Germany Car Hire

Find the best deals in Germany

With a massive choice from the biggest brands, Enjoy the best way to find the best prices for car hire in Germany.

  • Huge choice of cars to suit every budget
  • Save up to 70% compared to buying on the day
  • 10 years experience in car hire

Compare Car Hire in Germany

  • Birthplace of Einstein, the Bratwurst and Gummy Bears, Germany is a country of invention and discovery. With around 230,000 kilometres of roads, ranging from motorway (autobahn) to national and regional roads, you can explore all it has to offer easily and efficiently.
  • From fairy-tale-castles to majestic mountains, there is a romance to the scenery of Germany, and the country boasts some spectacular road journeys. One of the most beautiful routes is the Alpine Road from Lake Constance to Lake Königssee. Don’t get lost! Be sure to add a Sat-Nav to your car hire booking.
  • Although there is no universal speed limit on many German roads it’s important to understand this does not apply to all roads, even all motorways/autobahns. Cars travelling on motorways and dual carriageways shouldn’t exceed the recommended 130km/h. This reduces to 100km/h on other roads outside of built-up areas. There is a limit of 50 km/h for built-up areas. Remember this is only a rough-guide, it’s important to take notice of relevant signage as you drive.
  • It’s worth keeping in mind there may be major changes for British drivers in Europe after Brexit. For further guidance visit the UK Government information page.

Guide to Germany

From a Language to an Empire

Reference to Germania can be traced back to the Romans, Julius Caesar specifically, who identified it as such. However, people have lived and flourished in the region we know as Germany today for even longer. The Germanic people were distinctive from their Celtic neighbours in Gaul, because of their use of an early Germanic language. It was this language which bound the people of this region more than a sense of identity attached to land or boundaries. It is not until the 19th Century, under Prussian Prime Minister Bismarck, that we see various kingdoms, and cities coming together as the German Empire. The territory of the empire soon extended to Africa and beyond.

By the 1900s Germany was the most significant power on continental Europe, leading to competition and clashes with Britain, France and others. The first half of the 20th Century was dominated by conflict including the first and second world wars.

From the Shadow of War to Modern Economy

In the years since the Second World War Germany has developed into a modern, diverse and innovative nation. It is the economic powerhouse of Europe, with a population of 82 million. Its GDP stands at around $4trillion, over $1trillion more than that of Britain or France.

Germany is an important member of the European Union and uses the Euro currency.

A Land of Culture, Philosophy and Science

There is a long tradition of arts and culture in Germany. Artist Albrecht Dürer (1471 – 1528) was born in the city of Nuremburg and is known as the Da Vinci of the Northern Renaissance. He was a master-draughtsman, printer and painter and painted the oldest known self-portrait in the history of art. A number of the world’s greatest philosophers had their beginnings in Germany, including much-quoted Friedrich Nietzsche and important political theorist Hannah Arendt. Germany also brought the world major scientific contributions including the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz.

What to visit in Germany?

Magnificent Cities

Germany has several major cities, and all are worth visiting. The capital city of Berlin is known as the City of Freedom and has come to symbolise unification and reconciliation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Remnants of the wall remain, and some have been repurposed into interesting tourist attractions, such as the East Side Gallery. This section of wall is the longest open-air gallery in the world and displays world-class street art.

For a completely different city head to Nuremberg. It has a wonderfully diverse range of architecture and you can see timber-framed-medieval buildings next to contemporary glass and steel buildings. While here be sure to visit the house of Albrecht Dürer, the only surviving house of a 16th Century artist in Northern Europe. For something a bit darker why not head underground to explore the historic rock-cut cellars, once used as a prison.

The Great Outdoors

A land of myth, legend and fairy-tale. Germany boasts a wealth of opportunities to explore the great outdoors, in fact around 32% of the entire country is forest. An excellent place to explore the wilder side of Germany is in the Black Forest region. Here you will find an array of natural beauty spots such as the spectacular Triberg Waterfalls, one of the largest in Germany, they have inspired artists, poets and tourists alike.

Getting to and from Germany

All major cities in Germany have international airports. The busiest are Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa is the national airline. Most major carriers fly in and out of Germany, as well as many budget airlines. Car hire is available at all major German airports.

However you get in to Germany, hiring a car with Enjoy Travel will give you the freedom and flexibility to discover, explore and fall in love with its cosmopolitan cities and fairy-tale landscapes.

Some rules of the German road:

  • You must be 18 or older to drive
  • You must drive on the right
  • Seatbelts must be worn by the driver and passengers
  • Always carry your driving licence. Citizens of the EU, and a number of non-member European countries only need their regular driving licence. Travellers from other countries may need further documentation or an international licence.
  • The blood alcohol limit is 0.05%
  • Do not use a handheld phone while driving
  • Children under 3 must travel in the rear of the vehicle
  • Children under 12 and under 1.50m must be in a child seat/restraint

Hiring a car in German airports

Booking your car advance through Enjoy Travel offers advantages; you’ll save money and have a far greater choice with regard to the type of vehicle you get. Car hire in Germany starts at around €15 a day (depending on your requirements) but costs vary throughout the year, and from location to location. Car hire companies at German airports include InterRent, Alamo and Enterprise.

