Car Hire in Koblenz

About Koblenz

Koblenz is a city in Germany, more precisely in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. It is the third largest city in this state after Mainz and Ludwigshafen am Rhein. Koblenz was founded by the Romans in the 8th century BC. In the beginning, the city was a military post. The city is located on the banks of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.

Koblenz is one of the oldest German cities and an absolute must-see for any tourist or traveller. There are so many different things to see and do in Koblenz and its surrounding areas. There are many amazing cultural, historical, religious and also natural attractions in the city and its surroundings. Koblenz is known as a city with wonderful nature in its surroundings. When you are in Koblenz, you can plan hiking, visiting rivers and other activities in nature. The city is also very well connected with other parts of the country. If you are planning a road trip through Germany, this is an ideal place to start your journey. Renting a car is the best option here if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Of course, there are other options if you want to travel without a car, such as by train. But around the city there are many beautiful places that you can reach by car.

You will also enjoy exploring the old town. There are many places in the city that you must visit, and you will definitely not regret spending a few days here. Besides the sightseeing, you can also enjoy some top-notch restaurants and bars here and explore the gastronomic part of this region.

Basic info and car hire in Koblenz

• Location: State of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
• Population: 113,388
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: In Koblenz, 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 Koblenz are in good condition.
• Car hire in Koblenz:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Koblenz is at the Koblenz 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 Koblenz!

 Driving in Koblenz

Renting a car here in Koblenz is undoubtedly the best option if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. The toads here are in good condition and the city is well connected to other parts of the country, so you will really enjoy driving around the city and the area. When you arrive in Koblenz, it's best to park your car in one of the many parking lots and explore the city centre on foot. You can also combine walking with using public transportation. When you are done exploring the city centre, you can get in your car and explore the wider area. Around Koblenz, there are so many wonderful spots in nature and the fastest and easiest way to get there is undoubtedly by car.

So when you are in Koblenz, make sure you follow the traffic rules, obey all the signs and enjoy the ride. Fasten your seat belt 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 Koblenz

Bonn, Mainz, Dusseldorf, Worms, Frankfurt, Cologne, Siegen, Kaiserslautern, Darmstadt, Wiesbaden...

What to see in Koblenz

Koblenz has a lot to offer for all types of tourists and travellers. It's up to you what kind of vacation you prefer, but one thing is for sure, there really is a lot to see and do here in Koblenz.

One of the attractions that you should definitely visit is undoubtedly the Deutsches Eck. This is an arch-shaped platform built at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. This is a perfect place to take pictures. The view from here is really breathtaking and you can admire the city, rivers, bridges, etc. from here. There is also a large statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I on the platform.

Another must-see is Lahneck Castle, which was built in the 13th century. You can take part in one of the many guided tours of the castle. From here you also have a wonderful view of the river and the surrounding areas.

Another famous place here in Koblenz is the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. It was built in the 19th century and offers breathtaking views as well as a spectacular tour through the labyrinth of corridors and high walls. Here you can also visit the Koblenz State Museum, where you can see many archaeological and historical artefacts.

Another great way to spend your time here is to take a ride on the cable car, which offers breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. The boarding station is located near the German Corner. The 890-meter-long route will take you to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and during the ride, you can admire breathtaking views. Definitely, an attraction that you should visit in Koblenz.

Other places to visit and things to do: River Cruise, DB Museum, Electoral Palace, Wine tours, Stolzenfels Castle, Rhine Gardens, The Basilica of St. Castor,  ...

Drive your rental car beyond Koblenz

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 Koblenz

This region is famous for its wines and so is Koblenz. The city is surrounded by vineyards and there are many famous wineries here in Koblenz and the surrounding villages. Besides the wines, you can of course enjoy the delicious German cuisine here in Koblenz. The offer is really huge, so it's up to you what kind of food you prefer. You can explore traditional German cuisine, as there are many restaurants here where you can order traditional menus from this area or menus from all over the country. Of course, there are also many restaurants where you can eat modern German cuisine and dishes from around the world. So if you want to explore the gastronomic part of Germany, this is the right place for you.

Best restaurant in Koblenz

Restaurant Verbene

Gerhards Genussgesellschaft

Syrtaki

Circus Maximus

Koenigsbacher Treff

Tamrap Thai Restaurant