When moving from city to city in Germany, the country’s rail system makes for delightfully easy and fast travel. Some trains reach speeds of 200 mph and it’s great to let someone else do the “driving.” But if you want to really see the countryside, the small towns and villages, the “real” Germany, you must rent a car.

Driving in Germany

Having heard about high speeds on the Autobahn, many North Americans are apprehensive about driving in Germany. While it’s true that portions of the Autobahn system have no speed limit, you’ll find posted limits, usually 60 to 130 kph in sections of consistently high traffic volume, or when there is construction or adverse weather conditions. In truth, there are not a lot of really long stretches of highway anymore where drivers can go flat out. The idea of going 200 kph per hour from Frankfurt to Munich is a myth. There may be parts where that speed is attainable but most of the way will be much slower. (See driving the Autobahn.) On regular roads and surface streets, speeds are pretty much the same as they are in North America. Most roads and highways are better maintained than those in the U.S.A. and it is my view that Germans are better drivers. They are more predictable, they scrupulously move to the right lane to let faster vehicles pass, and in general are more tolerant of other drivers—though you can expect to be tailgated if you don’t keep up with the flow of traffic. Good information in English about driving in Germany can be found at HowtoGermany.com. For how to survive on the Autobahn, read Driving the Autobahn in a European Rental Car

Where to rent the car in Germany

Companies such as Europcar, Avis, Hertz and Sixt have literally hundreds of offices throughout Germany. However, since there is a 20% surcharge on rentals commencing at German airports and rail stations you will probably want to pickup your car at a city office.www.gemut.com 800-521-6722 Rent a Car in GermanyThough a rental car in Germany will cost the same in a small town as in big cities like Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg, you’ll get more knowledgeable service and a better selection of vehicles in metropolitan areas. For example, even though you have a confirmed booking for an automatic transmission, complaints about an automatic not been available invariably come from smaller towns than from major cities. Insurance can be another problem at a small-town rental counter that sees few North American customers. Since their credit cards rarely provide collision and theft coverage, Europeans routinely purchase the optional insurance. Thus rental agents unused to dealing with North American often assume they, too, want the optional coverage. If you aren’t careful when signing the rental contract you could come home a substantial, unintended charge for insurance on your credit card statement.

In what countries can I drive my German rental car?

For the most part, German rental cars can be driven throughout Western Europe. Italy is off-limits for more expensive cars such as Mercedes, BWM, and Audi. A few very expensive luxury models are not allowed to leave Germany. When it comes to travel to former eastern bloc countries, Some German rental car companies (notably Avis) allow travel for a limited number of makes and models— mostly Opels, Fords, and Skodas. You will pay a small premium to take those cars to Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. However, the price will be even higher and there may additional fees as well if you plan to venture in to such countries as Bulgaria, Romania, Bosnia, Montenegro, and countries that were part of the former Soviet Union. Your booking confirmation and rental contract should specify just where you can and cannot drive your Germany rental car.

What is guaranteed with a Germany car rental booking

First you need to know that all rental companies guarantee by category, not specific make or model. When your reservation says “four-door, manual transmission, compact VW Golf or similar with a/c” it means that you’re guaranteed an air-conditioned car in the compact category with four doors and manual transmission. The “or similar” language means you will get a Golf or a car similar to a Golf, such as a Ford Focus, Opel Astra or other compact car.

Once in a great while your reservation might specify a diesel engine, but for the most part this is a feature you must request at the time of rental. Higher end cars come with factory-installed GPS. But for most economy, compact or intermediate rental cars in Germany you’ll have to pay a few euros per day extra for a portable GPS device. Whether factory-installed or portable, don’t expect your GPS to work outside of Germany. Unlike a dozen years ago, most cars in Germany are now air-conditioned. Only the smallest, economy cars are not air-conditioned.

Forget about requesting such items as a certain color, a hatchback, or a sunroof. You will be wasting your time. However, most economy and compact cars are hatchbacks and most of the sedans have a regular trunk. A few cars have sunroof, mostly intermediates and above, but it’s not a feature than can be guaranteed or even requested, except at the rental counter. Virtually all rental cars in Germany are equipped with a radio and CD player.

