Munich to austria -where to rent car

In my experience, renting a car is the most expensive alternative. Have you considered just going by train? Do you even understand the trains?

You are almost always better off picking up and dropping off a rental car in the same country, to avoid large drop fees. Depending upon where you will go in Austria, train could be a better option. A car is a burden, not a help, in Salzburg and Vienna.

Thanks for the info but part of my trip is"finding my roots" - my grandfather came to US in 1906 from a small town near the Hungarian border and we will need a car to find cemetery and to just drive around the area. I had planned on renting a car in Salzburg and just parking it at the hotels in Salzburg and Vienna and not try to drive around the cities. What I did not realize is that the Oktoberfest was going on in Munich and the hotel rates are high. Not sure how close some of the hotels are to train route if we take the train back and forth from Munich and Salzburg.

Hi Linda, To answer your question, renting a car in Germany is cheaper than renting one in Austria. Munich to Salzburg is an easy 2 hour drive. We can recommend www.gemut.com for car rentals. We booked through them our last 3 trips to Germany. Paul

Linda, are you also flying out of Munich? If so, I would rent in Munich, drive to Austria and return in Munich. I much prefer the freedom of a car and always rent in Europe.

Hey Paul and Rob - thanks for the info. Yes, we are flying in and out of Munich. I think we will rent in Munich as some hotels are available a little further out from Munich that might be more reasonable in price than those in Munich with the Oktoberfest going on! Just curious, do you get car rental insurance over there or do you arrange something here in the US? Thanks again - this is our first time in Europe and I want to make sure I've got all my bases covered!

The only thing I would point out is that you need a vignette sticker to drive on the autobahn in Austria. If you rent from one of the large agencies in Munich, they may be able to provide it, for a fee (I was able to get a Swiss vingette from the Sixt agency at the main train station). Otherwise, you can buy the sticker when you cross the border.

I got my insurance from Eurocar. I am picking up my car downtown, about a block from the main train station and returning it to the airport. As a matter of fact, I get mine in 5 days!

Oh, and he's not kidding about the vignette sticker in Austria. My advice is to get it at the border. There will be a store at the border to buy it and your yellow vest. Do not venture to far into the country without the sticker. The police are known to wait at exits as you leave the freeway and look for them!

I would take the train to Salzburg. Rent your car in Austria and return it there. There are large drop fees for going over the border. Also remember if you are traveling on any of their autobahns, you need a $7.00 sticker purchased from any gas station. If you are stopped by the police and do not have the sticker, the fine is very substantial.

We are also flying into Munich in September and have 4 days. We want to see Neuschwanstein Castle, Berchesgaden and Salzburg - as well as Oktoberfest for a day. Would it be easier to just rent car as opposed to taking the train?