Car Rental in Munich

Why rent a car in Munich?

Munich is a fascinating place to explore. Large and diverse, it offers everything from grand architecture to interesting history and impressive mountain scenery. Renting a car is your best bet to see as much of the Bavarian capital as you can, as well as to travel to nearby natural areas.

Top ways to enter Munich

• Munich Airport. The second-busiest airport  in Germany and one of the largest in Europe, Munich Airport serves nearly 32 million travelers every year. A hub for Lufthansa as well as Air Dolomiti, the airport is about 28 km (17 mi) north of Munich.
• Memmingen Airport. Located in southwest Bavaria about 110 km (68 mi) from Munich, Memmingen Airport has plenty of flights by both Wizz Air and Ryanair, two low-cost airlines, and can therefore, sometimes be a cheaper alternative for traveling to Munich.
• Stuttgart Airport. Serving the capital city of the neighboring Baden-Württemberg region, Stuttgart Airport hosts flights from more than 40 different airlines. The airport is slightly over a two-hour drive from Munich.
• Frankfurt Airport. The busiest airport in Germany, the fifth busiest in Europe, Frankfurt Airport is huge and can almost feel like an independent city. Hosting countless flights to all parts of the world, the airport is just a four-hour drive northwest of Munich.
• By rail. If you’re arriving in Munich by train, you can also conveniently pick up your rental car at either the Munich Central Train Station or the Munich East Railway Station.

City facts

The summers in Munich are hot, but the winters can be quite cold. The average temperature is about 19.5 °C (67 °F) in July, although frequently much higher, and 0 °C (32 °F) in January. Munich has a number of snowy days every year. The most humid month is June.

Munich has a population of more than 1.5 million, but more than five million people live in the larger Munich Metropolitan Area. Despite its large population, Munich is close to a number of natural and mountainous areas.

Top sights and activities

• Marienplatz. The vibrant heart of Munich located in the city center, this beautiful square is surrounded by iconic architectural masterpieces, including the stunning neo-gothic New Town Hall with its famous Glockenspiel. The square is named after the Mariensäule, a column erected in 1638 to celebrate the end of the Thirty Years' War. The square is also home to some of Munich's most popular landmarks, including the stunning Frauenkirche, a gothic cathedral with distinctive onion domes, and the Viktualienmarkt, a bustling outdoor market where you can find everything from fresh produce to Bavarian beer. In the winter, Marienplatz is transformed into a magical Christmas market, complete with twinkling lights, delicious holiday treats, and traditional handicrafts.
• English Garden. The English Garden in Munich is one of the largest urban parks in the world, covering an area of over 900 acres. Created in the 18th century, the park was designed to imitate the English countryside, with rolling hills, meadows, and numerous paths for visitors to explore. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Eisbach, a small man-made river that flows through the park and is a hotspot for surfing. The park is also home to several beer gardens, including the famous Chinese Tower (Chinesischer Turm), where visitors can enjoy a cold beer and traditional Bavarian food while surrounded by nature.
• Hofbrauhaus Munich. A famous beer hall and brewery located in the heart of Munich. it was founded in 1589 by Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria and is one of the oldest beer halls in the world and a popular tourist attraction. The interior of Hofbrauhaus is decorated with traditional Bavarian motifs, and the beer is served in large steins by waitresses wearing dirndls. The atmosphere is lively and festive, with live music and dancing adding to the fun. The beer served at Hofbrauhaus is brewed on site using traditional methods and recipes that date back centuries. The most famous beer served at Hofbrauhaus is their flagship lager, which is brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity law that allows only water, hops, and malt as ingredients.
• National Theater. One of the most famous opera houses in the world, the National Theater of Munich opened in early 19th century and recently celebrated its 200th birthday. In its early years it was frequented by many world-famous composers like Wagner and Strauss. Today it is the home of the prestigious Bavarian State Opera and is one of the most well-known landmarks of the city.
• Munich Olympic Park. A sports and recreation complex that was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics, the park covers an area of 850,000 square meters and features several facilities, including an Olympic Stadium, an Olympic swimming hall, a velodrome, and an Olympic tower. In addition to its sporting facilities, the Munich Olympic Park is also home to several other attractions, such as a concert arena, a park railway, and a lake. The park is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of activities and events throughout the year. One of the most notable features of the Munich Olympic Park is the Olympic Tower, which offers stunning views of the city from its observation deck. Visitors can take a ride up the tower's elevator to enjoy panoramic views of Munich and the surrounding area.
• Hellabrunn Zoo. A unique zoo, Hellabrunn has very few cages (instead, it uses moats). Marvel at gorillas, silvery gibbons, and giraffes, visit Dracula’s villa where bats fly right above your head, or head to the aquarium to feed the piranhas. Hellabrunn is a geo-zoo which means that animals of the same geographic region are kept in the same area. So visiting each quarter of it can feel like traveling to a different part of the world.
• BMW museum. Located near the Olympic Park in the Oberwiesenfeld district, the BMW Museum is a must-visit for every car lover. The biggest attraction is, of course, the cars themselves, from classy old school models to the fastest sports cars and futuristic vehicles that haven’t even been produced yet. There are also a number of rotating exhibits dedicated to carbuilding and technology in general.
• The Nymphenburg Palace. One of the most impressive buildings in Munich, the Nymphenburg Palace is the former summer holiday home of the Bavarian kings. Built in just 11 years in the 17th century, the palace was later redesigned a number of times by famous Italian and German architects. The larger palace complex is fun to explore as it is made up of beautiful gardens and a number of smaller, but equally picturesque, buildings, each with its own story