You can expect that your rental car in Germany will carry all necessary safety equipment required by law with the exception of winter tires (See Winter Tires), which are a substantial extra charge. Some major cities have established “Green Zones” and require cars to have a special permit to drive in them. Your Germany rental car will have the necessary stickers. However, unless you get lucky, your rental car in Germany will not come with stickers for Autobahn travel in other countries that require them, such as Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

Common Additional Fees

Like all European countries, Germany car rental contracts call for fees over and above the basic rate. Price quotes from most car rental companies and brokers include value added tax, unlimited kilometers, plus third-party liability and fire insurance, and "premium station" fees if the rental originates at an airport or rail station. There can be other fees, however. They include:

• Additional Drivers: Europcar in Germany waives the additional driver fee for spouses and immediate family members with the same last name. Otherwise Europcar charges about 5 euros per day to a maximum of 30 euros. Avis charges 17 euros per day to a maximum of 119 euros for each extra driver. Hertz's fee is a flat $65 per rental per driver, and Sixt does not charge for additional drivers.
• Winter Tires: Not mandatory for Germany car rentals but you can be fined if caught driving in snow without them. Must be requested at the time of booking. Cost is about $20 per day to a maximum of about $150 per rental.
• Road/Registration Fees: Typically about $1 - $1.50 per day.
• GPS: Sometimes free on upscale cars but not on economy, compact or midsize vehicles. Prices vary from Europcar's 4.65 euros per day to Hertz's charge of 16.75 euros per day. Most GPS systems furnished with Germany rental cars operate only in Germany.
• Age Restrictions: There is no upper age limit on rental car drivers in Germany. A valid license from your country of origin is necessary, however. Minimum driving age is 19. Drivers under 23 are often required to purchase CDW.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): We have begun to hear that some rental stations in Germany will not rent to North Americans without an IDP, thus we strongly recommend you obtain one. They are available for about $15 at AAA and American Auto Club offices. The IDP supplements but does not replace valid U.S./Canada driver's license which you must have to rent a car anywhere in Europe.
• Geographic Restrictions: Most Germany car rentals can be driven anywhere in Western Europe. Cars that can be driven to former Eastern bloc countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary are available at a slightly higher price. Cars bound for countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and former Soviet Union countries will cost more and may require additional insurance. Certain cars may not be taken to Italy and most cars rented in Germany are not permitted to travel to Africa or to any non-German islands.
• Equipment Rental: Baby/child seats are usually available for about $10 per day on Germany car rentals to a maximum of about $65 per rental. Ski racks are available for most cars at about $9 per day to a maximum of about $60 per rental. Luggage racks are generally not available on Germany rental cars.
• Germany Car Rental Delivery/Collection: For an additional fee, and under certain conditions, most Germany car rentals of more than four days can be scheduled for hotel delivery and/or collection. Fees start at around $35.

What about insurance on my Germany rental car?

Liability and fire insurance are included in the basic price of all rental car contracts in Germany. Coverage for damage to, or theft of, the vehicle, however, is a different story. Please read European Car Rentals: Credit Cards and Insurance. Other suggested reading: Those Tricky European Car Rental Contracts and Avoiding Unwanted CDW Charges

One-way rental car fees in Germany

Generally speaking there are none for rental cars picked up and returned with Germany. The lone exception is Hertz, which charges 20 euros to drop at a different location than the pick-up location. For example, if you pick-up the car at the Frankfurt Airport and want to drop it at the Frankfurt rail station, you’ll pay the 20 euros. Some Avis contracts call for a 30 euro fee if you drop the car other than the one “agreed upon” at the time of rental. In other words, if your contract calls for Frankfurt Airport pick-up and Munich Airport drop-off, and after the start of the rental you decide to drop it at a Munich downtown office, the 30 euro charge will be assessed. Of course, if you want to start a rental in Germany and end it in another country you’ll pay an international one-way fee. Such charges range from around $110 to more than $2,500, depending on the destination city and country.

In which currency is my Germany car rental booking guaranteed?

