Renting a Car in Germany: Your Complete Guide for Stress-Free Travel

Are you planning a road trip in Germany? Whether you’re visiting the bustling cities or venturing into the scenic countryside, renting a car offers flexibility, freedom, and a deeper experience of the country.

But before you hit the road, here’s a complete guide to renting a car in Germany. I’ll cover everything from comparing it to public transport to choosing the best rental company, what level of insurance you need, tips on avoiding scams, and more!

Renting a Car vs. Public Transportation: A Quick Comparison

Germany boasts an impressive network of highways and well-maintained roads, making it one of the best places to drive in Europe. But is renting a car better than using public transportation?

I have lived in Germany for 5 years and here is my take

• Public Transport:
  • Germany’s public transport system is fantastic, especially in major cities like Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg. You can hop on a bus/tram/metro, relax, and reach your destination without worrying about parking.
  • It’s also ideal for city-to-city travel, especially if these are major cities that have direct lines, less so for minor cities where you would need to change train at least once.
  • Trains are clean and usually on time. Connections are not always synchronized, so budget 1-1.5 waiting time between two trains
  • Booking a ticket is nowadays recommended and you can easily do that on the DB (Deutsche Bahn, the public German train company) website/app.
• Renting a Car:
  • It works great if you want to explore beyond the major cities and immerse yourself in rural Germany. For example, getting to Neuschwanstein Castle (the famous “Disney Castle” near Munich) by train takes around 3-4 hours from Munich. In contrast, driving there by car takes just 1.5 hours, making it a far quicker option.
  • It’s especially advantageous when traveling with a group or family, as renting a car can be cheaper than buying multiple train tickets which are usually quite expensive, especially if booked last minute
  • Driving in Germany is typically stress-free; local drivers are polite and considerate, making the experience enjoyable. I personally never had any issue, definitely so much easier than in any country in South of Europe

Where to Rent a Car in Germany

Renting a car is straightforward, but location matters. Most airports in Germany have car rental offices located outside customs, these are typically the global brands like Sixt, Hertz, Europecar as well as some German brands like TUI Cars, OKMobility or Keddy.

For cheaper options, which can be still good value for money, you may need to take a free shuttle to reach the rental office outside the airport. These rental companies are usually the local names that work mostly in a German region, like for example in Bayern.

Larger cities, like Munich and Berlin, have rental offices in the central area especially near the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof).

Tip: While you’ll find rental options in city centers, renting at the airport is usually cheaper. For instance, in Munich, rental prices in the city center can be 1.5 to 2 times higher than at the airport.

Which Car Rental Companies to Choose

There are plenty of options when it comes to rental companies in Germany. The global providers like Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz are popular for their newer vehicles and excellent service. However, they tend to be a bit pricier.

On the other hand, local providers may have slightly older cars, but they are well-maintained and still reliable. Most of these providers talk English, however, there is always the odd one. For this reason I always suggest to travel with Google Translate, which will help also during the trip.

Booking Tip: Book early to get the best prices and a wider selection of vehicles. If you’re planning a long journey, consider opting for a diesel car since diesel fuel is usually cheaper than petrol in Germany.

Insurance: What You Need to Know

In Germany, third-party liability insurance is always included by law when renting a car, so you don’t need to worry about that.

Most rental companies also provide collision damage waiver (CDW) and loss damage waiver (LDW), but keep an eye out for the deductible, which can range from €1,000 to €5,000.

Tip: For peace of mind, I highly suggest adding zero-excess insurance, also called full insurance. This will cover the deductible and ensure you’re fully protected against any damages, which unfortunatelly may happen. Consider that a small scratch can cost between €300 and €500.

Now, you may already luck to have a credit card offering zero-excess coverage as a benefit, so check it out. Mine, for example, does not zero the excess but it takes it down to $500 (AUD) which is better than nothing, but not great.

Alternatively, you can purchase zero-excess insurance directly at the desk through the rental company but this option is typically quite expensive at €20 to €50/day

I personally buy it on the comparison website I mentioned above, DiscoverCars, for as little as €8-10 per day. Trust me, it’s worth the peace of mind and it saved me already in a couple of occasions.

Driving on the Autobahn and Speed Limits

Germany is famous for its Autobahn (highway) where there’s no speed limit. However, this doesn’t mean you can drive recklessly! Speed limits apply in urban areas and on certain stretches of the Autobahn, often indicated by road signs.

Important: Be aware of variable speed limits. Some parts of the Autobahn may have no limit, while others may have strict limits based on traffic conditions. Speed checks are automated, and fines can be issued for even a small excess.

I once got caught driving 7 km/h over a variable speed limit and received a fine of €30, which was not that bad. Unforturately, the rental company added an additional €60 for admin, which was, in my opinion, a scam.

Parking in Germany

Parking in Germany is relatively easy in rural areas, but it can be challenging in big cities.

Many German cities have a Blue Zone for resident parking only. These may be entire neighbourhoods as well as just one side of the street. The only thing you should do is to avoid these areas to prevent hefty fines.

In general, you’ll need to pay for parking at meters, but parking apps like Parkopedia or EasyPark can make the process even easier and in English. EasyPark is my favourite as I can top up as I go, just in case I am having a good time at the pub 😉

By the way, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers is:

• 0.05% for most drivers
• 0.00% for novice drivers (those who have held a driver’s license for less than two years)

Consider that for a BAC of 0.05%, you may be able to drink about 1 beer depending on factors like your body weight, gender, and how quickly you consume the beer. Remember that a standard beer in Germany is 500ml (half a litre). Two beers may take you over the limit and police checks are not unusual.

Tip: If you’re visiting historical city centers, consider parking in multi-story parking garages, which typically cost between €3-5 per hour. If you plan to park for a longer period, you can save by purchasing a day ticket.

Gas Stations and Fuel Prices

You’ll find petrol (Benzin) and diesel fuel stations all over Germany. To save on fuel, try filling up at stations near supermarkets as they tend to have cheaper prices.

Fuel Tip: Use Google Maps to find nearby gas stations and compare prices, so you can head to the most affordable one. Just search for “petrol/gas stations” and you will have all highlighted with the daily price, very handy.

Traffic and Local Driving Culture

Driving in Germany is a smooth experience. German drivers are disciplined, and traffic on the Autobahn flows well, especially when everyone sticks to the rules.

During peak hours or on Fridays, traffic in cities can get congested, as many people travel to the mountains, lakes, or coastal areas for the weekend.

When I used to live in Munich, I typically avoided to travel outside the city on Friday afternoon. The queues direction Austria were (in)famous.

Driving during off-peak hours is generally stress-free. Just remember to stay on the right unless overtaking on the Autobahn.

Scams to Avoid

Germany has a reputation for being fair and transparent when it comes to car rentals, and I personally haven’t encountered any scams here.

That said, it’s always a good idea to document the car’s condition before and after your rental with photos and videos. This way, you can avoid potential misunderstandings about pre-existing damage.

Also consider that damages to the interior of the car are usually not covered by any insurance and taking photos of the seats, dashboard, and other interior elements is always a good practice to document their condition before you drive off.

My video

Do it or not

Overall, I highly suggest hiring a car in Germany. You will be able to discover so much of this unique country beyond the main cities.

Besides, if travelling with luggages, it’s going to be so much easier to get around. I did a trip with my family in the mountains once, and I was so happy to just transport the heavy luggages from the boot of the car to the room, but no longer than that.

The only annoyance was finding parking when visiting the cities, but with the help of the host and a couple of apps like EasyPark, I soon learnt how to get around this issue.