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Car Hire Austria
Nestled between Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, Austria is best known for its fantastic skiing and traditional alpine villages. Austria is popular sightseeing destination whatever the weather and one of the best ways to get around is by booking rent a car Austria for your stay. There is so much to explore and take in while you are in Austria that you will want an uncomplicated way to get around. The roads are well made and maintained, so you can use your Austria car hire to see everything from the cities to the beautiful countryside and Alpine mountains. The most popular road in Austria is the Grossglockner Alpine Road which is in the High Tauren National Park, it spans the provinces of Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia. Austria is such a beautiful country full of contrasts and a rental car Austria will open the doors to the beautiful landscape that would be missed if you took public transport. This is a place where the food, culture and people will amaze you at every turn. Austria rent a car can help you see all there is on offer.
There are places of interest for the tourist in all corners of Austria. Car hire Austria lets you see the most amazing sights that this peaceful and quiet country has in store. From the capital of Vienna to the breath-taking countryside in the Alps, Austria is a haven for those that want to see a unique way of life. Rental car Austria is popular, and you will need to book well in advance to get the dates and the type of car you desire.
To help to connect and experience the country you are visiting is really important so rent a car Austria lets you take it easy along the roads of the country and also get from place to place in comfort and style and at your own pace.. There are so many options for car hire Austria that you will want to decide early and get the most from your trip. It is easy to make a booking and the cars are modern and well-maintained, so don’t worry about your Austria rental car experience, it’s just like driving at home!
The Country
Austria is such a picturesque and beautiful country and appeals to those who want to do more than just visit in the winter months for skiing. The splendour of Austria appeals to over 20 million tourists each year, with many visiting Vienna, with its major attractions being
- The gothic Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral),
- The Spanish Riding School
The country is home to over 8.72 million people, with Vienna being the countries capital and Graz being second in size. Austria is a landlocked country between Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. It shares a lot of trading and cultural links with Germany and other EU member states. The territory of Austria covers 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq. mi). The terrain is highly mountainous, lying within the Alps.
Being north of the equator, the summer in Austria is in the months of June, July and August, while the winter months are December, January and February. The weather in the country is temperate, with four distinct seasons.
Austrian German is the national language of Austria, with a number of other dialects being spoken in the country. With other national foreign visitors living and working in Austria other such languages are spoken such as Slovenian, English and Turkish. Due to the mountainous terrain in Austria the largest and prominent sport is alpine skiing. Similar winter sports such as skiing jumping and snowboarding are also popular with Austrians and tourists alike. Austria also holds the Formula 1 race each season in The Red Bull Ring motorsport circuit in Spielberg, Styria.
Things to do in Austria
Top Things To Do & See In Vienna
As a city that has been in the making for centuries, Vienna is a beautiful mix of the old and new. Your Vienna car hire is the perfect way to get around the place. The amazing Hofburg Palace is the seat of the Habsburg rulers, built back in the 13th century. Now it is the offices and residence of the President of Austria. The building is filled with architectural wonders and is well worth setting aside a few hours to view. Maybe even a day.
Your Vienna car hire is the perfect vehicle to take you to the Museumsquartier in the city. As you might expect, this is where the major museums of Vienna are housed. The architecture is ab grand mix of the old and modern. Whether you love art galleries or something a little more hands-on in terms of museums, they are all here. The local cafes provide an excellent array of foods for you to choose from. We recommend you try the Rindsuppe at least once on your visit to this city.
If you have had your fill of culture and architecture (plus the soup!) then a shopping trip might be in store. The Naschmarkt has stood on the same site for almost half a millennium. I know, makes us all feel young! Pull up your Vienna car hire and grab your shopping bags. You’ll find some unusual items here – perfect for gifts to take home. Just beware what you are eating as you walk around. The pastries and cakes are amazing, but they carry a massive load of calories with them. Indulge but don’t overdo it. Oh, and make sure you’ve blown up the tyres on your Vienna car hire to carry you and all your goods back with you.
If you have the time, then the Vienna State Opera is a great place to visit. The ballets and operas there are considered among the best in the world.
