Car Rental - Germany

2,167 Views | 27 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by chickencoupe16
Dr. Doctor
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10:47a, 3/21/26
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Looking to go to Germany to visit family for 2 weeks in the summer. But we are getting in when school is still in session for Germany, so wanted to rent a car and drive to a few places vs. trains (2 hours vs. 8 hours+).

I know some basic rules of Germany, but obviously not as versed as the US. Any hiccups to renting overseas? Anything to avoid? Anything to get? Would be dragging family (4 total) around, so need something comfortable, but don't need something huge. Mostly would be day excursions.

Thanks.

~egon
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lb3
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11:01a, 3/21/26
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It's much like the US. Find the rental car counter at the airport, get keys, hunt through the garage until you find a car that beeps when you push the button on the fob. Drive in circles looking for the garage exit then you're on your way.
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malenurse
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11:20a, 3/21/26
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If you have a driving license in English you will probably be ok. Some smaller, regional, rental agencies may require an International Driving Permit. Even if not required, it is recommended that you get one.

Very simple process. I got an IDP online for $69.
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Dr. Doctor
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In reply to malenurse • 11:41a, 3/21/26
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malenurse said:
If you have a driving license in English you will probably be ok. Some smaller, regional, rental agencies may require an International Driving Permit. Even if not required, it is recommended that you get one.

Very simple process. I got an IDP online for $69.

How do I do that? Just online or is there a class for it?
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malenurse
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In reply to Dr. Doctor • 12:23p, 3/21/26
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Dr. Doctor said:
malenurse said:
If you have a driving license in English you will probably be ok. Some smaller, regional, rental agencies may require an International Driving Permit. Even if not required, it is recommended that you get one.

Very simple process. I got an IDP online for $69.

How do I do that? Just online or is there a class for it?

All online. Google International Driving Permit.

Found it, itaoffice.org
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njw92
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1:08p, 3/21/26
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Enterprise has partners in Germany. No trouble working through their website for pickup near Stuttgart and drop-off near Munich a few years ago. Drive like you're in the US. Be careful with parking, it is limited and the day/time windows can be tricky.
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dgb99
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2:21p, 3/21/26
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Watch out for camera/radar based tickets for speeding. I got one trying to get back to the airport to pickup a coworker and it was kind of a pain in the butt to deal with.
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crockerdan04
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10:25p, 3/21/26
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I've driven in Germany a few times now. Before I went the first time, I got one of the international licenses and then googled German road signs and learned what each meant. That helped quite a bit.

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chickencoupe16
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11:47p, 3/21/26
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If you can't drive a manual, be sure you rent an automatic.

Einbahnstrasse is not a common name for a street. It's one way street. Definitely read up on signs.

Frei parking is not free. It's vacant.

There are speedtrap cameras but most show up on Google Maps. That's assuming it's not now outlawed to have them on maps like it was in Austria.

The left lane is for passing only. This actually applies in Germany. Enter the left lane immediately before overtaking and get back into the right as soon as possible, even uncomfortably so.

There are 1600 meters in a mile. So an exit in 1 km is roughly in half a mile. Use that to gauge your need to make your way into the appropriate lane.
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TXTransplant
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6:39a, 3/22/26
Have not rented in Germany, but I have in Italy, the Azores (Portugal), and France.

I've only ever needed my US drivers license.

I always use Avis because I have a corporate code, which usually gets me the best rate and a little extra protection.

The only issues that have popped up were both in Italy. I believe that was the place where they told us at the counter that theft is not covered, and we would be held responsible if the car was stolen. I knew I was protected (via the rate and my cc coverage) from damage, but I had no idea about theft. It wasn't very expensive, so I added that overage at the counter, since I wasn't in a position to research it on the spot.

Second issue was at payment. I was forced to pay in US currency, even thought my cc allows for free international transactions. Turns out, this is something rental car companies sometimes write into the contract. They do it so they can charge you an extra 3-5% in "exchange fees". There is no way out of it once the contract is signed. My advice is to expect the car to cost more than the estimate you get when you book ahead.

