Europe > 🇦🇹 Austria
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Austria can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Austria; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Austria?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Austria?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Austria
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Graz | GRZ | |
| Innsbruck | INN | |
| Salzburg | SZG | |
| Vienna | VIE |
The good news? Austria makes both options great — but for totally different reasons. Let’s break it down like we’re chatting over an apple strudel.
🚆 If You’re Visiting the Big Cities – Skip the Car
Austria’s cities are built for walking, trams, and trains — not for parking tickets.
Cities Where You Absolutely Don’t Need a Car:
| City | Why No Car Needed | How You’ll Get Around |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna | One of the best public transport systems in Europe | U-Bahn, trams, walking |
| Salzburg | Compact, charming, historic | Buses, on foot |
| Graz | Relaxed university vibe | Trams, bikes |
| Innsbruck | Mountain city with easy links | Funiculars, buses |
Why no car?
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Low Emission Zones
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Expensive parking
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Super efficient trains connect all cities
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Trams arrive faster than you can say Sachertorte
👉 If your trip is mostly cities, don’t rent a car.
🚗 But What If You Want Fairy-Tale Villages & Alpine Lakes?
This is where driving becomes chef’s kiss.
Car is Great For:
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Lakes + Mountains: Hallstatt, Zell am See, Wolfgangsee
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Wine country: Wachau Valley
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Scenic routes: Grossglockner High Alpine Road (iconic drive!)
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Charming backroads most tourists never see
✅ Benefits of Renting a Car:
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Stop for photo ops wherever you want
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Visit multiple villages in a single day
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Explore hidden viewpoints you’d miss on public transport
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Feel like you’re inside a postcard
🎵 Cue Edelweiss and rolling meadows.
🚦 Driving Tips
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Austria drives on the right
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Roads are excellent quality
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You’ll need a vignette (toll sticker) for motorways
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Driving in winter requires snow tyres in alpine regions
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Mountain driving is fun — but only if you like switchbacks!
🏁 So… Car or No Car? Here’s the Verdict
| Traveller Type | Car Needed? | Best Choice |
|---|---|---|
| City break (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck) | ❌ No | Trains + trams |
| Culture and coffee houses | ❌ No | Vienna is perfect by foot and tram |
| Lakes, mountains, storybook villages | ✅ Yes | Driving adds freedom |
| Photography & scenic routes | ✅ Yes | You’ll want to stop constantly |
| Family trip | ✅ Optional | Easier with luggage and kids |
| Winter ski holiday | 🚗 Optional | Transfers available, but car gives access to multiple ski areas |
✨ Final Take
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No car = perfect for culture, music, and imperial city vibes
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Car = essential if you want Alpine magic, lakeside freedom, and high mountain passes
🎯 Best combo?
Train between Vienna and Salzburg → then rent a car for the lake district and Alps.
1 comment
I disagree with your score for public transport in Austria.
I really don’t think it’s all that strong when you compare it with neighbours like Switzerland or Germany. Vienna’s new central station is impressive, and the rail services are generally punctual, but once you get outside the main corridors, the network just doesn’t reach deep into the mountainous countryside the way you might hope. Connections thin out quickly, and in many rural regions the alternatives are limited.
On the other hand, travelling by road in Austria is an absolute pleasure. The quality of the motorways and alpine routes is outstanding — smooth surfaces, careful maintenance, and clear signage throughout. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a country that takes engineering seriously. The Großglockner High Alpine Road remains a real standout for me: dramatic scenery, beautifully designed curves, and that feeling of being in the Alps rather than just passing through them. An unforgettable drive!