Top Things To Do & See In Salzburg
The city that brought us Mozart obviously has a musical theme wherever you go. Buy a Mozart CD and put it in the CD player in your rental car Salzburg to really immerse yourself in the city. Mozart’s birthplace is an absolute must place to see for the music fan. It is filled with facts and artefacts from his childhoods Did you know that he started to compose music when he was only 4 years old? Pretty amazing stuff from a man whose work transcends the centuries.
If the weather is good (and this can depend on the time of year you visit) then Mirabell Palace is an amazing place to see. The gardens are a real wonder, and this really makes the visit. The Palace itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the whole place has the feel of yesteryear. The gardens are the biggest draw in the summer as the flowers bloom and people flock there.
Schloss Hellbrunn is another place to visit in your Salzburg rental car. Parking is pretty good in that part of the city too. It is Baroque architecture at its finest. The place used to be the summer residence of an archbishop of the city back in the 1600’s. It has stood the test of time pretty well too. Marvel in the way we used to build. And there are always exhibitions there, so you can see artefacts as well as architecture.
It seems that wherever you look in the city, Salzburg Cathedral is in your eyeline. This imposing cathedral is the most distinctive building in the city. It is steeped in history and is well worth a visit. The surrounding area has cafes and walkways so you can take in the world as you visit. Sitting outside a café people watching is a great way to spend an hour.
Top Things To Do & See In Innsbruck, Tirol
Innsbruck is forever associated with winter sports. And if you choose the right rent a car Innsbruck, Tirol then you can make your way around this picturesque part of the world. As host to the Winter Olympics in the past, you get all you’d expect in this place.
The Goldenes Dachl or Golden Roof is a wonderful sight. The house was built back in the 15th Century for Frederick IV and is absolutely stunning. The balcony is a later addition, but the roof is covered in 2,657 gilded tiles. It is quite a spectacular view at any time of the year, but the summer sun really sparkles off the roof. Park your rent a car Innsbruck, Tirol nearby and then take a walk around the area. This is a great way to get acquainted with the city before you explore a little further.
A cable car will take you to the top of the Pfander, 3491 feet in the air, overlooking the entire surroundings. In fact, from the top you can see four different countries –
- Austria
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Liechtenstein
Look down from the top and see if you can spot your rent a car Innsbruck, Tirol. We bet you can’t!
But you can hop in your rent a car Innsbruck, Tirol and head out to see the Adlerwarte nature reserve. This is a great place to walk around and take in the wonders of nature. You can see birds of prey here among the other animals. Just keep your eyes peeled and we’re sure you will see all manner of wild creatures.
And after all this, there is always the après ski. Austria is famous for its hospitality. And it would be rude not to indulge a little when you are here. The food and drink flow freely, so pick a restaurant and enjoy!
Top Things To Do & See In Graz
Like much of Austria, Graz is steeped in alpine traditions and history. And your Graz car hire is the perfect way to soak all of this up. For starters, you should check out Herz-Jesu-Kirche which is a remarkable piece of Neogothic architecture slap bang in the city. The colours and style are very Austrian, just what you would expect. And it is probably the image you will have on the postcard you send home too! As the streets are well made and parking is plentiful, your Graz car hire is the perfect way to get here and around the rest of the city too.
And if you are interested in history, then the Styrian Armoury is an amazing place to spend a few hours. In fact, it is the world’s largest historic armoury, giving you tens of thousands of artefacts to view from tools to weapons and other things to see as well. This place is a delight and you could spend all day here if you have the time in your schedule. Definitely one to see.
If you are looking for something a bit more outdoors, then Eggenberg Palace and its surrounding parklands and gardens is the place for you in Graz. The palace itself is an absolute marvel. But the gardens are something else. You can feel the money that used to flow through this city centuries ago. Spend some time wandering, or if you have more energy then hire a bike and get moving! Your Graz car hire is the perfect way to get close to the palace and then enjoy all it has to offer from there.
At the end of the day, hop on over in your Graz car hire to Uhrtum and watch the sunset. It is a 28-metre-high tower that provides amazing views as the sun finishes its daily journey through the sky. Check out the times of the sunset before you head out there and watch the breath-taking views.