Even though this currency exchange fee happened in Italy, I expect to see it more and more anytime I use my card in a foreign county. If paying for any thing by cc and the machine asks what currency you want to pay in, ALWAYS say local, if you want to avoid the exchange fees.
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Ikanizer
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7:00a, 3/22/26
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I will second the comment on left lane for passing only. Lane discipline is serious business in Europe.
Another thing that they have is priority roads. If you are on one you don't have to yield to crossing traffic. Look up the sign that indicates priority road. I think its a yellow square. On city streets its hard to tell which is which unless you're paying attention.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to TXTransplant • 8:11a, 3/22/26
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TXTransplant said:
I've only ever needed my US drivers license.


I'll second this. I've rented in Germany and Belgium and never needed an but my Texas license.

I did get some grief from a Swiss border guard because my license was vertical and my sister's was horizontal. He was just being a dick and if I needed an international license he definitely would have made an issue of it.
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sushi94
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11:34a, 3/22/26
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Went AAA office last week and got an IDP in about 20min. Cost was less than $30
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aggiedata
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2:20p, 3/22/26
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Ausfahrt means exit. It's not a town like my Aggie pal thought

Also don't camp out in the left lane on the Autobahn. Even if you think you are driving fast enough, you aren't.

If you see a driver making a bird sign with his hand, he's calling you ****oo on your driving.

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texpdx
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9:20p, 3/22/26
I go to Germany 2-4 times per year the past 12 years. I always rent a car as it is an enjoyable experience if you like driving.

1. Rent a car with one of the big rental companies. Make sure you chose an automatic. This usually results in a better car as the lower end cars are not always available in auto. not many large cars but you do not want anything large as parking becomes difficult in the garages with the larger cars.
2. All the rentals are nice and have been maintained. With that you will need to do a thorough inspection when you get the car. Any damage when you return will be charged immediately. The cars are always in a dark garage at the airport and when you return it is well lit. Make sure you mark any damage before leaving.
3. Before leaving make sure the car navigation and info is in english. They will help you at the rental center.
3. Speed, if in the left lane stay the pace and look back as there is always someone who wants to go faster. Around the larger cities the autobahn has dynamic speed. It is not the US. The limit is the limit. Follow it.
4. Many towns have speed cameras. Speed limits are not always posted so use the navi in the car or phone and follow the speed limit. In cities the speed limit is really slow. Wayze should tell you were all the cameras are located.
5. Follow the traffic lights and no right on red.

Enjoy it. Germany is a great country to visit, and people are for the most part friendly and helpful. Happy to share any other travel advice if you need it.
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EMY92
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3:06a, 3/23/26
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On the autobahn, driving 125-130 will put you in the left lane some, but don't spend long there. There will be someone coming up from behind that makes it seem like you're standing still. Before getting into the left lane, make sure that there is no one coming, look back, way back.
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vmiaptetr
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5:59a, 3/23/26
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Get a Dacia Sandero
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malenurse
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In reply to vmiaptetr • 9:13a, 3/23/26
AG
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to dgb99 • 11:10a, 3/23/26
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dgb99 said:
Watch out for camera/radar based tickets for speeding. I got one trying to get back to the airport to pickup a coworker and it was kind of a pain in the butt to deal with.

+1
It cost me more in wire transfer fees than the actual cost of the ticket.

I got it when I was coming back from fueling up the car before I headed to the airport to drop it off. I had done great all week but on the way out of the country, boom, I got a speed camera ticket.
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to crockerdan04 • 11:17a, 3/23/26
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crockerdan04 said:
I've driven in Germany a few times now. Before I went the first time, I got one of the international licenses and then googled German road signs and learned what each meant. That helped quite a bit.

I didn't have any trouble with the International signs because I grew up and technically learned to drive in Saudi Arabia.

But... figuring out the direction/instruction signs - Eingang, Ausfahrt, etc.

Einbahnstrasse is a good one to know


and of course my favorite - the no speed limit sign.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_signs_in_Germany
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to Dr. Doctor • 11:24a, 3/23/26
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I've posted on here before about my experience with the Turkish mafia who run the rental car counters at Frankfurt. (by the way, I'm not saying they're organized crime, but the Turks definitely have a stranglehold on the rental car operations at the Frankfurt airport)

Go over your rental with a fine tooth comb before you agree to take it and make sure that every single defect is documented. Especially any dents. Otherwise, on the way out, they might try to stick you for any damage.

