Salzburg Car Rentals
Renting a car in Salzburg may likely prove more of a headache than anything else. Because all vehicles but taxis are forbidden in most of the Altstadt, where you can actually go in a car is strictly limited. On top of this, parking options are few. A few hotels, mostly those outside the city center, offer free parking, but other than that you’ll deal with expensive garages, which charge around €13 a day.
That said, if you want to travel outside the city, a rental car can be a good option. The surrounding region begs to be explored, and a car will get you to the out-of-the-way nooks and crannies where the bus system won't take you.
Check out our trusty consolidator Auto Europe's Salzburg selections to find the best car rental deals in town.
Look for park-and-ride locations at regional bus stops. These provide fairly inexpensive parking options. There are two main park and rides in Salzburg itself. The southern location charges €5 per day and can be reached by buses 3 and 8. The northern location charges €.60 per half hour and is reachable by bus 1.
To get the best price, reserve a car before leaving home. Ask for an all-inclusive rate with full insurance and unlimited kilometers. Many of the less expensive rental cars in Europe will have neither air conditioning nor roll-down windows. To get the best deal, shop around, reserve ahead of time, and pay in advance.
A good price for a three-day economy car rental in Salzburg is between €120 and €150. Nicer cars will run more, somewhere around €200. Before driving off, make sure to check that your car has a valid Vignette. A Vignette sticker confirms that the car's Autobahn tax has been paid. Car rental companies should already have paid for a Vignette; if they haven't, be sure to ask. If for some reason you do have to purchase a Vignette, you'll find them at post offices and Tabak shops. A ten-day Vignette costs €7.60
You must be at least 21 years of age to rent a car in Austria. And be sure to inform the rental company when you pick up the car if you plan to drive over the border into one of the surrounding countries as they may have restrictions.
