For unrivalled skiing facilities and some glorious mountain views, plus a good deal of cultural hotspots for the less active traveller, Austria makes an ideal getaway destination. Hiring a car in Austria is definitely recommended for anyone who wants to make the most of their trip to the various slopes and cities. With much of Austria's landscape given over to the Alps you'd expect a bumpy ride but Austria's roads are organised enough to make getting between the major cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg and capital city Vienna easy. Car hire in Austria is the ideal way to experience the cool alpine drives packed with beautiful scenery.

For those determined to enjoy their time on the slopes, car hire in Austria allows you to enjoy a smooth journey uphill before you slide off down it again! Innsbruck in the west has twice hosted the Winter Olympics and continues to attract winter sports enthusiasts from around the world for skiing and snowboarding among many other activities. For anyone who'd rather soak up some culture, capital city Vienna attracts five million tourists a year on average to discover its range of exciting events, exhibitions and concerts. Vienna has been home to the world's most famous classical composers including Beethoven and Mozart, while the latter was himself born in Salzburg, his former home is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.

As in most European countries, driving in Austria is done on the right-hand side of the road. Due to the sometimes hazardous conditions caused by winter weather, it's mandatory to use winter tyres or snow chains between November and April. In the interest of safety you should always carry a hi-vis vest in the car as well; these will be provided by your Austria car rental agency. You'll also need to display a sticker which signifies you've paid the tolls if you wish to drive on certain major roads throughout Austria. These can also be arranged before you pick up your rental car, or at most post offices and petrol stations.