Car hire in Germany

Fairytale castles and stein-hoisting Bavarians provide great contrast to the chic underbelly of Germany’s Berlin and the dynamism of Frankfurt. With some 80 officially designated scenic roads and the world’s greatest motorways, you can bet Germany is a sublime place for a drive. Compare Germany car hire rates and the latest offers from dozens of international companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz and others here.  

Car hire driving tips in Germany

Germany’s domestic flight network, trains and buses are all excellent ways to hop about this massive country. But if you want to actually see any of its fairytale countryside and ancient forests, you’ll need to hit the road. And what roads they are! German engineering and a rich automotive culture ensure that driving is taken seriously here. From the autobahn to the scenic back roads, car hire in Germany is well covered and certainly good value considering the steep price of public transportation.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: most foreign driving licenses are accepted in Germany although an International Driving Permit is recommended.

Which side does Germany drives on: the right.

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 130kph

National or provincial roads: 100kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. This limit is strictly enforced on German roads, with large fines and possible driving license suspension or a lifetime German driving ban for those caught drink driving.

Driving age: 18 years.

Compulsory items: a reflective emergency triangle and a first-aid kit are legally required to be in every car in Germany.

Seatbelts: every passenger in the vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt. Children 12 years or younger must sit in the back seat in a special child safety seat.

Mobile phones and GPS: driving while using a mobile phone is punishable by a fine. A GPS device can be added to most rental cars and often proves useful when taking long cruises on Germany’s many scenic roads. CarRentals offers GPS as an added extra if you decide to rent a car in Germany using our search engine.

Cost of fuel in Germany: unleaded petrol and diesel fuel are both more expensive in Germany than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: If you reserve rental car in Germany ensure the person who rents the car provides a valid credit card to act as a deposit against damages. Most petrol stations are self-service and nearly all accept major credit cards at the pump.

Insurance: the government requires liability insurance to be provided with your Germany hire car. Drivers aged 18 to 24 years must purchase theft and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance by law and may also be charged a young driver fee by the car rental company.

Traffic and parking: parking on the street is common in German towns. A white and blue sign with a ‘P’ indicates that parking is allowed. Check the sign for specific rules about allowed parking days and times. If you leave your vehicle for more than three minutes, you are considered parked and will be fined if in violation. Most cities use self-pay ticket kiosks to monitor street-side parking. Traffic in German cities is no worse than in other European cities. Expect amazingly smooth driving conditions on the autobahns.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Romantic Road – endearing medieval towns dot the entire length of this hugely popular route that stretches from the Bavarian Alps to the historic Main River.

Fairytale Road – arguably the most magical driving route in Europe, the tales of the Brothers Grimm are brought to life in the real destinations covered on this 595km road. 

Alpine Road – experience 480kms of outstanding architecture and majestic mountain scenery as this lazy route wanders its way along the ancient foothills of the Bavarian Alps.

Mosel Valley – pass through Germany’s most famous wine country in this branch of the Rhine river valley, stopping off to taste some the world’s best vintages and soak in the timeless ambiance of a dozen or so enchanting riverside towns.

Germany travel tips 

Beer or wine? Castle or nightclub? Germany offers visitors 100 ways or more to enjoy themselves, from the magically romantic to edgy thrills. The Germans make great hosts and their entire country is well-versed in dealing with English-speaking travellers in search of fun, adventure and a relaxing holiday. Whether it is big city Berlin or a chalet in the Black Forest, it is all here and easy to get to with a rental vehicle. Buy cheap car hire in Germany with CarRentals and experience the freedom of seeing the sites in your own time. If you see something which catches your eye and you would like to stop and take a photo you can just pull over. This is not possible if you opt for public transport.

Germany weather and tourist seasons

Most of Germany’s climate is affected by winds from the Atlantic, keeping conditions mild and somewhat rainy most of the year. In the east of the country, winters are cold and snowy while summers tend to be hot and humid. Nationwide average temperatures in January are 3°C and in July, 22°C. Germany is busiest from May to September and around the New Year holidays. For a quieter time, visit between January and April.

Germany contact numbers (+49)

Emergency services – 112

British Consular emergency services – 49 30 20457

British Embassy – 49 30 20457

US Embassy – 49 30 83050

Irish Embassy – 49 30 220720

Canadian Embassy – 49 30 203120

Australian Embassy – 49 30 880088

Holidays and festivals

With a healthy 15 national annual holidays in Germany, there are plenty of excuses to take a weekend getaway. They are an even split of religious Christian days, historical days of remembrance and European favourites like New Year’s Day (1 January) and Labour Day (1 May). Like the rest of Europe, Germany sees its nationals take their holidays in August so expect much busier conditions in the popular travel spots like the Alps and wine country at this time. Christmas is a major festival week in Germany, with many towns putting on world-class light displays and special winter markets.

Money matters

The euro is the currency used in Germany. Foreigners can expect to find exchange services in all banks, post offices, bureaux de change, hotels, airports and train stations. Travellers cheques are best exchanged in bureaux de change as banks won’t convert them and shops do not accept them for payment. ATMs are easily located in any town centre and typically work with UK bank cards. Banking hours are generally Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.

Health and safety

There is no need for vaccinations before visiting Germany although hepatitis shots are advised as this disease is a common issue worldwide. In the event of an emergency illness, all EU citizens will receive free or subsidised healthcare in a German hospital provided they show their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU citizens are highly advised to buy travel insurance due to the high cost of healthcare in Germany.

Fitting in…

Germans are masters of organisation and planning. They appreciate schedules and punctuality and love a tidy environment. If you respect their land and exhibit timeliness, there won’t be any problems. Don’t expect an instant warm welcome, either. The inner sanctum of a German’s life takes a bit of time to gain entry.

Visas for Germany

A passport with at least six months of validity from the date of entry is all that is required for a three-month stay in Germany for citizens of the UK, the US, Australia and Canada. EU nation residents, of course, can come and go as they like. Visitors from other nations are advised to contact their local Germany embassy for specific rules regarding visas.

Electricity

Germany uses 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz, as its voltage and outlets here accept the round two-pin plugs common throughout Europe. An adapter may therefore be necessary for most electronics from the UK and the US.

Business hours
Most shops in Germany open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 20:00 and nearly every business closes on Sundays, except vital shops like bakeries. Offices and official agencies open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00. Germans are extremely conscious of business hours so don’t expect to find casual opening and closing times.

Helpful phrases

Ja/nein – Yes/no

Bitte/danke - Please/thanks

Gern geschehen – You’re welcome

Guten tag – Hello

Auf wiedersehen – Goodbye

Ich verstehe nicht – I don’t understand

Bier – beer!

Resources online

www.germany.travel/en/index.html

www.wikitravel.org/en/Germany