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits it 50 km/h (31 mph) in populated or built-up areas. There is no national speed limit on autobahns (highways) and many of them don’t have a set speed limit. However, contrary to what is sometimes stated, about 50% of the autobahns do have their own individual speed limits, so do carefully follow the speed limit signs on each road that you’re driving on.
• Munich streets can get especially crowded during rush hour due to many people driving to and from work. If possible, plan your itinerary to avoid driving at those hours.
• When it comes to parking, different areas are indicated with different colors. Blue lines indicate a paid parking spot where you can park for up to two hours for an hourly rate of €2.50. Dotted blue lines indicate parking areas for disabled drivers. Yellow lines indicate parking areas for taxis. Orange lines indicate parking areas for commercial delivery cars. Red line means that parking is forbidden - breaking this rule can lead to large fines and your car even being towed. 
• Where the speed limits are enforced, the tolerance for speeding is low. Driving just 3 km/h (2 mph) above the speed limit can, and often will, lead to fines. Many roads that do have speed limits have radars in place.
• Some autobahns have a minimum speed limit that applies to specific lanes, for example, a minimum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) for the left lane and 90 km/h (56 mph) for the center lane. 
• Because of the very high speed used by some on the German autobahns, be extra careful before switching lanes.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. This is strictly enforced and the fines are substantial.
• Children under the age of 12 have to use a child safety seat.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Exceeding these limits can lead to high fines and a licence ban. 
• The insurance and car documentation needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

Although Germany has a large number of high-speed motorways, only vehicles that weigh more than 7,5 tons need to pay a toll fee. This excludes practically all types of rental cars.

There are two tolled tunnels in Germany, the Herren Tunnel in Schleswig-Holstein and the Warnow Tunnel in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Neither of them is near Munich.

Find out more about the toll roads in Germany on the European toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Starnberger Lake. Also known as Lake Starnberg, it is a beautiful freshwater lake around 40 km (25 miles) southwest of Munich. With a surface area of approximately 56 square kilometers, Starnberger Lake is one of the largest and deepest lakes in the region. The lake is surrounded by picturesque towns and villages, including Starnberg, Tutzing, and Berg, which offer stunning views of the lake and its surrounding Alpine foothills. The lake is a popular destination for boating, swimming, and fishing, and it is also a great spot for hiking and cycling. One of the lake's most famous landmarks is the Possenhofen Castle, which was the childhood home of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi. Visitors can explore the castle and its beautiful gardens, which overlook the lake.
• Schliersee. A mountain lake and a small resort just 45 minutes drive south of Munich, Schliersee is a place for a relaxing day away from the city. In the summer you can swim, dive, and try your hand at various water sports. It’s also a tranquil and beautiful place to visit in wintertime, especially if you also visit one of the nearby ski resorts.
• Füssen. A picturesque town on the border with Austria, Füssen is most famous for its two nearby castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. If you’re not a German speaker, pronouncing their names might be a challenge, but you’ll recognize them immediately as both have inspired many fantasy films and Disney cartoons. Even if stunning castles are not your thing, Füssen and the nearby Forggensee Lake are truly picturesque places to visit. It takes less than two hours to drive to them from Munich.
• Regensburg. A medieval Bavarian city on the Danube, Regensburg is most well-known for its architecture, but travelers also visit for its interesting museums, a public observatory, large parks, and a unique reptile zoo. The city is just a 90 minute drive from Munich.
• Nuremberg. The second-largest city in Bavaria and capital of the historic Franconia region, Nuremberg is one of the most interesting destinations in southeastern Germany. Although the city is perhaps best known for its role in the Second World War and the Nuremberg Trials that followed, its history dates back much longer, as testified by its magnificent castles and the house of Albrecht Dürer, the famous 15th-century artist who lived in the city for two decades. With plenty to offer in terms of culture and architecture, the city is a great destination for a day-trip. Located some 170 km (105 miles) north of Munich, Nuremberg can be reached in two hours.
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A winter resort town and the location of Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is also one of the most famous day trips from Munich. Located just an hour’s drive to the south, it offers views of magnificent mountaintops and gorges and has one of the most elaborate hiking trail networks in all of the country. Several of the peaks, including Zugspitze, are also accessible by a rack railway.
• Augsburg. Although frequently overlooked for Munich and other, more famous cities and destinations in the region, Augsburg can be an absolutely lovely destination to explore if you give it a chance. Located only an hour’s drive west of the region’s capital, it is known for its many and diverse museums and heritage buildings, but also an equally busy modern cultural life and niche attractions like its puppet theater, one of the best in all of Germany. To top it all off, Augsburg also frequently ranks among the safest cities in Germany.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car type in Munich is compact, followed by economy and intermediate. The most popular rental cars in Munich are the VW Polo, the Renault Clio, and the Ford Focus.

