Car Hire in Munich

About Munich

Munich is a city in Germany, more precisely in the state of Bavaria. It is the largest city in this state and also it's capital. It is also the capital of the region of Upper Bavaria. After Berlin and Hamburg, Munich is the third-largest city in Germany and the eleventh largest city in the European Union. Munich was founded in the 12th century on the banks of the Isar River and has always been an important city in the region and even in the whole of Germany. Throughout its history, it experienced several ups and downs, but always remained an important centre for art, architecture, culture and science.

In the past, especially in times of war, Munich was always an important political centre and also an important centre for revolution and resistance. During World War II, the city was heavily bombed, but after the war, it was quickly rebuilt and restored. It also experienced significant growth in many ways (population, economy, industry, size...). Today Munich is still an important global centre for art, science, technology, finance, publishing, culture, innovation, education, business and tourism. For several years, Munich has been achieving great results in terms of living standards and quality of life. Munich is one of the fastest-growing cities in Germany and beyond. There are endless opportunities in this amazing city. Thanks to this fact, Munich is one of the most welcoming cities for all kinds of companies. There are many multinational companies like BMW, Siemens, MAN, Allianz and MunichRE. The automotive industry is really strong and important here, it is even part of the pride and tradition of Bavaria and Munich. There are also many great museums where you can learn more about the history of the automobile and the history of the brands that come from this area.

Munich has so much to offer for every type of tourist and traveller. This is a modern city with many old parts and this mix of modern and old gives Munich an extra charm. You can always find something for yourself here, you can either visit different cultural, historical and religious sites or just walk around the city and admire the architecture, squares, etc. There are also countless shopping opportunities and of course many fantastic places where you can eat or drink a beer, coffee or wine. So the offer is really huge. It's up to you what kind of activities you prefer on your holiday, but one thing is for sure, Munich really has a lot to offer and if you have a good plan when you come here, you will always have something to see and do.

Basic info and car hire in Munich

• Location: Bavaria, Germany
• Population: 1,488,202
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Munich has an oceanic climate     
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Munich are in good condition.
• Car hire in Munich:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Munich is at the Munich 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 Munich!

 Driving in Munich

Renting a car in Munich is the best option if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Especially if you plan to explore the state of Bavaria, a car is an absolute must, especially if you want to get around according to your own preferences and at your own pace. The roads here are in very good condition, so you will not have any problems with them. Navigation is also quite easy, as the signalling is clear, visible and frequent. All you have to do is follow the traffic rules and obey all the road signs.

When you arrive in Munich, it is best to park your car before exploring the city centre. The city centre is full of mediaeval streets and squares, and traffic is often banned from areas where there are many pedestrians. There are also many one-way streets, so navigating here can be quite taxing. After you have explored the city centre, you can get in your car and continue exploring Munich on your own. The streets are modern and wide and the traffic is well organised. Of course, there can be traffic jams during rush hour, because Munich is still a big city with a lot of industry and many professionals who come here every day to work.

Since Munich, 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 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 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, 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 there at all.

• 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 Munich

Neuschwanstein Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg, Nuremberg, Herrenchiemsee, Ingolstadt, The Schleissheim Palace Complex

What to see in Munich

There are really many things you can see and do in Munich. You can either come here to find a business opportunity, to see a football game or to explore so many different cultural, historical and religious sites.

One of the places you must visit is Marienplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in Munich and beyond. It has been the city's main square for more than 200 years, as many important events have taken place here in the past and still do today. You can also see the magnificent new city hall on one side of the square and the old city hall on the other.

Another great place to visit is the English Garden. You can either walk or bike here if you prefer a more active type of holiday. This is the largest and most beautiful natural park in Germany. In the park, you can visit various attractions or find wonderful places to relax and unwind. For example, you should visit the Chinese Tower, which is located here in the park. There are also the Bavarian National Museum and the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection here.

Nymphenburg Palace and its gardens-a huge and beautiful baroque palace with majestic gardens and many wonderful places inside the building that will leave you speechless. You should not miss the Central Pavilion, the Marstall Museum, the Nymphenburg Park, the Amalienburg...

Other places you should visit in Munich: Munich Residence, Olympic Park, BMW Museum, BMW World, Hellabrunn ZOO, Viktualienmarkt, Christmas Market, Alte Gemaeldegalerie, Neue Gemaeldegalerie, Staatsgalerie fuer moderne Kunst, Glyptothek, Staatliche Antikensammlung, Lenbachhaus, St. Peterskirche, Hofgarten, Deutsches Museum, Alte Pinakothek, Muenchner Residenz, Neue Pinakothek, Pinakothek der Moderne, Lenbachhaus, Asamkirche, Frauenkirche, Theatinerkirche, Glyptothek, Allianz Arena, Muenchner Nationaltheater, Mueller'sches Volksbad, Hofbraeuhaus, Viktualienmarkt, Oktoberfest...

Drive your rental car beyond Munich

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 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 architectures 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 Munich

Munich, like any great city, is a great destination for all foodies because there are so many great restaurants here with such great and varied offers that you will simply fall in love with the gastronomy of this city. There are many different restaurants where you can either order a traditional Bavarian or German meal or you can sit down in some modern German restaurants with modern German and Bavarian cuisine. Of course, there are also many other restaurants where you can order menus from all over the world. We should not forget to mention that there is also delicious street food here in Munich. So, the offer is really huge, and it's up to you which flavour you prefer.

Here are some traditional dishes from Munich: pork knuckle, white sausage, pretzels, spaetzle, fish roll, Obatzda, chicken and sauerkraut.

Best restaurant in Munich

Chopan Schwabing

La Boheme

Risotto Restaurant Munich

Restaurant Pils Corner

Naxos Taverna

La Tavernetta