Car hire in Salzburg, Austria

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Salzburg

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Salzburg car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Salzburg pick-up location

There are 25 car hire providers in Salzburg. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Salzburg

Choose from the best car hire companies in Salzburg

Hiring a car in Salzburg: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyU-Save
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 2,172
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Salzburg

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Salzburg car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Salzburg

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Salzburg for an average of R 2,172 a day and hit the road happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the top rental companies, helping you find and book the best deal fast.

  • The cheapest daily rental price in Salzburg is R 388.

  • Staying a while and want to explore beyond the tourist trail? R 1,194 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • If smart timing is part of your strategy, book about four weeks ahead to drive away with the best price on a Salzburg car hire.

  • Europcar, Dryyve and Mega Drive are among the most trusted providers in the city. They're a smart place to start comparing offers.

  • Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Salzburg car hire policy, whether you go with Europcar or a different supplier. Some companies treat it as an optional extra instead of bundling it in.

  • Booking a one-way car hire can be the key to finding a deal. Simply check 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can bag some great one-way prices on a car for rent in Salzburg.

  • Spend less on fuel by picking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect the car with a full tank and refill it before drop-off, so you only pay for what you use.

  • Want to explore more without worrying about the number of miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and drive as far as you like without the extra charges.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value can be found with this company, with average prices at R 3,598 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around R 2,238, this provider is next in line.

  • The third option also keeps costs reasonable. Expect to pay roughly R 1,865 a day for one of their rentals.

  • The Compact rental category is a reliable choice if you're not sure what kind of ride you need. It's also the vehicle type that's booked more than any other in Salzburg.

Flying to Salzburg? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're flying into Salzburg, get moving sooner by picking up a car hire at W. A. Mozart Salzburg Airport. The drive from this airport to the city centre is around 5 kilometres and takes about 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Salzburg

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Salzburg may be small in size, but they come with big advantages. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, fuel efficient, and a match made in heaven for city driving.

  • Medium: A top choice when you want something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: Offering a more comfortable ride and extra tech features, this Salzburg car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When adventure's on your mind, an SUV's made for the moment. It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, country roads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Featuring options like commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Salzburg effortlessly handles larger loads and group travel. They're spacious, functional, and ready to tackle whatever task lies ahead.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but it's worth considering. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying an expensive excess fee. Different Salzburg car hire providers have varying insurance policies and cover levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Salzburg by adding some nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your go-everywhere guide, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.

Good to know

  • Check each provider's age requirements before booking your rental in Austria. Rules can differ, and added fees or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, simply uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' filter and enter your age to explore your options.

  • If the kids are coming with you, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Salzburg car hire reservation. Whether a legal requirement or not, they're always the safest way for youngsters to ride.

  • You'll need to show some documents when you get to the rental desk. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will outline the exact requirements.

  • Driving in Austria can seem unfamiliar if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits may vary, but it's normally around 45kph in built-up areas and 125kph or so on highways. Always obey the road signs.

  • A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05% applies in Austria. The only sure way to stay legal to drive is to skip the drinks.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid peak times generally for a smoother trip.

  • You'll be using the euro (EUR) for everyday expenses on your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cards and cash to ensure you're covered in all situations.

  • German is the language spoken by most people in this country.

Best hotels in Salzburg for drivers

  • Offering parking, Hotel Max 70 takes the guesswork out of where to leave your car. This hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Salzburg and also comes with a bar and a ticket office.

  • Austria Classic Hotel Hölle makes life simpler with parking and features such as air conditioning and bicycle rentals. It's roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Need more places to choose from? Browse the full lineup of hotels in Salzburg. You can refine your search with the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' or 'Valet parking.' If you're driving electric, you can select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter too.

  • After you've locked in a car hire deal in Salzburg and your hotel, the only thing left to decide is where to go first. Get started with big attractions such as Old town Salzburg, Salzburg Old Town and Selzburg.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Salzburg

  • Shift gears and head toward Wels. Around 88 kilometres northeast of central Salzburg, you'll find must-do sights like Welser Weihnachtswelt and Grünbachplatz.

  • Best Western Plaza Hotel Wels and Hotel Ploberger are recommended accommodation options with parking in Wels.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Salzburg and then set off for Wörgl. Around 80 kilometres southwest of Salzburg, Möslalmkogel and Wörgl Park are top attractions that make the drive more than worth it.

  • Hotel Mariasteinerhof and Hotel Panorama Royal are comfortable places to stay in Wörgl if you're hanging out for a while. Choose one of these and have somewhere handy to leave your ride.

  • Stretch your journey and road-trip it to Linz, about 105 kilometres northeast of Salzburg. First, visit Ars Electronica Centre, then spend some time at Mariendom Linz.

  • Find a room at harry's Home Linz-Urfahr Hotel & Apartments or Ibis Styles Linz. They make it a breeze to discover everything Linz has to offer. They also have parking available.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Salzburg will set you back around R 2,172 per day or R 1,424 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Salzburg is an economy crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Salzburg are currently U-Save and Dryyve.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Salzburg is currently February.
On average, around R 1,424. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Salzburg is R 1,194.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Salzburg for a whole month is R 35,280. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Salzburg, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Salzburg that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Salzburg.
Most places – Salzburg included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 388 per day. The average price per day is around R 2,323.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like U-Save, Wheego and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Buchbinder as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Salzburg.