Car rental in Austria

Austria's attractions are scattered between cities and Alpine valleys. While trains and buses here are comfortable, they don't reach many interesting places, viewpoints, and charming villages. Renting a car in Austria is a simple way to save time and see more. You decide when to stop at a mountain lake or visit a family cheese dairy.

With a car, your trip becomes more flexible. No need to adjust to bus schedules. You can explore Salzburg in the morning and be on the panoramic Grossglockner High Alpine Road by evening.

Benefits of Car Rental in Austria with Localrent

Online booking through Localrent eliminates tedious on-site searching and helps you immediately find the best option for your Austrian holiday:

1. Localrent offers vehicles available for rental without a credit card, which is quite rare in Austria.
2. Use filters to customize your search by brand, transmission type, year of manufacture, and other criteria important to you.
3. Extended basic insurance is often included in the price, so you don't need to pay for it separately.
4. For booking, you pay only 15-20% of the total amount upfront, with the rest paid on-site when collecting the keys.
5. The vast majority of vehicles come with unlimited mileage.

Renting a car through Localrent is an easy way to find a quality vehicle at a fair price with transparent conditions.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Austria

Required documents for collecting your vehicle include your passport, valid driver's license, and voucher. You'll receive the voucher by email after booking confirmation.

The minimum renter age is typically 21-22 years, with 1-2 years of driving experience required. Conditions depend on the chosen vehicle—for example, greater experience may sometimes be required. Check these parameters in the filters during your search to find suitable vehicles.

Driving Style and Traffic Rules in Austria

Austria features calm and predictable driving behavior. Local drivers are disciplined, and road surfaces are maintained in excellent condition.

On motorways and country roads, traffic is usually smooth and steady. Pay particular attention to signs warning of wildlife.

One key feature on Austrian roads is the mandatory emergency corridor. As soon as traffic builds up ahead, immediately create a passage for emergency vehicles.

Watch for signs, as they take priority. Here are speed limits for passenger vehicles:

• In urban areas: 50 km/h, though many residential zones in Vienna and other cities have 30 km/h limits
• Outside urban areas: 100 km/h
• On motorways: 130 km/h

From November 1 to April 15, winter tires are mandatory. Tires must have M+S marking and tread depth of at least 4 mm. For trips to high-mountain areas, snow chains are useful. Chains must be used whenever required by road signs.

Fuel Stations in Austria

Most Austrian fuel stations use a self-service system. The process typically works as follows:

• At stations with a cashier, you pull up to an available pump, refuel, remember your pump number, and go to the shop where you tell the operator the number and pay the required amount.
• At automated stations, you pay for fuel directly at the pump terminal with a bank card. At many self-service stations, especially those operating at night, payment is only possible by bank card. Cash is usually only accepted at on-site shops during business hours.

Both prepayment and post-payment are common in Austria. At traditional stations, you pay after filling up. At automated stations, you typically need to authorize your card at the terminal first, then begin refueling.

Not all fuel stations operate 24/7, especially smaller stations in resort areas or away from motorways. Many close around 7:00 pm on weekdays, and on Sundays may not operate at all or close by 3:00-4:00 pm.

Parking in Austria

Cities have widespread paid Kurzparkzonen (short-term parking zones), while free street parking is quite rare.

Paid Kurzparkzonen are marked by road signs and often blue markings on the pavement. Pay attention to the signs indicating operating hours (for example, Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm) and maximum permitted parking duration, usually 1.5-3 hours.

Free parking applies during nighttime, Sundays, and public holidays. In some Vienna districts, parking is also free on Saturdays.

Parking garages are convenient for extended stays as they have no time restrictions. You take a ticket on entry and pay before exit at an automated machine. The Park & Ride system allows you to inexpensively leave your car at special parking facilities on city outskirts near metro or suburban train stations, then continue by public transport.

Austria offers several convenient parking payment methods:

• Paper parking tickets: Purchase these in advance at tobacco kiosks like Tabak-Trafik, fuel stations, or banks. On the ticket, indicate the date and start time of parking, rounding up to the nearest quarter hour, and place it under your windshield.
• Mobile app payment: Many cities support the EasyPark app and similar alternatives.
• Parking disc: At some free parking areas with time limits, you need to use a special disc. Manually set your arrival time on it and place the disc under your windshield.

