Salzburg is one of those rare cities that lives up to its postcards — the baroque old town nestled between green hills, the Hohensalzburg fortress looming above, and the Eastern Alps as a perpetual backdrop. While the city center is walkable, a car transforms Salzburg into the gateway to some of the most spectacular Alpine driving in Europe.
Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart (SZG) is just 4 km from the city center — one of the most convenient airport locations in Europe. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall, including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Budget, and Buchbinder. Economy cars start from €28-€45/day. The airport is minutes from the A1 motorway.
Remember to purchase an Austrian motorway vignette (Vignette) immediately — it is mandatory for all motorways and can be bought at petrol stations, border crossings, or digitally at asfinag.at. A 10-day vignette costs €9.90.
The old town is pedestrian-only, so park and explore on foot. Beyond the center, Salzburg is an easy city to navigate. Important notes:
East of Salzburg lies the Salzkammergut, a region of emerald lakes, Alpine peaks, and fairy-tale villages that inspired The Sound of Music. Key destinations:
The Salzkammergut roads are scenic and well-maintained, winding through valleys and along lakeshores. Traffic is heavy on summer weekends.
Salzburg is the northern gateway to some of Austria's greatest mountain roads:
The German border is minutes away, and Berchtesgaden (30 min) with the stunning Königssee lake and the Eagle's Nest is a must-do day trip. Munich is just 1.5 hours on the A8. No border controls exist, but note that Germany does not require a motorway vignette while Austria does — check that your vignette is valid before returning to Austria.
Austrian fuel costs €1.55-€1.75/liter — slightly cheaper than Germany. Speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in towns. Austria uses section control (average speed cameras) extensively. The Salzburg area gets heavy snowfall from November to March — roads are well-maintained but mountain passes close seasonally. The best driving season is June-September when all Alpine roads are open.
You can pick up a rental car at these airports near Salzburg:
Download our free PDF guide to driving in Austria — parking tips, toll info, and more.
| Zone | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Altstadt (Old Town) | €2.80/hr | The baroque old town is mostly pedestrianized. The Altstadt Garage (underground) costs €18/day. Street parking is virtually impossible. |
| Mönchsberg Garage | €16/day | Carved into the Mönchsberg cliff, this garage has direct elevator access to the old town. One of Europe's most unusual parking structures. |
| Park+Ride Süd | €5/day | Park-and-ride south of the city with frequent bus connections to the center. The most economical option. |
Traffic note: Salzburg's compact old town is entirely pedestrianized and cannot be accessed by car. The city straddles the Salzach River with limited bridge crossings that congest during rush hours. The A1 motorway from Vienna and the A10 toward the Alps pass nearby. Austria requires a motorway vignette (€9.90 for 10 days). During the Salzburg Festival (late July-August), traffic and parking become extremely difficult. Winter brings snow and ice — winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to April 15.
Compare car rental prices in Salzburg → →Book your Salzburg rental online at least 2 weeks ahead — airport desk walk-up prices are typically 30-50% higher.
Compare prices from top rental companies at SZG pickup locations.
One of the world's most photographed villages, wedged between a mirror-still lake and towering Alpine peaks. The ancient salt mines date back 7,000 years. Arrive early to avoid crowds.
Just across the German border, the Königssee lake is an emerald fjord-like lake, and the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) perches at 1,834m with extraordinary mountain panoramas.
Austria's most spectacular mountain road climbs to 2,504m through 36 hairpin bends with views of Austria's highest peak (3,798m) and the Pasterze glacier. Open May-October. Toll: €41.
Rental companies in Austria charge $15-30/day for excess reduction at the desk. Standalone policies cover the same thing for a fraction of the cost — and you can buy before you go.
Reduce your excess to zero from $49/trip
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These policies reimburse you if the rental company charges your card for damage. They do not replace the rental company's basic insurance (CDW/TP) which is always included.
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Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-25.
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