Vienna Car Rental, Driving to Vienna

For Vienna car rental information click here.

Aside from a penchant for whizzing down Autobahnen at high-speed, Austria’s drivers are generally skilled, with good road manners behind the wheel. Things do get more hectic on approaches to Vienna, but no more so than with any other major European capital. The country’s roads are well-maintained (and usually congestion free) although certain routes have been heavily patched up in recent years (the A8 being a prime example). And, unlike Germany, which has no tolls, Austria imposes a motorway tax. Fortunately, the Vignette is available in a reasonably inexpensive 10-day format (as well as the usual yearly disc) meaning that, unlike in Switzerland, you won’t be required to spend a small fortune just to drive on the country’s major fast routes. If you’re planning on using Alpine routes, remember that separate tolls may be levied, although they are not specifically covered in this guide.

When driving in Vienna, also remember that trams rule the roost. The city’s newest versions are fast, sleek and look menacing, so make sure you avoid any close encounters of the fender bending kind. For trams at passenger stops, drivers must wait behind them. Otherwise you’ll be committing an offence and liable to a fine from local police.

Recommended Route from the UK

To get to Austria from the UK, we advise you take the following route (approx. distance 970 miles). Even if your starting point is another country in mainland Europe, you may still find this route of use:

Enter Belgium:
E40 Brugge - Gent
E40 Gent - Aalst
E40 Aalst - Brussels (ring road)
Brussels ring road - Liège E40 (A3). Follow signs ‘Liège-Luik’
E40 Liège/Cheratte motorway interchange. Follow signs ‘Aachen’ and ‘Verviers’
E40 Battice/Verviers motorway interchange. Follow signs ‘Aix-la-Chapelle-Aachen’
E40 Eynatten Junction. Follow signs to ‘Aachen Ost’ and ‘Köln’
E40 (A44) - Belgian/German Frontier at Aachen

Enter Germany:
A4 (E40) Aachen - Köln-West. Follow signs ‘Frankfurt’ and ‘Köln Süd’, then at Köln Süd to Frankfurt and Olpe to Heumar reaching the Bonn/Siegburg junction
A3 (E35) Bonn/Siegburg - Frankfurt
A3 (E35) Frankfurt - Furth/Erlangan. Follow signs ‘Würzburg’, ‘Nürnburg’ and then ‘Regensburg’
A3 (E56) Regensburg - Pocking. Follow signs to ‘Deggendorf’, ‘Passau’ and ‘Linz’
A3 (E56) German/Austrian Frontier at Pocking

Enter Austria:
A8 (E56) Pocking - Linz
Reid im Innkreis
Follow signs ‘Wels’ ‘Linz’ and then ‘Wien’
A25 (E56) Wels - Linz
A1 (E60) Linz - St. Pölten. Follow signs ‘Wien’

For more detail visit the excellent www.austrianmap.at, 

Before you go

Aside from routine servicing, regular inspection and a few simple checks before departing will lessen the chances of a breakdown. Although pan-European cover with motoring organisations such as the AA and RAC in Great Britain do provide a safeguard against major mechanical failures and breakdowns, preventative maintenance is way better than a road-side repair. The vast majority of breakdowns occur through problems with batteries, ignition, fuel and cooling systems. A summary of what to look out for is given below:

Cooling System - regardless of the time of year you drive to Hungary, it’s important to make sure your vehicle’s cooling system is operating efficiently. This is especially true during the hot summer months when temperatures in Hungary can reach 97°F.

First check the radiator for leaks and signs of excessive corrosion and remove debris such as leaves, paper and insects. Coolant hoses (top and bottom) should be inspected for cracks/bulges and replaced if necessary. The security of hose clips should also be checked and adjusted if required (being careful not to over tighten). While fluid loss in a sealed unit often signifies a leak, top up only with an anti-freeze solution recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.

Also check the tension/condition of fan belts and replace if necessary (keeping a spare just in case of failure). Other common problems include faulty thermostat sensors, which usually cause cooling fans to only work intermittently resulting in increased engine temperatures.

Battery - ensure the battery electrolyte level of cells covers the top of each plate, topping up using distilled water if necessary. Also, check the electrical connections to each battery terminal, removing any green residue which may have collected* (as this can stop power reaching the starter motor). When clean, smear petroleum jelly onto the battery terminals both before and after reconnecting. Also ensure that the earthing strip has a good connection to the body/chassis of the vehicle. *disconnect according to instructions in your owners handbook.

