Car Rental & Driving
A rental car is especially worthwhile for rural areas: Salzkammergut, Carinthian Lakes, Wachau, Großglockner High Alpine Road. You don't need one for Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck — public transport is excellent.
Prices & Booking
| Period | Small Car/Day | Compact/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Off-season | €25–40 | €35–55 |
| Peak season | €40–65 | €55–85 |
| Ski Season (with winter tires) | €45–70 | €60–95 |
Compare via CHECK24 or billiger-mietwagen.de. Local providers (Buchbinder, Megadrive) often cheaper than Sixt/Europcar.
⚠️ Vignette — Mandatory on Highways!
All Austrian highways and expressways require a vignette. Since 2018, there is the Digital Vignette, which is linked to the license plate — no more sticking!
| Duration | Car Price (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| 1-Day Vignette | €8.60 |
| 10-Day Vignette | €11.50 |
| 2-Month Vignette | €28.90 |
| Annual Vignette | €96.40 |
Purchase: Online at asfinag.at (immediately valid or from desired date), at gas stations, ADAC offices, or kiosks near the border.
Additional Toll Roads (Special Toll)
Some tunnels and mountain roads cost extra — even with a vignette:
| Route | Car Price |
|---|---|
| Brenner Motorway (A13, Innsbruck–IT border) | €11.50 |
| Arlberg Tunnel (S16) | €11.50 |
| Tauern Tunnel (A10) | €14.00 |
| Karawanken Tunnel (A11, towards SLO) | €7.90 |
| Großglockner High Alpine Road | €41.50 (day ticket) |
| Felbertauern Road | €12.00 |
Driving Tips
- Speed Limit: Highway 130 km/h, expressway (rural) 100 km/h, urban 50 km/h. Speed cameras are frequent and expensive!
- Winter Tires: Mandatory from November 1 to April 15 in winter conditions. Rental cars have them as standard.
- Snow Chains: Required for mountain roads in winter. Often available for rental cars at an extra charge.
- Alcohol: 0.5‰ limit, for new drivers (< 2 years) 0.1‰.
- Parking in Vienna: Short-term parking zones (Mon–Fri 9 am–10 pm) in all 23 districts! Parking ticket via app (EasyPark, PayByPhone) or kiosk. €2.40/hour, max. 2 hours in inner districts.
Achtung
Driving on the highway without a vignette costs at least €120 fine — the police regularly check, especially at border crossings! Be sure to buy the digital vignette BEFORE entering online.
