What should you look for when renting a holiday home in Austria?

Renting a holiday home in Austria? Discover what to check regarding the location, facilities, total costs and booking conditions.

A holiday home in Austria gives you plenty of freedom to plan your holiday your way. You can cook together, enjoy ample space for your travel group and choose whether you want to stay in a village, near a ski area or in a peaceful location.

The selection ranges from apartments for two people to chalets and large group accommodation. How do you find a property that truly suits your holiday? Look beyond the photos and the advertised rental price. These twelve tips explain what you should check before booking.

1. Choose a region that suits your holiday

Start by deciding what you want to do during your holiday in Austria. For a skiing holiday, the ski area and access to the lifts are particularly important. If you are travelling in summer, you may be more interested in hiking trails, cycling routes, mountain lakes and family attractions.

Tyrol and Salzburgerland offer plenty of opportunities for an active mountain holiday. Carinthia is particularly attractive if you would like to spend time beside a lake. Vorarlberg and Styria also offer impressive mountain scenery, welcoming villages and holiday homes for different types of holidays.

​​​​​​​Compare several destinations within your preferred region. Two holiday homes in the same area can have very different locations: one may be close to shops and restaurants, while the other is situated on a secluded mountainside.

2. Choose a house close to the slopes or the ski bus

Descriptions such as “close to the ski area” and “within walking distance of the centre” do not provide exact distances. Check the location on a map and find out how you can travel from the holiday home to the places that matter during your stay.

For a skiing holiday, compare the distances to the ski lift and ski bus stop separately. On Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu, you can filter holiday homes by their distance from the ski lift and ski bus stop.

3. Look at the layout of the holiday home

The maximum number of guests does not tell you how much space is actually available. A holiday home for eight people may have four bedrooms, or it may have three bedrooms and a sofa bed in the living room.

Check the number of bedrooms, the types of beds and the number of bathrooms. If you are travelling with several families or a group of friends, make sure the dining table is large enough and that everyone has enough space to enjoy some privacy.

If someone in your group has limited mobility, check the stairs, the location of the bedrooms and access to the property. An apartment on the first floor, for example, does not necessarily have a lift.

4. Check the available facilities

Do not assume that every holiday home has the same standard facilities. Read the property description to see whether it includes a dishwasher, oven, washing machine, Wi-Fi and sufficient parking.

A ski storage room and boot dryer are useful during a winter holiday in Austria. In summer, a balcony, terrace or garden may be more important. Are you looking for a holiday home with a sauna or fireplace? Check whether the facility is private and whether its use involves additional charges.

Also check whether bed linen, towels and kitchen linen are included. This will help you decide what you need to bring with you.

5. Be aware of the additional costs

Charges for final cleaning, tourist tax, bed linen, energy consumption or a dog can vary between holiday homes. A security deposit may also apply, which is returned after your stay if the relevant conditions are met.

At Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu, all costs are clearly displayed before you book. You can see which amounts are included in the rental price, what you pay in advance and which charges may be payable locally. This means you know exactly what your stay will cost, without unexpected charges afterwards.
The service provided by Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu is free for you.

6. Read the cancellation conditions

Even carefully planned holidays can change. Before making a reservation, check the cancellation deadlines, the applicable charges and whether you can amend your booking.

Also check when the deposit and remaining balance are due. We advise a cancellation insurance, read which situations are actually covered. The accommodation’s conditions and the insurance policy’s conditions are separate.

7. Check the arrival, departure and key collection arrangements

Holiday homes often have set check-in and check-out times. You may receive the key from a local property manager, use a key safe or collect it from another address.

Before travelling, check where and when you can check in. You should also find out what is expected of you before departure. You may need to wash the dishes, dispose of your rubbish or leave the accommodation swept and tidy.

If you have a long journey ahead of you, save the relevant contact details in case you arrive later than planned.

8. Consider accessibility and parking

A holiday home may appear easy to reach on a map, even though the final part of the journey follows a narrow or steep mountain road. It is sensible to examine the route in advance, particularly if you are travelling in winter.

If you are travelling with an electric vehicle, ask whether a charging point is available. Also read our blog "Driving an Electric Car to Austria: Holiday Homes with EV Charging"

You need a vignette to use most Austrian motorways and expressways. Additional tolls apply on certain routes. Check the rules for your journey on the official ASFINAG website before travelling.
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9. Take account of snow and winter road conditions

Are you booking a holiday home for a skiing holiday? Do not consider only the distance to the ski area. Look at the altitude of the slopes, your travel dates and the transport connections to the lifts. A holiday home in a lower village can still be a convenient base if a higher ski area is easy to reach.

Prepare your car for winter conditions as well. In Austria, rules regarding winter tyres apply in wintry road conditions from 1 November to 15 April. Snow chains may be required on certain snow-covered roads. Before travelling, consult the current information from the Austrian government.

10. Check facilities for children and whether dogs are allowed

If you are travelling with a baby or young child, check whether a cot and high chair are available and whether you need to reserve them in advance.

Would you like to bring your dog to Austria? Dog-friendly holiday homes usually allow one or two dogs, while the legal maximum is five. An additional charge may apply for each dog. Use the filters to find dog-friendly holiday homes and read the full property description before booking.

11. Read the reviews and full property description

Recent reviews can tell you more about the cleanliness, beds, surroundings and accessibility. Pay particular attention when several guests mention the same issue.

Compare the property summary with the full description. Do you find conflicting information about dogs, the distance to a ski lift or a facility that matters to you? Ask for confirmation before making a reservation. This will help you make your decision based on accurate information.

12. Choose a provider that can answer your questions

Small details can make a considerable difference when booking a holiday home. These may include an additional parking space, a specific bed arrangement or the possibility of arriving later. Check whether you can ask questions before booking and read the conditions of your chosen offer carefully.

Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu brings together holiday homes, chalets, apartments and group accommodation from different providers throughout Austria. You can search by destination, travel dates and number of guests, making it easier to compare properties that suit your holiday plans.

Find a holiday home that suits you

The right holiday home depends on your travel group, travel dates and planned activities. By carefully comparing the location, layout, costs and conditions, you can find accommodation that suits your requirements.

On Ferienhaus-Tirol.eu, you can compare holiday homes, chalets, apartments and group accommodation throughout Austria. Choose a property that suits your wishes and travel plans, and review all the details that matter to you before booking. This will help you start your holiday well prepared.