Car Hire in Rostock

About Rostock

Rostock is a city in Germany, more precisely in the Mecklenburg part of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, near the border with Pomerania. Officially, it is called the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock. It is the largest city in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the third-largest city on the German Baltic coast after Kiel and Luebeck. In the past, it was the largest coastal and most important port city in Eastern Germany. Today it is the 39th largest city in Germany.

The Warnow River flows through the city of Rostock, which runs through the entire city, about 16 kilometres long, to the Mecklenburg Bay of the Baltic Sea, where the Warnow River flows into the Baltic Sea. The city experienced significant growth in the past, thanks in part to its location on the Baltic coast, which provided the opportunity to build a port. The port of Rostock is the largest port on the Baltic coast and the fourth largest in Germany, just after Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. There are many lines to other parts of Europe and the world, both for tourism and industry. There are also many ferries connecting Germany with Scandinavian countries.

But Rostock is not only a city with an important port, there are many other things that make this city unique and a great destination for every kind of tourist and traveller. One of the most important facts about Rostock is that this city hosts one of the oldest universities in the world. Moreover, this city has a really old and rich past that is clearly visible through many different cultural, historical and religious sites throughout the city.

In addition to the many tourist attractions that attract tourists from all over the world, there are also many opportunities for all kinds of sports activities in Rostock and its surroundings. So, this is an ideal place also for people who prefer an active holiday. So, if you are going on a road trip through Germany, you should put Rostock on your list of cities where you will spend a few days. There are really endless possibilities in this charming city. You just need to make a good plan and explore Rostock according to your own schedule and at your own pace.

Basic info and car hire in Rostock

• Location: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
• Population: 209,061
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Rostock has an oceanic climate    
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Rostock are in good condition.
• Car hire in Rostock:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Rostock is at the Rostock 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 Rostock!

 Driving in Rostock

Renting a car here in Rostock is the best option if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Being a port and industrial city, there is some congestion, especially during rush hours, so be prepared to spend a bit more time on the road than expected. But all in all, traffic here is not as hectic as in a larger German city. There is also a good road infrastructure, so getting around and navigating the city should not be a big problem.

Rostock is not part of the environmental zone, so you do not need a special permit to enter the city. However, if you want to explore the city centre in a relaxed and leisurely manner, it is best to park your car in one of the many parking lots in the city and explore the city on foot. You can also combine this with using public transportation. After exploring the city centre, you can get in your car, buckle up and drive safely. There are many attractions located on the outskirts of the city or just outside the city, all of which are accessible by car.

To avoid problems on German roads, make sure you obey all traffic signs and follow the rules. It is good to know that you have to pay a special toll to enter the Warnow Tunnel. This tunnel runs under the Warnow River and connects the east and west coasts north of Rostock. The tunnel has a length of 790 metres.

• 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 Rostock

Gelbensande castle, Guestrow Castle, Schwerin Castle, Hansa City, BOLTENHAGEN, KÜHLUNGSBORN, GRAAL-MÜRITZ...

What to see in Rostock

Renting a car is the best option in Rostock if you want to explore the city and its surroundings properly. Rostock is not only an important port and industrial city, but has much more to offer and is popular with tourists from Germany and all over the world. The city has a long and rich past and thanks to this fact there are many cultural, historical and religious sites worth visiting here. Besides that, there are also many opportunities for various sports activities, so the city is also an ideal place for people who prefer an active holiday. It is up to you what kind of activities and attractions you prefer, but one thing is for sure: you will undoubtedly find many interesting things in this charming city.

One of the places in the city worth visiting is the New Market, as it is called by the locals. This square has been the heart of the city's social life since the 13th century. Locals meet here, have a coffee, a beer or have lunch in the good restaurants and bars on the square.

St. Mary's Church, or Marienkirche as it is called in Germany, is another attraction you should definitely visit in Rostock. This church was built in the 13th century and represents the Gothic architecture in Germany. One of the main attractions of this church is undoubtedly the astronomical clock from the 15th century, which is unique in the world and still works.

Warnemuende beach is one of the most famous beaches in this area. It is located about 1 kilometre from the centre of Rostock and is a very popular summer resort among Germans and also tourists and travellers from Europe and beyond. This beach has a great infrastructure, with many restaurants and bars and with many facilities for children and families. So it is a perfect destination for different types of summer vacations.

Other places to visit and things to do in Rostock: Kropeliner Strasse, Alter Strom, Shipbuilding and Maritime Museum, Karl's Adventure Village Roevershagen, Cultural History Museum, Petrikeller, Bar-hopping in Rostock city centre,...

Drive your rental car beyond Rostock

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 Rostock

Rostock is a very popular destination for all gastronomy lovers. In the city, there are really many different restaurants and bars with a wide range of dishes. You can either eat in a restaurant where you can order traditional German food, or you can also find modern restaurants where you can enjoy modern German cuisine. Thanks to its location by the sea, Rostock also has some very good fish restaurants where you can enjoy fabulous dishes with fish and seafood as the main ingredient. Of course, there are also many restaurants where you can order international menus. So you really have it all here in Rostock - it's up to you which flavours you prefer.

Best restaurant in Rostock

Otto"s Restaurant & Hafen Bar

Zum Stromer

Zur Kogge

Borwin Hafenrestaurant

Old Western

Altstaedter Stuben