Finding the very best car hire deal for your Germany trip starts with popping a few small bits of information into the AirportRentals.com search box (basic things like where and when you plan to pick up/drop off your rental). Once that’s sorted, you’ll be presented with matching deals from a variety of suppliers for you to pick from. Narrowing down your choices is easy, with options to filter by things like transmission type, vehicle type, rental brand, etc - plus, the cheapest deals will always be at the top by default! Once you’ve found the perfect deal for your trip, booking the rental will only take a couple more minutes.
Germany has many distinct regions, each with their own set of charms and attractions, so the place you fly into will definitely have an impact on how your trip starts out at least. Fortunately, no matter which slice of the country you’re hoping to visit, chances are you’ll be able to pick up a cheap car hire in that corner of Germany.
● Frankfurt car rental - Reminiscent of Manhattan in many ways, Frankfurt is a city of soaring skyscrapers and high powered business and finance - but when you get away from the steel and glass towers you can discover the older, gentler face of Frankfurt: boutiques, cafes, gardens and parks abound, providing a relaxing alternative to the CBD bustle.
● Dusseldorf car rental - The late 20th/early 21st centuries have been kind to Dusseldorf: the city has grown into a stylish, trendy destination in the past few decades. The cutting edge architecture of Medienhafen has garnered international attention, the Altstadt riverside quarter is one of the best nightlife spots in the country, and events like Carneval, Nacht der Museen and the Christmas market bring even more life to this fascinating city.
● Hamburg car rental - Despite sitting about 100 kilometres from the sea, Hamburg is Europe’s second busiest port and one of the wealthiest cities on the continent. It also has an impressive cultural scene, hosting one of the most important opera houses in the country, a famed classical music hall, and a diverse collection of theatres.
● Berlin car rental - Germany’s capital city has a famously chequered history, but today this is one of the best places in the world to go for a good time. In spite of its impressive size, Berlin has the warmth and personality of a much smaller city. Food and drink are holy sacraments here, party animals of every persuasion will find a home in Berlin, and the city holds its own on the world stage when it comes to arts and culture.
● Stuttgart car rental - Although Stuttgart has a reputation for fast-paced, high-class living within Germany, that’s certainly not the whole story. This is also a city of vineyards, valleys and parks, a perfect place to unwind and bask in the heritage of this elegant city.
● Cologne car rental - Cologne lies a little to the south of Dusseldorf and shares a friendly rivalry with its northern neighbour. It’s worth visiting the city for its impressive medieval churches alone, but you could also head to Schildergasse or Hohe Straße for a spot of retail therapy, enjoy the nightlife on the Cologne Ring boulevards or peruse Cologne’s museums to get an insight into the city’s storied history.
Car rental suppliers in Germany
There’s a generous selection of suppliers to choose from when you come to rent a car in Germany. This gives you a much better opportunity to single out a cheap car rental for your Germany visit, and means you can opt to hire from some of the biggest international names in the car hire business like Thrifty, Avis, Europcar and Hertz. You could also hunt out amazing deals with less famous suppliers like Buchbinder, Global Drive or Interrent - the choice is yours!
Germany road rules
Like the rest of mainland Europe, traffic travels on the right in Germany. If you’re visiting from somewhere like the UK or Australasia, just take a little care at intersections and remember to only pass on the left - you’ll get used to the change pretty quickly. If you’ve had a drink or two, it’s best to let someone else get behind the wheel - the blood alcohol limit in Germany is just 0.05%, which can put some people over the limit after a single drink, so don’t risk it. There are two default speed limits in Germany: 50 km/h in built up urban/suburban areas and 100 km/h on the open road. Then of course there are the world-famous autobahns. They’re known for their lack of speed limits, but the reality is a little more complex. The recommended speed is 130 km/h, and there are actually many autobahn sections which do have posted speed limits. Compulsory speed limit signs have black numbers surrounded by a red circle, while recommended limits are signified by white numbers in a blue square. It’s extremely important to drive carefully on Germany’s autobahns, given the speeds involved - if you aren’t comfortable driving at least 130 km/h, move to the right hand lane.
Germany driving tips
● Most Germans are very good drivers, thanks to the rigorous requirements for obtaining a licence in this country, but they may be more aggressive than you’re used to. Drive decisively, and don’t be alarmed if locals take a proactive approach to getting ahead - chances are, they know what they’re doing.
● Even on the autobahn stretches that don’t have a posted limit, always drive to the conditions. Rain, poor visibility, or a number of other factors might mean you need to take it slower than you otherwise would be able to.
● Don’t forget to always carry a valid driver’s licence, proof of insurance and proof of hire for your car rental.
