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Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna

If you want to rent a car in Vienna, you can choose from a variety of options, including car-sharing services, rental companies, and platforms for comparing offers.

Published: 12 June 2024 14:59 CEST
Everything you need to know about renting a car in Vienna
Photo by Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash

In the Austrian capital, you can find different types of car-sharing services. In fact, the city operates its own affordable car-sharing service with many different sustainable cars ready to be used.

If you prefer a rental company, there are alternatives to choose from with multiple pick-up locations all over the city.

Car sharing services

WienMobile Auto is a car-sharing service offered by the city of Vienna and operated by Wiener Linien, Vienna’s public transportation company. This service offers flexibility with all-inclusive packages and stations all over the city where you can pick up the cars. The service mainly offers electric and hybrid cars at an affordable price starting from €2.60 per hour.

Through the service, you can rent a car for a couple of hours, one day or maximum a weekend (Friday to Monday). You are only allowed to drive inside of the state of Vienna. 

If you plan to rent the cars more often, you can sign up for a membership and pay a monthly fee which gives you discounts on your rentals.

Gomore.at is another platform for car sharing. Here, you can rent a car directly from its owner. The platform offers convenient filters to help you find the type of car you search for. After reserving the car, the owner will confirm whether the days are available and then send you the necessary information. 

The car owners tend to be flexible, and you can rent cars for just a few hours, a couple of days, or even a week or two.

You are usually allowed to drive the cars outside of Vienna, and maybe also outside of Austria, it depends on the specific terms and conditions set by the car owner.

SHARE NOW is a car-sharing service also operating in Vienna. Using a mobile app, you can easily locate and rent cars for short periods. The service offers a wide range of cars, including compact cars and electric and hybrid cars, making it convenient for various needs. You can unlock the cars through the app, drive to their destination, and drop off the car at any designated parking spot around the city. 

Through the service, you can rent a car for just a few minutes or even up to two weeks. You are in general allowed to drive wherever you feel like, although with some reservations. To make sure that your planned trip is accepted, contact the service directly to ask.

READ ALSO: The best websites for buying a used car in Austria

Cars on a road during sunset in Austria. Photo by Michael Pointner on Unsplash

Car rental companies

Vienna’s many car rental companies offer a wide range of options. They also offer loyalty programs where frequent car renters can get special deals. 
 
 
With a car from a rental company, you can travel wherever you want and rent the cars for extended periods, even for weeks.
 
Here we list Vienna’s five most popular car rental companies:
 
Avis Car Rental offers a wide selection of different cars at multiple locations across Vienna, including the airport. The service also has a loyalty program, where you can enjoy different services and rewards for frequent rentals. Booking is made through the company’s website or mobile app.

Sixt Rental has a great variety of cars. You can book and manage your rental easily through their app, and they often have special deals. The company is flexible with how long you can rent a car, and they offer extra services such as GPS monitors if you need it.

Budget Car Rental offers affordable rental options with pick-up locations all over Vienna. Here, you can choose from a wide range of cars to fit various travel needs and preferences, from compact cars to SUVs and vans. Booking is easy through their website or mobile app.

Hertz has lots of different types of cars available to rent in Vienna, and you can find them in many places around the city. If you sign up for their loyalty program, you can get faster service and maybe even a better car without paying extra. The company is also known for being reliable.

Europcar is another company offering a great variety of different cars for rent. You can easily choose how long you want to rent them for, and the rental locations are found in various places all over Vienna, including larger train stations. If you join their loyalty program, you can get free rental days and other benefits.

Compare rental offers

If you want to compare offers from multiple car rental companies, it is a good idea to use platforms such as Expedia, Rentalcars.com, and Kayak.

Here, you can compare different offers and find the most suitable one in terms of price, location, and other factors.

The platforms also often present you with discounts and promotions.

READ NEXT: Everything you need to know about Austria’s driving exam

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VIENNA

‘Safe and affordable’: Why Vienna is the world’s ‘most liveable city’

Vienna has once again been named the most liveable city in the world but what is it about Austria's capital that makes it such a great place to set up home? Share your own view below.

Published: 27 June 2024 11:33 CEST
'Safe and affordable': Why Vienna is the world's 'most liveable city'

The Austrian capital has once again solidified its status as the world’s most liveable city, claiming the top spot in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for the third consecutive year. 

This marks Vienna’s fifth win in the past six years.

The Austrian capital achieved an impressive overall score of 98.4 out of 100, excelling in stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure categories. The city only fell short of a perfect score in the “culture and environment” category, where it received 93.5 points.

The Economist wrote, “A lack of major sporting events contributed to its lower tally of 93.5 out of 100 in the culture and environment category”. However, the magazine added that Vienna is “far from lacking in other forms of culture.”

Mayor Michael Ludwig expressed his delight at the news, highlighting the city’s dedication to making sound political decisions and investing in essential services. “Thanks to the hard-working people of Vienna, this excellent result is no coincidence,” he said on X, formerly Twitter..

Copenhagen, known for its high quality of life and progressive urban planning, trailed closely behind Vienna, securing second place with a score of 98. Zurich, a financial hub with a strong focus on sustainability, and Melbourne, a cultural and economic powerhouse, followed in third and fourth place, respectively. Other European cities in the top 10 include Geneva, which claimed fifth place.

READ ALSO: 4 beautiful lakes you can easily reach from Vienna by public transport

Two Canadian cities—Calgary and Vancouver—and four in Asia-Pacific—Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka and Auckland—complete the top ten.

READ ALSO: Ten essential apps foreigners need for life in Vienna

The EIU’s Global Liveability Index evaluates 173 cities worldwide based on various factors, including stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Vienna’s consistent top ranking underscores its success in creating a thriving and sustainable urban environment for its residents.

What makes Vienna so great – and what are the challenges?

Local readers have chimed in with their views on the city, with many mentioning that the Austrian capital is “relatively affordable.” 

Noah, from the United States, said, “the city offers many holidays, has a robust public housing system, and rent control, making it relatively affordable.” However, he did note that “the long, dark winters can make people grumpy” and provided some strong criticism of the Austrians’ reluctance to “embrace change and integrate newcomers.” 

Rudi, who is also from the US, agrees that living among Austrians can be challenging, calling them “very rude, impolite, unhelpful and unfriendly”. However, she acknowledged that the city is clean and easy to navigate. Ranil, from Sri Lanka, also mentioned the city’s green spaces and public transportation as positive factors about living in Vienna. 

Matthew, from the UK, was more straightforward: the city is “safe and affordable” but “boring”. 

Have your say: What do you think about Vienna, does the city deserve its title as the world’s most liveable city? What are the main advantages and challenges of living in the Austrian capital? Let us know in the comments below.

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