Renting a car in Salzburg is an excellent way to explore the Austrian lakes, the Alps, and the surrounding countryside, and driving in Austria is well-organised, with two things to plan for: the motorway vignette and winter equipment. Salzburg's airport and city both have rental desks, and a hire car makes the Salzkammergut lake district and the mountain passes easy to reach.
The vignette and alpine tolls
Austria requires a vignette, a motorway toll pass, for its motorways and expressways. The system is now a digital vignette linked to the number plate rather than a windscreen sticker, and many rental cars come with the vignette already included, though you should confirm this with your rental company before setting off. Separately, several alpine routes, such as the Tauern and Brenner motorways, charge an additional section toll paid at barriers or by transponder. Comparison sites such as DiscoverCars help you check availability and prices in advance.
Winter equipment is mandatory
From the start of November to mid-April, winter equipment is compulsory in Austria: winter tyres marked M+S with an adequate tread depth on all four wheels, or snow chains on the drive wheels where the road is snow-covered. This matters around Salzburg, where mountain roads and passes see real snow. Rental companies fit season-appropriate tyres, but confirm the car is winter-ready if you travel in the colder months and plan to head into the mountains.
Driving rules and booking tips
Austria drives on the right, dipped headlights are sensible in poor visibility, and the drink-drive limit is low, so do not drink and drive. Carry your licence, and an International Driving Permit if your licence is not from an EU country or not in the Latin alphabet. Read the rental terms for the deposit, fuel policy, insurance, excess, and exactly what tolls and vignette are included, and book ahead in the ski and summer seasons to get the right vehicle for the Alps.