By-Car Hire Guide To Austria

Austria is a beautiful country with plenty of things to do. It is renowned throughout the world for its excellent skiing resorts, such as Kitzbühel, as well as for the rich cultural traditions of cities such as Vienna.

If you hire a car in Austria, you'll be able to explore freely, without being constrained by public transport schedules.

Car Hire in Austria - Benefits

If you hire a car during your Austrian holiday, you'll be able to choose a city or skiing resort to use as a base and explore the surrounding area from there. Some of Austria's best known ski resorts are within easy reach of cities such as Vienna and Salzburg, so if you hire a car you can combine a skiing holiday with a city break.

You can also use your hire car to take a driving tour of the country. Austria's landscape varies a lot, from the ancient forests of Styria to the green valleys along the Danube River. Much of the country is dominated by the Alps, with their rocky peaks and summer pastures filled with wildflowers, and you'll find many beautiful resorts, including those in the Arlberg Ski Area, located in the mountain range between the states of Tirol and Vorarlberg.

Car Hire in Austria - Holiday Hotspots

Austria has many fantastic places to see. To decide where to go, consider what you want to get from your holiday.

Do want the excitement of a major city? If so, Salzburg or Vienna, with their cultural attractions, shops and vibrant nightlife might be perfect for you.

Do you want an active holiday amidst beautiful scenery? Then head for one of Austria's many scenic skiing resorts such as Innsbruck.

To help you to plan your trip to Austria, we've produced guides to some of the country's most popular destinations, including details of some of the attractions that you can visit when you hire a car. Click on the links for more information:

• By-Car Hire Guide to Innsbruck
• By-Car Hire Guide to Salzburg
• By-Car Hire Guide to Vienna

Car Hire in Austria - Hints and Tips

Here are some hints and tips on driving a hire car in Austria:

• Drive on the right hand side of the road.
• The maximum speed limits are 130km/h on the motorway, 100km/h on open roads and 50km/h in urban areas.
• All vehicles driving on the motorway or expressway must display a motorway tax sticker (vignette). These can be bought at petrol stations or border entry points.
• Speed limits are rigorously enforced and radar traps are common.
• Speeding offences and some other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
• Visibility vests are compulsory when walking on the motorway, on highways in bad visibility and on all roads if you break down. You must also carry a first aid kit and a warning triangle.
• Headlights must be on at all times.
• Carry your driving licence, V5 vehicle registration document and motor insurance certificate whenever you are driving.
• Drink driving laws are strict, so don't drink alcohol if you're planning to drive.
• Children under 12 years of age can only travel in the front seat if they are over 1.5m tall or if you use suitable child restraints.
• Car horns may not be used in Vienna, and may be prohibited elsewhere too (check for the relevant signs).
• Vehicles with a capacity for eight or more passengers must be equipped with winter driving tyres and carry snow chains between 11 November and 15 March.
• You must not cross a solid yellow centre line.
• Drivers must be over 18.