Germany Car Rental

Guide to Germany

Geography

Located in west-central Europe, Germany stretches from the Alps in the south to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north. The central and southern regions are mostly made up of forests and mountains – such as the alluring Black Forest – while the northern part of the country is generally flat plains. The Danube, Main, and Rhine rivers criss-cross across the country, playing a key role in the economic landscape of the nation, including freight transport and hydroelectricity.

Climate

Germany’s climate can be classified as temperate, with cold and foggy winters and warm and sunny summers. The southern part of the country also sporadically receives warm, dry, and dusty winds from the Alps. During the winter, snow is not uncommon but it doesn’t last too long. However, precipitation affects all areas of the country equally. Although there are regional variations, winters can get as cold as -10° C (5°F) and summers can get as hot as 35° C (95° F).

When to visit Germany

The best time to visit would be in late early autumn (September – October), also known as harvest season, to witness the gorgeous reds, oranges, and browns that carpet the countryside. It’s really a pretty sight to behold. This is also when the world-famous Oktoberfest – a spectacular two-week-long celebration with copious amounts of beer (served by the liter!) and bretzel – a salty bread snack most recognizable by its distinctive knot shape. Alternatively, you can visit in the winter to make the most of Germany’s iconic Christmas markets and ski season on the Bavarian Alps!

Culture

Germany’s culture and its influential thinkers have influenced world history, politics, art, music in more ways than most people realize. Some of the most famous classical musicians – including Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Wagner – came from Deutschland. Today, the country is the world’s leading destination when it comes to techno, trance, and rock music, spearheaded by the punk, psytrance, and other alternative subcultures in Berlin.

In terms of festivals, Germany’s decadent Christmas markets (Weihnachten), booze-filled Oktoberfest, and carnival culture are known the world over. Not to forget architectural treasures, UNESCO has inscribed 46 German properties on the World Heritage List.

Things to do in Germany

See Brandenburg Gate

One of the most iconic landmarks in Germany is the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin’s Mitte district. This neoclassical structure is modeled on the Acropolis in Athens and is made of sandstone, measuring an impressive 197 feet including the Quadriga, the magnificent four-horse chariot that carries the goddess of victory perched atop. The towering Gate was severely damaged during WWII and, for a few decades, was part of the infamous Berlin Wall as a symbol of division between the east and west. These days, however, it represents the peace and unity of the German people. We suggest visiting in the evening when the Gate is beautifully illuminated.

Admire Cologne Cathedral

Standing on the banks of the Rhine River, the Cologne Cathedral is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture. Very much deserving of its spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, this magnificent Baroque-style church is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, covering 6166 square meters and boasting 56 huge pillars. Other highlights include the 12th and 13th-century stained glass in the Three Kings Chapel, and the Treasury with its many precious artifacts which survived the destruction of WWII. For panoramic vistas of the city, climb the 533 steps to the viewing platform in the South Tower.

Visit a fairytale castle

The castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, the Schloss Neuschwanstein sits on top of a rugged hill overlooking the pretty Bavarian village of Hohenschwangau. Exquisitely designed, this fantastical fortress was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the mid-19th century to serve as a retreat. He dedicated the castle to his favorite classical music composer, Richard Wagner. You can climb the hill on foot or take a horse ride to reach this spectacular castle. Take a guided tour to fully enjoy the gilded interiors, including the Throne Room and the Singer’s Hall.

Explore Museum Island

Settled on the Spree River, Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed paradise for museum lovers as it boasts not one, but five incredible museums in one place: The Old Museum, The New Museum, The National Gallery, The Bode Museum, and Pergamon Museum. From royal treasures straight from the vaults of Deutschland’s blue bloods to historic artifacts like the legendary bust of Queen Nefertiti, you could spend an entire day here and still not have seen even a quarter of all the Museum Island has to offer.

Hike and bike the countryside

Berchtesgaden, in southern Germany, is known for its enthralling natural beauty. Established in 1978, the eponymous national park was established to protect the indescribably stunning Berchtesgaden Alps which is perched on the border between Austria and the state of Bavaria. Mostly devoid of human interference, the park is a haven of lush forests, crystal clear lakes, steep rock faces, and sleepy meadows. You can opt for cycling, hiking or Nordic walking through gorgeous winding trails meant for the same. Do not miss Lake Konigssee, which is clearer than most Norwegian fjords.

Eating Out in Germany

German cuisine consists of many different local and regional cuisines and shares culinary traditions with neighboring European countries like Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria. While Germany is home to quite a large number of Michelin-starred restaurants, you shouldn’t miss trying out humble mom-and-pop style restaurants serving homemade delicacies, like sauerbraten, the national dish.

Some other must-try dishes while in Germany include: Wurst, Rouladen, Kasespatzle, Eintopf, Kartoffelpuffer, Brezel, and Schnitzel.

You didn’t think we forgot about dessert, did you? Satiate your sugar cravings with German sweet treats like Schnecken, Bienenstich, Lebkuchen, and Apple strudel.

Top restaurants across the country include: Marjellchen, Zur Haxe and Relish in Berlin, Restaurant Atelier Gourmet and Tantris in Munich, Alter Haferkasten and Restaurant Francais in Frankfurt.

Germany Transport

Airport

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Germany’s largest airport and is a major air traffic hub in Europe, linking 293 international destinations. Other important international airports include Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL), Berlin-Schönefeld Airport (SXF), Munich Airport (MUC), Hamburg Airport (HAM), and Dusseldorf Airport (DUS).

Getting around

Germany has a dense and modern transport infrastructure. Home of the world’s first superhighway, the Autobahn network, which connects Cologne and Bonn, is famous for not having a general speed limit for light vehicles. The Autobahn’s total length is over 13,000 kilometers, making it among the densest and longest highway systems in the world.

Germany also has a total of 43,486 kilometers of railways. Deutsche Bahn is the major German rail service operator, and the fastest high-speed train operated by Deutsche Bahn is the InterCity Express (ICE), which connects major German cities with international locations like Zurich, Vienna, Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.

Although the railway system is no doubt top-notch, many visitors traveling through Germany prefer to hire a car as it offers increased comfort, flexibility, and convenience. The highway system makes it a breeze to get from place to place via car and, if you’re traveling in a large group, a 7 seater or a 9 seater van would actually work out to be more cost-effective than taking the train. You can also do a one-way rental, which means that you can pick up your vehicle in one city – say Berlin – and drop it off in another – like Munich or Hamburg – before flying out, saving you the hassle of driving it back.