How to find a cheap car rental deal in Austria
Take control of your trip with a cheap rental car in Austria. With prices starting from $18 a day, you get freedom without the high price tag. From city cars to family movers, we'll help you find the right wheels at a price that works.
For extended getaways, $121 is the lowest available rate for a weekly rental.
Explore the range of car rentals in Austria. This is where you'll find the cheapest rides in Austria.
Vienna is the most popular city to rent a car.
Browse the deals from Wheego during your search. It's chosen by more people than any other provider in Austria.
There's no need to go far after touching down to pick up your ride. Car rentals are available at major airports including Vienna Airport, Salzburg Airport and Innsbruck Airport.
You can easily rent a set of wheels in cities including Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Linz.
A one-way rental might work out in your favor. Providers often lower prices when they need to move cars between sites. When searching for a car for rent in Austria, select 'Return car to a different location' to unlock those deals.
Planning a multi-week rental? It might be cheaper to book a full month, so try different date combinations to find out what works best.
Pick a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy' to avoid extra fuel charges. It arrives with a full tank and goes back the same way, so it's easier to keep track of what you're paying.
Unlimited mileage lets you focus on the journey instead of the odometer. Check for this feature under the 'Policies' filter and cover more ground without piling on the fees.
Best time to book a car rental in Austria
If you want to get the timing right, book about four weeks ahead to drive away with the best price on a car rental in Austria.
Plan your trip for sometime in March to score average daily rates of $34. This is the most affordable month to rent a car.
If you'd prefer to travel outside the most expensive stretch, avoid booking in June.
Compare car rental types in Austria
Economy: True to its name, this option is designed with value in mind. It combines some of the cheapest rates around with low fuel consumption to help keep the total spend down. When you'd rather save than splurge, this is the clear winner.
Small: Including mini and economy classes, small cars are ideal for everyday travel. If you're looking for a cheap rental car in Austria, this is where some of the best deals live. They're perfect for city driving and short trips, with easy handling, low fuel use, and enough space for the essentials.
Medium: Want more space without going all out? Medium rentals (which include compact and intermediate models) hit the sweet spot. They feel right at home on city streets, on highways and almost everywhere in between.
Large: More people, more gear, more plans. Large cars bring generous passenger space and increased luggage capacity, making them an ideal match for families and long-distance drives. Choose one of these full-size rides when comfort is non-negotiable.
SUV: From major highways to scenic detours, SUVs are ready for it all. With a higher driving position, configurable seating, and easy handling across changing terrain, they're perfect for road trips throughout Austria.
Van: Suited to transporting equipment or coordinating group logistics, this type of car for rent in Austria has the extra carrying power you need. These commercial vans and trucks feature generous cargo space and practical layouts that make loading more efficient.
Luxury: Want something that feels next level? From sharp good looks to advanced features and strong performance, luxury vehicles dial up every part of the driving experience. This is what to book when only the best will do.
Insurance and optional extras
Excess insurance covers the excess you may have to pay if your rental car is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, it can be a real lifesaver if something goes wrong. Keep in mind that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.
Level up your ride with nifty extras like a reverse camera or navigation unit. These add-ons can make your trip more comfortable and stress-free when you rent a car in Austria.
Driving in Austria: What you need to know
Check each provider's age requirements before booking your rental in Austria. Rules can differ, and added costs or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to browse your options.
Add a car seat to your car rental reservation in Austria if you're bringing the kids. Rules can change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest option.
You'll need to show some documents when you get to the rental desk. As a general rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will tell you exactly what you need.
Get familiar with your rental. Adjust your seat and mirrors, find the lights and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And don't forget to stay on the right side of the road in Austria.
Keep within local speed limits of about 45kph in urban areas and around 125kph on highways. Always check the posted signs, as limits may vary.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Austria is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the only way to be certain you're safe to drive is to skip the drinks.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) here. As well as your credit and debit cards, have some cash handy for smaller purchases.
The language most commonly used in this country is German.
