Vienna car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Vienna
The best car rental companies in Vienna are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €26/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 19, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
✓ Free cancellation options✓ No booking fee✓ Full-to-full suppliers✓ You book direct
Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Vienna
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 19Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€30/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
all-in estimate
View Budget 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€33/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€25/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Vienna
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €26 | VW Polo | 5 |
| Compact | €30 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €47 | Škoda Kodiaq | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €66 | VW Sharan | 7 |
| Luxury | €92 | Audi A6 | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Vienna
Airport — Vienna International Airport (VIE)
All desks in the Car Rental Center on Level 0 of Car Park 4 (P4), reached via a weather-protected underground passage from the terminal.
Downtown — Central Vienna
Desks near the city centre including Wiedner Gürtel (near the Hauptbahnhof), Kärntner Ring and Praterstern.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Motorway vignette | Included on most cars (10-day €12.80 if buying) | Driving on Austrian autobahns/expressways |
| Young-driver fee (19–24) | €15–30/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–12/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €35–95 | Different drop-off location |
| Winter-tyre surcharge | €0–5/day (often included) | 1 Nov – 15 Apr |
| Deposit (credit-card hold) | €250–300 | Released after undamaged return |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Vienna
- Drive on the right; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- A motorway vignette (Pickerl) is mandatory on all Austrian autobahns and expressways — rental cars normally have the digital vignette registered to the plate, so you rarely buy one. Driving without it risks a €120 replacement charge.
- Winter tyres (or chains) are compulsory in wintry conditions from 1 November to 15 April; rental cars must be equipped, with a tread depth over 4 mm.
- Vienna is one large Kurzparkzone (short-term parking zone): paid parking Mon–Fri 09:00–22:00 across districts 1–23, about €1.70 per 30 minutes.
- Non-EU/EEA visitors need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence; EU/EEA licences are accepted as-is.
- Minimum rental age is typically 19 (21 with some suppliers), with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Vienna
Do I need a motorway vignette to drive in Austria?
Yes. A vignette (Pickerl) is mandatory on all Austrian autobahns and expressways. Rental cars in Austria almost always come with the digital vignette registered to the licence plate, so you rarely need to buy one — but confirm with your supplier. If you must buy your own, a 10-day digital vignette is €12.80 and a 1-day is €9.60 for 2026.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Vienna?
Most companies rent from age 19, with some requiring 21, and premium categories often 25. Drivers aged 19–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €15–30/day.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Austria?
EU/EEA licence holders drive on their home licence. Visitors from outside the EU/EEA (e.g. US, Canada, Australia) should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence.
Are winter tyres required, and are they included?
From 1 November to 15 April, winter tyres (M+S, tread over 4 mm) or snow chains are compulsory in wintry conditions — and this applies to rental cars too. Suppliers usually fit winter tyres in that period, sometimes for a small €0–5/day surcharge.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft with an excess often above €1,000. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard. It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Vienna International Airport (VIE) houses all suppliers in the Car Rental Center on Level 0 of Car Park 4, reached via a weather-protected underground passage. There are also central Vienna desks near the Hauptbahnhof, Kärntner Ring and Praterstern.
What is the cheapest car type in Vienna?
Economy cars (e.g. VW Polo) start around €26/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €66/day.
