Ski trip abroad

Rent a car for winter sports in Gerlos, Austria

Austria is one of the most popular winter sports destinations. In regions like Tyrol, with many mountain roads, tunnels and toll routes, it’s essential to follow Austria’s strict rules on winter tires and vignettes.

Winter tire regulations

Mandatory from 1 November t/m 15 April during winter conditions (snow, ice, slippery roads).
All-season tires with the 3PMSF marking are accepted.
Minimum tread depth: 4 mm (radial tires).
M+S tires without 3PMSF are not sufficient in winter conditions.

Toll & vignette

A vignette is required for motorways.

10 days, approx. €12.40
2 months, approx. €29
1 year, approx. €96.40

Additional tolls apply for tunnels and passes such as:

Brenner Pass
Tauern and Katschberg tunnels

Price indication: €6–€14 per trip

Other rules

Motorway: 130 km/u
Safety vest required
Snow chains mandatory where indicated

Driving a rental car to Val Thorens, France

In France, winter tire rules differ per region. Many mountain areas now have an official winter tire requirement throughout the winter season.

Winter tire regulations

Mandatory from 1 November t/m 31 March in the official Zones Montagne.
Allowed: winter tires or all-season tires with the 3PMSF marking.
Outside these zones, recommended but not required.
In snow chain zones (sign B26), chains are mandatory when indicated.

Toll roads
France has extensive toll roads:

Average €20–€60 one way to the Alps
Fréjus or Mont Blanc tunnels: €30–€50
No vignette required.

Traffic rules

130 km/u dry
110 km/u in rain
Hands free calling permitted when phone is mounted

Renting a car for winter sports in Winterberg, Germany

Germany has no fixed winter tire season, but clear requirements during snow, ice or slippery conditions.

Winter tire regulations

Mandatory in winter conditions.
All-season tires must have the 3PMSF marking.
M+S tires without 3PMSF are no longer allowed as of October 2024.
Minimum tread depth: 1,6 mm, but 4 mm is recommended.

Toll

No toll for passenger cars.
Some tunnels in southern Germany: €5–€11.

Environmental badge

Many cities require an Umweltplakette.
Not needed on highways or transit routes, but required when entering cities like Munich, Berlin and Cologne.

Tip: check your route, since some navigation systems may still direct you through environmental zones.

Other rules

Autobahn: no general speed limit, 130 km/u recommended
Snow chains required where indicated

Traveling to Zermatt, Switzerland with a rental car

Switzerland is known for strict traffic rules and high fines. Winter tires and all-season tires are not mandatory, but highly recommended.

Winter tire regulations

Not mandatory, but strongly recommended.
Liability: in the event of an accident while using summer tires or tires with insufficient tread, you may be held partially liable.
Minimum tread depth: 1,6 mm, but 4 mm recommended in winter.
Chains required where indicated.

Vignette

Required on motorways.
Annual vignette: approx. €40.
No shorter options.

Additional tolls apply to tunnels such as the Great St. Bernard: €15–€32.

Traffic rules

Motorway: 120 km/u
Very high fines for speeding

Renting a car for winter sports in Livigno, Italy

Especially in Northern Italy, strict winter tire rules apply, including in the Dolomites.

Winter tire regulations

Mandatory from 15 November t/m 15 April depending on region or province.
3PMSF all-season tires are permitted where winter tires are required.
Some regions require snow chains on board.

Toll roads

Most motorways are toll roads: €25–€70 one way toward the Alps or Dolomites
Major tunnels (Like Great St. Bernard): €20–€30

Traffic rules

Motorway: 130 km/u
Warning: ZTL zones in cities (cameras + high fines)

Rental car for winter sports in Spindleruv Mlýn

Czechia is an affordable winter sports destination with clear and strict rules.

Winter tire regulations

Mandatory from 1 November t/m 31 March in winter conditions.
3PMSF all-season tires allowed.
Snow chains required where indicated.

Digital vignette
The digital vignette must be purchased online in advance, automatically linked to your license plate and is required for all motorways.

