Car Hire in Austria

In the capital, Avis (Opernring 1; phone: 5873595), Hertz (Karntnering 17; ph: 5128677), and ARAC-Autovermietung (Mollardgasse 15; ph: 59716675) continue to uphold their reputation for integrity and reliability. Hertz is outstanding in Salzburg for VW rentals. Because of high import duties and high taxes, the basic rates start in the stratosphere-and they climb from there. You would be wise to weigh rentals against alternate modes of transport.

Motoring in Austria

The nine-mile Arlberg Tunnel is a time-saver! In summer, when other routes and passes are open, the toll drops considerably. The Salzburg-Vienna autobahn is wonderful. The expressway over the Brenner Pass between Innsbruck and Italy also is tops for convenience and speed. The six-lane highway from Vienna southward reaches Gloggnitz; another span runs between Innsbruck and Kufstein. In high season, where there's no autobahn, you can find yourself frustrated by traffic congestion.

Austria Train

In Austrian Federal Railways, offers an hourly or two-hourly intercity services linking the capital with Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck and Villach. The Wiener Walzer Express (sleeping cars available) and the Transalpin Express, Romulus Express, Vienna-Ostend Express, Mozart Express, Tirolerland, Erzherzog Johann, Wiener Walzer, Johann Strauss and most of the other orange-colored international stars. The majority offer sleepers (single at luxury prices to six-bed economy couchette cars) and dining facilities; all serve drinks. The modern autorail cars are good, too.