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Hertz Car Rental in Vienna

Being the beautiful capital of Austria, Vienna has that rare mix of everything. You can visit museums, cafés, and old streets in the morning, then be on the open road by lunch. The city feels polished and easy to navigate, but the real payoff comes when you use Vienna as a base.

In a short drive, you can reach the Wachau Valley, lake towns in Burgenland, vineyard villages, and forested viewpoints that feel a world away from the Ringstrasse.

The best way to navigate this city is to get a car rental in Vienna. This way, you can skip train changes, leave when you want, and stop whenever something catches your eye— a riverside lookout, a small winery, or a quiet village square.

With Hertz car hire in Vienna, you get a straightforward start to those day trips and longer routes. Hire your car at Vienna Airport or in the city, and the car that suits your plan, and enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace, with the flexibility to explore beyond the city without overthinking the logistics.

Pickup locations in Vienna

 
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Driving Guide: Car Rental in Vienna

Parking Information

  • City (Mechanical) Parking Garage is a centrally located garage that sits right by Stephansplatz and St. Stephen’s Cathedral, making it a practical option for parking in Vienna’s historic core. It’s a mechanical garage with 199 spaces, and it also offers electric car charging, which is helpful if you’re driving an EV into the city.
  • Karlsplatz Underground Garage is a large underground car park at Karlsplatz. It is a great option for central Vienna, sitting close to the Wien Museum Karlsplatz and within easy reach of Karlskirche and the surrounding Innenstadt edge. With 656 spaces, it’s a solid choice when you want a higher-capacity garage in a busy area.
  • Uniqa Tower Underground Garage is set right along the Donaukanal with 264 spots and an EV charging facility. It is a handy option if you want parking just outside the busiest inner-city streets while still staying close to central Vienna. It’s a good base for riverside walks, nearby cafés, and quick access to the city.

Key Roads in Vienna

  • Ringstraße (the Ring Road): Ringstraße loops around Vienna’s historic inner district. It is the “grand boulevard” route that takes you past major landmarks and government buildings, so it’s a common road for sightseeing routes, hotel access, and quick inner-city navigation. Traffic can be slow at peak hours, but it’s one of the most straightforward ways to orient yourself in central Vienna.
  • Gürtel (Vienna’s belt road): The Gürtel is a major north–south belt that runs outside the Ring and links many districts. It’s often the practical choice when you want to move across the city without diving into the tight streets of the center. You’ll also find lots of tram lines and busy junctions along it, so expect frequent lights and mixed traffic.
  • A23 Südosttangente (Vienna’s main urban motorway): The A23 is Vienna’s key high-capacity route for crossing the city, especially if you’re connecting between motorways or heading toward the airport side of the network. It’s fast when it flows, but it’s also one of the places where congestion builds quickly during commuting hours, so timing matters.

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Vienna is a city of imperial grandeur and hidden neighborhoods, where grand palaces and historic coffee houses meet the scenic Danube and the lush Vienna Woods. You can spend your morning marveling at the Hofburg or the Belvedere, then quickly transition from the busy Ringstraße to the quiet riverside paths of the Donauinsel.

Having a car makes the experience much more seamless. You can travel beyond the city center to the Wachau Valley’s wineries or the Roman ruins of Carnuntum without coordinating train transfers, stopping whenever a hilltop view catches your eye.

With Hertz car rental in Vienna, your itinerary stays flexible. Vienna car hire through Hertz offers a reliable way to explore the capital and its surrounding landscapes at your own pace, whether you’re making a quick urban trip or a longer scenic drive into Lower Austria.

Charging Points

Vienna is at the forefront of urban e-mobility, boasting an extensive network of over 1,800 public charging stations spread across the city’s historic districts and modern outskirts.

Whether you are parked near the Ringstraße or exploring the outer neighborhoods, finding a spot to power up is incredibly simple and well-integrated into the city’s infrastructure.

This makes an EV rental through Hertz a particularly smart choice in Vienna.

Congestion Charges

Vienna does not have a congestion charge for driving into the city center.

Instead of paying a zone fee, what most drivers notice is the city’s strict parking setup, with short-term paid parking zones across many districts, and the separate vignette toll system if you use Austrian motorways or expressways around Vienna.

Getting from Vienna to Graz

Vienna to Graz is an easy drive that usually takes around 2 hr 11 min in normal traffic, about 197 km, via S Autobahn / E59. This route has tolls, so plan for the vignette if you’re driving a rental car.

  • Start in central Vienna and head toward Schwarzenbergplatz, then follow signs to join A23 via Rennweg, Adolf-Blamauer-Gasse, and Landstraßer Gürtel.
  • Stay on A23 and follow the route toward the S Autobahn / E59.
  • Continue on S Autobahn / E59 for the main stretch of the drive toward Graz (around 188 km on this section).
  • As you approach Graz, take the exit onto Liebenauer Tangente.
  • Continue on Liebenauer Tangente, then take Münzgrabenstraße toward the city.
  • Follow Münzgrabenstraße and continue to Opernring to reach central Graz.

