What would be your pick ? What's CDW and do I really need it ?
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
This link answers your question about CDW
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_cdw.htm
And this link answers your first question, in a general way that gives you enough information to make your own decisions about car rental companies
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi, Sonny. We used Hertz to go Vienna to Salzburg, and they had no one way drop off fees! Both locations were easy enough to get to as well. Hope that helps.
Posted by
Atlanta
1358 posts
The answer to your second question is yes, unless you want to be liable for any damage to your car. The CDW is "collision damage waver". You'll need to check and see what the deductible is with the rental company, too, it can be as high as 1500 euro.
As far as the first question goes, I'm wondering why you're choosing to drive instead of taking the train (and I'm surprised I'm the first to suggest this). If you're strictly going from Salzburg to Vienna, probably the price of car rental, CDW, and gas is going to be more expensive than the train. And once in Vienna, you're not going to need or want a car. Have you checked into trains?
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
I'd pick www.sixt.com for their great rates, great German or other European brand cars and their free one-way rentals if dropped of within the pick-up country...
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
Take a look here: http://www.gemut.com/european-auto-rental/europe-car-rental-news-deals-and-advice/ before you make a decision. This is a US company with lots of experience and they get some very good deals.
Posted by
OP
PCH, CA, USA
113 posts
Thank you all! Maureen, I wanted to make stops, probably Linz and Melk and the concentration camp (Mauthausen). That would be hard if you're on a train. Or is it ?
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Unless you take the sloooow train, car is the same as two people via train, if not a little less. With more than two it's for sure.
The drive is a nice one. There is a world famous rest stop with a gourmet buffet about halfway, and getting to sidetrips is super easy with the car.
Even if you do stop on the train... you have to decide what to do with your bags. Car is much easier.
Posted by
Nederland, CO
1521 posts
Hi Sonny, we've done Vienna - Salzburg by train. We did a day trip to Mauthausen from Melk where we spent 2 nights inbetween Vienna and Salzburg. It was quite doable by train. You just have to take a taxi between the train station and the concentration camp. The number is in Rick's guidebook, and if you don't have a cell phone you could call ahead and let them know what time you'd be arriving.
If you are just making it a stop between Salzburg and Vienna I don't think there is anyplace to leave bags at Mauthausen train station.