10 days: approx. €12
1 month: approx. €17
1 year: approx. €60

Traffic rules

Motorway: 130 km/u
Urban areas: 50 km/u

Tips for safe driving to winter sports destinations

Good preparation makes your journey safer and more comfortable. Consider weather, traffic and vehicle maintenance.

Helpful tips:

Use navigation with real time traffic updates.
Keep windows, mirrors and lights free of ice.
Use frost resistant washer fluid.
Distribute luggage evenly for better stability.
Bring warm clothing, snacks and water for emergencies.

Safe winter sports travel with an Avis rental car

With Avis, you’ll drive a reliable, well-maintained vehicle equipped with all-season tires with the 3PMSF marking. This means you’ll meet local requirements in many winter sports regions, so you can travel safely, comfortably and without worry to your winter destination.

Plan your trip to the snow and reserve your car today.

Car

Van

Truck

Rent a car

Where do you want to pick up?

Something seems to have gone wrong.Click here {{ 'to search again for {0} or try again at a later time.'.replace('{0}', slotProps.currentQuery) }}

Branches Branch Branches Branch near
{{ branchSuggestionsGroup.name }}

No results found. Is the postal code or city name correct? Check your search term and try again.

{{ slotProps.activeBranch.name }} selected

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the car? Then the search can begin.

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the van? Then the search can begin.

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the truck? Then the search can begin.

Attention |

Unfortunately, this location does not rent out trucks. You can only rent trucks at the following locations: Amsterdam West, Breda, Den Bosch, Enschede, Goes, Groningen, Haarlem, Helmond, Hoogeveen, Leeuwarden, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Rotterdam Haven, and Utrecht.

Attention |

It is not possible to pick up this vehicle at this location.

Attention |

It is not possible to return this vehicle at this location.

Attention |

You'll pay a surcharge of € 25,00 for returning a van to a different branch than where you picked it up. You can pay this surcharge at the branch.

Attention |

You'll pay a surcharge of € 60,00 for returning a truck to a different branch than where you picked it up. You can pay this surcharge at the branch.

Return elsewhere

Where do you want to return?

Something seems to have gone wrong.Click here {{ 'to search again for {0} or try again at a later time.'.replace('{0}', slotProps.currentQuery) }}

Branches Branch Branches Branch near
{{ branchSuggestionsGroup.name }}

No results found. Is the postal code or city name correct? Check your search term and try again.

{{ slotProps.activeBranch.name }} selected

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the car? Then the search can begin.

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the van? Then the search can begin.

Don't forget to fill in where you want to pick up the truck? Then the search can begin.

Attention |

It is not possible to pick up this vehicle at this location.

Attention |

It is not possible to return this vehicle at this location.

Attention |

You'll pay a surcharge of € 25,00 for returning a van to a different branch than where you picked it up. You can pay this surcharge at the branch.

Attention |

You'll pay a surcharge of € 60,00 for returning a truck to a different branch than where you picked it up. You can pay this surcharge at the branch.

Attention |

The location is closed at the chosen return time.

You can easily return the rental car by parking the vehicle at the location and leaving the key in the key drop box.
Any parking fees are at your own expense.

Attention |

The branch is closed at the chosen return time. However, you can easily return your rental car by parking the vehicle at the branch and leaving the key in a key safe.

Pick-up date and time

Pick-up date and time

{{ calendar.monthsTranslated[index] }}
{{ weekday }}
{{ calendar.formatDay(day) }}

Attention |

Unfortunately, the chosen branch is closed when you want to pick up the car. Please choose another branch or change the time.

Please note: 1 rental day = 24h after pick-up time 1 rental day = 1 calendar day

Return date and time

Return date

{{ calendar.monthsTranslated[index] }}
{{ weekday }}
{{ calendar.formatDay(day) }}

1 rental day = 24h after pick-up time

If you return the car before {{ dateTimePicker.dateTime.pickUpTime }}, you'll save yourself an extra rental day.

Attention |

When you click on 'View cars', you will be automatically redirected to the international booking module, as you want to pick up or return the car outside the Netherlands.