It was a bad experience in 2017. But renting in 2025 didn't seem nearly as bad. So maybe they're not playing those games as much any more.
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to Dr. Doctor • 11:27a, 3/23/26
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One other one while I'm thinking about it.

Refuel in town. Don't refuel at one of the motorway rest stops on the Autobahn. When I did this last year, it was about a $2/gallon price difference. I think it cost me 131 Euro to refuel my Audi A6 when I was on the A8 driving from Munich towards Salzburg.
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Dr. Doctor
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1:02p, 3/23/26
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I'm visiting my sister who lives south of Frankfurt, so was looking at potentially renting in her town vs. Frankfurt. Because getting on the train and then getting off and walking 1/2 mile is much easier (and going back, much easier).

But there would be time between me getting there and going to a full 'family' vacation spot. Looking at the Porsche museum and/or BMW/Benz museum.

While I can drive stick, I'm haven't in like 15+ years, so not looking to 'relearn' on the autobahn.

Thanks for the tips/tricks. Now for the fun of booking tickets.... :-(

~egon
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to Dr. Doctor • 1:16p, 3/23/26
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Porsche was good. So was Mercedes. Can't remember which was better.
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GCRanger
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2:23p, 3/23/26
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We spent 10 days in Germany last summer and loved it. Sixt had a free upgrade to an Audi A6 (wagon). It was super nice and fast. However, it is super long and pretty wide which sucked in some of the small towns and trying to find street parking. One of the hotel garages was so small that everyone had to get out with our bags before parking and I had to wriggle my way in and out of the slightly cracked door. So be mindful of the size of car you rent. In hindsight we should have stuck with the shorter Opel crossover they originally had for us.

Also, take really good before and after pictures of the car and especially the rims for any dings. Sixt is fighting us over a ding on a rim that they say cost $900 to replace the rim. Our credit card has international rental insurance so they are battling it out. It's been 8 months and they are still going back and forth.
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HollywoodBQ
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In reply to chickencoupe16 • 3:25p, 3/23/26
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chickencoupe16 said:
Porsche was good. So was Mercedes. Can't remember which was better.

I got to see the end of the Porsche factory in 1978 because Mercedes was closed due to a terrorist threat (remember back when the terrorists used to be German?)

But in 2025, I was able to go back and visit:
  • BMW in Munich
  • Mercedes in Stuttgart
  • Porsche in Zuffenhausen (Stuttgart)
I've owned 3 BMWs so I was kind of biased but...
  • Mercedes was the best. And I recommend eating lunch in their restaurant. The Swabish potato salad was amazing - and I hate potato salad.
  • BMW was impressive for sure, especially if you're an enthusiast.
  • Porsche, you can see all you need to see in 2-3 hours.
With all 3, the history was fascinating. All 3 had sections to talk about their history and they all had a section to talk about their part in the Third Reich.

Not so much for Porsche but definitely for Mercedes, I recommend booking a tour in advance. Unfortunately due to a massive crash on the A8, I missed my tour time at the BMW Museum.

All 3 have unique models and historical cars that are well worth seeing.

If you could see only one, I'd make it Mercedes.
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aggiedata
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4:22p, 3/23/26
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Porsche factory tour in Stuttgart was amazing. No pictures allowed when we went.

To see a brand new 911 get started for the first time was something I could watch for hours.
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chickencoupe16
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In reply to HollywoodBQ • 4:51p, 3/23/26
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HollywoodBQ said:
chickencoupe16 said:
Porsche was good. So was Mercedes. Can't remember which was better.

With all 3, the history was fascinating. All 3 had sections to talk about their history and they all had a section to talk about their part in the Third Reich.

I went back and checked pictures and you're right, Mercedes was definitely the better of the two. Their WWII section was definitely my favorite. One exhibit that sticks out was a jagged shard of an Allied bomb that was dropped on the factory.
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