Where to road trip in Austria?
Austria is easy to explore by car, with major rental hubs in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck, plus airport pickup points like Vienna International Airport and Salzburg Airport W. A. Mozart. If you're planning car rental in Austria, the routes below show how pickup points, trip lengths and vehicle types vary depending on whether you're heading into the Alps, tracing imperial history or following the country's wine roads.
Imperial History: Vienna to Salzburg via the Salzkammergut
Pick up your car in Vienna and drive west through a region shaped by Habsburg rule, passing palaces, abbey towns and the lake district that once served as an imperial retreat. It suits history-focused travellers who prefer a relaxed pace with short daily drives between well-connected towns.
Recommended car: Standard sedan or compact.
Suggested pickup point: Vienna International Airport.
Good for: History enthusiasts, couples, first-time visitors to Austria.
Road conditions: Paved highways, well-maintained regional roads, lakeside stretches.
Best time to go: April to October for mild weather and open attractions.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: St. Pölten, Hallstatt.
Alpine Adventure: Innsbruck to the Hohe Tauern Region
Start in Innsbruck and drive south and east into the high Alps, where glacier-carved valleys and mountain passes define every stage of the route. It's a strong choice for active travellers who want challenging terrain and can handle alpine driving with confidence.
Recommended car: Mid-size SUV or all-wheel-drive vehicle.
Suggested pickup point: Innsbruck Airport.
Good for: Hikers, adventure travellers, experienced drivers.
Road conditions: Mountain passes, narrow alpine roads, paved valley routes.
Best time to go: June to September for clear passes and accessible trails.
Trip length: Five to eight days.
Key stops: Lienz, Zell am See.
Wine and Food: The Wachau and Styrian Wine Roads
Pick up your car in Vienna and head into the Danube valley before looping south toward Styria, a region known for its white wines, pumpkin-seed oil and rural cooking traditions. This route works well for travellers who prefer shorter drives each day with plenty of stops at vineyards and market towns.
Recommended car: Compact or standard sedan.
Suggested pickup point: Vienna city centre.
Good for: Food lovers, wine enthusiasts, couples.
Road conditions: Paved regional roads, gentle vineyard routes, well-surfaced rural lanes.
Best time to go: September and October for harvest season.
Trip length: Five to seven days.
Key stops: Krems an der Donau, Graz.
Weather and driving conditions in Austria
Weather
Austria runs through four distinct seasons: mild springs from March to May, warm summers through June to August, crisp autumns into November, and cold winters from December to February.
Snow is a real factor on mountain passes and alpine routes, so carrying snow chains is required by law when conditions demand it. Fog settles thickly in valleys and low-lying areas, especially in the colder months, so drop your speed and use low-beam headlights. Summer heat can soften tar on exposed stretches of highway, and rain after a dry spell makes surfaces slippery fast. Driving in Austria rewards drivers who read the road ahead and adjust early rather than react late.
Driving conditions
Roads are well maintained across Austria, and you'll find motorways and major highways in particularly good shape for a road trip in Austria. Rural and mountain roads in alpine regions are narrower but typically well surfaced, so just take them at a steady pace.
Vienna's compact historic core has extensive one-way systems and limited parking zones requiring a paid permit, so using a parking garage near the old town is usually the most practical option for visiting drivers. {NS} Outside the cities, alpine valley roads narrow considerably, and signage switches to German without pictogram alternatives in some areas. Gas stations thin out quickly in mountainous regions, so filling up before heading into remote passes makes sense.
Deer and wild boar are the animals most worth watching for in Austria, particularly on forested and rural roads at dawn and dusk. Encounters are most common in spring and fall when animals move more actively.
Complete your road trip with a hotel
Whether you're going far or keeping it local, a comfortable place to stay can make all the difference after a full day of driving. After booking your car rental in Austria, explore hotels in Vienna if this major stop is on your route. You can also search Salzburg accommodation options or browse places to stay in Innsbruck while you work out the rest of your itinerary.
