How to beat the big "premium station" car rental tax 

That 15 percent to 19 percent, by the way, is figured on the entire cost of the rental, not just the basic charge. For example, a car whose base rental price is $250 per week in Germany jumps to $290 with the 16 percent value added tax. The 19 percent airport tax is computed on the $290 and comes to an extra $55 - a total of $345. If you extend this rental to three-weeks, the airport charge becomes $165. Need a midsize wagon for a month in Germany? You're looking at more than $300 to rent it at an airport or rail station.

The obvious solution, of course, is to get the car at a location other than an airport or rail station. Inconvenient? Compared to going immediately upon arrival to an airport rental car counter, absolutely. But only you can decide how much such convenience is worth. And remember, the tax is only on rentals commencing at airports and rail stations. You can pick up a car at an off-airport location and return to an airport, and still avoid the tax.

To help you make that decision, here are some suggestions for alternative pickup locations, plus information about public transport to and from four major airports in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Frankfurt (Car Rental Airport Tax: 19 percent) 

Taxi: A taxi to the center of town costs about €20 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The nearest Frankfurt Avis location, Schmidt Str. 39, is just across the river, north of the airport. Europcar's most convenient non-tax rental office is northwest of the airport, near the Autobahn at Am Industriehof 3-5. Taxi to it in about 20-30 minutes at a cost of about €25. This location will be more convenient for travelers who want to avoid downtown traffic. 

Both Avis and Europcar have offices in Kelsterbach, about a 5-minute, €8 taxi ride from the Frankfurt Airport. One caution: drivers who have waited in the taxi rank for 15 to 45 minutes to get a fare may not be happy with such a cheap trip. 

Rail: From the airport, it costs about $4 to go to the main rail station. The trip takes about 10 minutes. But if you want to get to a rental car location, your best bet from there is a taxi.

The Frankfurt Airport has two terminals and two rail stations. To catch a train to downtown, follow the signs marked "Regionalbahnhof" from the departure/arrivals hall in Terminal 1 to platforms 1-3 on level 01 (underground railway station), via the escalators. Trains to Frankfurt depart from platform 1. From Terminal 2, take the Sky Line (runs every two minutes) to departure hall B in Terminal 1 and then follow the "Regionalbahnhof" signs as described above. The Sky Line rail shuttle that connects the two terminals does not allow luggage carts on board. 

Other Info: We know of two gas stations near the airport: BP is not far from Terminal 1, next to the Sheraton Hotel, on the access road to the visitors' bus garage P 36. And there's an Esso station near the Steigenberger Hotel (at the turning circle on Unterschweinstiege, next to the A 3 highway exit). The English version of the airport's website (www.frankfurt- airport.de) recommends "minute trips" for travelers who have time to kill before their next flight. There are 14 recommended walking tours of the airport and its shops. 

Munich (Car Rental Airport Tax: 19 percent) 

Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city center is your best bet if you want to avoid the airport tax on car rentals and will cost about €60. 

Rail: A single daily ticket is €9 and takes you to the main rail station on S-1 or S-8 trains. If you've booked an Avis car at their Nymphenburger station, change trains at the main station to the U-1 line and go two stops to Maillingerstr. If there are several in your group, buy a "Partner Ticket" for €16 good for 24 hours travel for up to five persons throughout the Munich transportation network. From the main station, a taxi to one of several downtown car rental offices will cost from about €10 to €20. The airport rail station is on the lower level; follow the "S" signs. There is also a bus from the airport to the main rail station. Cost is €9. 

Other Info: Munich Airport has a number of attractions for passengers who have long layovers or arrive hours prior to their flight. There are historic aircraft to tour, an outdoor "viewing hill," a multimedia show, something called a MovieRide simulator, and an outdoor kids' playground. 

Tip: For questions about the Munich Airport, e-mail info@munich-airport.de. Gemütlichkeit got a response to its question within 15 minutes. Otherwise, from 6am to 11pm (Germany time) phone +49 89 9 75-00 for airport info.

Vienna (Car Rental Airport Tax: 15 percent) 

In Vienna, the fastest way to the city center is via the City Airport Train. It costs E9 per person and takes 16 minutes. . A bus takes 20 minutes and costs E6. Schnellbahn 7, a local train, also connects the airport with the center of Vienna. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs only E3. 

Taxi: If you want the convenience of a taxi, engage a Flughafen taxi, such as C & K Airport Service (tel. 44444) instead of a normal city cab because airport taxis charge flat rates. Your hotel can order one for you. The price for as many as four people is from $30 to $50, depending on your city location. 

Zürich (Car Rental Airport Tax: 18 percent) 

The trick here is to go to the nearby town of Kloten, where Europcar has a location. However, if you're booked with Hertz, Avis, or National, you'll have to get your car downtown if you want to avoid the 18 percent tax. 

Taxi: Zürich has the best taxis in Europe. Most are Mercedes Benz and hospital-room clean. The trip to Kloten is very short and will cost about $10. If you must go downtown, it's about 20 minutes, and you'll pay about $40. 

Rail: There are trains every few minutes to and from the airport's terminal B. The 10-minute trip from the airport to the main station in the city center costs about $5. From there, you'll need a taxi or negotiate the city's marvelous tram system.