We are 1st timers to Germany/Austria. Flying into Munich and leaving from Vienna, Austria. Had a question about train travel in Austria. We are renting a car from Munich to visit southern Bavaria. We could keep car the entire time and drop it off in Vienna. OR We could drop the car in southern Germany and then complete our trip on the train. We are going to Salzburg, Halstatt and Melk in Austria. Which would be advisable - keeping the car or taking the train? Any thoughts?

You will probably incur some additional drop off charges to return the rental car in another country.

However, depending on the cost of the train, it might be worth it to you to keep the car and just pay the extra charges.

All of the places you listed can be reached by train, altho in Hallstatt, you would still have to take a boat across the lake after you arrive by train. Every car rental agency charges differently for this so you'll have to contact a few to see who offers the best deal.

You won't need the car in Vienna and parking is at a premium there anyway. So if you do decide to keep your car, plan to drop it off when you arrive in Vienna.

Bottom line, I think it's a personal preference issue. We enjoy driving and having the freedom to stop when we want and go off the beaten path. But if you just plan to go from Point A to Point B, the train would probably work just fine.

I agree with Betty. We too prefer the convenience of a car but you will more than likely incur pretty hefty drop-off fees by renting in Germany and dropping in Austria. If you do want a car, I think I would suggest training from Munich to a town along the Austrian border (perhaps Salzburg) and renting a car there, but I guess this would depend on your itinerary.

Tracy

I'm picking up my car in Vienna and returning in Zurich. The drop off charge is $137. I'm not sure $137 qualifies as "hefty." Maybe it does? I was expecting drop off charges much higher after reading some posts here.

Masterphil, that's not bad at all. What rental company?

www.kemwel.com (Europcar)

9 Days (4 dr midsize automatic) Total $1004.00..Return fee is $136.25.

OK. Your daily rate is 3 times more than ours but I guess it's because it's a midsize and an automatic. I think the taxes in Austria might be a little higher as well.

We have rented a compact manual for 22 days thru AutoEurope for $730 (pick up and drop off at Frankfurt Airport).

But the drop off charge is quite reasonable.

Sorry, I meant to say YOUR drop off charge is quite reasonable.