Germany Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Germany is a top destination for road trips, offering well-maintained highways and diverse landscapes. The iconic Autobahn provides a thrilling driving experience, while scenic routes like the Romantic Road lead to charming towns and historic castles, such as Neuschwanstein.

With efficient navigation, travelers can easily explore vibrant cities like Berlin and Munich, as well as natural wonders in the Black Forest and Rhine Valley. Germany’s rich cultural heritage, picturesque villages, and stunning scenery make it an unforgettable road trip destination.

Car Rental Tips

Book in Advance

Generally, we recommend that you make your reservation one month in advance so that you could choose the desired vehicle and date.

If you proceed directly to the car rental store without a booking, it is likely that the car you need might be unavailable.

*If you are already a QEEQ diamond member, you only need 1$ to freeze your booking and make the rest of the payment before pick-up, which does not affect your credit card limit.

Required Documents

Passport, Driver’s License, IDP(Optimal), Credit Card

International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended, which allows you to drive legally in countries that need one.

If it is inconvenient for you to apply an IDP, generate a free driver’s license translation on QEEQ.com (Japanese site only).

Car Choices

Germany is an automobile factory with a full range of vehicle types. Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi are some of the world-famous automobile brands that come out of Germany.

The choice of your car depend largely on the duration of your trip, passenger number, luggage amount and road conditions.

Motor ways in Germany are well-developed, the roads are in good condition, and most of the ordinary cars can meet your demand.

City Driving for small groups (1-3 passengers)

If you are a couple, or travel with a friend or two, or if you travel alone, a reasonably priced small car would be a good choice.

Compact size cars have 4 to 5 seats. We recommend sparing one passenger capacity so you could relax and have more space.

4 to 5 passengers including children and elderly

Medium and large size cars are recommended. These models could still possess a fair mount of space with 2 to 3 suitcases. SUVs are suitable for hybrid road conditions. Eco-friendly cars such as the Prius could save your spend on gasoline. Choose what you need giving you peace of mind on long trips.

Traveling in a group of 6 or more

It would be a wonderful experience to choose a van for everyone to have his or her own seat. These models accommodate a passenger capacity from 7 to 12 people. While it is noticeable that large cars cannot make quick and sharp turns. So we recommend renting two small or medium-sized cars if you spend a lot of time driving through towns.

Online Booking Process

We are endeavoring to make your booking as convenient as possible. Enter our website QEEQ.com, log in, enter the required information, and follow the instructions, you are free to rent your desired car.

Insurance

What Insurances Are Available?

*For Autopilot Cars:

1. Insured: Protection for the person renting the car, including passenger accident insurance and personal accident insurance (PAI). This includes the personal safety of the driver, passengers, and their personal belongings.
2. Automobile Insurance: protection for the vehicle of the renter. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is one example.
3. Third-party Insurance: insurance that protects third parties other than the renter and the car rental company. Basic Third Party Liability (BTL) insurance, etc.

International car rental bookings will include the basic insurance required for car rentals: Vehicle Damage Coverage, Theft Protection, and Third Party Liability Insurance.

The deductible is the maximum amount of money you’re liable for in the event your rental car is damaged or stolen as long as you follow the conditions of your rental agreement. For example, the deductible is 1000 dollars, if the damage to the rented car is less than 1000 dollars, the customer pays; if the damage is more than 1000 dollars, the customer pays up to 1000 dollars; and the store’s insurance company pays for the part exceeding 1000 dollars.

Many travelers want more comprehensive coverage and purchase additional insurance. Personnel, vehicle and third-party coverage varies by insurance type. Here are some examples of common types of insurance (note: more checks means more coverage):

When and How to Purchase Insurance

There are two ways to obtain insurance: one is to purchase insurance when booking the car online; the other is to purchase insurance at the local store where the car is rented when picking up the car.

Generally, insurances provided by rental car companies usually has narrower coverage, higher premiums, so purchasing insurance online when booking the car is highly recommended.

How to Choose Insurance

If you are traveling with limited budget, it is better to choose the kind of insurance policy with the most comprehensive coverage. The main reasons are:

Firstly, repairing fee for the car would probably be higher abroad.

Secondly, in case of an accident, the medical cost and compensation are very high.

Thirdly, the wider the coverage, the less the troubles you would deal with, which saves tons of time and energy.

Taking automobile insurance as an instance, comparing to common insurance policies, the most comprehensive insurance coverage, including glasses, tires, chassis protection, and considerations for special road conditions such as sand and rocks, is very necessary, but basic insurance of car rental companies usually does not include full coverage as such.

Picking Up the Car

Check Before Departure

Before proceeding to the car rental shop, make sure you have brought with you all necessary documents for picking up the vehicle, and two international credit cards is recommended to ensure that there is enough credit limit for pre-authorization.

Proceed to the Car Rentals

If there is a pickup store nearby, you could just walk there, following signs for airport rental cars.

If the rental car center is far away, there is usually a free shuttle bus bound for the rental car center. Shuttle buses run every 10 minutes approximately, so take the bus when you see the logo of your car rental company.

If the shuttle is not available, you can contact the car rental company and wait for staff member to pick you up at designated location. In case you have difficulty communicating with the store staff, please call QEEQ and we will assist you in English or other languages.

Inspect the Car

When you receive your reserved vehicle, inspect the bodywork for damage. At that time, it’s a good idea to document the entire process with your smartphone camera or take a picture of the dashboard. Because if you forgot to check the condition of your vehicle before departure, you may be charged for wronged damage repairs when you return it.

