Car Hire in Stuttgart

About Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a city in Germany. It is located in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. It is the sixth-largest city in the state and the capital and largest city of this state. The area was inhabited as early as 7000 BC and the main source of income for the people living here was agriculture, mainly thanks to the very fertile soil here in the Neckar Valley. So this area has a long and rich past, where many different cultures and civilizations have found their home. Stuttgart is located on the Neckar River in a fertile valley known as the Stuttgart Kesse. Stuttgart is one of the best German and European cities in many aspects. For example, it is among the 20 largest European metropolitan areas in terms of GDP. In addition, Stuttgart was ranked 21st on the list of cities with the highest quality of life.

The Neckar River flows through the city, and about an hour away from the city are the Swabian Mountains and the Black Forest. Many say Stuttgart is the "cradle of the automobile," but that's not the only thing the city is known for. Stuttgart is a perfect blend of industry, art, and history. There are also many beautiful parks and lots of nature in and around the city, which often surprise tourists and travellers who do not know the city, as everyone expects only industry here.

Locals are very proud of their city, its industry and the wonderful nature that surrounds it. This nature also provides a perfect ground for various sports activities. Locals use the local hills for cycling, climbing, hiking, running, etc. So, besides visiting interesting historical, cultural and religious sites, you can also take part in various other activities in Stuttgart and its surroundings. It is up to you what kind of holiday you prefer, but one thing is for sure, Stuttgart offers you a great variety of possibilities. You just have to make a decision according to your own preferences.

If you are going on a road trip through Germany, you should definitely plan a few days in Stuttgart, because there is a lot to see and experience here. The two slogans for Stuttgart are "The new heart of Europe" and "Where business meets the future".

Basic info and car hire in Stuttgart

• Location: Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
• Population: 630,305
• Official language: German
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Stuttgart experiences an oceanic climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Stuttgart are in good condition.
• Car hire in Stuttgart: Stuttgart's most common pick-up point for vehicles is at Stuttgart Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before 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 Stuttgart!

 Driving in Stuttgart

Renting a car is the best option in Stuttgart if you want to properly explore the city and its surroundings. Like any big city, there are some traffic jams in Stuttgart, especially during rush hours. Being an industrial city, many people come here to work, so you can expect a high density of cars on the roads in the morning and afternoon.

Stuttgart is part of the environmental zone. An Umweltzone in Germany is where motorised vehicles are only allowed to enter with an environmental badge. In German, these zones are called Umweltzone, which translates to the 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).

There are two environmental zones in Stuttgart. The second one is embedded in the first one.

1. The 'city-wide' environmental zone: minimum standard in the entire city area o Diesel Euro 5, gasoline Euro 1.
2. 'Small' zonal environmental zone: minimum standard in parts of the city o Diesel Euro 6, Gasoline Euro 1.

Vehicle registration and city council 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 the municipal offices, they cost €5. Online, they can cost more. And if they have 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 car is not registered in Germany.

Buy the stickers only on the official websites of the city or TUeV, which are linked on our pages. Other websites are often much more expensive if they provide valid stickers.

• 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 the license's front and back 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 (they 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 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 Stuttgart

Before you come to Stuttgart, make sure you are well-informed and have a good plan. There is a lot to see and do here, and you should list places you want to visit or things you want to do because there is a lot on offer. Of course, what kind of holiday you prefer is up to you, but you can find everything here. For example, you can visit some amazing museums, galleries and cultural events and explore the beginning of industrialization and the cradle of the automobile. On the other hand, there are also many opportunities for sports activities and much more.

One of the attractions you should not miss is the State Gallery. This fantastic art museum was founded in 1843 and is still housed in the same building, with some parts being renovated in the past and others being modern pieces of art and architecture. Here you can admire the works of some of the best European painters and beyond. Matisse, Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Franz Marc, Piet Mondrian and Joan Miró are just a few.

For lovers of automobiles, several places in Stuttgart are a must-visit. One of them is undoubtedly the Mercedes-Benz Museum. This museum has an extensive collection of 160 vehicles and more than 1,500 exhibits. Another museum for car lovers is the Porsche Museum.

The zoological-botanical garden of Wilhelma is a top-rated ZOO, and with more than 1000 species, it is the second largest in Germany, just after Berlin.

Other places to visit and things to do in Stuttgart: Killesbergpark, Killesbergturm, Schlossplatz, Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, Solitude Palace, Königstraße, Württemberg Mausoleum, Weissenhof Estate, Weissenhofmuseum, Stiftskirche, Linden Museum, Markthalle, Stadtbibliothek am Mailänder Platz, Birkenkopf, Fernsehturm, Landesmuseum Württemberg, Neckar Park, Standseilbahn Stuttgart, Gottlieb Daimler Memorial, Cannstatter Volksfest, Stuttgart Christmas Market...

Drive your rental car beyond Stuttgart

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 in Frankfurt. In many ways, Germany is undoubtedly one of the world's strongest and most developed countries. 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 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 this country's great advantages is 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 either opt for the bigger cities in Germany, as there are a large number of cities in this country and there are 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 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 indulge in 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 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. 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 architectures 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 Stuttgart

Stuttgart is located in the Neckar Valley, known for its fertile soil. Thanks to this fertile soil, many vegetables and fruits are grown in this area. Therefore, Stuttgart's cuisine is mainly based on local ingredients and traditional recipes. Of course, since it is a modern city, you will also find prestigious modern restaurants where you can try modern German cuisine. Many restaurants offer international menus, so you can choose from various options. Typical dishes from this area are Spaetzle (flour dumplings), Zwiebelrostbraten and Flaedlesuppe.

It is also worth mentioning the high-quality wines produced in this region. So, you can also enjoy some quality German wines here, and of course, we should not forget to mention that there is also a great offer of beer here in Germany, which is a kind of traditional drink in this country.

Best restaurant in Stuttgart

Hupperts

1.5

Zum Ackerbuerger

Brenner

Sushi ONE

Weinstube Am Stadtgraben