Start your journey with a campervan hire in Vienna and experience the elegance of Central Europe from behind the wheel of an Indie Campers van. Trace alpine roads to Salzburg, unwind by the lakes of Salzkammergut, or explore storybook towns like Hallstatt. Whether you're drawn to mountain scenery or city culture, Vienna is the perfect base. Choose the campervan that suits your plans from our flexible fleet, with unlimited kilometres, 24/7 online assistance, and seasonal extras like snow chains, heating kits, or outdoor furniture. With a 4.9-star rated fleet trusted by travellers across the continent, Indie Campers makes it easy to explore Austria and beyond in comfort and style.
Vienna's position on the Danube in eastern Austria means you're accessing the Austrian Alps, lake districts, wine valleys, and five neighbouring countries within 3-4 hours. Here's what you can reach:
The roads are excellent, Austria maintains superb infrastructure. Autobahns (A-roads) are smooth and well-signed. Vignette (highway sticker, €96.40/year or €9.90/10-day) mandatory. Scenic routes include Wachau Valley B3, Grossglockner Road (toll), mountain passes. GPS works but tunnels/valleys may lose signal.
Here's what sets us apart:
May-September are ideal. Austria has distinct seasons with Alpine weather controlling high-altitude accessibility.
Spring (April to May)
Temperatures: 10-20°C (April variable, May comfortable)
Conditions: Spring blooms, valleys green, mountains still snowy, unpredictable weather
Late spring (May) is lovely in valleys and lower elevations. Wachau Valley vineyards green, Danube riverside cycling pleasant, Vienna parks blooming (Schönbrunn gardens), fewer crowds than summer, lower prices (20-30% less). But: High Alpine roads closed until late May/early June (Grossglockner opens early May if conditions allow, but weather unpredictable), mountain lakes still cold (8-12°C), occasional rain. April can be cool (10-15°C) and wet. Campgrounds opening season (many open May 1, some April).
Best for: Wine regions (Wachau, Styria), city exploration (Vienna, Salzburg, Graz), budget travellers, avoiding summer crowds, Danube Valley cycling.
Summer (June to August)
Temperatures: 20-30°C (warm, occasionally hot 30-35°C)
Conditions: All Alpine roads open, stable weather, long days
Peak season. All mountain passes and roads open (Grossglockner, Silvretta, Timmelsjoch), warm lake swimming (Salzkammergut lakes 20-24°C, Wörthersee 22-27°C), long days (sunset 9pm June-July), hiking trails accessible to 2,500m+, all attractions operating. July-August are busiest (European vacations)—book campgrounds 2-3 weeks ahead, Hallstatt overrun with tour buses (arrive before 9am or after 5pm). Occasional afternoon thunderstorms in mountains (dramatic but brief). Festivals (Salzburg Festival July-August, Vienna outdoor concerts). Prices peak. September is excellent—still warm (18-25°C), fewer crowds after August 20 (kids back in school), autumn colours start late September, lower prices.
Best for: Alpine drives (Grossglockner), lake swimming, high-altitude hiking, all destinations accessible, long days, outdoor activities, guaranteed warm weather.
Autumn (September to October)
Temperatures: 15-22°C (Sept), 8-15°C (Oct)
Conditions: Autumn colours, wine harvest, crisp air, mountain roads closing mid-October
September is underrated gem. Comfortable temps (18-22°C), autumn colours (forests golden, vineyards red/orange), wine harvest season (Wachau, Styria—tastings, festivals), fewer tourists (50% fewer than July-Aug), lower prices (30-40% off). But: Alpine roads close mid-October (Grossglockner typically Oct 15-20, Silvretta similar), mountain weather less predictable, shorter days (sunset 6:30pm late October). Early October still excellent. November gets cold and grey—many seasonal attractions close, not ideal.
Best for: Wine harvest experiences, autumn colours, photography, comfortable hiking without summer heat, fewer crowds, shoulder season pricing. Skip if Grossglockner is priority (closes mid-Oct).
Winter (November to March)
Temperatures: 0-5°C (valleys), -5 to -10°C (mountains)
Snow: Heavy in Alps, light in Vienna/valleys
Off-season for campervan road trips. Most Alpine roads closed November-April (Grossglockner, high passes). Campgrounds largely closed (some winterised ones near ski resorts open). Ski season December-April (world-class resorts: St. Anton, Ischgl, Kitzbühel, Innsbruck) but RV not ideal—park at valley campgrounds, take lifts to slopes. Christmas markets (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Nov-Dec) are magical—mulled wine (Glühwein), crafts, atmosphere. If attempting winter RV: ensure vehicle winterised, winter tyres mandatory Nov 1-Apr 15 if conditions snowy, limited campground availability.
Best for: Experienced winter campers, Christmas markets, ski enthusiasts with heated RVs. Not recommended for typical Alpine road trips.
Most popular months: July, August, June, September (75% of annual hires).
