Booking Terms
Last updated: January 2025 - Applies to all reservations made through rentcarvienna.com
Introduction and Acceptance of Terms
These Booking Terms govern all vehicle rental reservations made through rentcarvienna.com ("the Platform"), operated in connection with car rental services available in Vienna, Austria. By completing a reservation, accessing a quote, or using any part of this website, you agree to be bound by these terms in full.
These terms form a legally binding agreement between you (the named renter or user) and rentcarvienna.com. They apply to all rental categories available through the platform, including economy cars, automatic compacts, SUVs, 7-seaters, and hybrid vehicles available at Vienna International Airport (VIE), Vienna Hauptbahnhof, and other designated pickup locations across the city.
Please read these terms carefully before confirming your booking. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, you should not proceed with a reservation.
Renter Eligibility Requirements for Car Hire in Vienna
To qualify as a primary renter or additional driver under a reservation made through this platform, the following eligibility conditions must be met at the time of vehicle pickup:
Minimum Age for Standard Vehicle Categories
The minimum rental age is 21 years for economy, compact, and standard automatic vehicles. Renters aged 21 to 24 may be subject to a young driver surcharge applied at the point of reservation or at the rental counter. This surcharge varies by vehicle category and supplier.
Minimum Age for Premium and Specialist Vehicles
For premium sedans, large SUVs, 7-seaters, and specialist vehicles, the minimum age requirement is 25 years. Some high-value categories may carry additional conditions at the discretion of the supplying partner.
Driving Licence Requirements
All renters must hold a full, valid driving licence that has been held for a minimum of 1 year prior to the rental start date. The licence must be presented in physical form at the pickup counter alongside a valid government-issued photo identification document.
Driving licences issued in EU and EEA member states, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia are accepted without additional documentation at most Vienna pickup locations.
International Driving Permits
Renters holding licences issued in countries outside the above list must present a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their original national licence. The IDP must be a current 1949 Geneva Convention permit or a 1968 Vienna Convention permit. Failure to present a valid IDP where required may result in the rental being refused without refund.
Additional Drivers
Additional drivers must meet the same age, licence, and eligibility criteria as the primary renter. They must be present at the pickup counter to have their documents verified and to sign the rental agreement. Additional driver fees may apply depending on the supplier and vehicle category selected.
Reservations, Cancellations, and No-Show Policy
Making a Reservation
Reservations are made through the online booking widget on this platform. On submission, you will receive a confirmation email containing your reservation reference, pickup details, vehicle category, and the applicable rental rate. Please retain this confirmation for presentation at the pickup counter in Vienna.
This platform offers no deposit booking on the majority of available vehicle categories. This means no pre-authorisation or charge is made to your payment card at the time of booking in most cases. Where a deposit or pre-authorisation is required, this will be clearly indicated prior to confirmation.
Free Cancellation Policy
Reservations may be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before the scheduled pickup time. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the pickup time may be subject to a late cancellation fee equivalent to one rental day's rate for the booked vehicle category.
To cancel a reservation, use the link provided in your confirmation email or contact us at [email protected] with your reservation reference number.
No-Show Policy
If you fail to collect the vehicle at the agreed time and location without prior cancellation, your reservation will be treated as a no-show. No-shows may be charged a fee equivalent to the full first day's rental rate. No refund will be issued for advance payments made on no-show bookings unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated in writing within 7 days of the original pickup date.
Reservation Amendments
Changes to pickup dates, times, locations, or vehicle category are subject to availability and may result in a revised rental rate. Amendments requested within 24 hours of pickup cannot be guaranteed. Contact [email protected] with your reservation reference to request changes.
Pricing, Payment, and Optional Extras
Displayed Currency and Rate Inclusions
All prices displayed on this platform are quoted in Euros (EUR). Quoted rental rates typically include basic collision damage waiver (CDW), unlimited mileage where stated, local taxes applicable under Austrian law, and airport service fees at Vienna International Airport (VIE) where the pickup location is the airport terminal.
Rates do not automatically include optional extras unless explicitly selected and confirmed during the booking process.
Payment Methods
This platform supports debit card payments on selected vehicle categories, consistent with our commitment to no-credit-card booking where operationally possible. Where the supplying partner requires a credit card at the pickup counter for a security deposit hold, this requirement will be disclosed at the time of booking. The pre-authorisation amount, if applicable, will be released at vehicle return subject to no damage or additional charges arising.
Optional Extras
The following optional extras may be added to your reservation subject to availability at the pickup location:
- Child seats and infant carriers - baby seats, toddler booster seats, and ISOFIX-compatible bases. Applicable to families collecting cars in Vienna and heading to destinations such as the Prater, Schönbrunn, or the Wachau Valley.
- GPS navigation unit - portable satellite navigation device pre-loaded with Austrian and European maps.
- Additional driver - enables a second named driver to operate the vehicle legally under the rental agreement.
- Roadside assistance upgrade - enhanced 24-hour roadside assistance coverage beyond the standard package.
- Snow chains and winter equipment - recommended for rentals involving mountain routes, including the Semmering Pass and Grossglockner High Alpine Road.
Fuel Policy
The standard fuel policy for most vehicles on this platform is full-to-full. You will receive the vehicle with a full tank and are required to return it with a full tank. Failure to return the vehicle with a full tank will result in a refuelling charge applied at commercial pump rates plus an administration fee. The fuel policy applicable to your specific vehicle will be confirmed in your reservation documentation.
