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Decided on a Car Rental in Austria? Here’s All You Need to Know:

Tourist Austria is a country of magnificent alpine resorts, rich cultural heritage, clean lakes, the best music and the unique atmosphere of Viennese cafes. On the one hand, Austrian architecture is a realm of opulent Baroque and Empire in the heyday of Habsburg dynasty. On the other hand, the austere beauty of medieval castles with powerful walls and Gothic spiers.

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Viennese Hofburg palaces, Schönbrunn and Belvedere, Salzburg Mirabell, residence Esterhazy in Eisenstadt today delights the eye with its grandiose size, elegance of form and brilliance of decoration.

Among ski lovers, it is believed that Austrian resorts are the best in Europe according to several criteria: price, quality of slopes, infrastructure, safety. In total, there are about 1000 places in the country where you can ride - from full-fledged modern complexes to small villages with 1-2 slopes.

Rent a car in Austria and drive like a breeze from Vienna to Graz and from there via Klagenfurt to Salzburg, stopping along the way, where you like to have a bite to eat, slowly enjoy the scenery or take colorful photos - this is a great option for a tourist who is in love with this beautiful country.

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Planning your movements around the city, you should take into account that traffic along its main streets is usually difficult in the middle of the day. Must-see places include:

Palaces - Schönbrunn, Hofburg and Belvedere;
Viennese the town hall, which can be seen from afar, is the merit of its 105-meter tower, which served as a kind of lighthouse. Currently, the town hall is not only a popular attraction that attracts thousands of tourists all year round, but also the seat of the city parliament and the center of public life in the Austrian capital.
Vienna Ferris Wheel and Naschmarkt;
St. Stephen's Cathedral;
Wurstelprater amusement park;
Graben - one of the most famous streets of the capital, etc.

A leisurely journey through the lake part of the country and a detailed overview The sights of this European country will be more comfortable if you rent a car in Austria.

The Best Road Trip Destinations in Austria

Austria, with its stunning Alpine landscapes, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage, is an ideal country to explore by a rented car. From winding mountain roads to picturesque valleys, a road trip through Austria offers unforgettable experiences and breathtaking views. Here are some of the best destinations to include in your Austrian road trip itinerary:

1. Vienna to Salzburg

Begin your journey in the imperial city of Vienna, known for its grand architecture and musical legacy. Drive westward to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, stopping at these enchanting locations along the way:

Melk Abbey: A stunning Baroque monastery overlooking the Danube
Wachau Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its vineyards and apricot orchards
Hallstatt: A picturesque lakeside village nestled in the Alps

2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road

This scenic route is a must-drive for any road trip enthusiast. The 48-kilometer road winds through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, offering spectacular views of Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner. Be sure to stop at the various viewpoints and visitor centers along the way.

3. Innsbruck and the Tyrol Region

Head to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, surrounded by majestic mountains. From here, explore the region's charming villages and ski resorts. Don't miss the Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, a unique attraction showcasing dazzling crystal artworks.

4. Lake District (Salzkammergut)

Drive through the stunning Salzkammergut region, dotted with crystal-clear lakes and charming towns. Visit St. Wolfgang, take a boat ride on Lake Wolfgangsee, and explore the imperial villa in Bad Ischl.

5. Krimml Waterfalls and Zell am See

End your road trip with a visit to Europe's highest waterfalls, the Krimml Waterfalls, before relaxing in the picturesque town of Zell am See, situated on a beautiful Alpine lake.

As you navigate these breathtaking destinations in your rental car, remember to drive safely and follow local traffic rules. Austria's well-maintained roads and efficient infrastructure make it an ideal country for a self-drive holiday. Don't forget to check out Bookingautos for the best car rental deals to start your Austrian adventure!

Driving in Austria

The roads in Austria are very smooth, of good quality and have excellent pavement characteristics. Driving on Austrian roads is a pleasure. But precisely because the tracks are ideal, the passage on autobahns and highways is paid, and local drivers cannot stand too slow autotourists.

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traffic rules in Austria comply with European standards.