Tyres - normally tyre pressures should be checked at weekly intervals. However, on a long to journey to Hungary (which is mostly by motorway) it’s prudent to check them once a day, preferably when cold. If your vehicle is fully loaded i.e. 4/5 occupants plus luggage, adjust pressures accordingly (referring back to the manufacturers handbook). Also consider buying a good quality tyre pressure gauge - those at filling stations are notoriously unreliable. Tread depth (which must appear in a continuous band over at least three quarters of the tyre) should be above the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

Cambelt (Timing belt) - special attention is drawn to vehicle cambelts. Inspection (and replacement if necessary) is usually carried at intervals ranging from 40,000-60,000 miles. If your journey coincides with an inspection, make sure it is carried out before you go. A failed belt will invariably result in engine damage to both valves and cylinder head. For Escort sized vehicles this can cost upwards of £800 to repair.

Departing from the UK

The fastest way to get across the Channel is with Le Shuttle between Folkestone and Coquelles (www.eurotunnel.co.uk). Each terminal has a direct connection by motorway (leave the M20 at junction 11A for the Folkestone terminal) and both are well sign posted. If you don’t have a pre-purchased ticket, you can also pay in sterling, Euro or by credit card at the check-in booths. Journey time is only 35 minutes.

With the increased competition brought by the Tunnel, ferry operators have been forced to reduce fares on the most popular sea crossings of Dover-Calais, Dover-Zeebrugge and Ramsgate-Oostende. Oostende is arguably the most direct starting point en-route to Austria, although the 4 hour crossing means that Dover-Calais is the more sensible option.

Compulsory/Recommended Equipment

The following equipment is either compulsory (c) or recommended (r) when driving in Austria:

First Aid Kit (c)

Fire Extinguisher (r)

Warning Triangle (c)

Spare Bulbs (r))

Headlamp Converters for right hand drive vehicles (c)

Motorcycle Crash Helmets (c)

Nationality Plate (c)

Driving Licence

A valid, full UK licence is required to drive in Austria. Old style ‘green’ UK licences are accepted only if accompanied by an identity document carrying a photograph i.e. passport or International Driving Permit (IDP). Non-Europeans must carry an International Driving Permit and/or a translation of their own licence. When driving in Austria, ensure that both IDP and state driver’s licence are on your person at all times.

Fuel

Most petrol stations in Austria are open from 6am to 10pm, although 24hr service is now widely available. Fuel types include regular 91 octane unleaded (bleifrei), 95 octane unleaded (euro-super bleifrei) and 98 octane super unleaded (super plus bleifrei - with lead substitute for older cars). Diesel goes by its English name, while LPG is known as Autogas. Attended service (where a tip should be given) is widespread, especially on motorways, although self-service stations are more common in towns and cities.

Parking

Helpfully, a booklet on parking in Vienna (Parken Wien 2004) can be ordered free of charge by e-mailing: eduard.beyer@wkw.at. In addition, a dedicated website at: www.wkw.at gives an overview of garage locations in the city centre, park and ride schemes, short-term parking, safety and security and useful links (including one to the Apcoa website - a company which operates many of the parking garages in the city).

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t park (even if quickly loading and unloading) in an area signed ‘Halten Verboten’. Moreover, the police and parking enforcement auhorities won’t be too chuffed if you leave your vehicle within 15 metres of pedestrian crossings, in front of bus/tram or other public transportation stops, on the left of one-way streets or on priority roads outside built-up areas (during times of reduced visibility). What’s more, during the winter, it’s illegal to park between 8pm and 5am on roads with tram rails (as they’re kept clear for snow removal).

In Vienna, Blue Zones or "Blaue Zones" - denoted by blue lines on the road - allow for free short-term parking (up to 90 minutes) provided you have a cardboard clock showing the time you arrived. The clocks (which are also free) are available at petrol stations, tobacconists and police stations. Note: even motorcycles need to display such a disc.

Speed Limits in Austria (km/h)

Vehicle	Built up area	Country lanes	Motorway
Car	50	100	130
Car with trailer*	50	100	100
Motorbike	50	100	130
Bus/Coach	50	80	100
* light trailer weighing less than 750kg. For trailers over that weight speed limits are 50, 80 and 100km/h respectively

Vehicle Security

If valuables have to be left inside your vehicle, lock them away in the glove or luggage compartment. Even everyday belongings such as coats and bags tempt thieves and should therefore be left out of sight. Don’t leave removable radio-cassette units under the front seats (this is the first place where a car thief will look) and activate the alarm/immobiliser upon leaving the vehicle. If central locking isn’t fitted, the driver should make sure that doors, windows and the sunroof are all closed. At night, park in well-lit areas close to other vehicles. If your vehicle has alloy wheels consider fitting lockable wheel nuts.