Car Rental Vienna

What’s the best car hire for driving in Vienna?

Whether you’re staying in the city or heading out into the Austrian countryside, the right car can make the journey easier. Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right Vienna rental car for your trip.

Short-term and weekend car hire

Staying in Vienna for a few days? A standard or economy car makes sense for city driving, with an easy-to-handle size for Vienna’s streets and parking. It’s a practical choice for short-term car rental in Vienna, weekend breaks and quick trips beyond the city.

Long-term car hire

We offer long-term rentals from 28 days, with flexible mileage options and a range of vehicles to choose from. It’s a practical option if you’re staying in Vienna for a month or more. Long-term car rental in Vienna gives you the freedom of having a car without committing to a long-term lease.

Family car hire

Travelling with a larger family or group? Hertz offers SUVs as well as 7-, 8- and 9-seater options, depending on availability. A 7-seater car rental in Vienna gives you more room for passengers and luggage, making it a practical choice for longer journeys.

Electric car hire

Vienna is well set up for electric driving, with an extensive network of public charging stations across the city. An electric car rental in Vienna can be a smart choice if you want a quieter drive around the city and plan to recharge as you go.

Luxury car hire

Some journeys call for a little more comfort. Choose a luxury car hire in Vienna for business travel, important meetings or when the car is part of the occasion. Hertz’s premium fleet includes high-end saloons, full-size SUVs and compact luxury car hire options with sporting character.

Car hire for sports activities

Austria’s mountains make driving part of many ski, hiking and outdoor trips. Choose an SUV or a 4x4 car hire with room for passengers, luggage and equipment, so you can move easily between Vienna, Alpine resorts and outdoor destinations.

Car hire for events and special occasions

Heading to a wedding, celebration or important event? A premium car gives you extra comfort and a polished way to arrive without adding complexity to the day. A luxury car rental in Vienna, Austria can also make sense for business occasions when you want the journey to feel as sophisticated as the occasion.

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.

Electric Hire Car

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 has a widespread charging network, with around 4,030 publicly and semi-publicly accessible charging points across the city. You can find charging facilities at public locations, car parks and other sites, making it practical to recharge an EV while travelling in and around 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.If you’re staying in Graz for a few days before moving on, you can make the most of your time in the city and arrange Graz car hire when you’re ready to continue your journey. This gives you the freedom to explore Graz and the surrounding area before heading to your next destination.

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). If you’re planning to spend a few days in Linz before continuing your journey, you can return your vehicle and, when you’re ready to move on, arrange car hire in Linz for the next part of your trip. This gives you the flexibility to explore Linz during your stay and continue travelling at your own pace.

What are the top road trips from Vienna?

Take a road trip from Vienna to explore Austria’s alpine landscapes, lakeside towns and historic cities at your own pace. Whether you're planning a weekend trip from Vienna or a longer journey, having a car makes it easy to go beyond the city.

Salzburg City & Alpine Escape

• Route: Vienna to Salzburg via A1
• Distance: Approx. 300 km
• Driving time: Around 3 hours

One of the most rewarding road trips from Vienna, the journey to Salzburg takes you across Austria from east to west. Explore Salzburg’s magnificent centre, visit Mirabell Palace and take in the views towards the Alps before venturing further into the surrounding countryside. If you're looking to rent a car from Vienna to Salzburg, this route works well for a longer weekend break or as part of a wider trip through Austria.

Graz City Break

• Route: Vienna to Graz via A2
• Distance: Approx. 195 km
• Driving time: Around 2 hours 10 minutes

Head south from Vienna to Graz, Austria’s second-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage destination. Wander through the historic centre, see the Schlossberg and enjoy the city’s cafés and restaurants before heading back. It’s an easy option for when you want to rent a car in Vienna for a day trip.

Hallstatt & the Salzkammergut

• Route: Vienna to Hallstatt via A1 and B145
• Distance: Approx. 288 km
• Driving time: Around 3 hours 30 minutes

For a scenic change of pace, head west towards Hallstatt and the lakes of the Salzkammergut. Take time to see Hallstatt’s lakeside setting before continuing through the mountain landscape. It’s a rewarding choice for a weekend trip in Vienna when you want to spend some time beyond the city, and particularly appealing when travelling in Vienna is just the beginning of a wider Austrian itinerary.

When is the best time to visit Vienna?

What time of year is best for visiting Vienna?

Vienna is a year-round destination, with summer bringing longer days and plenty of outdoor events, while spring and autumn offer milder weather for sightseeing and drives outside the city. Winter brings a festive atmosphere, particularly around the city's Christmas markets. If you're planning weekend trips from Vienna or longer drives through Austria, each season offers a different way to experience the city and its outskirts.

When is car hire in Vienna most in demand?

Demand for car hire in Vienna is generally strongest during the summer and around the Christmas market season. If you plan to rent a car in Vienna city during these busier periods, booking ahead gives you a better choice of vehicles. Hertz has several pick-up points, including Vienna Airport, Vienna Main Railway Station and key city locations, so you can choose a collection point that fits your plans.

What should you know about driving in Vienna during different seasons?

Travelling in Vienna is possible year-round, but road conditions change with the seasons. Spring and summer bring longer daylight hours and favourable conditions for driving into the countryside, while autumn can bring wetter roads. Winter means shorter days and the possibility of snow and ice, particularly when travelling into the mountains. We provide winter tyres for winter rentals, while ski racks are also available as optional equipment, subject to availability. Check the weather and road conditions before setting off and choose a vehicle suited to your route.