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THE MOST SCENIC DRIVING ROUTES IN AUSTRIA

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Inspiring Alpine road trips

Road trips are all about the joy of the journey. It's the adventure, the voyage, that fills us with a sense of independence and freedom. When you hit the road with SHARE NOW, make it a special drive. We've put together some of the most scenic routes in Austria so you can make your next journey one to truly savour. From historical highlights and UNESCO sites to romantic roads through cultural landscapes - we've got you covered! Here are our three of Austria's best drives through this East Alpine territory.

Wachau Valley | Loop of Schlögen | Salzkammergut Lakes

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Austrian Romantic Road (Short)

The Wachau Valley

Time: 3 hours | Distance: 144 km
Start: Vienna | End: Schallaburg
Best for Home Area(s): Vienna

Top of the list for anyone starting a scenic drive from Vienna should be the famous Romantic Road (Romantikstraße). The route runs the entire 380 km to Salzburg, but there are plenty of places to stop off along the way for those looking for an unforgettable day trip from the Austrian capital.

There's a reason they call this the Romantic Road. Heading east from Vienna and following the Danube river, you'll discover historical and scenic highlights along the route. One of the first stops on your list should be the UNESCO World Heritage site, The Wachau. This 36 km long breakthrough valley between Emmersdorf and Melk (west) and Stein and Krems (east) is more than 700 m deep in some places. Besides the breathtaking landscape, you can visit Schallaburg Castle and the Benedictine monasteries of Melk and Göttweig if you fancy a stopover. Insider tip: treat yourself to brunch at the Wellenspiel in Krems an der Donau en route. The restaurant is directly on the Danube, and makes for the perfect scenic pitstop for lunch. • Image: Ferdinandswarte © Thomas Peham / Unsplash
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Austrian Romantic Road (Medium)

The Loop of Schlögen

Time: 9.5 hours | Distance: 540 km
Start: Vienna | End: Loop of Schlögen/Vienna
Best for Home Area(s): Vienna

Venturing a little further than The Wachau? This next leg of your Austrian scenic driving route takes you through Enns, the oldest town in Austria, and onto the famous Loop of Schlögen. You'll be looping in more ways than one, as you take the scenic route back through the charming town of Steyr.

Human settlements in this area date back 4,000 years, and it was the Romans who gave the names to Enns and Wels. After passing through the breathtaking Wachau and through Enns, head north-west to the Loop of Schlögen (Schlögener Schlinge). This scenic road provides not only a pleasant drive, but an unforgettable 360° view of one of nature's most impressive river turns. The only Trappist monastery in Austria is in this region at Engelhartszell, if you are in the mood to pick up some delicious liqueurs to devour after a day on the road. On the return leg back to Vienna, take the southern route through Wels and into Steyr. Here you can take in the incomparable charm of the historic main square. • Image: Hallstatt © Dimitry Anikin / Unsplash
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Austrian Romantic Road (Long)

The heart of Salzkammergut

Time: 7 hours | Distance: 397 km
Start: Vienna | End: Salzburg
Best for Home Area(s): Vienna

Stretching from the city of Salzburg eastwards along the Alpine Foreland, the Salzkammergut region of Austria - literally 'salt demesne' in English - is home to the peaks of the Dachstein Mountains. There are also numerous glacial lakes to take in along your drive.

The longest of our scenic routes for Austria takes us once again down the Romantic Road before heading southwest towards Salzburg. This whole area is like a dreamland, with glistening lakes amidst a backdrop of cows grazing on emerald pastures. Another cultural World Heritage awaits you in the form of the spectacular town of Hallstatt. Then, take in the breathtaking backdrop of the Alps and the Dachstein as you continue to Bad Ischl, a spa town with a culinary highlight. A stop off at Konditorei Zauner to try its unique speciality coffee, the "Zauner Stollen", is a must. As your epic journey comes to end at Lake Wolfgang (Wolfgangsee), a romantic stay at the Weissen Rössl (White Horse) hotel is recommended. The legendary inn, now run by the 5th generation of the Peter family, features a spa right on the lake. • Image: Austria © Daniel J. Schwarz / Unsplash
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Meet the fleet

In case you need a car...

Feeling the Wanderlust? From SUVs to convertibles to compact city cars, you get to choose your adventure. All prices include fuel and basic insurance. Pre-booking is free for trips of 1-30 days and we'll even deliver the car to the pick-up address of your choice. See all cars →

BMW X1

Solid style.
from
0,36 €/minute²
10,25 €/hour³
44,99 €/day³
See more →

BMW X2

Dare to dream big.
from
0,36 €/minute²
10,25 €/hour³
44,98 €/day³
See more →

BMW 1 Series

Comfort with class.
from
0,33 €/minute²
9,08 €/hour³
39,98 €/day³
See more →

MINI 3 door

Turn a few heads.
from
0,26 €/minute²
8,00 €/hour³
34,99 €/day³
See more →

MINI 5 door

Style uncompromised.
from
0,26 €/minute²
8,00 €/hour³
34,99 €/day³
See more →

MINI Clubman

Take things further.
from
0,26 €/minute²
8,00 €/hour³
34,99 €/day³
See more →

MINI Countryman

Let them stare.
from
0,26 €/minute²
8,00 €/hour³
34,99 €/day³
See more →

Fiat 500X

Dare to be wild.
from
0,33 €/minute²
9,08 €/hour³
39,98 €/day³
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Citroën C3

Feels like home.
from
0,30 €/minute²
8,00 €/hour³
34,98 €/day³
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Notes

1

The prices depend on the car model, location and starting time of your reservation or rental (if you have not reserved in advance) and are currently only valid in Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Cologne and Dusseldorf. Prices from 0,09 € only apply for the car types, "Fiat 500", "BMW i3", “Peugeot 208” and certain MINI models and depend on location and starting time. Before you start the reservation or rental via the app, you will be asked to confirm the respective price.

2

The minute rate includes 200 km of mileage. A long distance rate of 0,39 € per kilometer will apply for each additional kilometer after the included mileage. Hourly and daily rates do not include mileage and each kilometre driven will be charged between n.a. and n.a. (depending on car model category). The daily price displayed is for a 30-day rental.

3

Insurance is already included with our trip rates. To learn more, please check out our Terms & Conditions.

4

You are responsible for parking costs incurred in private parking garages. Additional parking rules apply.