3 to 5 Days
Wachau Valley & Danube (300km, 4 days)
Bratislava & Vienna Woods (300km, 3-4 days)
Salzkammergut Taste (600km, 4-5 days)
7 to 10 Days
Austrian Highlights Loop (1,400km, 9 days)
Vienna → Wachau Valley (overnight) → Salzburg (2 nights) → Salzkammergut/Hallstatt (2 nights) → Grossglockner Road (if open, drive-through or overnight nearby) → Graz (overnight) → Vienna
Sound of Music & Lakes Circuit (1,200km, 8 days)
Vienna → Melk → Salzburg (2-3 nights, Sound of Music tours, Old Town) → St. Wolfgang/Wolfgangsee (overnight) → Hallstatt (2 nights) → Dachstein region → return Vienna
Eastern Alps & Slovenia (1,600km, 10 days)
Vienna → Graz (overnight) → Lake Wörthersee (overnight) → Grossglockner Road → Slovenia (Ljubljana 2 nights, Lake Bled overnight) → return via Villach → Graz → Vienna
14+ Days
Grand Austrian Tour (2,500km, 14-18 days)
Vienna → Wachau → Linz → Salzburg → Salzkammergut (3 nights) → Grossglockner → Carinthia (Wörthersee) → Innsbruck/Tyrol (2 nights) → Arlberg → Vorarlberg → Bregenz (Lake Constance) → return via Salzburg → Vienna
Central Europe Multi-Country (2,800km, 18-21 days)
Vienna → Prague (2-3 nights) → Salzburg → Munich → Austrian Tyrol → Dolomites (Italy) → Ljubljana → Lake Bled → Budapest → Bratislava → Vienna
Most travellers find 7-10 days ideal for Vienna + 2-3 major regions (Wachau + Salzburg + Salzkammergut, or Salzburg + Tyrol + Dolomites).
Fuel Stations
Average diesel price: €1.45-1.60/L (Austria is mid-range Europe—cheaper than Switzerland, similar to Germany)
Austrian fuel notes:
Dump Stations
Most Austrian campgrounds allow non-guest dumps €5-12. Wild camping is generally illegal in Austria (exceptions in some regions above treeline)—use official campgrounds.
Helpful Apps
Requirements
Booking
What's Included
Verify before leaving:
Speed Cameras
Fixed cameras are signed ("Radarüberwachung"), mobile police common. Fines €30-2,180 depending on speed over limit. Generally reasonable enforcement (not as severe as Switzerland).
Road Conditions
Excellent. Austrian roads are well-maintained, clearly signed. Motorways smooth, mountain roads narrow but engineered well. Winter (Nov-Apr): snow/ice at altitude, winter tyres mandatory if conditions require.
Right-Hand Traffic
Drive on right. Priority to right at unmarked intersections (rare). Trams have priority always.
Headlights
Daytime running lights recommended (automatic in modern vehicles). Tunnels require dipped headlights.
Alcohol Limit
0.05% BAC (0.01% for new drivers <2 years, professional drivers). Fines €300-5,900 + licence suspension. Don't drink and drive.
Autobahn Etiquette
Keep right except for passing (left lane passing only, strictly enforced culture). Tailgating common if you're slow in left lane—move right. Emergency lane (Pannenstreifen): Never drive on it except emergencies.
RV-Specific
Height: Know it (typically 2.8-3.2m). Motorway tunnels fine (4.5m+ clearance), parking garages in cities 2.0-2.1m—avoid. Watch tree branches on small mountain roads.
Width: 2.3-2.5m typical. Mountain passes have narrow sections, slow down, use passing places.
Grossglockner Road: Take your time, parking at viewpoints, one-way sections signed, uphill traffic has priority on unmarked sections.
City parking: Blue zones (paid, short-term), Vienna centre challenging, use campground + public transport (U-Bahn excellent).
Vignette (Highway Sticker)
Mandatory for all Austrian motorways/expressways (Autobahn, marked with "A" + number).
Cost:
Indie Campers includes vignette in hire (typically 10-day or longer depending on hire duration). Verify sticker on windscreen before leaving.
Digital vignette available (ASFINAG app) but hire includes physical sticker.
Penalty without vignette: €120 fine + vignette purchase.
Special tolls (separate from vignette):
Speed Limits
Enforcement: Frequent fixed cameras (signed), mobile police, fines €30 (minor, 10 km/h over) to €2,180 (extreme, 50+ km/h over). Austria enforces strictly but less severe than Switzerland.
Winter Tyres
Mandatory November 1 - April 15 if conditions require (snow, ice, slush on roads). Hire RVs provide winter tyres during this period. Chains required on some mountain roads (signs indicate). Summer travel (May-Oct): normal tyres fine.
