Car Rental in Vienna

Why rent a car in Vienna?

Vienna is a great place to visit by car. With a rental car you’ll have the freedom to visit its different neighborhoods, travel to nearby nature areas, and even visit other cities and regions that are just a short drive away.

Top ways to enter Vienna

• Vienna Airport: Located just southeast of the city, Vienna Airport is by far the busiest airport in Austria as it serves more than 31 million passengers every year.
• Graz Airport: Serving the capital city of Styria Region and especially active during the summer months, Graz Airport is only about two hours drive south of Vienna.
• Bratislava Airport: Located in the neighboring Slovakia, Bratislava Airport is much smaller than its Viennese counterpart, but is still served by a number of airlines, including low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air. If you plan to rent a car in Bratislava and then drive to Vienna (or vice versa), you’ll have to cross the national border between Slovakia and Austria, so first make sure if your car rental provider permits it.
• Salzburg Airport: Located on the border with Germany in beautiful Salzburg, a city that is known for its architecture and winter sports opportunities, Salzburg Airport is only about three hours drive west of Vienna.
• By rail: If you’re arriving in Vienna by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Vienna Hauptbahnhof Railway Station and Vienna West Railway Station (Wien Westbahnhof).

City facts

• Despite not being located on the coast, Vienna has an oceanic climate. The average high temperature is 26.5 °C  (79.7 °F) in July, the warmest month, and 3.2 °C  (37.8 °F) in January, the coldest. Precipitation is at its highest from May to mid-September, while every winter, Vienna experiences some snowfall.

• Home to nearly 1.9 million inhabitants, Vienna is by far the largest city in the country. Another 900,000 live in its larger metropolitan area, making Vienna the second-largest German-speaking city in the world (behind Berlin in Germany). Vienna is made up of 23 districts (known as Bezirke in German). An inhabitant of Vienna is known as wiener (or wienerin for females) in German.

• Vienna is located near a large number of other European capitals. Bratislava in Slovakia is just 80 km (50 mi) east while Budapest in Hungary, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Zagreb in Croatia, and Prague in the Czech Republic can all be reached within four hours or less. All countries are easy to reach with a rental car and, since all are members of the Schengen Area, no border checkpoints are in place. However, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you to cross the border.

Top sights and activities

• Schönbrunn Palace. The former summer residence of the Habsburgs is Vienna’s most popular tourist destination. The Schönbrunn complex comprises the palace, extensive gardens, the Gloriette, a greenhouse, and a zoo, which also happens to be the world’s oldest zoo still in operation.
• Spanish Riding School. Located in the imperial Hofburg Palace and nearly 500 years old, the Lipizzan Horses and the riders of Spanish Riding School still entertain travelers with impressive shows of classical dressage.
• The Museum of Natural History. Focusing on not just Austria, but indeed the whole world, this is one of the unique museums of its kind in Europe, featuring countless impressive exhibitions and artefacts like the Venus of Willendorf, a number of meteorites, and a skeleton of the gigantic Diplodocus dinosaur.
• Naschmarkt. An open-air market first established in the 16th century, Naschmarkt is a place to try and buy a delicious Austrian wine, a cheese made by local farmers, a honey from the countryside, or a delicious food made by people from one of the ethnic diasporas that call Vienna their home.
• Museum of Art History. Its German name, Kunsthistorisches Museum, might sound intimidating, but fear not — it is one of the finest art museums in Europe. Located in a stunning palatial building on the famous Ringstraße, directly across the Museum of Natural History, it houses the classic works of many world-famous masters, with a special focus on painters from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and other German-speaking countries as the museum has taken over much of the art collection of the Habsburg dynasty. Even if you don’t consider yourself an art lover, a visit here is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 130 km/h (80mph) on highways, 100 km/h (62 pmh) on country roads, and 50 km/h (31mph) or 30 km/h (18mph) inside populated areas.

• During winter some smaller high altitude roads and passes can be inaccessible due to snow conditions. . It is a good idea to have snow chains in your car. Ask your car rental car provider about it.

• During the year’s warmest months, July and August, or during major winter/ski holidays it is not uncommon to experience traffic jams on national highways, especially during the weekends, as this is when most Austrians go on vacation.

• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced and 0.01% for novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, an EU-wide license ban, or even imprisonment.

• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.

• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.

• The emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

To travel on motorways and express highways  (German: Schnellstraßen) in Austria, you need to purchase a vignette. The Austrian highway vignette can be purchased for three pre-limited periods of time - 10 days, two months, or one year. As a visitor to the country, you’ll most likely choose the first option.

You can buy the Austrian highway vignette in many of the gas stations and stores that are located along highways in Austria. If you’re arriving in Austria by car from another country, make sure to purchase the Austrian highway vignette atthe border, otherwise you’ll have to pay a fine. Once purchased, it is important to place the vignette inside your vehicle’s windshield. At major border crossings, digital toll stickers are now available.

Many rental cars in Austria will already come equipped with the highway vignette. The price of the vignette will be included in the full rental price. To find out more, do get in touch with your car rental provider in advance.

