If you're planning a trip to Austria and want to use your car2go account, you may be wondering if your US account will work there. The answer is that it depends on the specific terms and conditions of your car2go account and the availability of the service in Austria. It's important to review the fine print of your account and reach out to the company for clarification if needed.
What You'll Learn
Car-sharing in Austria
Car-sharing services like SHARE NOW are available in Austria, offering a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional car rental or ownership. With car-sharing, you can access a vehicle whenever and wherever you need it, without the hassle of maintenance, insurance, or parking fees.
One of the key advantages of car-sharing is the convenience it offers. Vehicles are available 24/7, and you can easily locate a car nearby using the app. If you prefer, you can also pre-book a car, and it will be delivered to your desired location free of charge.
Where is car-sharing available in Austria?
Car-sharing services like SHARE NOW are available in several major cities across Austria, including Vienna and Munich. With a dense network of vehicles, you can easily find a car around the corner, ready for your next trip.
- No need to buy or lease a car, saving you money and hassle.
- Flexibility to rent a car for any duration, from 2 minutes to 2 weeks.
- Convenience of locating and booking cars through a user-friendly app.
- No additional costs for parking, fuel, or insurance.
- Peace of mind while travelling, with third-party liability insurance included.
- Eco-friendly option, as it reduces the number of personally-owned vehicles on the road.
To use car-sharing services in Austria, you will typically need to meet certain age and driver's license requirements. For example, SHARE NOW requires users to be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. Additionally, an International Driver's Permit may be necessary, especially if you plan to drive across borders.
When driving in Austria, it's important to be aware of the local regulations and driving conditions:
- Traffic travels on the right side of the road.
- Cars indicate their intention to pass by flashing headlights.
- Streetcars passing on the left have the right of way.
- Speed limits vary depending on the type of road, with open roads typically having a limit of 62mph/100kph and highways allowing up to 81mph/130kph.
- Gas stations are generally open from 8 am to 8 pm, with some stations in major cities open 24 hours.
- Displaying a highway toll sticker is mandatory for using the autobahn, and rental companies typically charge a daily fee for this.
- Parking regulations vary, with "Blaue-Zone" areas requiring a time-stamped parking disc due to a 3-hour limit.
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SHARE NOW app
SHARE NOW is a car-sharing app that offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to traditional car rental. The app gives users access to thousands of cars that free-float around major city centres in Europe. This allows users to bypass the usual inconveniences of car rental, such as offices, paperwork, and waiting lines.
SHARE NOW offers a range of rental options, from spontaneous trips within city centres to longer trips of up to 30 days. Users can also rent cars at hourly rates for weekend road trips or even for airport arrivals and departures. The app is perfect for business trips, as it offers premium cars and convenient corporate invoicing. Additionally, companies can offer their employees access to car-sharing through a corporate account.
The SHARE NOW app provides users with a seamless experience, allowing them to find, reserve, and unlock cars in less than two seconds. When a trip is over, users can simply park the car anywhere within the designated Home Area. The app also offers rewards and incentives, such as earning points for driving and inviting friends to sign up using a personal code.
The app is available in several European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Madrid, Milan, Rome, Turin, Paris, and Vienna.
While I cannot confirm if a US account can be used in Austria, the SHARE NOW app is designed to provide users with a flexible and hassle-free car-sharing experience, making it a convenient option for those looking to get around in major European cities.
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Driving laws in Austria
Austria has a well-developed road network, but there are some driving laws and local quirks that you should be aware of before getting behind the wheel.
Firstly, driving is on the right, and seatbelts are compulsory for all passengers. Children under 14 who are shorter than 150cm must be in appropriate child seats. You must also carry a first aid kit, a warning triangle, and a reflective safety vest, which you will need to present during a traffic check.
Speed limits are as follows:
- Within town limits: 50km/h
- On the open road: 100km/h
- On expressways: 100km/h or 130km/h (observe the respective speed limit)
- On motorways: 130km/h
You will need to pay tolls to use the motorways and expressways, and you must display a vignette to show that you have paid.
If you have a foreign driving licence, you can drive in Austria for up to six months, depending on your circumstances. If you are from a country outside the European Economic Area, your licence will be valid for 12 months from the date of your arrival, provided you are at least 18 years old. If your licence is not written in German, you will need an international driving permit or a translation.
