We want to rent a car and drive it from Frankfurt to Vienna, taking 6 weeks this coming Sept and Oct. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best car company - Ideally cheapest and most reliable? I assume you would buy whatever collision and liability insurance would be recommended by the car rental company. Do many car companies let you drive it one way? Our border crossings a problem?
Then we want to take public transport from there across to the Tatra mountains for hiking, ending up in Kraków and fly back to Frankfurt after two more weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? Is Rome to Rio still the best way to find transport options? Is booking.com still a good way to book hotels along the way?
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
Renting a car in Germany and dropping it off in Austria will result is a very large drop off fee.
Booking.com is a good way to look up hotel ratings and costs. It is better to then book directly with the hotel. Most of the time this results in a lower cost, but more importantly, if there is a problem you do not have a third party in the mix.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1171 posts
For a rental of six weeks, you might investigate an auto lease - look at Auto Europe. It would solve the border crossings, but you would have to investigate which options are available for dropping off.
Rome to Rio is not held in high regard here - maybe OK to get an idea of available options, but don't rely on detailed info. For rail, the Man in Seat 61 is a reliable place to start.
Posted by
Wengen
2488 posts
Is Rome to Rio still the best way to find transport options?
It never was the best way, and it still is not a good way...
Renting one way is going to be expensive. So if you can plan your trip so that you drop your car in Germany, and take the train to Vienna.
Posted by
Green Bay
21137 posts
Any idea what places you want to visit in Germany and Austria? You could do 2 rentals, one for Germany and one for Austria.
Posted by
Northwest Arkansas
674 posts
Our border crossings a problem?
No. However, Germany lets you drive on your valid US license. Austria requires an International Drivers Permit. https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html And you will need an Austrian toll sticker https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/vignette/