Car Hire in Dresden

About Dresden

Dresden is a city in Germany, more precisely in the federal state of Saxony. It is the capital of the state and the second most populous city in Saxony, right after Leipzig. Dresden is also the 12th most populous city in Germany. The city area includes the towns of Freital, Pirna, Radebeul, Meissen, Coswig, Radeberg and Heidenau. The city was founded on the banks of the Elbe and is the second largest city on this river after Hamburg. The first evidence of settlement in the area dates back to the Neolithic period, about 7500 B.C. Later, there were several Slavic villages in the area and in the 12th century, the city of Dresden was founded. The city experienced several ups and downs during its history. Probably the most tragic event took place during World War II, when the city was heavily bombed and almost completely destroyed. This left behind a rich and long-gone city with a completely destroyed infrastructure. After World War II, Dresden was renovated and rebuilt and many famous and iconic architectures were rebuilt so that today many tourists and travellers who come to this city can admire the wonderful scenery that this city offers with its streets, buildings and other cultural, historical and religious sites that are worth visiting.

Today, it is one of the most visited cities in Germany, which is mainly due to the fact that this city has become a cultural, educational and political centre of Germany. It also has a well-developed industry, especially the high-tech industry, as the city is often called "Silicon Saxony" because of the many high-tech industries that are based here.

So, if you are taking a road trip through Germany, be sure to put this amazing and unique city on your list of destinations to stop by and spend a few days. You definitely will not regret it. The city is well connected to other parts of Germany and the transport infrastructure is well developed. All you need to do is rent a car, buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Dresden

• Location: State of Saxony, Germany
• Population: 556,227
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Dresden has an oceanic climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Dresden are in good condition.
• Car hire in Dresden:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Dresden is at Dresden Airport. 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 Dresden!

 Driving in Dresden

Renting a car is the best option in Dresden if you want to properly explore the city and especially its surroundings. The roads are in good condition and the city is well connected with other parts of the country. The traffic directions are clear, so all you need to do to have a great driving experience in this city is to follow the rules and obey all the road signs. Traffic can be quite heavy at times, especially during rush hours, as some parts of the city, especially the city centre, are a bit more difficult to navigate, the roads are not as wide, and traffic jams often occur.

If you want to explore the city centre, it is best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city or even outside the city and then use public transportation or a combination of public transportation and walking to get the most out of Dresden.

Dresden is also an ideal starting point for your road trip through Germany. All you have to do is rent a car, make a good plan, buckle up and drive safely.

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 Dresden

Most, Zoblitz, Marienberg, Pobershau, Wolkenstein, Amtsberg, Belgern, Maasdorf (Brandenburg)...

What to see in Dresden

Dresden is a very popular city among tourists from Germany and also tourists from all over the world. This unique city has a lot to offer for all types of tourists and travellers. It is up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will not get bored in Dresden, because there are really many interesting historical, cultural and religious sights that are worth visiting.

One of the most popular attractions of the city is the Frauenkirche, which is known as one of the largest churches in Europe. It was built in the 18th century and completely destroyed during the Second World War. After the war, the church was renovated and restored and is now one of the most visited attractions in the city.

The Zwinger is another outstanding place to visit when you come to Dresden. The construction of this architectural masterpiece was started in the 16th century and completed in the 18th century. This building has so much to offer, from many festivals and theatre seats to beautiful decorations throughout the building and also beautiful gardens that are a masterpiece in themselves.

The Zwinger is home to the Old Masters Picture Gallery, the great collection of Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Flemish Renaissance art. There are more than 750 paintings and other works of art on display here.

Other sights and things to do in Dresden: Semper Opera House, Dresden Residence Palace, Green Vault, Prince's Train, Dresden Porcelain Collection, Bruehl Terrace, Albertinum, Dresden Cathedral, Neustadt, Kunsthofpassage, Pillnitz Palace & Park, Panometer...

Drive your rental car beyond Dresden

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 Dresden

If you are in Dresden, you have the perfect opportunity to explore traditional German cuisine. For example, one of the most popular traditional German cakes comes from Dresden. It is called Stollen and it is a fruit bread made of nuts, spices and dried or candied fruits dusted with powdered sugar. This cake is especially popular during the Christmas season. Of course, there are also many restaurants where you can order modern German cuisine. If you want, you can also visit some restaurants where you can order menus from all over the world.

Best restaurant in Dresden

Restaurant Stresa

Restaurant Moritz

Genuss-Atelier

Schmidt's Restaurant & Gourmetcatering

Mamma Mia

Estancia Beef-Club

Restaurant Daniel