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 The concept of motel and fast food chains at Autobahn exits and "road towns" does not exist in Austria. However, small food and lodging establishments can be found along country roads and bike trails; but the majority of them are in towns.

Categories of accommodations in decreasing order of price are:

• Hotel - larger establishments with the most services and amenities.

• Gashaus - smaller hotels often above a Gasthof (see food section below)

• Pension - very small hotels with few extras except free breakfast

• Privatzimmer or Fremdenzimmer - Bed & Breakfasts.

• Ferienwohnen (vacation apartments) - similar to condos at Colorado ski areas.

Normally, with the exception of apartments, prices are quoted per person per night and include breakfast (except for the larger hotels). It is the practice in some areas to have a short (kurz) term surcharge (Zuschlag) of $1 or $2 per person per night. Some breakfasts are more extensive than others; the larger ones may be advertised as Frühstückbuffet or Weiterfrühstück. Apartments prices are either quoted per night or per night for a given number of people plus so must per additional person. A "final cleaning" charge of about $25 is often added.

On one hand, the Privatzimmer, like B&B's in the US, are very charming; and the rooms are generally large with upscale furnishings. On the other hand, unlike the US, they fall at the lower end of the price scale. They make excellent choices for bike touring because they often are found along the bike trail. Of course, you can do a little better price wise by getting off the bike trail (similar to getting off the Interstate in the US). The rates for a double range from $25 in small ski resort towns to about $50 in Salzburg. Prices in the southern part of the country are even lower. Many have toilet and tub or shower in the room; but having the facilities on the floor (etage) is not much of an inconvenience. It goes without saying, that everything in Austria is spotless.

I haven't tried the ferienwohnungen yet, but they go for around $75 per night for up to six people, less for fewer people. This does not include the one time cleaning fee. Four person apartments typically consist of a studio apartment with a bedroom; six person apartments will have as second bedroom. Breakfast is not included.

I did rent an apartment in a Viennese neighborhood for five nights for the equivalent of $40 per night for a double room, including the cleaning fee. This compared favorably with about $125 for a two star hotel or $85 for a pension in Vienna.

I had only a vague idea of where the apartment was located. So when we pulled into the outskirts of town from the North along the Danube bike path, we stopped at a small City Tourist Office. The lady pulled out a city directory and immediately found the address on a one block long street on the opposite side of the city. She recommended we go by way of subway (U-bahn) and tram since it wasn't rush hour; and we could take bikes on board. But we decided to ride and took a round about way to avoid the main streets. The route was scenic and interesting, but unneccessary because we later found out the main streets have bike paths.

In general, along the trail I take pot luck for lodging. But I prefer to make reservations for the first night upon arrival and for larger cities. The internet is invaluable for making reservations or merely finding out what is available in an area. If the bicycle touring Web site mentioned above does not point you to the area you are interested in, just search for the name of the city along with "tourismus". Tourist Offices in the larger or more frequented destinations will have English Web sites. If not, look for Hotelliste or Unterkunftliste. The sites will give prices and often map reference points. Some establishments have there own web site from which you can make reservations. If not, the tourist office will often make them via email.