Car Hire in Hamburg

About Hamburg

Hamburg is a city and a state in Germany. Officially, it is called the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. It is between two German states, Schleswig-Holstein in the north and Lower Saxony in the south. It is the second-largest German city after Berlin and the 7th largest city in the European Union. It is interesting to note that Hamburg is the largest non-capital city in the European Union. The Holy Roman Empire founded the city on the Elbe River and two of its tributaries, the Alster and the Bille. The whole region has a very long and rich past. There have been many ups and downs for Hamburg throughout history and many important historical events took place here and shaped this city. There were many tragic events here in Hamburg in the past, for example, a big fire destroyed the city, later in 1962 there was a big flood, and of course, we should not forget that there were also heavy bombings on the city during World War II.

Hamburg is a very important port and the third largest port in Europe behind Rotterdam and Antwerp. This means that this city never sleeps. There is always something going on in Hamburg, and you will see that when you come here and explore the city. The city is home to many important institutions, for example, the oldest merchant bank in the world, Berenberg Bank, the oldest German stock exchange, many media, trade, logistics and industrial companies such as Airbus, Blohm + Voss, Aurubis, Beiersdorf and Unilever. Hamburg is also an important European science, research and education centre with several universities and institutions. The city enjoys a very high quality of life and is ranked 19th in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey 2019.

But apart from that, Hamburg is also a great city for tourists and travellers. There are many different things to see and do here, and before you come to Hamburg, you should do some good research if you want to visit as many places as possible. So if you are planning a road trip through Germany, you should put Hamburg on your list of cities where you will spend a few days, you will not regret it. So buckle up and drive safely.

Basic info and car hire in Hamburg

• Location: Germany
• Population: 1,845,229
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Hamburg has an oceanic climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Hamburg are in good condition.
• Car hire in Hamburg:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Hamburg is at Hamburg Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before 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 Hamburg!

 Driving in Hamburg

Hamburg is a very large city with a well-developed industry and an important port. This means that there is a lot of traffic here and you should be prepared for occasional traffic jams, especially during rush hours. The road infrastructure is in good condition, and the signalling is clear, so you will not have much trouble finding your way around. Hamburg is also well connected with other parts of the country, making it a perfect starting point for your road trip through Germany.

To explore the city, it is best to park your car in one of the many parking lots and explore the city on foot. You can also combine a walk with using public transportation. It is good to know that Hamburg has a very well-developed car-sharing system, so you have many options to get around the city.

Since Hamburg, and the whole region, has a strong industry, the so-called environmental zones were introduced to maintain a healthy environment for those who live here. An environmental zone in Germany is where motorised vehicles are only allowed to enter with an environmental badge. In German, these zones are called Umweltzone, 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 cars (M1), motor homes (M1), heavy caravans (M1), minibuses (M2), buses (M3), vans (N1), transporters (N2), trucks (N2) and heavy commercial vehicles (N3).

Vehicle registration and city government sell stickers. Local garages and vehicle inspection centres such as TUeV and DEKRA are also authorised to sell stickers. If you buy them directly from municipal offices, they cost €5. Online, they can cost more. And if they need to be shipped abroad, that can sometimes be a bit more expensive. The city of Berlin sells stickers online (in English or German) for 6 €. TUeV-SUeD offers stickers for 15 € in German, Česky, Français, English, Italiano, Polski, and Tuerkçe. TUeV-NORD sells stickers for 9,90 € if the vehicle is registered in Germany and for 17,50 € if the vehicle is not registered in Germany.

Buy the stickers only on the official websites of the city or the TueV. Other websites are often much more expensive if you get a valid sticker.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Germany is 18. 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 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 identifiable as a Driving License, e.g., it is in a non-Latin alphabet (e.g. 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 the license's front and back should be included. You also must present two passport photos to get an international driver's license in Germany.  This is all you need to obtain an international license for driving in Germany. 
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the main driver's name 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 and on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the main driver's name and additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car, you must have your voucher. At Orbit Car Hire, you can buy additional coverage to travel throughout Germany without worry. 
• Additional requirements:  It is a legal requirement that vehicles have specific 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 (usually already in the car and 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 must wear a seatbelt. If a passenger is found without one, the driver is held responsible with a high fine. In Germany, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under three 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 whenever 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.

What to see in Hamburg

If you are looking for all kinds of cultural, historical and religious sightseeing, you have come to the right place. Hamburg has a lot to offer for every kind of tourist and traveller. This city has so many faces that you will never get bored exploring the streets of the old town, the harbour, or the newer part of the city.

One of the most famous attractions of the city is undoubtedly the Elbphilharmonie. This stunning architectural masterpiece is truly special and hosts hundreds of thousands of tourists and visitors annually. You can participate in many different cultural events or, if you want, join a guided tour and explore this majestic building.

When you are in Hamburg, you should also explore the port of Hamburg. There are so many things to see and do in this port that many people say this is a whole world in one port. You can admire ships, yachts, etc. or find some delicious restaurants and bars here. There is also a fish market and many other stores and boutiques that you should not miss while walking around the port of Hamburg.

The Reeperbahn is a famous entertainment district. This lively place is always alive; you can always listen to live music and see other performances while sitting in a bar, drinking a glass of wine, trying cocktails, etc.

Other places to visit and things to do in Hamburg: Miniatur Wunderland, Hamburg's maritime cultural heritage, the City Hall, Hamburger Kunsthalle, St. Michael's Church, Rickmer Rickmers and Cap San Diego, Alster Lakes,...

Drive your rental car beyond Hamburg

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 cities are Berlin and Germany's financial centre in Frankfurt. In many ways, Germany is undoubtedly one of the world's most robust and most developed countries. It is the country with the largest economy in Europe and the fourth-largest economy globally. It is a world leader in several industrial, scientific and technological fields and is the third-largest exporter and 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 worth visiting. The country lies between the Baltic and North Seas in the north and the Alps in the south. So there is much to see and do here, from the south to the north. One of this country's significant advantages is that the road infrastructure here is well-developed and among the best in Europe. It is an ideal country for a road trip. You should probably make 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 opt for the bigger cities in Germany, as there are a large number of cities in this country and there are countless exciting things to see and do in most cities. Also, many festivals take place throughout the year. So you need to research well and make a good plan before coming here because you need to be well organized to see and do as many things as possible.

In Germany, there are also many great options for those who prefer a more active vacation. For those who love the mountains, there are many great mountain trails and routes you can explore 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 romantic little villages where you can learn more about German culture and traditions, meet the locals and try local specialities. If you explore the German countryside, you can also be prepared to see some fantastic castles. Some of them are abandoned, and only ruins remind us that the castle was here in the past. However, 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 has 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 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, and 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 try the sausage and the beer. This is German tradition and pride.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Hamburg

Thanks to the fact that Hamburg is a port city, the cuisine here is very colourful and very diverse. So many different ingredients come into the city through the port of Hamburg. Of course, there are many restaurants with seafood and fish, but there are also many places where you can eat other types of cuisine. There are some restaurants where you can try traditional local food and German dishes. If you want, you can also sit in a restaurant where you can order menus from all over the world. The culinary offer here is really on a high level, so it is up to you what kind of cuisine you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will find something for your taste here in Hamburg.

Best restaurant in Hamburg

Stadtsalat

Surolls

Erdapfel Hamburg

Zeik

The Table Kevin Fehling

Bootshaus Grill und Bar

Bianc