Remember: Make sure you understand what is required of you when driving in Germany, such as toll roads and speed limits, the information on this site is a good starting point, but it’s important to do your own research.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Germany

● If your itinerary includes exploring other countries besides Germany, such as the neighboring Austria, most car hire agencies allow you to cross the border with your hire car. There is often a fee associated with this though, depending on the company.

● The price is also higher if you're crossing over to a non-EU country. You also have to make sure your car model is acceptable by the destination country and that are familiar with their speed limits and other traffic laws.

● You'll also need a valid driving licence that is admitted in both countries.

● Having your own car in Germany, even if it's a car rental, will improve your travel experience significantly. Finding a cheap car hire will allow you to go on a road trip, visit East Germany and Southern Germany, which are some of the more popular parts.

● Germany is popular for its bustling cities, half timbered houses, Rhine Valley, rural areas, Brandenburg gate and many more, but it will be hard to see everything in time or even reach some of them unless you go for a car hire in Germany.

● The best car for your depends on whether you're traveling with family and also which parts of the country you want to cover. If most of your stay in Germany will be near the city centre of major cities or if you plan to just visit a port city then you should go for a compact car hire in Germany.

● Your age also comes into play when going for a car hire in Germany as there's often a young driver surcharge.

● A big number of users found Germany car hire deals for less than £32 per day.

● Booking your rental car in Germany in advance, even if it's only by a single day before you set out for your trip, you are guaranteed to get below-average cheap car hire options and a wider variety of vehicle types and models.

● Rental car locations not in or near the Airport in Germany are generally way more expensive than airport car hire companies. Car hire locations out of the major airports can charge you up to 70% more. Major cities also don't give the flexibility of pick up points and drop off location right where you land or depart from.

● For this very reason the best car hire deals can be found in the Major Airports and not the major German cities or even the German Capital, Berlin including the city centre.

● The car hire company available in the airport is very easy to find and very accessible. The hire car you'll get there will not only make the trip much more comfortable but also will be available as soon as you set foot in the country.

● For this last point it's incredibly important to book your Germany car hire in advance. This ensure you'll get the car type you prefer and also that you'll get a very cheap car hire offer.

● An economy car rental in Germany is way cheaper than other available car rental types averagely.

Got a Question? Chat with our UK support team

Online chat help is open 08:30am to 17:00 weekdays. Email: [email protected]

ENJOY FAIR FUEL POLICY

FAQs about car hire in Germany

Most frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Germany

The cheapest German car hire with Enjoy is usually Inter-Rent but you’ll find all the options on our website which are calculated daily.
The recommended maximum speed on motorways is 130km/h and 100km/h on other roads outside of built up areas. In built up areas this reduces to 50km/h. This information is only for guidance always obey local signage.
You can hire a BMW 3 Series from €35 per day.
You can hire a Ford Transit van from £45 per day.
You can hire a Fiat Panda or similar from around €16 per day depending on the time of year.
It depends on the time of year and the type of car but expect prices to start from around £133 (approx. £16 per day).
This is dependent on the time of year, type of car and collection location. For example, in Munich during March you’ll be looking to pay around £17 per day for a small car. With Enjoy Travel you can search according to date, pick up and filter the car type.
Our partners have a wide range of vehicles available throughout the year, including premium and luxury cars. A BMW 3 series or a Mercedes C Class start from £35 per day.
No. This is a myth. Although there are some autobahn routes without, most do have a speed limit. It’s important to take notice of relevant signage, police can issue on the spot fines. 130km/h (80.7mp/h) is the recommended maximum speed on motorways in Germany.
This is possible with many of our German partners for a reasonable additional fee, known as a ‘one-way’ charge.
It takes around three and a half hours to drive from Munich airport to Baden-Baden, an excellent base for exploring the many sights of the Black Forest.
The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% Germany has a strict approach to driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Punishment can include severe fines and even prison sentences.
You can at the moment, as long as you have a full UK Driving License. Keep an eye on the rules after Brexit, as additional documentation may be necessary.
This really depends on your specific needs and budget. Think carefully about how much space you need for you, your passengers and luggage. Take a look at what is available within your price-range on Enjoy Travel so that your decision is as informed as possible.
Germany is one of the more expensive countries in Europe. You’ll spend approximately €107 per day.
Germany is a great country for road trips and renting a car makes it possible, so we’d say yes.
In Germany, the weather is good everywhere in June, July, August and September.
It starts at €136 for a week, which means more or less €19 a day.
Car hire for a month in Germany would be €616, or €20 per day.
The average price of a litre of fuel in Germany can vary between EUR 1.22 and EUR 1.10.
Explore popular places in Germany

Enter your email address for the latest discount codes and special offers across car hire, holiday accomodation and much more!

Get the latest travel news and offers
Thanks for signing up