If you want to explore some of Germany’s neighboring countries like Austria, you can cross the border with your rental car. Depending on your rental company and from which city or airport you want to travel, crossing the border can be free or might cost up to €24 ($27) per day; the price will likely increase if you are traveling to a non-EU country. If you plan to cross over to Poland, you will have to check that your car model is accepted, as certain models are forbidden.
If you are bringing children to Germany, you will need to follow the child car seat laws. Children below 1.5 m (4 ft 10 in) in height are required to travel in a car seat in the rear of the car, unless they are babies, who may sit in the front seat facing backwards. You may rent a car seat from your car hire agency for around €15 ($17) a day.
The best way to discover the country is to rent a car in Germany. If you are planning a road trip, consider taking the 600 km (370 mi) "Germany Fairy Tale Road" from Hanau to Baunatal, where the Brothers Grimm stories took inspiration. Renting a sedan model will provide you with the most comfort for long journeys and is ideal for those with a lot of luggage.
If you plan to drive in some of Germany’s major cities, you will notice environmental "green zones" (or "umweltzonen"), which means that cars need to have a special sticker ("umweltplakette") for entry. These cost €6 ($6.79), and you will be fined without one.
25% of our users found rental cars in Germany for ₪199 or less
Book your rental car in Germany at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
Off-airport rental car locations in Germany are around 33% more expensive than airport locations on average
Standard rental cars in Germany are around 25% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Germany
On average a rental car in Germany costs ₪142 per day.
Mini (Fiat 500 or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Germany.
In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Ok Mobility (₪121/day).
Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Germany are Wesel (56% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Germany), Hannover (22%) and Mainz (11%).
On average a rental car in Germany costs ₪1,168 per week (₪167 per day).
On average a rental car in Germany costs ₪5,004 per month (₪167 per day).
You will need to remember to drive on the right-hand side of the road when you rent a car in Germany. The roads are very well maintained and the highways are clearly signposted, allowing traffic to flow smoothly. When you see blue highway signs, you will be driving on an Autobahn that consists of three lanes. When at a junction, you must give priority to those on the right. You must also always carry a warning triangle and add headlamp beam deflectors to your car. The only toll roads that you will encounter are at the Warnow and Herrem Tunnels.
If you plan to rent a car in Germany, the minimum age for drivers is 21 years. You will need to provide a valid driver’s license and passport. If a driver is under the age of 23, there is also a young driver surcharge. For non-European drivers, your license will be accepted only if you have been in the EU for less than six months and have no visas.
When you rent a car in Germany, you will find that the average price of petrol in Germany is considerably higher, at €1.53 ($1.72) per liter (around $6.31 per gallon). You will find plenty of 24h petrol stations along most major roads, offering both self- and full-service; plus, they will accept credit cards.
When you drive in Germany, you need to be aware that each road has its own speed restriction. On most Autobahns, there are no maximum speed limits, although the recommended top speed is 130 km/h (80 mph). In rural areas the speed limit is 100 km/h (62 mph) while in urban areas the limit decreases to 50 km/h (31 mph).
The rates displayed include all taxes and fees for car rentals for the class listed and were found by KAYAK users in the last 48 hours. Offers are subject to change and may not be available on all car rentals listed or dates of travel. Some car rental providers charge additional fees for other services (GPS, infant car seats, etc.). Please check the car rental providers' sites.