Car Hire in Hanover

About Hanover

Hannover is a city in Germany, more precisely in the state of Lower Saxony, located in the northern part of the country. Hannover is the capital and the largest city of the state and the 13th largest German city. Together with some smaller towns around it, it forms the Hannover Region. The city was founded in the Middle Ages on the banks of the river Leine. In the beginning, it was a small fishing village and gradually became an increasingly important city, mainly thanks to its perfect location. Hannover is an important crossroads of railroads and highways. It connects the north with the south and the west with the east.

But Hannover is not only an important transportation hub, it is much more than that. There are many different things to see and do here. It's up to you what kind of activities you prefer on your vacation. One thing is for sure, Hannover has a lot to offer and all you need to do is to get well-informed and choose your preferences. There are many impressive cultural, historical and religious sites in the city and also in its surroundings. So, if you are taking a road trip through Germany, you should definitely stop here and maybe stay for a few days, you will not regret it. This state is also known for its beautiful nature. So, when you drive out of the city and explore the wider area, you will be impressed by the beauties that exist everywhere in Lower Saxony. If we add that there are some really good restaurants in this area, where you can get to know the gastronomy of the region and also that of the whole country, then you are definitely in the right place.

Besides many tourist attractions that you can visit here in Hannover, there are also some important institutions and career opportunities here in Hannover, for example, Leibniz College Hannover, and International Neuroscience Institute...

Basic info and car hire in Hanover

• Location: State of Lower Saxony, Germany
• Population: 534,049
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Hanover has an oceanic climate
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Hanover are in good condition.
• Car hire in Hanover:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Hanover is at Hanover 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 Hanover!

 Driving in Hanover

If you want to explore the state of Lower Saxony properly, a rental car is certainly the best option for you. Hannover is a good starting point for your road trip through this state or even through Germany. If you are already on your road trip through this country, you should put Hannover on the list of cities where you will make a stopover and enjoy a few days. When you arrive here, it's best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city, especially at the city entrance. Traffic can be quite heavy here in Hannover, especially during rush hour. There are also pedestrian zones in the city where you are not allowed to enter by car, especially in the old town. So you can explore the city on foot or combine walking with public transport.

The city is very well connected to other parts of the country, so you will not have much trouble finding your way around. All you have to do is follow the rules and obey the traffic signs.

Since Hanover, and actually the whole region, has a strong industry, the so-called environmental zones were introduced to maintain a healthy environment for the people 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, which is 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, 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, 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 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 name of the main driver 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 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 (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 Hanover

There are many different things to see and do in Hannover. It's good to do some research beforehand because many cultural, historical and religious sites are worth visiting, and you should be prepared to see as much as possible.

One of the most famous attractions here is undoubtedly the Hanover Adventure ZOO. This is an animal safari where you can see more than 2000 different animals and many exotic landscapes and plants.

When you are in Hannover, be sure to explore the Old Town. This charming neighbourhood with authentic half-timbered houses, museums and sights is located in the heart of Hannover. During World War II, the Altstadt was wholly destroyed, but after the war, it was renovated and rebuilt, so today, you can admire a fantastic mix of old and new.

The Herrenhaeuser Gardens are another place you should visit in Hannover. Many say that this is the city's main attraction. The gardens were created more than 300 years ago, and the "Great Garden" is one of Europe's most important Baroque gardens. Here you can not only admire the wonderful nature and its forms but also visit many different cultural events that take place here in the gardens. So, if you come to Hannover, you should not miss this amazing attraction.

Other places to visit: Maschsee, The old town hall, the new town hall, Nanas, the Opera house, the City centre,...

Drive your rental car beyond Hanover

Germany or the Federal Republic of Germany as the country's official name is, 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 are 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 globally. It is a world leader in several industrial, scientific and technological fields and is 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 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 the great advantages of this country is the fact 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 Hanover

The state of Lower Saxony is known for its fertile soil, and agriculture is well-developed here. Thanks to this fact, many local ingredients are available here in Hannover. The cuisine of this region is based on local ingredients and recipes that were developed in the past. Today, you can enjoy many different dishes here. You can visit some fantastic restaurants where you can try local and specialities from all over the country. Of course, many restaurants offer menus from all over the world. It is up to you what kind of culinary you prefer, but one thing is for sure, you will find something for you here in Hannover.

Best restaurant in Hanover

Botticelli Ristorante

Roy's Restaurant

Gondel Restaurant

Beef and Reef

Meteora

Ristorante-Weinstube Leonardo