Need advice on whether or not to rent car from Salzburg to Vienna
Feb 20th, 2006, 05:40 PM
#1
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Need advice on whether or not to rent car from Salzburg to Vienna
We are thinking of renting a car for just 4 days between Salzburg and Vienna. I found a rate of $200 through Sixt. This may be less than the taking the trains, but I have never been to Austria and are therefore seeking your advice! Here is our itinerary for this leg of the trip:
-Leave Salzburg on Aug 23rd and pick up car at Salzburg airport (or possibly within the city if we go with a different rental company)
-drive to Hallstatt and stay for 1 night
-drive to Mauth concentration camp and end in Melk. 2 nights in Melk
-drive to and drop car off in Vienna
We love an adventure and have no problem driving. Would it be worth the $ to rent for this short a period, versus train hopping? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
-Leave Salzburg on Aug 23rd and pick up car at Salzburg airport (or possibly within the city if we go with a different rental company)
-drive to Hallstatt and stay for 1 night
-drive to Mauth concentration camp and end in Melk. 2 nights in Melk
-drive to and drop car off in Vienna
We love an adventure and have no problem driving. Would it be worth the $ to rent for this short a period, versus train hopping? Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Feb 20th, 2006, 05:53 PM
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Whether it is worth the money depends on what the alternate use of the $200 is! What would the trains cost..that will tell you what the car really costs incrementally. I would think having a car would be great, as you can go where you want when you want. We enjoyed having a car for our stay in Hallstatt, as we were able to go in a different direction every day. Hallstatt itself is beautiful, but very small. Having a car meant we could see all the small towns around there very easily.
Anne
Anne
Feb 20th, 2006, 07:32 PM
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I agree with Annie. Bear in mind that rentals in Austria are not cheap.
I got socked by Avis for a hefty fee for having my wife as a driver. Bum deal.
I would shop around for the best deal.
Often AutoEurope can help as can Europcar.
I would check at least 4 places before deciding.
I have driven around Austria and I like having the freedom to stop where I wish and take a long look.
I agree with your idea to drop the car in Vienna. Parking is expensive there, and hard to find. A friend of mine met me in Vienna a few years ago. He arrived by car and put it in a parking garage for 3 days. We got around by taxi and U-bahn.
I got socked by Avis for a hefty fee for having my wife as a driver. Bum deal.
I would shop around for the best deal.
Often AutoEurope can help as can Europcar.
I would check at least 4 places before deciding.
I have driven around Austria and I like having the freedom to stop where I wish and take a long look.
I agree with your idea to drop the car in Vienna. Parking is expensive there, and hard to find. A friend of mine met me in Vienna a few years ago. He arrived by car and put it in a parking garage for 3 days. We got around by taxi and U-bahn.
Feb 21st, 2006, 04:20 AM
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Your wording on your post indicates that you love the adventure of driving. 2nd class tickets for two persons from Salzburg to Vienna will cost you $100. I think the extra $ 100 plus gas is worth the adventure and luxury of going to Hallstatt & Melk at your convenience. The only drawback I can think of is the fact that arriving into Hallstatt is more dramatic by train than by car since they make you board the boat to cross the lake. You can best appreciate the setting from the lake. However you'll get so much more freedom by driving your own car. I personally love Sixt in terms of service in case of emergency, I think they are quite the premiere car rental company.
Feb 21st, 2006, 05:58 AM
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Thanks for the terrific advice! Looks like we should be renting a car. I will start comparing prices to the quote I received from Sixt. I appreciate the info on train costs. That was one of the concerns I had. I would rather pay a little more and have the freedom of driving. BUT, if it was a HUGE difference in cost, we would suck it up and take the train.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Feb 21st, 2006, 03:39 PM
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By all means drive.
I suggest you drive from Salzburg to Linz, the first part through the lake district (Salzkammergut), Wolfgangsee,entering the A-1 Autobahn at Mondsee, then Autobahn to the exit for Enns.
Cross Danube, drive to Mauthausen on the north bank of the Danube, and continue on the northbank (Route B-3) to Emmersdorf. Cross Danube to visit Melk, then return to B-3 and continue to Duernstein. Stay overnight there, I think you will like it better for an overnight. Also, on your way along the Danube, be sure to visit the church Maria Taferl. It is a beautiful baroque church, and from it you have a great view of the Danube valley.
