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Germany Travel Guide.

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A fresh, honest approach to car rental

Made for road trips.

Germany is a destination with a little something for everyone. Rich and tumultuous history yes of course, but it also boasts varied fairy tale landscapes, renowned cities, charming architecture and endless activities.

Unearth the pine forests and storybook castles with car hire in Germany before continuing your explorations further afield to explore the depths of Berlin, Hamburg and Munich amongst much more. Alternatively, tour the northern shoreline with your rental car in Germany and see a side to this country that many don’t consider.

However you fill your trip, the variety will quickly see you develop a soft spot for this popular European destination.    

German Tourist Board: The official website for the German Tourist Office – a useful resource for planning your trip to Germany.

Know Before You Go: Travel advice for Germany from the FCO.

Things to see and do

  • One of Germany’s most famous attractions is of course Neuschwanstein Castle. Dating back to the 19th century and perched atop a cliff, it is located close to the Austrian border and makes for a great day trip.
  • Hop in your hire car and venture into the Black Forest, an area of astounding natural beauty complete with mountains, forests and crystal clear lakes. Great for walking and hiking it’s a primary area for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Travel to the capital Berlin; with so much to see and do you can easily spend a few days exploring. Steeped in history, be sure to include a visit to one or two of the museums, churches and art galleries.
  • For a day of water sports in beautiful surroundings, consider a trip to Lake Constance in the south of the country. The surrounding towns and villages are a joy to discover in this area too.
  • If you are a fan of wine then look no further than the Middle Rhine Valley, well known for the delicious, quality wines it produces. The area is also protected under UNESCO World Heritage protection with a number of enjoyable attractions on offer.
  • If you want to see more of Germany than a traditional city break would offer, organise car rental in Germany and travel the Romantic Road. Covering more than 400km, it passes a number of castles and old towns, plus allows you to explore the vast countryside.
  • For a healthy dose of history, include a trip to Schöningen in your plans. The town is best known for the numerous artefacts located here including 320,000 year old spears, the oldest weapons and oldest artefacts ever uncovered.
  • With so many bustling cities to choose from, you can be guaranteed to enjoy some great shopping during your trip to Germany. Shop for mementos for yourself or track down some authentic souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
  • No trip to Germany would be complete without sampling the country’s finest exports; beer and sausages! Be sure to tour one or two local breweries and then sample some classic Currywurst! Doenner Kebabs may not be a traditional food but they are found everywhere and worth trying too.
  • The Baltic Sea Coast on the northern shore will be a highlight of any holiday in Germany. Lay out your towel and soak up some sun on one of the many golden beaches.

Festivals and events

  • The Sylt Gourmet Festival is a great way to kick off the festival calendar in Germany with thousands of foodies flocking to the island of Sylt to enjoy a feast of flavours from around the world. (January)
  • Venture to Leipzeg in February for the annual, week long Motorcycle Fair. Bikes and gear are showcased from around the world, making it a firm favourite for motorcycle enthusiasts. (February)
  • Truly immerse yourself in the culture and plan a visit to Stuttgart to coincide with the Long Night of Museums event. More than 90 museums and galleries open their doors until 2am with special exhibitions included. (March)
  • The 20th April marks Walpurgis Night. Synonymous with German folk tales, it sees many people dress up as witches and head to Mount Brocken where bonfires are lit and dancing ensues. (April)  
  • Don’t miss the Rhine in Flames Festival whereby the Rhine Valley is lit up by incredible fireworks displays. Many Bengal fires are also lit and enjoy a boat cruise down the river. (May)
  • Berlin’s Gay Pride Festival is one of the most colourful events of the year. It takes place in the district of Schoeneberg with an all-out parade. (June)
  • Check out the City Festival of Dresden during August. Food, drink, fireworks, concerts and rides ensure you will have an unforgettable at this fun, family friendly event. (August)
  • One of the most famous festivals in the world takes place in September; Oktoberfest in Munich. German beer and music define the event with parades and concerts thrown in for good measure. (September)

Time difference

GMT +1

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Travel tips and blogs

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Articles about Germany

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Average customer rating for car hire in Germany

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Useful phrases

  • Good morning - Guten morgan
  • Good night - Gute nacht
  • Please - Bitte
  • Thank you - Danke
  • My pleasure - Gern geschehen
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