What you should know before hiring a car in Munich
| Munich city centre | ||
| Franz Josef Strauss International Airport (MUC): 28 km from city centre | ||
Practical information
Where is there to rent a car in Munich?
The capital city of the Bavarian region of Germany, Munich is well connected to a large number of interesting German destinations – meaning it's a great city from which to rent a car and head off on a German road trip! The main airport in Munich is Flughafen München „Franz Josef Strauß“, or Munich Airport, which operates international flights across the world. From Munich Airport, visitors can choose from a number of transport options to reach the city center – including train, bus and rental car. Car rental companies operating in Munich Airport include Thrifty, Buchbinder, Hertz, Global Rent A Car, and Avis. The principle train station in Munich is the centrally located Munich Hauptbahnhof, which operates both domestic and international rail services.
Driving in Munich: parking and other tips
When driving in Munich, be sure to pay attention to the rules of the road. Follow the speed limit, which is displayed in kilometers per hour: in urban areas, this is usually 50 km/h unless otherwise specified. On-street parking spaces are limited in central Munich, and are indicated by blue lines. Parking is paid, and for a limited time during the day – after 7pm, it is often unlimited until early morning. There are also a number of parking lots in Munich, with rates ranging from €2 to €6 per hour. Alternatively, park your rental car in one of the Park & Ride car parks around the city and benefit from cheaper parking (around €1.50 a day), and the ability to explore central Munich without worrying about your rental car.
Road trips from Munich
Explore beautiful Bavaria by rental car, with these three road trips to take from Munich. From Alpine roads to historic cities, there's plenty to discover when traveling from Munich by car!
The Bavarian Alps
A couple hours south of Munich, the Bavarian Alps are the perfect choice for a scenic road trip through beautiful German countryside. Drive the 121 miles to the charming town of Berchtesgaden, which boasts proximity to a number of skiing areas as well as hiking trails and stunning mountains. It's also home to the Dokumentation Obersalzberg, a museum centered around the Nazi era, and the Kehlsteinhaus – a mountain retreat at which Nazi party members would meet. Also in the Bavarian Alps, be sure to visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which provided the inspiration for the royal castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty.
Stuttgart
Having explored the sights in Munich (the Marienplatz, New Town Hall and Old Town Hall being just a few of the attractions to visit in Munich), it's time to visit the city of Stuttgart. Just over 144 miles away by road, located to the north-west of Munich, Stuttgart is home to a number of museums showcasing its manufacturing industry – the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum are two examples. Those interested in history and architecture should visit the beautiful Ludwigsburg Palace, and the city's Old and New Palaces, which showcase a range of architectural styles, from Baroque to Neoclassical.
Nuremberg
Around 105 miles to the north of Munich, the Bavarian city of Nuremberg is a haven of medieval architecture, old world charm and must-visit museums. Nuremberg Castle is one of the city's iconic landmarks, and showcases medieval architecture as well as a museum and views over Nuremberg itself. Those interested in the history of the Nazi regime can visit the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, a museum located in the unfinished grounds of the Nazi congress hall which looks at the infamous Nazi party rallies, as well as the regime itself.