Then continue to Vienna.
If you want to spend an extra night en route, take the Linz exit that connects with the A-7, heading north.
Drive on the A-7/B125 to the Czech border. Immediately after the border, take the road right toward Vissi Brod, but before you get to VB, take the right on the right to Rozmberg along the Moldau to Cesky Krumlov. I don't know if the girls at the Rozmberg intersection are still there. They are NOT a welcoming committe,just "working girls".
Cesky Krumlo has the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, next to Prague, and is a very scenic town, surrounded almost completely by the Moldau. Spend the night there (we stayed at the Hotel Ruze (Sp?), a converted Jesuit monastery. Return to the north bank of the Danube the way you came.
NOTE: If you do the CK detour, be sure to tell the rental agency you want to take the car to the Czeck Republic. Some companies limit the makes/models of cars they will let you take there. Usually you will wind up with an Opel or Ford. Nothing wring with these cars, just they don't get stolen (as much) as a VW or Mercedes.
In any event, before you enter the Austrian Autobahn system, you need to get a Vignette, the autobahn user's decal. Your rental agency may sell them (or perhaps your car has one from a previous user), or any gas station has them Also, in Austria you need an International Drivers Permit to rent a car. You can get it here in the US at any AAA office. I usually aks for a car with manual shift and a diesel engine. That will save you EURO on fuel and they drive just like "Benziner" (gasoline engine cars).
I suggest you drive from Salzburg to Linz, the first part through the lake district (Salzkammergut), Wolfgangsee,entering the A-1 Autobahn at Mondsee, then Autobahn to the exit for Enns.
Cross Danube, drive to Mauthausen on the north bank of the Danube, and continue on the northbank (Route B-3) to Emmersdorf. Cross Danube to visit Melk, then return to B-3 and continue to Duernstein. Stay overnight there, I think you will like it better for an overnight. Also, on your way along the Danube, be sure to visit the church Maria Taferl. It is a beautiful baroque church, and from it you have a great view of the Danube valley.
Then continue to Vienna.
If you want to spend an extra night en route, take the Linz exit that connects with the A-7, heading north.
Drive on the A-7/B125 to the Czech border. Immediately after the border, take the road right toward Vissi Brod, but before you get to VB, take the right on the right to Rozmberg along the Moldau to Cesky Krumlov. I don't know if the girls at the Rozmberg intersection are still there. They are NOT a welcoming committe,just "working girls".
Cesky Krumlo has the second largest castle in the Czech Republic, next to Prague, and is a very scenic town, surrounded almost completely by the Moldau. Spend the night there (we stayed at the Hotel Ruze (Sp?), a converted Jesuit monastery. Return to the north bank of the Danube the way you came.
NOTE: If you do the CK detour, be sure to tell the rental agency you want to take the car to the Czeck Republic. Some companies limit the makes/models of cars they will let you take there. Usually you will wind up with an Opel or Ford. Nothing wring with these cars, just they don't get stolen (as much) as a VW or Mercedes.
In any event, before you enter the Austrian Autobahn system, you need to get a Vignette, the autobahn user's decal. Your rental agency may sell them (or perhaps your car has one from a previous user), or any gas station has them Also, in Austria you need an International Drivers Permit to rent a car. You can get it here in the US at any AAA office. I usually aks for a car with manual shift and a diesel engine. That will save you EURO on fuel and they drive just like "Benziner" (gasoline engine cars).
Mar 29th, 2006, 01:41 PM
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Spend the extra money and absolutely see the following towns if you have time (I wished I had the new version of my website www.BeautifulAustria.com up already, there would be many more pictures than on the current site. But that will have to wait a few more weeks I fear.)
Lake region east of Salzburg is a must see. See towns like St.Wolfgang (codrail), Hallstatt (MUST SEE!), Bad Ischl (emperor's villa), Gosau (glacier view), Bad Aussee (see the toplitz lake!) and of course the city of Salzburg itself!
On your way towards vienna see
Mondsee (Sound Of Music chappel, eat at the reststop, great place, great view), see the abby in Melk. Drive through the Wachau region. Stop in Duernstein and hike up to the castle there. Amazing view! Then drive on to Vienna.
You won't regret the extra expense. Believe me! You don't see enough of the landscape (especially the lake region east of Salzburg) if you just go by train.