Further destinations

For more about traveling around Germany with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

• Berchtesgaden National Park. A stunningly beautiful area located in southeastern Germany, near the Austrian border. Established in 1978, it is one of the oldest national parks in the country and covers over 200 square kilometers of pristine alpine landscape. The most famous of these landscapes is the Watzmann, a massive mountain that towers over the park at 2,713 meters. Another popular attraction in the park is the Königssee, a glacial lake that is over seven kilometers long and up to 190 meters deep. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque setting, surrounded by steep mountainsides and dense forests. Visitors can take a boat ride on the lake to experience its beauty up close or hike along its shore to enjoy the stunning views. The National Park is around a two-hour drive away from Munich.
• Salzburg. Mozart’s hometown’s baroque historic center is a World Heritage site, but more than anything, it captivates its many visitors with its stunning Alpine scenery that reveals itself from many points in the city. Get in your rental car and go on a longer adventure in the nearby mountains or simply marvel at them from afar. Just 140 km (90 mi) east of Munich, Salzburg can be reached in about 90 minutes, although you will have to cross a national border so first make sure your rental car provider permits it.
• Stuttgart. Although sometimes overshadowed by Munich itself, Stuttgart is another beautiful Southern German city. Many of its neighborhoods are full of history, with the Palace Square being especially impressive. Just as interesting are its more modern areas where you’ll find truly unique architecture. From Munich, Stuttgart can be reached in just two hours.
• Black Forest. Named after the dark fir trees that dominate its landscape and the source of many legends and fairy tales, the Black Forest in the state of Baden-Württemberg is one of the most atmospheric destinations in Germany. Its hills, woodland trails, and historic villages make it a great place for hiking, while the city of Freiburg is one of the most picturesque in the country. The forest is also home to the national park of the same name. Located near the borders of France and Switzerland, the Black Forest is about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Munich.
• Liechtenstein. A microstate that is home to some massive and stunning mountains, Liechtenstein is rarely visited, but those who travel there simply love it. A country that is home to just 38,000 people and with a territory that’s twice as small as Munich, this principality nonetheless boasts stunning architecture as well as the possibility of seeing somebody from its royal family in person. Before traveling there, ask your rental car provider if they permit it. Also, keep in mind that, unlike Germany, Liechtenstein is not a member of the EU, but it is a member of the Schengen Area.
• Innsbruck. Located a two-hour drive south of Munich in neighboring Austria, the Tyrolean capital of Innsbruck is another lovely alpine getaway. Known for its dramatic highland location and access to amazing skiing and snowboarding slopes (it is, after all, a former Winter Olympics host), Innsbruck is also known for its lovely architecture that includes landmarks like the Ambras Palace and Hofkirche.
• St. Gallen. Located in the northeastern corner of Switzerland, only a three hour drive from Munich, Sankt (or Saint) Gallen is one of the most charming small cities in Europe. Famous for its imposing abbey and library, it is rich in both cultural landmarks and stunning surrounding scenery. For visitors coming from Bavaria, it is a great gateway to the rest of Switzerland. As with other foreign destinations, ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border.

Car rental prices in Munich

• Small cars - from $36 per day
• Medium cars - from $41 per day
• SUVs - from $41 per day
• Large cars - from $26 per day
• Vans - from $80 per day
• Premium cars - from $72 per day
• Station wagons - from $41 per day
• Convertibles - from $67 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are different things you can do to get a good rental car in Munich, such as:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Munich is the cheapest in April, when renting a car is about 26% cheaper. Come visit Bavaria in springtime!