Tips for Driving in Austria in Winter

Winter in Austria is a magical time, when the country’s landscape transforms into a pristine wonderland of snow-covered mountains and cozy villages. Whilst the scenery is breathtaking, driving in such conditions can be a different story! In this blog though we’ll outline valuable tips and requirements for driving in Austria in winter for you to make travelling through the heart of Europe a breeze.

Winter in Austria is renowned by snow-sport enthusiasts and travellers alike for very good reason. The Austrians know how to enjoy their winter. With being an already gorgeous country, the winter snow only adds the feeling of home that only a country like Austria can bring. It is therefore no wonder why so many people travel to a, by all accounts, cold country. Regardless of the many reasons to visit this country, natural struggles come with travelling through a country like Austria (especially in harsh weather). Those difficulties are by no means a barrier of entry into the country and if adequately prepared for, will only serve to improve your stay, and let you see the things you can only manage with a winter car hire.

What You’ll Need to Start

Before planning the more exciting parts of the trip, having a basic knowledge of how to navigate and what to expect will open your options exponentially, particularly if you’re looking to explore beyond the conventional tourist spots.

With Austria being situated in the Eastern Alps, there are naturally vast amounts of hilly terrain. Despite this terrain, it is entirely navigable. In fact, the prerequisites for driving are quite minimal. Being that if you have an EU license you are entirely permitted to drive. If you are in the US for example, you will have to apply for an international driver permit. Aside from a license, the only other necessary documentation comes from the car and the basic insurance/registration – all of which comes with our car hire in Austria.

Equipment and preparation

The most important piece of equipment you can have are winter tyres – and this is not just a recommendation either, winter tyres are actually a legal requirement for cars in Austria, between the 1st November and 15th April. As you could probably guess from the name, winter tyres are specifically developed for driving in cold temperatures, and are made with a different composition of rubber to prevent it from hardening in the cold. They also have a completely different tread for better traction and grip on the road.

One exception is that you are allowed to have snow chains equipped instead, but only if the road is fully covered in snow – so we really would recommend winter tyres over anything else. Thankfully though due to their legal requirement all of our rented cars in between November and April will automatically have them equipped anyway. Additionally, remember to clear all ice and snow from the roof, windows, and lights before setting off.

What You’ll Need to Bring

If you are planning on driving through the Austrian motorway; regardless of the weather, you will require a vignette. A vignette is a sticker or digital pass that allows you to travel freely on the motorways. This toll is exclusive to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland as well. Outside of the required identification, if you’re able to drive all your items should be at hand. There are of course some other items that may be invaluable if you are planning on driving any significant distance. Some easy-to-acquire items include:

First aid kit
Flashlight
Coins for tolls
Ice-scraper / de-icing spray

No matter where you’re landing in Austria, be it Vienna or Innsbruck, driving in Austria in the winter is a worthwhile adventure. Our young driver car hire will get anyone willing started on the trip, particularly those journeying into the Alps.

What Car to Choose For Driving in Austria in Winter

Crossing the Alps and other particularly snowy environments – a strong, reliable car makes all the difference. Of course, a 4×4 car hire is the most obvious choice. You’ll need as much effective traction when moving through potentially hazardous terrain like the Alps, combined with the winter tyres you should face minimal issues.

Driving in harsh conditions

That’s the equipment sorted – but what precautions should you take when actually on the road? Here are some general tips below for driving in wintry conditions, as well as some specific to Austria:

Slow down – Reduced speed is your best friend in winter. Drive at a safe, controlled pace, especially on snowy or icy roads.
Keep a safe distance – Stopping distance is greatly increased on slippery roads so ensure you keep a good safety gap.
Utilise lower gears – Austria has its fair share of rough mountainous terrain, make sure to use lower gears when descending to control your speed and avoid overheating your brakes.
Brake gently – Avoid sudden braking as it can cause the car to skid and lose control.
Watch out for fog – The reduced visibility from fog can be a much bigger danger than snow / ice, and it’s a lot more common at higher altitudes. Make sure to use fog lights and even consider delaying your journey if it becomes too much.
Take note of altered speed limits – Some roads in Austria have specific speed limits for snowy conditions, so watch for relevant signs.
Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid – Make sure you have an adequate supply of both.

So whether skiing in Tirol or visiting Salzburg’s famous Christmas markets, you should be set for any journey no matter the weather!

What should I know about renting a car in the winter?

Whilst knowing how to drive in harsh conditions is useful – there are distinct factors to consider when renting a car for such situations. In the following FAQ we’ll dissect what’s part of the package and offer essential insights to keep in mind.

Do all rental cars come with winter tyres?
Yes – all of our vehicles in Austria between November and April come fully equipped with winter tyres for no extra charge.
Can I rent out snow chains separately?
Yes – you can add on snow chains at the desk if you wish for a small extra charge depending on the supplier.
Are there any changes to the insurance?
No – all insurance terms are exactly the same as they normally would be. Generally speaking standard insurance comes included in the cost with an option to increase that if you wish.
Can I take the vehicles cross border?
Yes, but be sure to check with us before booking. Most suppliers allow cross-border travel at no extra charge, and having winter tires makes you compliant with legal requirements in other countries.
Is breakdown cover included?
Yes – all our vehicles come with breakdown cover built in and you will be given the emergency breakdown number when collecting the car

If you have specific questions or would like to discuss a quote, please feel free to reach out to us by phone at +44 (0) 113 2899 281, or email us to [email protected]. We are always available to assist you.

Feel free to take a look at some of our other posts below for more tips on winter driving:

Having working solely in the car hire industry since leaving school, car hire/travel is a huge part of my life and something that gives me great satisfaction and enjoyment. I love coming across new products/locations and sharing these details with our customers via our online platforms.