Car Hire in Chemnitz

About Chemnitz

Chemnitz is a city in Germany, more precisely in the state of Saxony. Chemnitz is the third largest city in the state, after Leipzig and Dresden. It is also the 28th largest German city. It is part of the metropolitan region of Central Germany and was the fourth largest city in former East Germany. From 1953 to 1990 Chemnitz bore the name Karl-Marx-Stadt.

In the beginning, there was a Slavic settlement on this territory, which slowly grew into a more important city and was initially called Kamjenica, later renamed Chemnitz in the 12th century. The city was founded on the Chemnitz River and is surrounded by the Ore Mountains to the south and the Central Saxon Hills to the north.

Today Chemnitz is a very modern city, where you can visit a large number of different cultural, historical and religious sights. But of course, this city also has a long and rich past with many different cultures and civilizations passing through and dominating the city, which makes Chemnitz even more unique and charming because there are many remains all over the city. One of the unique things about Chemnitz is the fact that the city centre was never completely rebuilt and renovated after it was destroyed during World War II. So when you walk through the city centre, you can see the aftermath of World War II in many places and reflect on the past and the future.

So Chemnitz is a mixture of modern and old and is full of culture, technology, education, etc. In 2025 Chemnitz will be the European Capital of Culture. So if you are planning a road trip through Germany, be sure to put Chemnitz on your list of cities to stop in and spend a few days in, you will not regret it.

Basic info and car hire in Chemnitz

• Location: State of Saxony, Germany
• Population: 244,401
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: In Chemnitz, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, snowy, windy, and mostly cloudy   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Chemnitz are in good condition.
• Car hire in Chemnitz:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Chemnitz is at Chemnitz Downtown. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Chemnitz!

 Driving in Chemnitz

If you want to explore Chemnitz and its surroundings properly, it is best to rent a car and explore Saxony on your own. Renting a car is the best option here, as you can get around on your own schedule and at your own pace. Of course, Germany has a well-developed public transportation network, but there are still many places that are quickest and easiest to reach by car. Chemnitz is well connected to other German cities, the roads are in good condition, and the signage is clear, so all you have to do is follow the rules and follow the road signs and you will have no problems driving in Chemnitz. If you want to explore the city centre, it is best to park your car in one of the many parking lots and then explore it on foot or combine walking with using public transport.

Before visiting other German cities, make sure you know the rules for the so-called environmental zones. An Umweltzone in Germany is a zone where motorised vehicles are only allowed to enter with an environmental badge. In German, these zones are called Umweltzone, which translates as an environmental zone. As of 2021, there are 58 environmental zones in Germany, covering more than 70 cities. The obligation to possess the environmental badge applies to both German and foreign passenger cars (M1), motor homes (M1), heavy caravans (M1), minibuses (M2), buses (M3), vans (N1), transporters (N2), trucks (N2) and heavy commercial vehicles (N3).

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Germany is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car in Germany is 21 years old, however, some suppliers allow young drivers from 18 years of age to rent a car from them. A young driver fee can apply for drivers that are under 25 years of age. This information is visible in the search engine Orbit Car Hire.
• International Driving Permit: You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements. You will need to provide a copy of your driver's license when applying for the license. If you are mailing your application in, a copy of both the front and the back of the license should be included. You also must present two passport photos to get an international driver's license in Germany.  This is all that you need to obtain an international license for driving in Germany. 
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you. At Orbit Car Hire you can buy additional coverage so you can travel throughout Germany without worry. 
• Additional requirements:  It is a legal requirement that vehicles have certain safety gear, such as orange vests, caution triangles, and a first aid kit. Verify with your car rental where these are located in your car. You also need to check that you have additional light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company).Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car),
• Children in the car:  Everyone in the vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt. If a passenger is found without one, then the driver is held responsible with a high fine. In Germany, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not strapped into an approved child safety seat. Children under twelve (and under 150cm) must have a booster or restraint system and be seated in the back. Ask when booking for a suitable system to be included when you collect your hire car.
• Driving side of the road: Right Hand
• Lights: You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low-beam headlights whenever it is raining. 
• General speed limits: When driving in towns, the speed limit is automatically 50 km/h unless stated otherwise. When driving out of towns, the speed limit is automatically 100 km/h unless otherwise stated. NOTE: There will not always be a speed limit sign! Therefore, you need to know that as soon as you enter a village or “built-up” area that automatically means the speed limit is 50km/h! 65% of the highways in Germany (Autobahn) have no speed limit.

Popular day trips from Chemnitz

Meissen, Niederau, Radebeul, Der Senfladen, Dresden, Gera, Mala Strana, Prague, Forst, Sokolov, Vyšehrad...

