are planning to drive to Munich with a German car, and then cross into Salzburg for a day. Do I need a special permit to cross into Austria?

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No.

But you need a vignette (toll sticker) if you like to use the Austrian autobahns. As Salzburg is directly behind the border: exit the autobahn before the border and use other roads into Salzburg. Have a look on good map beforehand. If you follow the road signs you will find yourself easily on an Austrian autobahn.

Or just buy a vignette e.g. at the rest stops on the German side near the Austrian border. EUR 7,70 for 10 days (no shorter period available).

And you need an International Drivers Permit (IDP) - a translation of your drivers license. This is also required in Germany (albeit nearly never checked). But Austrian police is known to be more keen to see it. You can get the IDP e.g. from your local AAA office.

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Ading toi abalada%26#39;s comments:

To avoid the Austrian autobahn, get off the Munich - Salzburg autobahn A-8 at the Bad Reichenhall exit (#115). Head toward Bad Reichenhall. After about 5km, the road splits. To the right, it leads to Bad Rreichenhall, to the left it leads to Sxhwarzbach and the Salzburg airport, which is on the way to the old town. Past the airport and close to town, when you get to a tunnel that leads into a big rock, there are signs for a parking garage (blasted in the rock). Park there. When you leave the garage, you are right in the old town, near the Felsenreitschule, cathderal,the funicular to the castle, etc.

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Just pay the small fee for the vignette, available at a gas station along the autobahn near the border. Then you don%26#39;t have to worry about making a wrong turn and ending up on the Austrian autobahn and possible astronomical fines. This also simplifies your driving as you can just follow the road signs.

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Thank you!