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Road Genius makes it easy to find car hire offers in Austria. Compare rates and book in one place. Pick up at Vienna Airport, Salzburg or Innsbruck, or in city centres, with options from compact cars to SUVs and estates. Filter for automatics, winter tyres and one-way rentals, and get clear info on vignettes, tolls and parking to plan a road trip.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna Airport (VIE) | • Immediate pickup upon arrival • Wider selection of vehicles • Extended hours (often till 11 PM) • All major companies present |
• Airport concession fees can increase cost • Potential for longer wait times during peak hours (10-11 AM; Mondays busiest) |
| Vienna City | • Can be cheaper (no airport fees) • Convenient if arriving by train • Good if staying in city first |
• Need transport from airport • May have limited hours • Smaller vehicle selection |
| Salzburg Airport (SZG) | • Immediate pickup upon arrival • All major companies present • Near terminal |
• Airport concession fees can increase cost • Potential queues during peak times (Saturday early afternoon) |
| Innsbruck Airport (INN) | • Major brands available • Near terminal |
• Smaller selection than larger airports • Potential queues during busy winter Saturdays and Tuesdays • Airport concession fees can increase cost |
| City Centre Rentals (other cities) | • Often cheaper (no airport fees) • Convenient if arriving by train or staying centrally |
• Require transport from airport • May have limited hours • Smaller vehicle selection |
On average, car rentals in Austria cost around €67 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €32 per day.
Compare airport vs city pickup in Austria. Airports add fees and are often 10-15% pricier. If you’re staying in the city first, pick up in Vienna city or Salzburg city instead of VIE/SZG.
Time it smart. Book early for peak periods like July–August and winter ski weeks. In shoulder months (Apr–May, Sep–Oct), monitor prices and rebook if they drop.
Pick toll-smart routes. Salzburg to Innsbruck via Germany avoids the Tauern Tunnel fee (~€12). Skip the Brenner Pass toll (~€10) unless you actually need to cross into Italy. Grossglockner is gorgeous but costs ~€37.
Cut parking costs. In Vienna, use Park & Ride like Erdberg or Hütteldorf for ~€4–5/day instead of centre garages. In Salzburg, park outside the old town where day rates are cheaper.
Trim add-ons. Use your phone for navigation, keep to one driver if possible, and return the car full to avoid refill charges.
Choose the right car. Compact manuals are cheaper and easier to park on narrow streets. For families, compare estates vs SUVs; estates often give similar space for less.
| City | Car Parking Type | Rates (Approx.) | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | • Blue Zone street spots (districts 1-9 and others) • Multi-storey garages • Park & Ride facilities |
Varies by zone and facility | • Strict enforcement • City centre spots often fill up • Time limits apply for street spaces |
| Salzburg | • Paid zones in old town • Mönchsberg rock garages • Suburban spaces |
Varies by area | • Old town is largely pedestrianised • Limited street spaces in centre |
| Innsbruck | • City centre garages • Blue zones • Outskirts free spots |
Varies by location | • Old town has limited access • Park outside and use public transport if staying in centre |
Speed Limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads, 130 km/h on highways
Blood Alcohol Limit: 0.05% (about one small beer); 0.01% for new drivers
Vignette Required: For all highways (Autobahnen)
Winter Equipment: Winter tyres mandatory from November 1 to April 15 in wintry conditions
Child Safety: Children under 14 years and under 150cm must use appropriate child seats
Required in Vehicle: Reflective safety vest, warning triangle, first aid kit
Book a rental car to see:
Salzkammergut – Hallstatt, Mondsee, lakes
Grossglockner High Alpine Road – viewpoints
Innsbruck and Brenner Pass
Graz – Semmering area
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Austria? Yes, you need an IDP or a certified translation if your licence is not from an EU/EEA country. The law requires one for US, Canadian and Australian licences, but some rental companies might accept an English-language licence. To be safe, we recommend you carry an IDP.
What documents should I carry while driving? You should carry your driver's licence, International Driving Permit (if you need one), passport, rental contract and the car's registration papers.
Are there any roads that require additional tolls beyond the vignette? Yes, you'll have to pay extra tolls for some alpine roads and tunnels. These include the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (around €41), Brenner Pass (around €11.50) and the Tauern/Katschberg Tunnels (around €13.50).
Can I take my rental car to neighbouring countries? Most rental companies let you drive to Western European countries like Germany, Italy and Switzerland without any problems. If you want to drive to Eastern European countries like Hungary, the Czech Republic or Slovenia, you may need to let the company know beforehand or pay extra fees. Always check your rental agreement.
What should I do if I get a parking or speeding ticket? You should pay parking tickets straight away at the machine or the place shown on the ticket. For speeding tickets, the rental company will probably charge the fine to your credit card later and add their own admin fee (around €25).
Is winter driving difficult in Austria? In winter, Austria keeps its roads in good shape, but mountain roads can be tricky. By law, you must use winter tyres in snowy or icy conditions between 1 November and 15 April and rental companies usually fit their cars with them during this time. If you plan to visit ski areas or drive over high mountain passes, you should think about asking for an SUV or snow chains.
How much should I budget for fuel? Fuel prices change often, but you can expect to pay between €1.50 and €1.90 per litre. It might cost €60-85 to fill up a small car, while an SUV could cost €90-125. Diesel is often a little cheaper than petrol.
What's the best strategy for city parking? In big cities, using a parking garage is often the easiest option, but it can be expensive. A good idea is to use a Park & Ride spot on the edge of the city (like Vienna's Erdberg or Hütteldorf P+R) and then take public transport into the city centre.
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