What to see in Chemnitz

Chemnitz is a city where you can experience a unique symbiosis of modernity and age. It is a very attractive city with many cultural events that take place throughout the year. Besides that, there are also many different cultural, historical and religious sights in Chemnitz that are worth visiting. So, it is up to you what kind of holiday you prefer, but one thing is for sure: Chemnitz has a lot to offer for any kind of tourist or traveller. This is an ideal place for a stopover on your road trip through Germany. Chemnitz is also the ideal place to start your road trip through Germany, or if you decide to take a smaller road trip and just explore Saxony, you will not regret it, buckle up and drive safely!

One of the main attractions of the city is undoubtedly the City Hall or, as many call it, the Double City Hall. It bears this name because it consists of an old and a new town hall. The old town hall was built in the 15th century and was renovated and remodelled several times in the past. The new town hall was built in the 20th century and differs from the old town hall both from the outside and the inside, the main difference being the style of decoration. Part of this double town hall is also the High Tower, which actually belongs to the old town hall. Today it is mainly an attraction for tourists because you can climb to the top of the tower and admire the view of Chemnitz from there.

Another very popular attraction of the city is the Chemnitz Industrial Museum. The city experienced its heyday in the times of the industrial revolution. Today, the industry is still an important part of the city's income. In this museum, you can see the whole development of industry in this city. There are various exhibitions in the museum and you will not regret visiting this museum.

Drive your rental car beyond Chemnitz

Germany, or the Federal Republic of Germany as the country's official name, is located in Central Europe and is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia. Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. The country's capital and largest city is Berlin, and Germany's financial centre is Frankfurt. In many ways, Germany is undoubtedly one of the strongest and most developed countries in the world. It is the country with the largest economy in Europe and the fourth largest economy in the world. It is a world leader in several industrial, scientific and technological fields and is both the third largest exporter and the third largest importer of goods.

But of course, Germany is not just an industrial and financial giant. It is a country with many opportunities in many different fields. From arts, education, tourism, sports, etc. Germany has a long and turbulent past with all kinds of events and among these events, there are some that Germans are not very proud of, such as the World War. There are many monuments, museums and places that commemorate these events and send a warning to the world that this kind of event should never happen again.

Germany consists of 16 states (Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bremen, Brandenburg, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Thuringia, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria), and each of them has something different to offer and is really worth visiting. The country lies between the Baltic and North Seas in the north and the Alps in the south. So there really is a lot to see and do here, from the south to the north. One of the great advantages of this country is the fact that the road infrastructure here is really well developed and among the best in Europe. It is an ideal country for a road trip. You should probably do more than one road trip through Germany if you want to explore it properly, but you can be sure that you will have a great time no matter which part of the country you want to explore. You can either opt for the bigger cities in Germany, as there are a large number of cities in this country and there are really countless interesting things to see and do in most of the cities. Also, there are many festivals that take place throughout the year. So you just need to research well and make a good plan before coming here, because you really need to be well organized if you want to see and do as many things as possible.

In Germany, there are also many great options for those who prefer a more active type of vacation. For those who love the mountains, there are many great mountain trails and routes that you can explore either on your own or with a guided group. In the Alps you can also do many other activities, from climbing to mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, skating on the many great lakes, etc.

If you are not interested in the mountains, you can always visit the lakes and rivers or even try rafting or kayaking. The countryside in Germany is also beautiful and worth experiencing. You can also drive around and visit many romantic little villages where you can learn more about the German culture and traditions, meet the locals and try some local specialities. If you decide to explore the German countryside, you can also be prepared to see some amazing castles. Some of them are abandoned and only ruins remind us that the castle was here in the past, but some castles are still alive and are being renovated to house museums, galleries, etc. and are spectacular tourist attractions. An interesting fact about Germany is that it is the country with the third largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Besides castles, there are fascinating churches and other majestic architecture all over the country that will simply take your breath away.

For technology freaks and lovers of the automotive industry, there are some of the most famous brands from this country whose factories and museums you can visit, e.g. BMW, Mercedez, Audi...

The country is also famous for its gastronomy and it is important to highlight two traditional German flagships in this field. The beer is undoubtedly one, with the Oktoberfest, one of the most famous festivals in the world, where record-breaking amounts of beer are sold every year, and then of course the sausage, as it is called. If you are in Germany, you should definitely try the sausage and the beer. This is German tradition and pride.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Chemnitz

In Chemnitz, you will find a different culinary experience than in many other parts of Germany. This region is known for its freshwater fish. There are several restaurants where you can try delicious fish dishes. The most popular fish is undoubtedly carp. Of course, there are many other types of restaurants where you can try delicious traditional German cuisine, or you can find a restaurant where you can order more modern German cuisine or even find menus from around the world.

Best restaurant in Chemnitz

Alexxanders

Franklin Hofmann Gaststatte und Fleischerei

Delhi Palast

Maharadscha Palast

Max Louis

50's ville Diner Chemnitz