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Car Rental - Austria
From the old Habsburg palaces to the snowy Alps, Viennese cafes to the trails of the Tyrol, Austria is a spellbinding country. While Austrian culture is influenced by its neighbors – it shares borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland – it retains its own flavor. It’s visually stunning, too, as years of Habsburg rule left a legacy of grand baroque buildings to be admired against the mountainous backdrop.
With pick-up locations across Austria – from Vienna to Graz, Salzburg to Innsbruck and more. Take advantage of our best price guarantee to be sure of the best deal. There are no hidden extras or credit card fees, and you can pay on collection or in advance. You’ll soon be exploring the glorious landscape and stellar scenery of the Alps or the verdant valleys.
A Quick Guide to Austria
Whether you’ve packed your skis or just your guide to the best cafés and pastries, you’ll be delighted you came to Austria. The scenery is unrivalled, the architecture awe-inspiring – and everywhere you look is cultural heritage. Whether you’re staying in just one city or planning a road trip along the Danube, here are some great ideas to get you started.
Austria is a vision of grand old Europe – a wonderful place to visit at Christmas when the markets capture the spirit of the season perfectly, and a place thriving with music and culture all year round. Car rental in Austria lets you connect the dots between the cities, before heading on to an unforgettable adventure in the Alps.
The Virtues of Vienna
It’s easy to see why many people start their visit to Austria in Vienna. It’s home to palaces seemingly made from gingerbread (make time to see the Schloss Schonbrunn and Schloss Belvedere) museums full of timeless art and cafes where you could idle away whole days.
Order a slice of Sacher Torte at the Café Sacher and you’ll be indulging in a tradition that’s nearly 200 years old. But it’s not the only show in town – the old café culture has been revived with some new arrivals too. If you prefer a glimpse into the past, head to Café Central, where painter Gustav Klimt used to go. Or try the Sperlhof, which was opened in 1923 as a meeting place for Jewish artists, but is now the place to go for a coffee and a board game, with hundreds of varieties stacked in towers that threaten to topple.
Alpine Adventure
The Alps hum with ski resorts both simple and stylish, with some heading straight to the piste while others take in the welcoming atmosphere and views. Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, and has every snowbound activity you could wish for, but also offers plenty to non-thrillseekers – including a horse-drawn carriage tour of Seefeld.
While you can’t access the peaks in your rental car, you can experience them in funiculars and cable cars. In flatter areas, you’ll find cross-country skiers getting exercise without tackling the slopes. A must-see destination at Solden in the Tyrol is the Ice Q restaurant, a stunning modernist building where key scenes from the James Bond movie Spectre were filmed. Even at 3,048 meters above sea level there’s a choice of restaurants – you can either dine in the Bistro or the Gourmet. At the latter, expect roasted pike-perch fillet or suckling pig confit.
Go for Graz
There’s much more to Austria than skiing or Sacher Torte. The country’s second city, Graz, has a sublime old town, gothic buildings and remarkable modern art displays. Visit Central Station to see the incredible Peter Kogler interior, then head to the shocking blue Kunsthaus Museum, also known as the ‘Friendly Alien’.
Innsbruck for Insiders
Charming Innsbruck isn’t just a place to visit for winter skiing, there’s plenty to do in summer too, when the green Alpine pastures really come alive. The 15th century Hofburg Palace is a riot of rococo style, decorated by Empress Maria Theresa, who was Marie Antoinette’s mother. Check out the Giant’s Hall, a stately room adorned with frescoes.
Driving In and Around Austria
Driving through Austria is a treat for the senses. One day you’ll be winding through the Alps, marveling at the stunning vistas and vertiginous drops, and the next you’ll be gently cruising past the green pastures of the Tyrol.
Austrian roads are so modern and well-organized that even the bumpiest of regions is a pleasure to drive through. You’ll be driving on the right, overtaking on the left, and our staff provide you with snow chains and winter tires – essential if you’re visiting between November and April.
You’ll find speed limits clearly signposted, with a top limit of 130kph (80mph) on freeways, 100kph (62mph)on other main roads and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas – however, you may also pass through some towns with a 30kph (18mph) limit. If using snow chains, the top speed is 50kph – and seat belts must be worn by everyone inside the car at all times.
There are various toll roads and expressways in Austria, and you’ll need to buy a toll sticker or ‘vignette’ and display it on your vehicle if you plan to use them. Just ask our friendly staff if you have a question – they’ll be happy to advise you.
Vienna sits in the north-east of Austria, and is superbly well-connected with the rest of the country. It’s also easy to get to other parts of Europe from here, as its main A1 route is part of the larger continental road network. You’ll find that A1 road sometimes displayed as the E60. Heading west from here you’ll pass through Melk and Amstetten on the way to Linz, eventually arriving at Salzburg on the western border with Germany.
Salzburg is linked to the south of Austria by the A10, and from Villach you can join the A2 and travel east to Klagenfurt and Graz. The fastest route to Innsbruck from Salzburg passes through Germany on the A8 and A12.
For a memorable Alpine drive head for the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. The pass here gives you unbeatable views of the surrounding peaks, the freshest of air and a truly unforgettable experience.