Permitted Vehicle Use and Prohibited Activities
All rental vehicles must be used in accordance with Austrian Road Traffic Law (Strassenverkehrsordnung - StVO) and the laws of any country into which the vehicle is driven under an approved cross-border permit. The following conditions apply to all rentals arranged through this platform:
Lawful Use Only
The vehicle may only be used for lawful purposes by the named renter and any authorised additional drivers listed on the rental agreement. The vehicle must not be used to transport goods or passengers for hire or reward unless explicit written permission has been obtained in advance.
Prohibited Uses
- Off-road driving on unsurfaced tracks, fields, riverbeds, or terrain not designed for standard road vehicles.
- Participation in any form of motor racing, speed trials, rallying, or competitive driving events.
- Subletting, lending, or transferring the vehicle to any person not named on the rental agreement.
- Operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, prescription medication that impairs driving ability, or any other substance that affects safe vehicle operation.
- Towing any trailer, caravan, or other vehicle unless prior written authorisation has been granted by the supplying partner.
- Transporting hazardous materials, flammable goods, or any cargo prohibited under Austrian transport regulations.
- Driving on roads or routes designated as closed or restricted by Austrian or local municipal authorities, including seasonal road closures affecting Alpine passes near Vienna.
Cross-Border Travel
Travel outside Austria is permitted to selected European countries subject to prior approval and the addition of a cross-border permit. Common approved destinations from Vienna include Slovakia (Bratislava is approximately 60 km from central Vienna), Hungary (Budapest), Germany, and Italy. Cross-border travel must be declared at the time of booking. Unauthorised cross-border use may invalidate your insurance coverage and result in additional liability for any damages or penalties incurred abroad.
Insurance, Collision Damage Waiver, and Excess Liability
Basic CDW Included
All rentals arranged through this platform include a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) as standard. CDW reduces your financial liability in the event of accidental damage to the rental vehicle, subject to the applicable excess amount and exclusions described below.
Excess Amounts
The CDW excess (the amount you remain liable for in the event of a claim) varies by vehicle category. Typical excess amounts are as follows:
- Economy and compact cars: EUR 600 - EUR 900
- Automatic and mid-size vehicles: EUR 900 - EUR 1,200
- SUVs and crossovers: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,800
- 7-seater minivans and larger vehicles: EUR 1,500 - EUR 2,500
- Premium and luxury vehicles: EUR 2,000 - EUR 3,500
The exact excess applicable to your reservation will be confirmed in your rental agreement at pickup.
Optional Full Coverage Upgrade
A Super CDW or full coverage upgrade may be available at the pickup counter to reduce or eliminate the standard excess. This option must be purchased at the start of the rental and cannot be added retrospectively after damage has occurred.
CDW Exclusions
CDW does not cover: damage caused by prohibited use of the vehicle as described above; theft resulting from keys being left in the vehicle; damage to tyres, wheels, underbody, roof, or interior caused by negligent operation; damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and windscreen or glass damage unless a separate glass waiver has been purchased. Third-party liability insurance (TPL) is included as required under Austrian law.
Limitation of Liability
rentcarvienna.com operates as a booking platform facilitating reservations between renters and independent vehicle supply partners operating in and around Vienna, Austria. The platform is not itself a vehicle rental company and does not own, operate, or maintain the vehicles listed.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Austrian and EU consumer protection law, rentcarvienna.com's liability in connection with any booking made through this platform is limited to the total rental fee paid through the platform for the affected reservation. The platform accepts no liability for:
- Actions, omissions, or failures by the supplying rental partner, including vehicle condition, counter wait times, or refusal of rental due to eligibility issues at pickup.
- Loss of enjoyment, consequential losses, or indirect damages arising from a cancelled, amended, or refused reservation.
- Personal injury, property damage, or third-party claims arising from the operation of the rental vehicle, which are governed solely by the terms of the insurance policy in force for that vehicle.
- Force majeure events including severe weather, industrial action, government restrictions, or other circumstances beyond reasonable control.
Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability that cannot be excluded under mandatory Austrian consumer law or EU Directive 2011/83/EU on consumer rights.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Booking Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Austria, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) does not apply to these terms.
Any dispute arising out of or in connection with a reservation made through this platform, which cannot be resolved informally, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of Vienna, Austria (Handelsgericht Wien or Bezirksgericht for matters within its competence), unless mandatory consumer protection law in your country of residence provides for an alternative jurisdiction that cannot be contractually excluded.
Consumers resident in the European Union are also entitled to use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform available at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr. Our designated contact for ODR purposes is [email protected].
Contact Information
If you have questions about these Booking Terms, wish to amend or cancel a reservation, or need to raise a complaint regarding a rental arranged through this platform, please contact us using the details below:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (915) 944-2589
Postal address: Vienna, Austria
We aim to respond to all written enquiries within 2 business days. For urgent matters relating to an active rental, please call the number above during business hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 18:00 CET).
These terms were last reviewed and updated in January 2025. rentcarvienna.com reserves the right to update these Booking Terms at any time. The version published on this page at the time of your reservation will govern that booking. Continued use of the platform following any update constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.