Car rental in Munich – The Heart of Bavaria

Yes. When you arrive to collect your car rental in Munich, you will need to present a valid credit card to be able to pick it up. It is very important that the person named as the main driver on the rental contract possesses a major credit card (such as Visa, Mastercard, etc.) in their name in order to be able to receive the vehicle. The reason for this is that the local car hire provider will need to block a safety deposit for the duration of the rental period which is promptly returned once the car has been returned undamaged. Please note that neither debit cards nor cash deposits will be accepted for the security deposit, just a valid credit card with a limit high enough to cover the amount. Knowing these essential details can potentially save travellers a lot of time and stress when they arrive at the car rental desk, which is why we suggest that you check out our credit card and deposit page by following the link.

When you booking a car rental in Munich with Auto Europe, it's important to remember that it always includes the minimum amount of coverage required under German law, most notably Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), third-party liability and theft protection (TP). These are our basic rates, but many of our customers choose to pay a little more for our popular Full Damage Protection policy which offers drivers extra peace of mind should the unexpected happen during their trip. Please read our All you need to know about Car Rental Coverage page very carefully in order to be fully aware of the different types of policies and protection levels available. As a general rule, it's of paramount important to check the vehicle at the time of collection to be sure that all the marks and scratches etc. are marked up on the rental contract, which is a procedure that should be repeated when dropping the vehicle off. Young drivers might be subject to an extra surcharge, in which case it will be necessary to click on the blue and white info icon (i) for details during the booking process, where the surcharge will be stated in the Driver Information section. Please read our blog post about age restrictions by following the link.

Congestion in Munich can be a very German affair – that being quite orderly. You will therefore have little issue in getting to where you want to go with your car rental in Munich. That being said, the city centre can understandably get very congested, especially during rush hour. Three ring roads exist circling Munich; the Mittlerer Ring, A99 and the Altstadtring. These roads will allow you to navigate the city without too much trouble. Although, at peak times these ring roads are very popular.

Being a major city means that Munich is well connected to the rest of Germany via motorways and other transport infrastructure. The A8 motorway will take you to numerous places, which makes it ideal for getting out and about. Catch the A8 westwards and in 136 miles you’ll reach Karlsruhe. If you head southeast on the same motorway, within 90 miles you’ll reach Salzburg in Austria. The A9 motorway is also a good option. Catch it northbound towards Nuremberg and all the way to the German capital city Berlin. It should take on average 40 minutes to Nuremberg but a staggering five and a half hours to Berlin. If you’re interested in staying local, then the A95 takes you directly into the Bavarian Alps and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

As in all major cities it can be difficult to find street parking. It is however, not impossible. This is our guide for finding adequate parking spaces within the city. Some of the things visiting drivers need to remember are: a blue single line means that parking is allowed only for two hours, a dotted single blue line means that parking is available for disabled drivers only. You must display a disability badge, a single yellow line means that only taxis may park, a single orange line means that the space is reserved only for deliveries, a single red line signifies that parking is totally prohibited and your vehicle may be towed. Numerous city car parks also exist and can be found throughout the city centre. A “park and ride” service is also in operation by MVV, the city’s public transport provider. This service allows you to leave your vehicle at any train station hub and jump on a bus into the city centre.

In a large German city like Munich, you'll see many cars driving around with the word Umweltplaketten on the windscreen, which is an emissions sticker of different colours depending on the emission level of each respective vehicle. If a vehicle's emissions level is too high, it can be banned from driving in certain parts of the city in order to reduce the amount of air pollution. Each German city (including Munich) has its own Umweltzone, which is the specific area where the emissions restriction applies, so the best thing to do is check the local emissions regulations with the local supplier when you arrive to collect your vehicle. Since 2012, only cars with a green sticker have been allowed to drive within the Mittlerer Ring area, which is a street belt encompassing the central parts of Munich and its inner environs. When picking up your car rental in Munich, make sure that you check whether or not your vehicle has the necessary green emissions sticker, and if not you must make sure that you get a vehicle that has one clearly displayed in the window.

Yes. Under German law, you will always require winter tyres in case of any slippery conditions such as snow, slush, ice or frost on the roads in and around the state of Bavaria. When booking your low-cost car hire in Munich, particularly during the winter months (and even as late as Easter), we strongly advise you to opt for one of our excellent Free: Winter Tyres or Winter Tyres Included packages running throughout this period. Please note that during the cold season, especially over the festive period, there might be a shortage of vehicles fitted with winter equipment, most notably during the skiing season, so it's always best to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Having winter tyres fitted to the car not only excludes you from any related driving fines but also ensures your safety during the rental period. Another important aspect to consider is the fact that Munich is very close to the Austrian border, which is where many of our customers choose to go skiing after picking up their car rental in Munich. It should be noted that winter tyres are compulsory in Austria from the 1st of November until the 15th of April, so it's important to make sure you're fully up to date with the latest winter tyre regulations before setting out. If you are planning to driving on mountain roads, please check with the local supplier if snow chains are also required (note that snow chains can be used in Germany only on roads with the corresponding sign). Both snow chains and ski racks are on request, so please specify request on the booking form when making your reservation; our car rental specialists will then confirm them if available. The fees will be paid locally to the supplier.

If you would like to leave the high cost and stress of having to find the right kind of accommodation in the right location, we highly recommend that you take a tour of Bavaria and neighbouring Austria in a one of Auto Europe's modern campervans. Why not book a motorhome in Munich and see the whole region in total comfort and at your own pace, enjoying the best of both world in the process!