Drink driving is illegal in Austria, with a maximum blood-alcohol limit of 0.05%. The punishment for driving under the influence includes a minimum fine of €300 and the loss of your driver's licence.
Mobile phones can only be used with a hands-free car kit.
From 1 November to 15 April, it is mandatory to use winter tyres on all four wheels or snow chains on at least two drive wheels.
Other important laws to be aware of include:
- You must maintain a distance of at least 20m behind rail vehicles
- You must maintain a safety distance of 7-14m between cars
- You must carry reflective clothing
- You must use indicators for overtaking or changing lanes
- You must not cross a solid line
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Cost of car-sharing
Car-sharing services in Austria, such as SHARE NOW (formerly car2go), offer flexible and cost-effective alternatives to traditional car rentals. With car-sharing, you can rent a car for as little as a minute or up to several weeks, all through a convenient app on your phone.
The cost of car-sharing in Austria varies depending on the duration of your trip and the type of car you choose. Here's a breakdown of the costs:
Minute Rates
SHARE NOW offers a range of cars with minute rates starting from €0.29 per minute. This rate typically includes 200 km of mileage, free parking in the Home Area, free fuel and charging, GPS, and automatic transmission. However, keep in mind that additional mileage beyond the included 200 km will incur a long-distance fee of €0.39 per kilometre.
Hourly Rates
If you need a car for a few hours, SHARE NOW provides hourly rates starting from €13.99 per hour. This rate usually does not include mileage, and you will be charged per kilometre driven, depending on the car model category.
Daily Rates
For longer trips, SHARE NOW offers daily rates starting from €34.98 per day. Like the hourly rates, the daily rates typically do not include mileage, and you will be charged per kilometre driven based on the car model. The daily price displayed is usually for a 30-day rental period.
Monthly Subscriptions
If you anticipate using car-sharing services frequently, SHARE NOW offers a monthly subscription called the SHARE NOW Pass. This pass provides access to discounted minute rates, with prices starting from €29.99 per month and flexible cancellation options.
It's important to note that, regardless of the rate you choose, additional fees may apply. For example, drop-off fees, airport fees, overtime fees, penalty fees, and fees for extras like child seats or GPS devices. These fees can vary depending on the car-sharing company and your specific location in Austria.
When comparing car-sharing costs, it's worth mentioning that traditional car rental companies in Austria offer daily rates that average around $46 per day. However, car-sharing provides more flexibility in terms of rental duration and often includes additional perks like free fuel and parking, making it a competitive option for those seeking convenience and cost-effectiveness.
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Insurance and liability
Car2Go is a car-sharing service that provides insurance for its members. In the event of an accident, Car2Go's insurance covers the cost of damages to the vehicle, with the driver responsible for the accident paying an agreed-upon deductible. This deductible is kept low by charging a $1 Driver Protection fee per ride. This means that, in the event of an accident, the driver may have to pay up to $1,000 if found at fault, but will not have to pay more than $250.
In Europe, Car2Go has partnered with Allianz Worldwide Partners to provide third-party liability cover in Germany, Italy, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands. This insurance is included in the price of using the service and covers members for the legal state minimum liability, up to $300,000.
It is important to note that Car2Go's insurance does not cover all situations. For example, if an unauthorised person is driving the vehicle and is at fault for an accident, Car2Go can charge an additional $1,500 fee. Additionally, members must abide by the terms of service, which include a blood alcohol content limit of 0, and coverage will only apply if these rules are followed.
In the event of an accident, it is important to notify Car2Go as soon as possible. This is a standard requirement for car-sharing providers, and failure to do so may result in additional fees or loss of coverage. It is also recommended to document the accident by taking pictures, obtaining a copy of the police report, and gathering contact information from witnesses.
While Car2Go's insurance provides some coverage, it is not a replacement for personal insurance. It is always a good idea to review the terms and conditions of any car-sharing service before using it, as individual liability can vary.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use your car2go US account in Austria. Car2go is available across much of the US, Canada, and Western Europe.
Once a member of the service, you can use a smartphone app to "unlock" any nearby car, choose your rental period, and then enter a 4-digit pin on the car's digital console to get the key and begin driving.
You can rent a car via car2go by the minute ($0.41/minute), hour ($14.99/hour), or day ($84.99/day).
Car2go covers gas, insurance, and parking associated with city meters and/or their designated private spots.
To rent a car in Austria, you must be at least 18 years old and have held your license for 1 year. An International Driver's License is required for car rentals in Austria.