Salzburg car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Salzburg
The best car rental companies in Salzburg are Sixt, Hertz, Europcar. Prices start from €28/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 10%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Salzburg
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#3
Avis
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#4
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#6
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Megadrive
Local pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€24/day
base rate
View Megadrive deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-21 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Salzburg
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €28 | VW Polo | 4 |
| Compact | €33 | Škoda Fabia | 4 |
| SUV | €52 | VW Tiguan | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €68 | VW Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €95 | Audi A4 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Salzburg
Airport — Salzburg W.A. Mozart Airport (SZG)
Salzburg's compact airport sits just 3km/10 minutes from the old town, with most major rental desks inside the terminal — one of the most convenient airport-to-city rental setups in the Alps.
Downtown — Salzburg city center (near Hauptbahnhof)
Local desks near the main train station serve visitors who arrive by rail and want a car only for day trips into the Salzkammergut lake district and the countryside.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~10% of base rate | SZG airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €12–25/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €6–10/day | Per extra driver |
| Autobahn vignette (Pickerl) | ~€9.90 (10-day sticker) | Any driving on Austrian Autobahn/Schnellstraße — usually pre-fitted by major rental companies, confirm at pickup |
| Winter-tyre compliance | Included in fleet, no extra charge | Nov 1–Apr 15, whenever roads are wintry — mandatory by Austrian law |
| Altstadt blue-zone parking | €2–3.50/hour | Old town and surrounding districts |
| Refundable deposit | €250–450 | Standard hold at pickup |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Salzburg
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) sits only about 3km/10 minutes from the old town, making it one of the most convenient airport-to-city rental pickups in the Alps.
- Austria requires a Pickerl (vignette) sticker for all Autobahn and Schnellstraße driving, sold in 10-day, 2-month, and annual terms — check whether your rental already includes one.
- Winter tires are legally mandatory from November 1 to April 15 whenever road conditions are wintry (Austria's "situative Winterreifenpflicht"), and rental fleets are automatically fitted for the season.
- Salzburg's UNESCO-listed Altstadt (old town) is largely pedestrianized, so cars are only useful for reaching it, not exploring it.
- Salzburg is the natural gateway to the Salzkammergut lake district — Hallstatt, St. Wolfgang, and Wolfgangsee are best reached and explored by car.
- The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a scenic toll route through Austria's highest peaks, is open seasonally (May–October) and makes a popular day trip about 1.5 hours from Salzburg.
- A short drive across the German border to Berchtesgaden is visa-free within the Schengen area, though it's worth confirming your rental's cross-border coverage before you go.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Salzburg
Do you need a car in Salzburg?
Not for the compact, pedestrian old town, which is easily walkable. A car becomes valuable for the Salzkammergut lakes, Berchtesgaden, and the wider Alpine countryside.
How far is Salzburg Airport from the city center?
Just about 3km, roughly a 10-minute drive — one of the shortest airport-to-city distances of any major European rental hub.
Do I need a vignette to drive from Salzburg?
Yes, Austria's Autobahn network requires a Pickerl vignette. Many rental companies include one; always confirm at pickup to avoid a roadside fine.
Are winter tires required in Salzburg?
Yes, by law from November 1 to April 15 whenever conditions are wintry. Rental cars are automatically fitted for the season, so no extra booking step is needed.
Is Hallstatt easy to reach by car from Salzburg?
Yes, it's about an hour's drive through the Salzkammergut lake district, considerably faster and more flexible than the train-and-bus combination.
Can I drive to Germany from Salzburg?
Yes, Berchtesgaden is just across the border and reachable without a checkpoint stop under Schengen rules, though it's worth confirming your rental covers cross-border driving.
What is the cheapest car type in Salzburg?
Economy cars like a VW Polo start around €28/day. For a family trip to the lake district, a 7-seat minivan starts around €68/day.
Nearby trips
