Austrian Car Rental

 

The country of yodelling and Mozart offers a diverse landscape with sunny beaches hugging crystal clear lakes as well as snow-capped mountains, romantic vineyards and lush forests. Its history-rich cities, abundant natural attractions and cultural hubs are linked by an extensive road network, making driving the ideal transport choice for taking in the varied countryside.

Vienna is the cultural and administrative centre, conjuring up images of cosy café symphony orchestras, grand balls and Sachertorte. Mozart's choice of residence also boasts the imperial legacy of the immensely rich Habsburg clan, with many landmarks tracing their opulent lifestyles. Take a ride through the Wachau Valley, a scenic stretch along the Danube River. Lake Neusiedl, southeast of Vienna, is the largest steppe lake in central Europe and easily reached by car in an hour.

Vienna is also an ideal gateway to explore Lower Austria, with its gorgeous Danube River Valley, fertile vineyards, impressive castles and lots of religious landmarks. The many fortresses served to guard the valley's importance as a passageway from east to west. The charming town of Melk is home to a grand monastery in baroque style and a majestic church featuring a soaring octagonal dome and twin spires.

Salzburg and its surroundings are synonymous with Austria, having gained worldwide fame in the movie The Sound of Music. Mozart was also born here, and his birth house is a popular attraction. Driving out of the city, you can enjoy swimming in the romantic lakes of the Salzkammergut region, boating on Lake Wolfgangsee or hiking in the spectacular Hohe Tauern National Park. There are also several scenic drives and wine trails in this region.

Farther west is Tirol, the region associated with yodelling and snowy peaks. The capital Innsbruck once hosted the Olympic Winter Games and skiing can be enjoyed all year on Stubai Glacier, around 40kms from the city. A day outing to the small town of Wattens will take you to the Swarovski Kristallwelten, a string of sound and light displays featuring the famous Swarovski crystals.

East of Salzburg is the popular holiday region of Salzkammergut, an important salt-mining area where you can explore the underground mines on guided tours. Bad Ischl is a charming spa town and Hallstadt is an idyllic, quaint village in a peaceful setting between Hallstein Lake and the imposing mountains.

Neighbouring Germany, the diverse region of Vorarlberg sits on the shores of Lake Constance offering vast forests and glacier-capped peaks. The Rheintal Valley boasts Mediterranean style vineyards and charming restaurants dishing up regional delicacies.

The compact size of Austria makes it ideal to tour by rental car, giving you the opportunity to stop off along the way at the many natural attractions and landmarks. The road network is very well developed and maintained and Austrian drivers are generally courteous and willing to assist visitors.