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Create Your Own Path in Germany: A Practical Car Rental Guide

Germany is an amazing country with an interesting history. Traveling in a rented car will allow you to get acquainted with the wonderful architectural structures of different cities of the country, with the incredible beauty of the Alpine mountains in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, picturesque lakes, medieval castles, churches, and you can relax in thermal spas - this is only a small part of what Germany has to offer for its guests.

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And to zip along the German motorway with perfect road surface, where you will not be constrained by speed limits - isn't this the dream of every car enthusiast? Yes, traveling by car in Germany is a great solution! The roads in Germany are some of the best in the world, so drive between cities such as: Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf is pure pleasure. Since you are free to manage your time yourself, and not follow the schedule of tourist organizations, you will be able to see much more sights and enjoy their beauty to the fullest - this is the main advantage of traveling by rental car.

to rent a car in German cities for exciting trips, you should contact one of the companies that provide car rental services. In German, renting a car sounds like autovermietung. You can choose and order a car in international companies on the Internet or by contacting the company directly upon arrival in Germany. The approximate cost of renting a C class car together with insurance will be 90-100 EUR per day. German car tracks are really some of the best and most of them are free. The toll road includes the high-mountain road - robfeldpanoramastrabe, which runs through the Berchtesgaden National Park. And two tunnels - Arrow Tunnel and Herren Tunnel. Each exit from the autobahn has its own numbering, which makes it easy to navigate in these parts.

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Road signs painted in blue indicate settlements that are located nearby. And the one that is closest is registered at the bottom of the index. As already mentioned, on many autobahns there is no fixed speed limit, but still be vigilant, because the Germans also like to catch extreme sports at high speeds.

By the way, there are also traffic jams, but very rarely, mainly due to repair work. In Germany, the road surface is very carefully monitored in order to maintain a high level of road quality, therefore, repair procedures are carried out regularly.

Where to Go in Germany: Road Trip Ideas

Germany is a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for a road trip. By exploring the country by a rented car, you can discover hidden gems and experience the diverse landscapes at your own pace. Here are some exciting road trip ideas to help you plan your German adventure:

The Romantic Road

This picturesque route stretches from Würzburg to Füssen, taking you through charming medieval towns and stunning countryside. Some highlights include:

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a well-preserved medieval town
Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairytale-like castle that inspired Disney
The Bavarian Alps, offering breathtaking mountain scenery

The Black Forest

Known for its dense forests, charming villages, and cuckoo clocks, the Black Forest region is perfect for nature lovers. Don't miss:

Baden-Baden, a luxurious spa town
Triberg, home to Germany's highest waterfalls
The scenic Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße)

The Rhine Valley

Drive along the Rhine River to experience a landscape dotted with castles, vineyards, and historic towns. Key stops include:

Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet
Rüdesheim, famous for its wine production
The Lorelei Rock, steeped in legend and offering panoramic views

The Baltic Coast

Explore Germany's northern coastline in your rental car, visiting charming seaside towns and beautiful beaches. Highlights include:

Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Brick Gothic architecture
Rügen Island, famous for its white chalk cliffs and pristine beaches
Stralsund, a historic Hanseatic town with a well-preserved old town

These road trip ideas offer just a glimpse of what Germany has to offer. With a rental car, you have the freedom to create your own itinerary and discover the country's diverse regions at your own pace. Remember to check local driving regulations and plan your route in advance for a smooth and enjoyable journey through this fascinating country.

Peculiarities of driving in Germany

There are no significant differences in traffic rules in Germany from European standards. But there are minor differences:

The rightmost lane in cities belongs to cyclists, so drivers should be careful when turning right. The cyclist has priority over the car.
Stopping is prohibited on the autobahn, if you are forced to do so, you should turn on the emergency signal and pull over to the side of the road. After stopping, you must install an emergency sign 100 meters behind the car.
In Germany, when entering a roundabout, turn signals are prohibited, and when leaving are required.
During a stop in built-up areas, the engine should be turned off.

