Considering a Car Rental in Cologne? Everything You Need to Know:
Cologne, the vibrant city on the Rhine, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and modern attractions. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, renting a car can be an excellent way to explore the city and its surroundings at your own pace. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals in Cologne, comparing offers from both international and local companies to ensure you get the most value for your money.
Why Rent a Car in Cologne?
While Cologne has an efficient public transportation system, having a car at your disposal offers several advantages:
Flexibility to explore nearby attractions like the Phantasialand theme park
Convenience for business travelers moving between meetings
Easy access to the beautiful Rhine Valley and its picturesque towns
Freedom to create your own itinerary without relying on bus or train schedules
What to Consider When Renting a Car in Cologne
Driving in Cologne: Cologne's city center can be congested, especially during rush hours. Be prepared for one-way streets and limited parking in the downtown area. Many attractions are within walking distance, so consider parking your car and exploring on foot.
Environmental Zones: Cologne has an environmental zone (Umweltzone) in the city center. Ensure your rental car has the appropriate green sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter this area legally.
Parking: While street parking is available, it can be challenging to find in popular areas. Many hotels offer parking facilities, and there are numerous public parking garages throughout the city.
Insurance: Check your rental agreement for included insurance coverage. It's often wise to consider additional protection for peace of mind.
Booking Your Rental Car
With Bookingautos, you can easily compare offers from various car rental companies in Cologne. Consider factors such as:
Vehicle size and type
Pickup and drop-off locations
Included mileage
Additional fees for young drivers or extra equipment
By booking in advance through Bookingautos, you can often secure better rates and ensure availability, especially during peak tourist seasons or major events like the famous Cologne Carnival.
With the right car rental, you'll be well-equipped to discover all that Cologne and its surrounding areas have to offer. From the iconic Kölner Dom to the charming Old Town and beyond, your Cologne adventure awaits!
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Cologne
Finding parking for your rental car in Cologne can be challenging, but several options are available. Here are some of the best places to park:
City Center Parking Garages
Parkhaus Heumarkt: Located near the historic center, offering convenient access to attractions.
Parkhaus Am Dom: Situated close to Cologne Cathedral, perfect for sightseeing.
Parkhaus Rheinauhafen: Ideal for visiting the Chocolate Museum and waterfront area.
Park and Ride Facilities
For longer stays or budget-conscious travelers, consider using Park and Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city. These offer affordable parking and easy access to public transportation.
Street Parking
Limited street parking is available in some areas, but be sure to check signs for restrictions and fees. Many streets require a parking disc to indicate your arrival time.
Remember to always lock your rental car and remove valuables from sight when parking in any location.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Avis
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Average cost for 7 days of rent:
January
€197
February
€118
March
€126
April
€149
May
€184
June
€222
July
€248
August
€258
September
€165
October
€126
November
€115
December
€158
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Cologne is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €25. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Cologne is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €25 for a Compact car.
In summer, the demand for car rental reaches its peak. The choice of available cars is decreasing. At the same time, the price of the service almost doubles! For example, in July, the average rental price of the popular car model Mercedes CLA reaches €32 per day.
Our rental office in Cologne can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €16 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €46-€37, for a business class car - €67 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for Audi A5 Cabrio, a very popular in Cologne, would be around €40 per day.
In recent years in Cologne the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent BMW i3 in Cologne by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download Google maps for offline access
All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.
Book in advance
Cologne is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Cologne. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
The compact model is relevant for city trips in Cologne. It can be Fiat Panda or Ford Fiesta. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Audi A4 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €32 per day;
What you need to pay attention to when 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 advice
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.
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 renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Cologne for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Unlimited mileage
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Cologne, 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.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Cologne, 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 Cologne, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
Getting a rented car in Cologne is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Cologne
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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