How to Distinguish
- Country-code top-level domain is .at
- German is the official language
- One-way streets use signs that read EINBAHN
- Sign poles may be painted in red and white
- Road signs often have grey borders or backgrounds
Signs you can find
The EINBAHN one-way sign is a clear distinction from Germany. Look for red-and-white painted poles, plus roadside plates marked ANFANG or ENDE.
Bollards feature a distinctive black cap. (by plonk it ) Similar bollards appear in Slovenia and Montenegro, so confirm with other clues.
Being part of the German-speaking world, Austria shares many traits with Germany—expect umlauts such as ä, ö, and ü . Tram and bus stops carry Haltestelle signs similar to Germany.
Unlike Slovenia or Germany, which favour dark signboards in town centres, Austria generally uses blue backgrounds. When you are unsure between Austria and its neighbours, this colour difference can help. Top: Slovenia / bottom: Germany.
Road signs and posts are often clamped with metal clips—keep an eye out for the hardware. Evidence is anecdotal but useful.
CC BY-SA 3.0, “European Union number plates” (2022, November 19). Wikipedia Japan.
Narrow down city/town
- Vienna (Wien) can be narrowed further by its district numbers
