I am traveling to Austria with a group for 3 weeks. For the last 5 days a couple of friends and I will be able to venture off on our own. Our plan is to rent a car in Vienna and drive to Salzburg and see some of the surrounding sights for 4 days, including the Austrian Alps then we will drive back to Vienna to fly home. Flights in and out of Vienna are already booked as the majority of our stay is in Vienna. I have a two questions: Question #1: We want to stay in private Zimmer. Is the best way to do this to stop when we see a sign and inquire, or to try and find a place to book in advance? We would like to stay in the same place for 3 nights. Any one have idea of cost, or stayed in a place they would recommend? Question #2.
Is the best place to rent a car at the airport? Which car rental company do you recommend? Do the rental agencies have the autobahn sticker? Any other tips you can think of? This is my second time going to this area the other two I'm traveling with have never been. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
It depends on when you travel. If it is any time between the last week in July and mid-September, or the last two weeks in December, you should book ahead. These are popular European holidays and many places will be completely full.
Posted by
OP
Chandler, AZ, US
4 posts
Yes, that does make a difference. We will be gone from June 23 - July 13. Also this is the itinerary we are thinking about... Leave Vienna morning of the 9th: drive to Salzburg and find a place to stay. Do some in-town sightseeing (parking in a garage and walking or using public transport)...possibly the fortress this day. 10th: my friends want to do the SOM Tour, 11th: take the train to Dachau...(Figured train is best since probably cheaper than gas), 12th: travel back to Vienna and see the Schonbrunn Palace. The SOM and Dachau are two of the things that are not negotiable. I let them each choose something they really wanted to see and these were the two. If anyone has any ideas of what not to miss since I think we may have some time to visit something else if it is close by. We would like to do this the least expensive way. Since there are 3 of us splitting the cost I thought car and zimmer would be cheaper than train and hotel. Oh, one of the people going with me wants to get groceries while there to fix our own food...how doable is that? Now me, I want to experience the eateries...but don't know where to go. We are open to any ideas.
Again, Thx in advance.
Posted by
Park Ridge, IL
524 posts
Lisa Have you purchased RS Europe throught the Backdoor and the country guides for 2011? Great info on your questions. AutoEurope is good. For the car, remember the smallest category car will not work for 3 people and their luggage. Include the CDW and work out how many miles you will travel at least round trip to Vienna. And then the cost of gas. Also, probably you will need an automatic even though it is cheaper to rent a manual. It really is hard to navigate the small streets, the roundabouts, and read the signs while you and your seat mate are trying to figure out where you are going. And maybe GPS which is additional. Don't forget you may have to pay for parking in some of the bigger cities. And a good Michelin Map that you can purchase on Amazon.com. Vienna has several car rental locations so you should pick the one that has the best hours for your pick up and drop off and is near the end of your tour or the way out of town. To figure out where you want to go, you will have to rely on your previous travels there and perhaps slip in some places you have not been. And have everyone contribute their interests: city/country, art, history, architecture, gardents, outdoor activities, food, etc. And then piece together an itinerary. Vienna to Salzburg is 3 - 3.5 hours. Have fun with your friends in Salzburg! Bobbie
Posted by
OP
Chandler, AZ, US
4 posts
Thanks, Bobbie...good advice. I appreciate your input!
Posted by
Chicago, IL, US
96 posts
If you're going to stay for three nights, then I'd recommend staying in an apartment. My wife and I stayed in a great place in Salzburg for 3 nights a couple of years ago. Much more room to move around in, you can eat whenever you want to, no maids to bother you, and it's cheaper.
Posted by
OP
Chandler, AZ, US
4 posts
I hadn't thought of that; I'll have to check into it. Thanks for the idea, Jan!
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
I'll second the vote on Autoeurope. We use them most of the time for our EU vacations. Great support (call them!)from a wonderful group of people based in Maine. Their website is a super way to book a car. Open it up and play with your pick up location. Your will find that picking up a car at an airport or train station can add quite a few dollars to a trip, vs picking it up in a town or city. When we rent apts in the EU we check out the opportunities thru the local town website, or rent thru VRBO.com or Homelidays.com.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
If you know how to drive a manual there is no reason to rent an automatic. It's so much cheaper. There also was easy parking at Dachau and if you are paying to leave a car parked somewhere else you might check out if there is really a savings if this is being split three ways, versus the train. You are paying for the car anyway.I always rent at the airport as I don't want to hassle of getting a bus or taxi with my luggage (and the expense) to try and go in to the city for my car. As for hotels or zimmers I usually just drive till I see a place and hope they have rooms (very rarely is it a problem) but it is a risk. Spontaneous travel means all three need to be on the same page...