In addition to the required purchase of highway vignette, there are specifically designated toll roads in Austria, many of them tunnels and alpine passes. Usually you’ll pass through a toll gate before entering the road where you’ll have to pay the toll fee. The payment can usually be made either by cash or a credit card. The exact fee will depend on the specific road. Find out more about the toll roads and the fees of using them in Austria on the European toll road website and on the Austrian toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

For more about traveling around Austria with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Wachau Valley. This picturesque stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems in Lower Austria is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its wine, castles, and abbeys, the Wachau Valley is an ideal destination for sightseeing, wine tasting, cycling, and hiking. The most famous attractions are the Melk Abbey, Göttweig Abbey, the Dürnstein castle ruins, and the Aggstein castle ruins. 
• Vienna Mountains. The Viennese Alps (Wiener Alpen in German) is an alpine region in Lower Austria, about 70 km southwest of Vienna. This outdoor destination is only a 1-hour drive from Vienna. Between May and October, the Viennese flock to the Wiener Hausberge to hike and climb. Top hikes include the Raxalpe west plateau circuit and the Fadensteig circuit. 
• Baden bei Wien. Just half an hour’s drive from the downtown, the small town of Baden-by-Vienna is known for its beautiful architecture in it and for the forested highlands and hot springs that surround it, making it a great and relaxing place to spend a day away from the hectic tempo of the big city. They are also home to the “Casino Baden”.
• Graz. The capital of the state of Styria and the second-largest city in the country, Graz is a lovely place to visit. Situated on the banks of the scenic Mur river, Graz is rich in historical landmarks, not least of which include the Eggenberg Palace, Schlossberg Hill, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, and UNESCO-protected old town. Located about 200 km (125 miles) southwest of Vienna, Graz can be reached in about two hours; while it’s possible to visit on a day-trip, two or three days would arguably make for an even better experience.
• Sopron. Located just across the border in neighboring Hungary, a bit over one hour’s drive from Vienna, Sopron is a wine-making center and a place of many interesting buildings, from the Tarodi Castle and the Fire Watch Tower on an ancient Roman wall to even the Goat Church. If you’d like to go from Vienna to Sopron by car, you’ll have to cross a national border, so first make sure with your car rental provider if they permit it.
• Eisenstadt. The capital of Burgenland, one of the nine states that make up Austria, Eisenstadt was once home of aristocratic Esterházy family, and the city’s historical legacy still shows in beautiful castles with wine cellars, gothic cathedrals, and even a Jewish quarter that still houses a synagogue. Eisenstadt is less than one hour’s drive south of Vienna.
• Budapest. Along with Vienna, Budapest was a co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and a lot of its imperial glory survives to this day. Its architectural gems are too many to list here, but the city is also known for its cultural institutions, fun nightlife, and unique Hungarian cuisine. The trip from Vienna takes only 2 hours and 30 minutes, so Budapest can be visited as a day trip, but give this magnificent city at least 2 or 3 days if you can. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Austria is the Skoda Fabia, although travelers also love the Opel Astra and the Dacia Sandero. The most popular rental car types are economy, mini, and intermediate.

Further destinations

• Gesäuse National Park. Located in the Austrian State of Styria, this large protected area encompasses the limestone mountains of the Buchstein, Reichenstein, and Hochtor Group. Gesäuse National Park is a gorgeous alpine region best explored with a rental car. While in the area, visit the Admont Abbey, home to one of the most beautiful baroque libraries in Europe.
• Schladming-Dachstein Region. This large holiday region in Styria is a popular destination for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The region encompasses Schladming, the gateway to the Schladminger Tauern mountains, and Ramsau am Dachstein, the gateway to the Dachstein mountains.
• Salzburg. Mozart’s birthplace is famous for its distinctive baroque architecture that is best observed in Altstadt or old city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for its different museums, and for the salt mines that give the city its name.
• Bratislava. Located on Danube just an hour’s drive from Vienna, Slovakia’s capital is known both for its impressive castles and churches and for its burgeoning arts and culture scene. If you’d like to go from Vienna to Bratislava, you’ll have to cross a national border, so first make sure with your car rental provider if they permit it.
• Prague. Many travelers prefer Prague over the famous cities of Western Europe, and with some merit. The city tells fascinating stories on every step of the way, whether you’re visiting the Astronomical Clock, the surreal Dancing House, or one of its gothic palaces. The capital of Czech Republic is about 300 km (185 mi) from Vienna. If you’d like to go from Vienna to Prague, you’ll have to cross a national border, so first make sure with your car rental provider if they permit it.
• Triglav National Park. Triglav National Park, named after a ‘three-headed’ mountain, is not just the only national park of neighboring Slovenia, it’s also one of the most impressive natural attractions in the region. Situated in the Julian Alps, it attracts visitors with its waterfalls, gorges, hiking trails, various flora and fauna, and the almost impossibly-picturesque town of Bled (one of the smallest locations ever to be included in the Lonely Planet Top 200 Cities list). Located about 380 km (236 miles) southwest of Vienna, the national park can be reached in about 4 hours and 30 minutes. As with other foreign destinations, ask your rental car supplier in advance if they permit crossing the border (even if you plan to later go back to Austria and return the car there).
• Innsbruck. Another Alpine gem of a city, Innsbruck is located in the western part of the country, about a five-hour drive from Vienna — and the long trip is worth the effort. The two-time host of the Winter Olympics is known for its ample winter sports opportunities (and equally fun hiking trails during summer), but also for heritage architecture such as Ambras Palace, Hofkirche, and Haibling House.

Car rental prices in Vienna

• Medium cars - from $18 per day
• Large cars - from $21 per day
• SUVs - from $16 per day
• Station wagons - from $21 per day
• Vans - from $78 per day
• Small cars - from $8 per day
• Premium cars - from $103 per day
• Convertibles - from $70 per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are the tricks you can try to get a good car rental deal in Vienna:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Vienna is the cheapest in October when renting a car is a whopping 65% cheaper than the yearly average.