Car Hire in Erlangen

About Erlangen

Erlangen is a city in Germany, more precisely in the state of Bavaria. It is a part of the administrative district of Middle Franconia. It is the smallest major city in Bavaria and together with Nuremberg, Fuerth and Schwabach it forms one of the three metropolitan areas in Bavaria.

The first mention of the name Erlangen dates back to 1002, but settlements in this area existed long before that. The city has a really long and rich past with many different ups and downs throughout history. Today, Erlangen is best known for the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the technology company Siemens. But this city also has a lot to offer for all kinds of tourists and travellers. If you are exploring Bavaria or taking a road trip through Germany, then you should put Erlangen on your list of cities to stop by and spend a few days in, you will not regret it.

Erlangen is also very popular among Germans, as this city hosts many interesting cultural and other events throughout the year. Tradition is very strong here and has a great influence on daily life. You can clearly feel this when you come here and walk through the streets of this historical city. It is even better if you manage to adjust your plan and come here during a festival or maybe during Christmas time because Erlangen has one of the most famous Christmas markets in Bavaria.

Besides history, art and culture, you can also discover the delicious Bavarian cuisine in Erlangen, as there are several wonderful restaurants in the city where you can try delicious menus that are traditional for this part of the country. So, if you are travelling in Bavaria, you should definitely stop in Erlangen. This city will enchant you not only for its charm and beauty but also for the fact that the streets of Erlangen are not as crowded with tourists as in the other major Bavarian cities. So you can really get to know the city without long lines in front of tourist attractions, restaurants or bars. Fasten your seat belt and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Erlangen

• Location: State of Bavaria, Germany
• Population: 112,385
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: In Erlangen, the summers are comfortable and partly cloudy and the winters are very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy.     
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Erlangen are in good condition.
• Car hire in Erlangen:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Erlangen is at the Erlangen 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 Erlangen!

 Driving in Erlangen

If you want to explore Bavaria properly, a rental car is the best solution for you. Erlangen is located in the state of Bavaria and to explore this whole state and also the city of Erlangen, it is best to rent a car and make your own plan to explore the places that interest you. A rental car is the best option for any tourist who wants to explore places on their own. In Germany, there is a very well-organised public transport network, so you can combine driving and using public transport at any time. There are many places outside the city that can be easily reached by car. You just need to be well-informed, buckle up and drive safely!

If you want to explore the city centre, you should park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city and then explore the city centre on foot. Erlangen is also very popular with cyclists. Cycling is very popular here and many places are well connected to cycling infrastructure.

So the options for getting around here are many and varied. It is up to you which means of transport you prefer. If you are driving, you just need to follow all the traffic signs and obey the rules. The roads in Germany are in a good condition and the cities are well connected, which makes this country a perfect place for a successful road trip.

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 Erlangen

Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Birgland, Freystadt, Hilpoltstein, Heideck, Spalt, Pfofeld, Haundorf, Burgoberbach, Colmberg...

What to see in Erlangen

Erlangen is a city with many different historical, cultural and religious sites that are worth visiting. This means that this city is worth visiting for all kinds of tourists and travellers. There are also some outstanding places outside the city, as Bavaria is known for its beautiful nature.

If you are here in Erlangen, you should definitely visit the palace garden. This baroque garden was created in the 1700s and is very popular with both tourists and locals here in Erlangen. This garden also hosts the largest garden festival in Europe, inviting 6,500 guests. This festival is organised by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and is a very popular event that the locals are very proud of.

Another place worth seeing is the Orangery, which was built at the beginning of the 18th century. Initially, the building served its original purpose, but later the orangery became a building where many different events are held.

The Huguenot Church is a church built at the end of the 17th century. It was built by the Huguenots in the middle of the 17th century on the square of the same name. One of the most remarkable parts of this building is undoubtedly the clock with the blue-red-white colour on the dial as a sign of the French tricolour.

Other places to visit in Erlangen: Erlangen Botanical Garden, Siemens MedMuseum, Markgräfliches Schloss, Schloß- und Marktplatz, StadtMuseum, Aromagarten, Kunstpalais Erlangen, Neustädter Kirche, Heinrich-Kirchner-Skulpturengarten, Walderlebniszentrum Tennenlohe, Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn, Christmas Market...

Drive your rental car beyond Erlangen

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 the 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 Erlangen

Erlangen is a city famous for food and beer. Bavaria is a state that has some of the most famous beers on its list of local products and, of course, this is also a state with many delicious flavours that you can discover in some of the best restaurants in Germany. There are many different restaurants in the city where you can explore the local gastronomy or try some of the authentic German dishes. Of course, there are also some restaurants that offer more modern German cuisine and also menus from all over the world. So, it is up to you what kind of culinary offer you prefer, but one thing is for sure, Erlangen will definitely meet your expectations.

Best restaurant in Erlangen

Boliwood

Rossofuoco Pizzeria

Steinbach Brau Erlangen

Kitzmann Brauschanke

Modo Mio da maurizio

Osteria - Il Sapore

Sangam