Major shopping centers typically offer free parking for the first few hours. After this period, charges apply for each additional hour.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Car in Austria

Start your booking on the Localrent website by entering your desired rental dates and pickup/return cities. If you need to collect the vehicle at a specific location, use the "Specify location" field—here you can select an airport, rental office, or delivery to a specific point in the city. Then:

1. Apply filters to select vehicles by transmission type, car class, brand, and other important parameters.
2. Review the card of your preferred vehicle—pay attention to technical specifications, insurance conditions, and available payment methods.
3. Add necessary options to your order, such as a child seat, extended insurance, or an additional driver on the contract.
4. Proceed to complete booking by clicking the "Continue" button.
5. At the final stage, confirm the time and place for vehicle collection, enter your details and contact information. Pay the deposit online with a bank card—after this, you'll receive a voucher by email, which you'll need to show when collecting the car.

When meeting with the rental company representative, carefully inspect the vehicle together and document all damage in the report. Sign the contract, pay the remaining amount, and ensure you have the complete set of documents: contract, insurance policy, inspection report, and contact information.

What to See in Austria by Car

Austria is a compact country with excellent roads, allowing you to see both Alpine landscapes and Baroque cities in one trip. By car, you can independently create your itinerary, including attractions and lesser-known places away from main tourist flows. We recommend seeing:

1. Grossglockner High Alpine Road: One of the most scenic Alpine roads leads to the foot of Austria's highest mountain. Along the way, you'll find numerous viewpoints with views of the Pasterze Glacier and mountain ranges. For comfortable ascent on the serpentine roads, we recommend renting a vehicle with an engine from 1.4 liters.
2. Hallstatt village: Listed as a UNESCO site thanks to its architecture and location between lake and cliffs. Here you can visit salt mines and a cave with ice formations.
3. Wachau Valley: The Danube valley between Melk and Krems is famous for its vineyards and medieval castles. The Benedictine monastery in Melk with its magnificent Baroque library is a must-visit. Along the way, you can visit the ruins of Dürnstein Castle, where English King Richard the Lionheart was held prisoner.
4. In Bregenz: The floating opera theater on the lake and cable car to Mount Pfänder are noteworthy. The city's architecture combines modern buildings with historic structures. For trips on the region's mountain roads, choose a vehicle with a powerful engine.
5. Krimml Waterfall: One of Europe's highest. A well-maintained road through the Salzach valley leads to it, with less than 1 km from the parking area to the viewing platform. The waterfall is especially impressive in spring and early summer during snowmelt.

If you're more attracted to nature, visit Lake Wörthersee. For culture, add Graz to your route with its famous Kunsthaus and well-preserved old town. Carinthia is also interesting for its numerous castles, such as Hochosterwitz Castle.

Where to Rent a Car in Austria

On Localrent, you can rent a car in the country's main tourist cities, including Vienna and Salzburg. Each city offers various vehicle collection options—you can pick it up at the airport, at a rental office, or arrange delivery to a location convenient for you.

Tips for First-Time Car Renters in Austria

Here are several recommendations to help you feel more confident behind the wheel in Austria.

Always Have a Valid Vignette

A vignette—a special windshield sticker—is mandatory for traveling on Austrian motorways and expressways. If you rent a vehicle directly in Austria, it should already be affixed and its cost is usually included in the rental. Be sure to confirm the vignette's presence when collecting the car.

Be Prepared for Mountain Serpentines

Many of Austria's most scenic routes run along winding mountain roads. For comfortable and safe ascents, choose a vehicle with an engine displacement of 1.4 liters or higher. On such roads, always stay in your lane, especially on turns, and be prepared for large oncoming vehicles such as buses or agricultural machinery.

Reduce Speed in Tunnels

Austrian roads feature numerous tunnels. When entering a tunnel, you must always turn on low-beam headlights. Also observe the posted speed limit inside the tunnel and maintain a safe distance.

Consider Urban Traffic Characteristics

In cities like Vienna, Salzburg, or Graz, historic centers are often surrounded by restricted access zones—Low Emission Zones or LEZ. Special environmental stickers may be required to enter them. Rental vehicles usually already have such permits, but this should be confirmed when collecting the car.

Questions and Answers About Car Rental in Austria