You should know in which currency is your booking guaranteed. If it’s euros you probably won’t pay until you pick up the car. That sounds good except, because of currency fluctuation, you won’t know exactly what you’ll pay until you get your credit card bill after the rental is over. In addition, if you pay in Germany, your credit card is very likely to assess a foreign transaction charge. Typically, that’s about three percent. (Note of caution: your Germany rental car vendor may present your bill in dollars. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion [DCC] and is not in your best interest. You’ll get a poor exchange rate as the rental company and the company that sells them DCC will split the difference between the inter-bank exchange rate and the DCC rate. It will cost you anywhere from three to five percent.)

Types of rental cars available in Germany

Economy Sedan Category: The economy category offers two and four-door models and virtually none have automatic transmission. This category is fine for one or two persons with luggage, but don’t expect much performance on the Autobahn. We doubt you’ll be comfortable at much over 80 mph. Typical cars at the VW Polo, Opel Corsa, and Ford Fiesta.

Compact Sedan Category: We recommend this four-door category for two or three persons plus luggage. These vehicles are OK on the Autobahn to about 95 mph. For a 25 to 50% increase in price you can book a compact with automatic transmission. Typical cars: VW Golf, Opel Astra, Ford Focus.

Intermediate Sedan Category: Unless the occupants travel with very large suitcases, these cars will accommodate four persons and luggage and are stable on the Autobahn at 100 to 105 mph. Automatics available at a 25% to 50% premium. Typical cars: VW Passat, Opel Astra, Skoda Octavia, Peugeot 407.

Fullsize Sedan Category: Rarely are the cars in this category larger than those in the intermediate category, though sometimes they are nearly double the price (see Myth of the Fullsize Rental Car). Cars in the fullsize category are just more desirable brands such as Mercedes, BMW or Volvo. The three-series BMW, for example, lacks trunk space and is not suitable for four persons and luggage. The C-Class Mercedes is also considered by Germany rental car companies as a fullsize vehicle but its overall dimensions are slightly smaller than the intermediate VW Passat. This category is likely to include factory-installed GPS in the basic price. With these cars the driver can begin to live in the left lane and be fairly comfortable up to about 110 mph. Suggested reading: The Myth of the Fullsize Sedan

Luxury/Premium Categories: If you’re looking for top German luxury cars—BMW (five and seven series), Mercedes (E-Class and S-Class) and Audi (A6 and A8)—these the categories for you. For those brave enough, some of these cars can loaf along at speeds of 125 mph…and more. At the rental counter you will probably be required to show two major credit cards and it’s also possible that your credit card will not cover for CDW and theft insurance. None of these vehicles will be allowed to travel in eastern countries and probably not in Italy as well. It it also likely that S-Class Mercedes, the seven-series BMW, and the Audi A8 will not be allowed out of Germany.

Station Wagon Categories: Wagons come in compact, intermediate, fullsize, and luxury categories. Generally speaking they provide more luggage space but not more passenger room than a corresponding category sedan. It very difficult—and expensive—to find station wagons with automatic transmission

Van Category: Two types of minivan are commonly available in Germany: a seven-passenger fullsize van such as the VW Multivan and the nine-passenger standard van such as the VW Caravelle. Rarely does either come with automatic transmission. We don’t recommend more than five passengers and luggage for the fullsize van, or more than six or, at a stretch, seven passengers for the standard van. Both vehicles are short of luggage space. Be aware that the fine print of most credit card insurance programs excludes the standard van. An exception is American Express’s Premium coverage which costs an extra $20 to $25, depending on the cardholder’s state of residence. Suggested reading: Renting a Van in Europe

Intermediate Special Category: The vehicles in this category are the so-called “crossovers” which combine van, SUV, and station wagon elements. The two most commonly found in German rental fleets are the VW Touran and the Opel Zafira. Though both are sold new with seven seats, that configuration is almost never available as a rental in Germany. The same goes for automatic transmission. In the five-passenger configuration there is a bit more luggage room than in an intermediate wagon. These vehicles are fine for four passengers but not more, unless the fifth is a child.

Book your rental car in Europe with Gemütlichkeit's travel department and get the best rates, personalized, knowledgeable service and our unique at-the-rental-counter safety net that ensures our customers get what they are promised. We book with all the major companies in more than 35 countries. If you have questions about rentals in Europe, or simply prefer to deal in-person, phone us at 800-521-6722.