Car Hire in Regensburg

About Regensburg

Regensburg is a city in Germany, more precisely in the eastern part of the state of Bavaria. Regensburg is the fourth largest city in Bavaria, just behind Munich, Nuremberg and Augsburg. It is also the capital of the district of Upper Palatinate. The city was founded in Roman times at the confluence of the Danube, Naab and Regen rivers. It has always been an important political, economic and cultural centre of this region.

Today it is a very modern city with great future prospects. Regensburg has a perfect mix of old and modern, which creates a fantastic atmosphere in the city, both for tourists and travellers, as well as for the locals who live here. There are many opportunities for business development in this region and it is also an already established industrial region. But Regensburg is not just about business and industry. There are also many other things to see and do here. The city is also known as a science centre and is home to several institutes in various fields of science. There are also many opportunities for tourism here. Thanks to its excellent location (prosperous region, developed cities, fantastic nature with rivers and mountains nearby - the mountain ranges Franconian Jura and Bavarian Forest), there are many natural, historical, cultural and religious sights worth visiting. The city is very well connected to other parts of the country, there is a well-developed railroad infrastructure, major airports near the city and, of course, an excellent road infrastructure. So, if you are taking a road trip through Germany or just through Bavaria, be sure to stop in Regensburg and explore this great, charming city that really has a lot to offer for every kind of tourist and traveller.

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Bavaria, and the most important thing is that it is not as crowded as the biggest Bavarian cities. There is something to discover here for every kind of tourist and traveller. Besides many interesting and wonderful historical, cultural and religious sites, there are also many fantastic opportunities for various sports activities. And of course, there are also some great restaurants in town, so you can really find it all here in Regensburg. It's up to you what kind of activities you prefer on your holiday, but one thing is for sure, if you come here to Regensburg, you will definitely find something for yourself. Fasten your seatbelts and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Regensburg

• Location: Bavaria, Germany
• Population: 152,270
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Regensburg straddles the humid continental and oceanic climate zones 
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Regensburg are in good condition.
• Car hire in Regensburg:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Regensburg is at the Regensburg 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 Regensburg!

 Driving in Regensburg

Regensburg is a very popular tourist destination, so sometimes there are a lot of cars on the roads in and around the city. During rush hours, traffic jams are more common because Regensburg is also a city with strong industry and many different companies are based here, so many people come here to work, which can cause additional congestion on the roads. All in all, the traffic here is not very hectic. The roads are in a good condition, the signalling is visible and frequent, so you just need to pay attention to the traffic signs and follow the rules.

Renting a car here is the best option if you want to explore the city and the wider region properly. German cities have a well-developed public transportation network, but renting a car here allows you to get around on your own schedule and at your own pace.

If you want to explore the city centre, it's best to park your car in one of the many public parking lots (for a fee) and explore the city centre on foot. When you are done exploring the city centre, you can get in your car and explore the surrounding area. There are really a lot of fabulous places around Regensburg, all accessible by car.

Since Regensburg, and in fact 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. In Germany, an environmental zone is a zone into which 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).

Low emission zone city: Since January 15, 2018 minimum standard for diesel Euro 4(PM), gasoline Euro 1 / green sticker.

Regensburg's Low Emission Zone covers the central, historic area of the city, including Thurn und Taxis Castle with its adjacent park. Friedenstrasse and Stadtamhof, on the other hand, are not included in the environmental zone.

• 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 Regensburg

Bamberg, Landshut, Eichstätt, Weißenburg, Bayreuth , Nuremburg, Passau, Ingolstadt...

What to see in Regensburg

Thanks to its location, Regensburg has always been an important cultural and economic centre of the region. The city has a long and rich past with many different events that took place here and shaped the city and culture of Regensburg that we can visit and experience today. There is something here for every type of tourist and traveller. You will find business opportunities, sports activities, great cultural, historical and religious sites, shopping opportunities, great gastronomy and much more... All you need to do before coming here is to make some good research and plan because there is really a lot to see and do. For history buffs, this city is an absolute must-see in Bavaria. The interesting thing about Regensburg's old town is that it remained virtually untouched during the World War, even though the whole region was practically devastated.

So you should definitely visit the Old Town, which is a perfect blend of different architectural styles. The buildings here range from Roman to Romanesque to Gothic styles. You can also opt for a guided tour of the old town. On this guided tour of the city centre, you will learn a lot about the German culture and history of this city and this region. Another way to explore the Old Town is to get on a tourist train that will take you through the Old Town, which will also allow you to learn a lot about this area and its past.

One of the main attractions in Regensburg is undoubtedly St. Peter's Church. This Gothic cathedral impresses both from the outside, where you can admire the beautiful facade and decorations and from the inside, where you can admire countless small details and wonderful paintings, frescoes and statues.

Other places to visit in Regensburg: Old Town Hall, Old Stone Bridge, Roman ruins of Castra Regina, Neupfarrplatz, Regensburg Museum of History, Herzogspark, Art Forum East German Gallery & St. Ulrich, Regensburg Museum of Danube Shipping, The Old Chapel (Alten Kapelle), Hall of Liberation, Kelheim, Museum of Bavarian History, Scots Monastery, St. Emmeram's Abbey, Old Cornmarket...

Drive your rental car beyond Regensburg

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 Regensburg

Bavaria is very popular among many gourmets from Germany and also from other parts of the world. There are several traditional dishes that are very popular here, but you can also eat in many great modern restaurants where you can try international menus.

But of course, when you come to Bavaria, you should also try authentic dishes. One of the most popular dishes from this region is undoubtedly the Weisswurst. It was first made by butchers in Munich in the 19th century and has been a kind of trademark of Bavaria ever since. Another popular dish here is sauerkraut or sour fermented cabbage. Then we should also mention bratwurst, which is often served with sauerkraut or sour fermented cabbage. And at the end of the meal it is good to have something sweet and here comes the Dampfnudeln, the traditional German dumplings.

 There are also many ways to have a party in Regensburg. Here are some locations in the city that are worth a visit:

Barock Bar, Chin-Chin Bar, Hemingway's, Drei Mohren Cafe Bar, KA5PER, da Silva...

Best restaurant in Regensburg

Restaurant Roten Hahn

Weltenburger am Dom

Restaurant - Cafe Coming Home

Regensburger Weissbrauhaus

Brauerei-Gaststatte Kneitinger

Historische Wurstkuche