Top Things To Do & See In Linz
Linz is a city that is beautiful in the day and spectacular at night. The way it lights up really makes you want to head out in your rental car Linz and see all it has to offer. One of the sights that typifies this is the Lentos Art Museum. This is a fairly modern building, opened in 2003 and houses modern and contemporary art. It sits in pride of place on the banks of the River Danube and is resplendent in blue lights when the night comes. Probably the most photographed building in all of Linz.
In keeping with the Lentos, the Ars Electronica Center is another modern building that lights up the city. It is known by locals as the museum of the future, this is a must-visit. The center mixes arts, technology and media perfectly. There is much to see for the whole family in one place. If the weather is bad (let’s face it, this is Austrauia0 then you can spend the whole day here and never have to venture outside.
The Schlossmuseum Linz is another place that you can park your Linz car hire out front of and then spend a full day in the warn and dry if needed. Thursday is late night opening with the museum open until 9pm. The museum is housed in the old Linz Castle, so is a place that is steeped in history before you even walk through the front doors. The site has had a fortress there in one form or another since the 9th century. The artefacts inside are delightful, telling the story of this city as well as artworks and photographs that are coveted by museums across the planet.
And the last place om our list is Grottebahn, which is a homage to European fairy tales. We can’t think of a better way to while away a few hours. Grottebahn is what Disneyworld would look like if Walt was born in Europe. It looks a little dated in places but that only adds to the charm. All of these exhibits can be accesses with your Linz car hire, so book up nice and early and get around the city.
Driving Tips
As with any new experience, you will need to know what you are letting yourself in for. Check all the rules of the road before you leave for Austria to ensure you stay safe. Here are some of the more important ones are
- The driver is responsible to make sure all occupants of the car wear seat belts at all times, fine imposed is €35.00 for non-compliance
- You cannot drive while under the influence of alcohol. There are strict laws and a fine will be imposed if over the limits of 50mg and 79mg.
- You must carry an international drivers licence with you at all times while on the road in Austria. If you have a paper licence it is only valid with an accompanied photographic evidence, such as a valid passport.
- It’s illegal to use a mobile unless you have a hands-free kit. Fines can be as high as €730.
- Children under 14 and shorter than 1.50m cannot travel as a front or rear seat passenger unless using a suitable restraint system for their height and weight. Children under 14 years but over 1.50 metres in height must use the adult seat belt.
- A reflective vest must be kept in the vehicle at all times. It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle (must conform to EC Regulation 27), first aid kit, and winter weather equipment.
- They drive on the right-hand side of the road, over take on the left
- Austrian police can impose and collect fines of up to €90 on the spot from drivers who violate traffic regulations
- Between November 1st and April 15th, vehicles must be fitted with winter tyres (which must be marked M&S (Mud & Snow) on the side walls and have a minimum tread depth of 4mm) or all-season tyres which must be marked M&S and if roads have a covering of snow, slush or ice outside these dates
- All vehicles using Austrian motorways and expressways must display a motorway tax sticker (vignette). The stickers, which are valid for one calendar year, two months or 10 days, may be purchased at some petrol stations located. Fines for driving without a vignette are a minimum of €120.
- Speed limits in built up areas – 50 kph / 31 mph
- Speed limits on open roads – 100 kph / 62 mph
- Speed limits on the motorways – 130 kph / 80 mph
Make sure you know what to do when driving in Japan to say safe and on the right side of the law.
Airports in Austria
Austria has transport links to the rest of the world through trade and other activities, o you would expect a lot of airports. Here are some of the busiest airports in Austria are
- Vienna International Airport
- Weiz-Unterfladnitz Airport
- Linz Airport (Blue Danube Airport)
- Salzburg Airport (W. A. Mozart Airport)
- Graz Airport
- Innsbruck Airport (Kranebitten Airport)
- Klagenfurt Airport (Woerthersee Airport)
The best way to get the most from your car hire Austria is to book from the airport so you know you have the transport you need. Do this in advance to get the best prices available.
When driving on the roads of Austria, you want to be safe. You should research the rules of the road, as said before, but also have the police number 112/133 programmed in your phone on case of emergency. Also fire 112/122 and ambulance 122/144.