Car hire in Salzburg
Hiring a car in Salzburg
You haven't really seen the beauty of Europe until you've visited Austria's stunning city of Salzburg. Not only is Salzburg blessed with a great location, offering truly magnificent views and nearby attractions, it also has some splendid architecture. These two aspects make the city stand out from all others and mean that it is a great idea to hire a car to explore all that Salzburg has to offer.
Falling on both sides of the River Salzach and backed by the Salzburg Alps, the city is unforgettable. From the modern buildings to the twisting medieval streets of its old town, Salzburg is beautiful to behold from afar as well as when you are driving through it.
What you need to know
You can choose between around ten different hire car suppliers while in Salzburg, although the number available will change depending on where you want to collect your vehicle. Most companies are rated as being either 'excellent' or 'very good', ensuring great service.
With so much choice, it can be hard to find the right vehicle at a price that suits your budget. However, you can make it easier by using our online booking tool. This will show you all the cars that are available, as well as the complete cost with no hidden charges. On top of this, you'll get free amendments and cancellation, along with around the clock support.
Where to pick up your car
If you're arriving in Salzburg by plane, you'll be happy to know that you can collect your car from Salzburg Airport (SZB). This makes it really easy to start your holiday as you can simply grab your luggage and head to the ground floor of the multi-storey car park. You'll find the offices for all the car hire companies here, so it won't be difficult to arrange to pick up your car.
You can also collect your car at Salzburg Hauptbahnhof train station, however, only Europcar operates here so you may not have as much choice.
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Where to go
Once you've collected your car, you'll be able to start exploring one of the most stunning cities in Europe. Learn about Mozart by visiting the house he was born in, which features a great museum dedicated to his life. Start your exploration of the historical elements of the city at the Residenzplatz, a gorgeous square that features a wonderfully detailed fountain. You can also shop and eat to your heart's content, with great places to do both found throughout the city.
Not only does the city have a lot to offer, it is also the perfect place to begin when it comes to day trips. You can head into the Alps for some skiing, drive through the gorgeous countryside or visit the largest network of ice caves in the world. Car hire ensures you can really experience everything in this region with freedom.
Nearby Salzburg
There are a lot of great places to visit close to the centre of Salzburg, but one you should head to is the Hohensalzburg Castle. You can reach the fortress in around 25 minutes via Mönchsberg. You won't miss it as it dominates much of the city's skyline. Built in 1077 and with more work done to it in the early 1500s, the castle gives great insight into what Salzburg used to be like. There are lots of areas of note, including the Fortress Museum and Rainer Regiment Museum.
If the sun is shining, it is a good idea to take the short drive to Schloss Mirabell. The stunning house has undergone a few remodels over the years, but has ultimately been restored to its traditional Neoclassical style. Inside, the house is beautiful and is home to the Schloss Mirabell Baroque Museum. However, one of the best parts of this site is the gorgeous garden, which is ideal for wandering around in the sunshine.
Longer drives
Less than an hour away from Salzburg is one of the most amazing sites. The Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves - also known as the World of the Ice Giants - is located in the village of Werfen and can be reached via the A10 toll road. These caves cover more than 30,000 sq/m and so far, 5km of underground tunnels have been found. Stunning ice formations and winding tunnels are perfect to visit, while the nearby town of Abtenau is worth going to for the markets.
You can't really visit Salzburg without going to Hallstätter See. The gorgeous lake has long been the place to go for photographers and artists as the still waters perfectly mirror the green-covered mountain landscape that surrounds it. The town on the banks of the lake - Hallstatt - offers traditional buildings and together with the lake forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Top attractions to visit in Salzburg
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to places to visit in Salzburg, but hiring a car can help you fit as much into your time in the city as possible.
Salzburg Cathedral
One of the most beautiful buildings in Salzburg has to be the cathedral, which offers two 79m towers and gorgeous Italian-style architecture. The site of Mozart's baptism, the cathedral also has a great history that is worth learning about. Take a wander around the cathedral both inside and out, and make sure you have your camera at the ready to capture its selection of artefacts and design features.
Festival Theatres
Salzburg is well-known for its music festivals, but even if you're not lucky enough to visit while one is taking place, you can still explore the Festival Theatres. The collective mix of concert halls and theatres have seen some great performances but are also home to 17th-century frescoes. You may also find exhibitions are taking place during your visit.
Celtic town of Hallein
Only ten minutes from Salzburg is the Celtic town of Hallein, located on the banks of the River Saalbach. Full of narrow streets, historic buildings and attractive statues, the town is incredibly picturesque and peaceful. The birthplace of Franz Xaver Gruber, the town also houses the Celtic Museum.
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