The German speed limit is as follows:

No more than 50 km/h in built-up areas;
No more than 100 km / h outside the settlement;
If there are no prohibition signs on motorways, you can drive without speed limits, but at the same time it must be at least 60 km / h.

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It is mandatory to wear seat belts in all places, including the rear seats. Children under 150 cm are not allowed to ride in the front seats. Children under 3 years old must travel in a special car seat.

Payment of fines is made directly to police officers in full form with a receipt. Payment of the fine is made in two ways: in cash or by bank card.

Some violations and fines:

Exceeding the speed limit - from 15 to 700 Euros;
Unfastened passengers and driver - 60 Euro per person;
Violation of the rules for transporting children - 70-80 Euro;
Riding on snow or ice on summer tires - from 50 to 90 Euros.

Gas stations in Germany resemble large metropolitan areas with all the amenities. There are also restaurants, various shops, hotels, there is everything to make traveling as comfortable as possible. Refueled my car, rested and again forward.

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Parking is strict in Germany. Free parking on the roadsides is possible if there are no markings or signs prohibiting it.

But there is practically no such thing in city centers, usually free parking is practiced only on the outskirts. In cities, you can park your car for a certain time, which will be written in the parking disk. You can get such a disc at gas stations, in tobacco shops and the price for it is 2€.

You can also buy a parking ticket at special parking meters, usually they are located near parking spaces. On Sundays or public holidays, the city's car parks are free.

Electric car rental

Electric cars allow you to move quickly, in complete silence and without worrying that some areas of the country can only be reached by cars with low emissions. It is comfortable and profitable to drive an electric car around the cities of Germany, because there are more than 5,000 points for charging electric cars. To find such charging stations, you just need to open the Internet and find a place on the map.

One of the leading rental companies that has electric cars in its range is DriveNow. The company operates in 11 European cities and can offer its customers the BMW i3 electric car and many other car brands. This organization is based in Berlin.

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City Essen located in the north-west of Germany, you can rent an electric car Fiat 500 and Micro-Vett Fiorino. With a fully charged battery, the Fiat 500 can provide a range of 140 kilometers, while the Fiorino has a range of 160 kilometers with a full charge. Electric vehicles are charged from a 220V/16A household socket in 8 hours or from a special 400V/32A socket in about 2 hours.

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Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€100

February

€99

March

€105

April

€140

May

€126

June

€133

July

€127

August

€149

September

€143

October

€134

November

€108

December

€172

The most popular cars in Germany

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular tourist locations in Germany

Tegel airport Berlin

Dusseldorf airport

Hamburg airport

Hannover airport

Munich airport (Franz Josef Strauss)

Cologne airport (Bonn)

Bremen airport

Stuttgart airport

Dortmund airport

Weeze airport

Hahn Airport Frankfurt

Memmingen airport

Augsburg Airport

Magdeburg Airport

Zweibrucken Airport

Flensburg

Aachen City Centre

Heidelberg

Leipzig

Cologne

Dusseldorf

Hanover

Bremen

Nuremberg

Dortmund

Essen

Magdeburg

Lubeck

Kassel

Oldenburg

List of required documents

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

10 Key Tips for a Smooth Car Rental Experience

Download desired area of Google maps for offline access

Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.

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Book a car in advance

Germany is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.

Which car to choose

The compact model is relevant for city trips in Germany. It can be Toyota Aygo or Opel Corsa. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Renault Megane Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €32 per day;

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance recommendations

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

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What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Fuel Policy

When you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

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Unlimited mileage

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

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Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Germany, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

When renting a car in Germany, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.

If we talk about the best companies in Germany, then it is worth highlighting EUROPCAR with a rating 9.9 and SIXT, the average rating of which is 9 points.

Car pick-up procedure

Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.

Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.

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Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

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The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

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