Exploring Salzburg by hire car
Salzburg is considered the landscape jewel of the Alpine Republic. Nestled in a magnificent mountain landscape, the city combines culture and urban lifestyle.
Whether it’s the historic core, the rural idyll or the international glamour that draws you to Salzburg.
The capital of the province of the same name and Austria’s fourth-largest city has plenty to offer for all tastes. And the surrounding countryside is great to explore by hire car. We have put together a few tips for rental and travel.
Receiving the hire car
Across the street from the terminal you will find a parking garage at the airport in Salzburg. Most rental companies can be found on the ground floor. Before booking, you should only make sure that your rental company also has his office directly at the airport. If he only resides nearby, you may have to wait longer for a shuttle to take you to your hire car.
Booking the right hire car
If you want to explore Salzburg’s surroundings on well-maintained roads, feel free to go for a larger and more comfortable car. In the summer months, you might have great fun with a convertible. If, on the other hand, you are heading for the mountains, a compact and manoeuvrable vehicle is certainly the better choice.
Hire car prices
Hire car prices in Salzburg are usually in the mid-range segment. However, sometimes you can get quite cheap deals if you book well in advance and use our handy price comparison.
hire car price comparison Salzburg
Insurance
To ensure that you are adequately insured in the event of an accident in Salzburg, you should book a hire car with fully comprehensive insurance without excess.
Because a Kasko with excess is not liable for minor damage in accidents but are the rule.
age limit
18-year-old drivers will generally not be given a car in Salzburg. And drivers under 25 are often charged an additional fee. It’s best to find out the conditions before renting the car.
Accessories
If you plan to drive in the mountains near Salzburg in the winter, snow chains can be helpful.
And when looking for your hotel, a navigation device will help you.No matter what accessories you need, you should always reserve the items you want well in advance. This is the only way to ensure that the items will be available on the day you pick up your vehicle.
Free kilometers
Once you are on the road with your hire car in the Salzburger Land, you will not get enough of the beauty of the landscape. You will quickly have covered a lot of miles. Better hire car with all the miles free to enjoy the trip without any worries.
Bail
Be sure to ask your rental company about their deposit policy before you rent. This is because some providers not only block the amount on the credit card, but actually deduct it. Then it can take a long time to get the money back after you return the car.
Customer Satisfaction Hire Car
Some customers complain about long waiting times when picking up their hire cars in Salzburg. So you better plan a little extra time. And read the customer reviews on our portal to maybe find a provider where everything works smoothly.
Safety hire car
In Salzburg, you can usually expect to get a hire car that is absolutely roadworthy. Nevertheless, you should test the car’s lighting before your first trip.
And if you discover scratches or dents on your vehicle, you should have these defects confirmed in writing. Then, when you return the car, no one can claim that you caused damage brought on by one of your previous tenants.
Sights Salzburg
Mirabell Palace: magnificent gift of love
Mirabell Palace, complete with its picturesque garden, is one of the main attractions in Salzburg.
Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau built the building around 1606 as Altenau Palace.
It was a gift for his mistress Salome Alt. The gift must have gone down well, as 15 children were later born of the relationship.
In the west wing of the castle you can admire the “Donnerstiege”. The staircase takes its name from the famous Viennese sculptor Georg Raphael Donner, who designed it in 1726. The staircase leads you directly into the marble hall. The pompous room is considered the most beautiful wedding hall in Austria.
Getreidegasse: Romantic Shopping Paradise
A fixed point on any sightseeing tour of Salzburg is the Getreidegasse. The popular shopping street delights even the biggest shopper with its charming architecture.
Romantic and richly decorated courtyards, closely lined-up houses and exclusive boutiques invite you to take a stroll. At number 9 you will find the house where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. Today it houses a museum.
It is one of the most visited in the world. Spread over three floors, you will discover, among other things, Mozart’s original instruments and learn more about his life circumstances. The Mozart House is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. In July and August you can even visit it until 20:00. Admission costs 10 euros.
Fortress Hohensalzburg: Fantastic view
You will get an impressive view over the city if you visit the fortress Hohensalzburg. At 10-minute intervals, a cable car takes you directly from the old town to the castle.
Optionally, you can also conquer the fortress on foot. The roughly 20-minute walk offers great views of the city. The castle was built in 1066.
Despite many attempts, no besieger of the city managed to conquer Hohensalzburg Fortress. It is the largest completely preserved castle in Central Europe. Events worth seeing are regularly held in the castle courtyard. The outside grounds and the interiors can be visited all year round.
Find a good restaurant in Salzburg
Take hunger with you on your trip to the Hohensalzburg Fortress, because in addition to culture, you can also experience culinary delights here. The panoramic restaurant “Zur Festung Hohen Salzburg” offers traditional Austrian cuisine. Enjoy your Salzburger Nockerl with a magnificent view over the city.
Find a good hotel in Salzburg
The 3-star guesthouse “Gästehaus Eva Maria” is perfectly located at the foot of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. The bed and breakfast is surrounded by nature.
On your balcony you can breathe fresh Salzburg country air and yet you are only a 10-minute walk to the old town. Your hire car can be parked at the hotel’s own car park free of charge.
Worthwhile destinations in the area
Hangar 7: Architecture gives wings
With your hire car you should also explore the surrounding area of the city of Salzburg. Only ten minutes away from the city centre is the airport.
There you will find Hangar 7. Built by Red Bull in 2003, it attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year. Formula 1 cars, planes and helicopters can be seen here.
But the architecture itself is sight enough. The steel structure in the shape of a wing was designed by Austrian architect Volkmar Burgstaller.
Bars, lounge areas and a spectacular restaurant, the Ikarus, invite you to linger. The Ikarus regularly hosts top international chefs to present a menu from their local restaurant.
Wolfgangsee: pure nature
Bathing fun and pure nature are what you get at Wolfgangsee. The overwhelming mountain massif and the crystal clear water make the lake one of the most beautiful in Austria.
From Salzburg city you can reach your destination in 35 minutes with your hire car. Parking is available free of charge.
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