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Car Rental in Austria
Austria is best explored by car, where a scenic Alpine pass and a Viennese coffee house are just a couple of hours apart. Compare offers from local rental companies, book online with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, and pick up your vehicle at the airports of Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck.
Terms
Rental terms in Austria
The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.
- Driver age — from 21 years.
- Driving experience — from 1 years.
- Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge.
- Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
- Cross-border travel to Germany, CH, LI, CZ, SK, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy — by prior arrangement at booking.
- Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
- A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
- A deposit (~300 EUR) is held on the driver’s card.
- National driving licence.
- Driver’s passport.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
- A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road
Driving rules in Austria
A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 city · 100 rural · 100 expressway · 130 motorway (km/h) |
| Blood alcohol limit | up to 0.5 ‰ |
| Daytime headlights | required |
| Vignette (toll roads) | required |
| Winter tyres | mandatory from 01.11 to 15.04 |
Traffic rules: Austria
- Right-hand traffic and standard European road rules.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads and expressways, and 130 km/h on motorways.
- Low-beam headlights are mandatory in poor visibility and must always be used in tunnels.
- The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%; for drivers with less than two years of driving experience, the limit is 0.01%.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, including rear-seat passengers.
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system.
- Every vehicle must carry a first-aid kit, warning triangle, and reflective safety vest.
- A motorway vignette (digital or sticker) is mandatory on all motorways and expressways. Prices start from approximately €9 for 10 days. Driving without a vignette results in a fine.
- From November 1 to April 15, winter tires (Alpine/3PMSF marked) are mandatory in winter conditions. Snow chains are required on certain mountain roads.
- Traffic fines may be issued on the spot or by mail. Speed limits are strictly enforced with extensive camera monitoring.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Austria
License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Austria?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
EU driving licenses are accepted without restrictions. If your driver’s license is issued in Cyrillic or another non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
Do I need a motorway vignette?
Yes. A vignette is mandatory for driving on Austrian motorways and expressways. Rental companies usually include it in the rental price, but you should confirm this during booking. If needed, you can purchase one online or at fuel stations near the border from around €9 for 10 days.
Is a security deposit required?
Yes. A security deposit is blocked on the driver’s bank card. The amount depends on the vehicle category.
Can I drive to neighboring countries?
Yes. Travel to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Liechtenstein is generally allowed with prior approval during booking. An additional fee may apply.
Are winter tires required?
From November 1 to April 15, winter tires are mandatory whenever roads are covered with snow or ice. Rental companies usually equip their vehicles with winter tires during the season, but it is recommended to confirm this when collecting the car.
What is the fuel policy?
The standard policy is ‘full-to-full’: you receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.
When is the best time to book?
Demand is highest during July and August (Vienna and Salzburg) and January–February (ski season). Book early, especially if you need an automatic transmission, as automatic cars are less common in Austria.
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