Getting from Vienna to Linz

It usually takes around 2 hours in normal traffic (about 183 km) to reach Linz from Vienna via the Westautobahn. This route has tolls, so you’ll want the motorway vignette sorted before you set off.

  • Start in Vienna and follow B1 in the direction of the Westautobahn.
  • Stay on B1 for the initial stretch as you work your way onto the motorway (around 12.4 km on this section).
  • Merge onto the Westautobahn (A1) and continue west toward Linz (around 167 km on the motorway)
  • As you approach Linz, follow the signs for A7 and take Exit 6 toward Unionstraße.
  • Continue onto B139, then follow it to Ob. Donaulände / B129 to reach central Linz (around 3.9 km for this final section).

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A Quick Guide to Vienna

Hotel Sacher Wien

Philharmoniker Str. 4, 1010 Wien

A classic, old-world Vienna stay right in the center, best known for its historic atmosphere and signature Sacher experience. It’s a strong pick if you want traditional elegance, polished service, and an iconic address for walking the city.

Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna

Kärntner Ring 16, 1015 Wien

A grand, heritage-style hotel with a very “imperial Vienna” feel. You get central access plus full-service comforts like on-site dining, fitness facilities, and 24-hour room service, which makes it easy for both leisure and business stays.

The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna

Schubertring 5-7, 1010 Wien

A luxury option set in historic buildings along the Ringstraße, known for blending a classic Vienna setting with modern five-star extras like a spa and strong dining. Great if you want a high-end base near downtown and Stadtpark.

Steirereck (Stadtpark)

Am Heumarkt 2A, 1030 Wien

Vienna’s headline fine-dining address for modern Austrian cooking. Expect seasonal tasting menus, serious attention to ingredients, and a calm setting in Stadtpark that feels special without being stiff.

Plachutta Wollzeile

Wollzeile 38, 1010 Wien

A go-to for classic Viennese dishes, especially Tafelspitz, in a central 1st-district location. It’s reliable for a traditional meal in a polished setting, and it works well for groups too.

Figlmüller (Wollzeile)

Wollzeile 5, 1010 Wien

The famous spot for Vienna-style schnitzel, with a lively, old-school vibe right in the center. Good when you want something iconic, straightforward, and very “Vienna” without overthinking it.

Schönbrunn Palace & Gardens

Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47, 1130 Wien

Vienna’s headline imperial site, built as the Habsburgs’ summer residence. Go for the palace interiors, then spend time in the gardens when you want a slower, more open-air side of the city.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom)

Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Wien

The city’s most recognizable landmark is right in the center. It’s worth visiting for the architecture and atmosphere, and it’s also a great anchor point for exploring the surrounding streets on foot.

Belvedere Palace (Upper Belvedere)

1030 Vienna

A baroque palace complex that doubles as one of Vienna’s major art museums. Many people come specifically to see Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss in the Upper Belvedere collection.

FAQs about car hire

It’s definitely a good idea! While we do our best to help walk-in customers, Vienna is a major international hub, and vehicles can go quickly. Booking through our website is the best way to ensure the specific car group you want is waiting for you at the airport or city center. Just pop in your dates, choose your ride, and you're all set.

You’ll need to have your valid driving permit with you, ideally one you’ve held for at least a year. If your license is from outside the EU or printed in a non-Roman alphabet, make sure to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. Think of it as your essential travel partner for any Austrian road trip!

Of course! We know your journey might lead you from the capital toward the Alps or the lakes. You can pick up your Hertz car in Vienna and drop it off at another location in Austria. Just keep in mind that a one-way fee usually applies, but we’ll show you exactly what that looks like when you book.

Vienna is a year-round destination, but things get particularly busy during the summer and the Christmas Market season. To secure the best choice of vehicles and the most competitive rates, we always recommend booking as soon as your travel plans are locked in.

You’re free to explore the beauty of Austria! If you're thinking of a cross-border trip to neighbors like Germany, Italy, or the Czech Republic, just let us know. A cross-border fee may apply to ensure you're fully covered, and we can check if your specific vehicle has any regional restrictions.

We know city traffic or a last-minute coffee can delay things. If you think you’ll miss your return time, please give the branch a call or update your reservation. Returning a car late can lead to extra fees, so staying in touch helps us keep everything running smoothly for you.

In Austria, you can typically rent a car starting at age 19 if you're under 25, a "Young Renter" surcharge applies, and some of our high-end or specialty vehicle categories might be off-limits. You can see all the details for your specific car under "Rental Qualifications" while you book.

Yes, we make it easy to plan a one-way trip. When you're booking online, just select a different drop-off location. This is a popular choice for travelers heading from Vienna to Salzburg or Innsbruck. Any applicable one-way fees will be clearly displayed before you confirm.

Your rental already includes standard third-party liability to meet legal requirements. For total peace of mind, most of our guests add SuperCover, which reduces your financial responsibility to zero. We also offer Personal Insurance to cover the driver and passengers for any medical needs during the trip.

Absolutely. We have a variety of child and infant seats to keep your little ones safe and comfortable. Since these are high-demand items, it’s best to add them to your reservation in advance so we can have the right size ready for your arrival.