Dipped beam is required at night (it also turns on in poor visibility).
Children whose heighthas not exceeded one and a half meters (or the age of 12 years old) are required to sit in a car seat.
Telephone conversations - only on a wireless device, with which you can talk on a smartphone without hands.
The driver's alcohol content must not exceed 0.49 ppm.
For cars weighing no more than 3.5 tons, speed limits apply: 50 km / h - while driving in the locality; 100 km / h - outside the residential area; 130 km / h - on highways and highways; 60 km/h is the required minimum on the autobahn.
A car that is rented in Austria must be equipped with everything necessary (first aid kit, warning triangle, winter equipment, reflective vest). This needs to be checked in advance.

Fines:

speeding - 21-2180 euros;
not fastened seat belts - 35;
wrong parking - 36;
communication without a headset on a mobile phone - 50;
alcohol intoxication - 300-5900;
move without vignette - 120;
improper transportation of children - 35.

Austrian parking limit you in time and in most cases they are paid. Experienced people advise using underground parking (25 euros per day). When you see the blue line, know that this is a parking space. On weekdays, parking rates look like this:

10 minutes - free of charge;
half an hour - 1 euro;
an hour is two euros;
one and a half hours - 3;
two hours - 4.

Timer for use in parking lots where a few minutes (15, 30, 60) can be parked for free, usually found in the glove compartment of a rental car. If there is no timer, but you still need to park for a while, then you can write with a pen on a regular sheet of paper the arrival time, rounded up to a quarter of an hour ahead, and put it under the windshield.

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In order to travel on Austrian toll roads, you need to purchase a special pass. The pass is glued to the windshield near the mirror. The terms of action are different - from 10 days to a year. The rates are as follows: 10 days - at least 9 euros; two months - about 25 euros; a year - about 90 euros.

There are also sections of the canvas with a separate payment. Usually it is 5-8 euros. We list some of these sections:

A9 autobahn;
Katschberg and Tauern tunnels;
Karawanken tunnel;
Autobahn S16;
Route 108 Felbertauerntunnel.

Among the toll roads in Austria, panoramic roads stand apart. A 1-day ticket for driving on the Großglockner High Alpine Road, which passes through the Hohe Tauern National Park, for a passenger car will cost 40 euros. The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road leads from Austria to Italy and costs about 20 euros one way. Both roads are open to traffic in the summer and only during daylight hours.

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Renting an electric car in Austria

Austrian roads and their quality are the benchmark for European highways. The Austrian infrastructure for eco-transport is also a benchmark for European countries. Renting an electric car within the ecological zone is an opportunity to drive to the business center of most cities in Austria and the optimal cost of maintaining a car.

Austria has introduced significant restrictions on the movement of classic vehicles. In contrast to the restriction for petrol / diesel cars, the A12 motorway towards Tyrol is completely open for electric cars. There are also no restrictions for electric vehicles in the largest cities in Austria, where there are prohibitive ecozones: Burgenland, Graz, Styria, Vienna and its surrounding area.

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Choosing an electric car for a business or leisure trip in Austria is important, taking into account the peculiarities of transport in this country. There are a lot of elevation changes, serpentines, roads that require the endurance of a car and long-term autonomy. Tesla rental in Austria is beneficial due to the low cost of maintenance. These cars are ideal for the mountainous terrain of Austria, where long-term autonomy and comfort are needed. For example, renting a Tesla Model S Long Range electric car in Vienna will cost 300 euros per day, or the Tesla Model X Performance (the fastest and most powerful sports utility vehicle) - from 300 euros per day.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€173

February

€149

March

€153

April

€240

May

€248

June

€281

July

€304

August

€260

September

€190

October

€152

November

€142

December

€209

The most popular cars in Austria

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular tourist locations in Austria

Innsbruck Airport

Salzburg airport

Vienna Airport

Klagenfurt Airport

Graz Airport

Innsbruck

Linz

Salzburg

Graz

Vienna

Klagenfurt

Kitzbuhel

Bregenz

Zell am See

Villach

Dornbirn

Documents needed to rent a car

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind

Download Google maps for offline access

All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.

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Early Booking Discount

Austria is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.

Which car to choose

Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, Toyota Aygo or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Audi A4 Estate in Austria will cost €34 per day.

What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance advice

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

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What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Check out the fuel policy

When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

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Rent without mileage limit

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

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Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Austria, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

Which rental company to choose

Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.

Our clients name the top companies in Austria - EUROPCAR with an average rating 9.9 points and SIXT with 9 points.

We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.

Getting a car at a rental office

Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.

Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.

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Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!

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4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

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The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

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Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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