Fore more tips feel free to contact me through my website (sorry, currently only the old design is up), at www.BeautifulAustria.com
Enjoy your trip!
Reinhard
Lake region east of Salzburg is a must see. See towns like St.Wolfgang (codrail), Hallstatt (MUST SEE!), Bad Ischl (emperor's villa), Gosau (glacier view), Bad Aussee (see the toplitz lake!) and of course the city of Salzburg itself!
On your way towards vienna see
Mondsee (Sound Of Music chappel, eat at the reststop, great place, great view), see the abby in Melk. Drive through the Wachau region. Stop in Duernstein and hike up to the castle there. Amazing view! Then drive on to Vienna.
You won't regret the extra expense. Believe me! You don't see enough of the landscape (especially the lake region east of Salzburg) if you just go by train.
Fore more tips feel free to contact me through my website (sorry, currently only the old design is up), at www.BeautifulAustria.com
Enjoy your trip!
Reinhard
Mar 29th, 2006, 02:21 PM
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I use Sixt Holiday Rental, and have found it to be one of the best prices. Also, the one time I had trouble, they were quite helpful.
Austria is beautiful, and renting the car would be a good choice and driving is very easy, and you can stay in smaller towns and the meals and hotels are less than the city.
Austria is beautiful, and renting the car would be a good choice and driving is very easy, and you can stay in smaller towns and the meals and hotels are less than the city.
Mar 29th, 2006, 04:52 PM
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You may want to see the Wilhering monastery church, Kremsmünster which has a wonderful Baroque library which architecturally is interesting to compare to the one in Melk.
You may be interested in my report and its photos:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34600618
You may be interested in my report and its photos:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34600618
Apr 23rd, 2006, 10:50 AM
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Go for the car. Two years ago we rented a car in Vienna to drive through Austria (including Salzburg) and parts of Germany. Our rate for 5 days, including tax, was US $287.46. This was through Auto Europe (800-223-5555). It was easy driving (manual) and we enjoyed being able to stop along the way. We only got off course once, but easily rectified the situation. I downloaded directions to our hotels, which I had booked in advance, at viamichelin.com. Very smooth sailing....
Jul 6th, 2006, 02:43 PM
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"I found a rate of $200 through Sixt. This may be less than the taking the trains ..."
Not hardly. Even though your quote is for an Opal Corsa, one of the cheapest (not least expensive, CHEAPEST) cars they rent, it is still far more expensive ($90 more than taking the train).
The best way to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt is to take the 150 bus to Bad Ischl, then the train to Halstatt - €11,40 per person. From Hallstatt to Melk is €31,20 per person, and you can stop at St. Valentin, where it is an 8 minute, €1,50 per person one way trip from St. Valentin to Mauthausen. The trip from Melk to Vienna is €15,30. Fares are from Austrian Rail, www.oebb.at.
So, the trip doesn't cost $50 per person each way, but it is only $78, $156 for two, still $90 less than the cheapest rental car plus fuel and road tax. If you opt for a much more pleasant Ford Focus, the difference is $174.
For my money, even if the cost were the same, I would go by train. It may take a little more planning, but it is so nice to enjoy the scenery without worrying that a quick glance off the road will end you over a cliff or into the car in front. I drive enough at home. Driving is not a vacation!
Not hardly. Even though your quote is for an Opal Corsa, one of the cheapest (not least expensive, CHEAPEST) cars they rent, it is still far more expensive ($90 more than taking the train).
The best way to get from Salzburg to Hallstatt is to take the 150 bus to Bad Ischl, then the train to Halstatt - €11,40 per person. From Hallstatt to Melk is €31,20 per person, and you can stop at St. Valentin, where it is an 8 minute, €1,50 per person one way trip from St. Valentin to Mauthausen. The trip from Melk to Vienna is €15,30. Fares are from Austrian Rail, www.oebb.at.
So, the trip doesn't cost $50 per person each way, but it is only $78, $156 for two, still $90 less than the cheapest rental car plus fuel and road tax. If you opt for a much more pleasant Ford Focus, the difference is $174.
For my money, even if the cost were the same, I would go by train. It may take a little more planning, but it is so nice to enjoy the scenery without worrying that a quick glance off the road will end you over a cliff or into the car in front. I drive enough at home. Driving is not a vacation!
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