Border Crossings
Austria = Schengen zone. No border checks to/from Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy (may be occasional spot checks). Hungary also Schengen. Passport required but no stops typically. Vignettes needed for neighbours:
Alpine Road Etiquette
Narrow mountain roads: Passing places (Ausweichstelle), uphill traffic has priority, honk before blind corners (common courtesy), slow down for oncoming traffic. Most passes well-maintained but require attention.
Grossglockner Road: One-way sections, parking areas at viewpoints, RVs allowed but tight in places, take your time.
Austria is mid-range Europe (cheaper than Switzerland/Nordic, similar to Germany, more than Eastern Europe).
Campervan hire: €650-1,100 (varies by season/vehicle)
Fuel: €150-250 (diesel €1.45-1.60/L, 700-900km typical week, 13-15L/100km = 91-135L)
Vignette: Included in hire (€9.90+ value)
Special tolls: €0-100 (if doing Grossglockner €40-50, Brenner €10, others; or €0 if avoiding toll roads)
Campgrounds: €210-385 (€30-55/night × 7, Austrian campgrounds moderate)
Food: €180-450 (cook most meals—restaurants €25-45/person, supermarket groceries €25-35/day for two)
Activities: €100-400 (Hohensalzburg €16.50, Hallstatt Salt Mine €38, Dachstein €38-52, Schönbrunn €20-32, some free hiking/swimming)
Parking: €20-60 (city parking if needed, campgrounds include parking)
Total estimates:
Austria is reasonable compared to Switzerland/Nordic but not cheap. Grossglockner toll alone €40-50, Hallstatt accommodation expensive. Cooking vs restaurants saves €200-400/week.
Vienna → Munich (Germany) (430km, 4h 30min via A1/A8) - Bavarian capital, beer gardens, Neuschwanstein access
One-way fees vary. Cross-border drop-offs (Prague, Budapest, Ljubljana) may have fees €150-350 depending on company/season.
Vienna combines imperial grandeur (Habsburgs, palaces, opera, coffee houses) with immediate access to Alpine beauty, you can tour Schönbrunn Palace in the morning and swim in a mountain lake by afternoon. You're not choosing between culture and nature, Vienna gives you both, plus five countries within three hours.
Most importantly, Vienna's position in eastern Austria means you can reach Salzburg's baroque splendour in 3 hours, Hallstatt's lakeside perfection in 3.5 hours, or cross borders into Slovakia (1 hour), Czech Republic (3.5 hours), Hungary (2.5 hours), Slovenia (4 hours) for multi-country adventures. One-way hires open routes from the Danube vineyards to the Dolomites without backtracking.
Over 18,000 travellers hired from Vienna last year, with July-September accounting for 70% of trips. Find your campervan and start planning your Austrian Alpine adventure.
For most travelers, a special licence is not necessary to hire a campervan in Vienna. A valid driving licence is required, though, to operate any of our vehicles. If you are a non-EU citizen, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required in addition to your home country’s driving licence. Additionally, your licence must match the transmission type of the vehicle (manual or automatic). You can find more details about driving licence requirements here.
Yes, our campervans are pet-friendly. Just be sure to add the extra cleaning service when booking. This ensures a professional anti-allergy cleaning is carried out after your trip. Please note that only one pet is allowed per campervan, and it must not exceed 30kg in weight. Also, we are not liable for any legal fees related to traveling with pets. If you’re booking through our marketplace, check the “vehicle rules” section to confirm if the vehicle is pet-friendly.
The sleeping capacity of our campervans and motorhomes varies depending on the model and size. Our Class C motorhomes can typically accommodate 4 to 8 people, while our Class B campervans can sleep between 2 to 4 people. Vehicles equipped with a rooftop tent generally have space for around 2 people. For a full breakdown of our models and sleeping capacities, click here.
If you're exploring Vienna in a campervan rental, it's essential to be aware of the country’s official camping regulations. Many natural areas are legally protected, so using designated overnight parking spots or official campsites is strongly recommended. This not only helps preserve the environment but also ensures a safe and enjoyable experience. For more guidance on safety and responsible camping, click here.
We provide three different protection plans to cover any incidents or damages that might occur during your campervan rental. All Indie Campers campervans come with third-party vehicle insurance, and property damage coverage (which varies based on the country). For marketplace rentals, insurance options may differ depending on the host. For further details on campervan insurance, visit this page.
Yes, our search filter makes it easy to rent a campervan close to your location by using a 60km radius system. Depending on where you're searching from, you can quickly find the nearest Indie Campers campervan rental pick-up centre.
Yes, a selected number of Indie Campers RV rentals in Vienna include unlimited mileage, allowing you to explore freely and make the most of your road trip! Please note that unlimited mileage applies exclusively to Indie Campers RVs and is subject to responsible use.
Our Campervans
“Everything went great. Nelson took care of everything for us.”
“Easy pick up and drop off. Van was well stocked and very user friendly ”
“As Always the California is a great vehicle, in winter the internal diesel heater is fantastic, great service as always from Nelson at Fischamend ”