Payment

Payment is due on the day of the rental unless you are paying online or purchasing a tour package.

Insurance is usually included in the rental price, but some car rental companies offer paid options for more comprehensive coverage.

Last but not least, keep all contracts and documents safe for possible further usage. Once you have received your keys, check the seat heights, mirror positions, secure child seats, and then you are ready to go!

Cautions for Cross-border

European countries are close to each other, so if you got time, you may want to consider a cross-country drive. There are two things you need to be sure of when cross-country drive in Germany: the car rental company and the regulations of each country.

Car Rental Company Regulations

It is connected with the validity of insurances while you crossing each country. Different car rental companies have different rules for corresponding cars and countries:

1. Free pass
2. Cross-border fee needed (per rental/per rental day)
3. Cross-border prohibited

We will let you notice before your order on the view deal page:

Select the country you are going to head for and you’ll see the requirings below.

Please inform the staff of your cross border plan at pickup to confirm the validity of insurances in other countries or any other restrictions should apply.

Regulations of Each Country

The driving rules in Germany’s neighboring countries are similar, except the speed limits and tolls on the highways. When you drive to other countries, there may be signs like “TOLL” before you enter a toll road, so please pay attention.

France and Italy set up toll booths to collect tolls. In Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Republic, etc., you have to buy a special highway sticker/ticket (Vignette) to put on the windshield. You can usually get one of those at gas stations near the border.

It is recommended that you have your Vignette affixed to your car before you enter the highways of these countries, or you would be fined if you do not have one during a police check. Some car rental companies may already have their own Vignette, so when you pick up your car, take the initiative to talk to the clerk at the store about which countries you are planning to travel across and ask if you have a Vignette already affixed.

When crossing the border, there may be border controls (rare in the Schengen area), which need you to show all documents on request and answer the questions (just like airport border control). Within the European Union, items are duty-free. In addition, if you are carrying cigarettes, alcohol or valuables above the duty-free limit, you must keep a receipt to prove that they are purchased within the European Union, failure to do so will result in taxes.

Traffic Rules and Signs

Drive on the Right Side

In Germany, vehicles drive on the right side of the road. Please pay attention and spend some time to adjust if your country differs from that.

Pedestrians Priority

Pedestrians have absolute priority. Vehicles must yield to pedestrians.

Safety Belt and Child Seat

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and passengers (including) in the rear. Infants and toddlers must use a matching infant carrier or safety seat; violators will be fined.

Low Beam on in Daylight

In Germany it is required that vehicles need to use low beams on even during the day. High beams is prohibited except special circumstances.

Honk Restrained

Avoid using your horn as much as possible, it is not polite to do so in Germany. If you want to overtake a vehicle, use the overtaking lights, i.e. left turn lights.

Right of Way

In Germany, the right of way is very important, and whoever has it has the priority regardless of whether there are warning signs of it. The main rules of the right of way in Italy are: turning vehicles give way to straight ahead ones; cars on side streets give way to those on main streets, and those not in a traffic circle give way to those who have entered a traffic circle.

Right of Way Sign

The right of way is very important in German traffic regulations. Most of the intersections in Germany do not have traffic lights but right of way signs to regulate the traffic. If there is no signs, follow the “right precedes left” rule. If there is traffic light, follow the traffic light. Here are some common right of way signs you will see on German roads:

Unless there are other signs or traffic lights, vehicles on the road with this sign have priority. Cars at other intersections would yield to you.

This signals the end of priority road.

You have right of way at the next intersection only.

The thick black line indicates priority road. The vehicle entitled to the right-of-way must not be disturbed.

You must give way to oncoming traffic when the road narrows (red) ahead.

You have right of way over oncoming traffic when the road narrows ahead.

You must give way to traffic on the intersecting road.

Speed Limit

Except for some highways, each road in Germany has a speed limit, the red circle sign indicates the speed limit, you can’t drive more than the speed on the sign, the unit is km/h, while the blue circle sign indicates that you can’t go below a certain speed on this road, usually used on the highway. Generally speaking, the speed limit in Germany is 100-130km/h on highways, some highways have no speed limit, the speed limit on federal highways is 70-80km/h, and the speed limit in urban areas is 50km/h.

Urban Area Signs

In Germany, there is a speed limit in urban areas with signs to remind you of this. The sign below left indicates that this is the starting point or boundary of the city and the maximum speed limit is 50km/h. This sign will appear in the open space to the right of the car. Be aware that there are many radar speed cameras in the vicinity, so avoid speeding fines and reduce your speed to 50km/h when approaching the area. The lower right sign indicates that you have left the city, so the speed limit is no longer 50km/h, but is usually 70km/h.

Prohibition Signs

No entry signs indicate that the road is closed to all traffic. It is often used in conjunction with additional signs, such as the “Resident’s Entry” zone (Anlieger Frei), where non-residential vehicles are prohibited from entering. The sign below right indicates that it is forbidden to enter the intersection, but to be aware of the possibility of cars coming out from the opposite side, usually at the exit of a one-way street.

Environmental protection area symbols

The colors underneath the Umweit Zone sign indicate the types of vehicles that are allowed to enter, e.g. the sign on the bottom left indicates that only vehicles with the three colored emission signs are allowed to enter the zone; the sign on the bottom right indicates that vehicles with a green emission sign are allowed to enter the zone. Vehicles that do not meet the emission standards will be fined up to 40 euros for parking or driving in the signaled zone.

Other Common Road Signs

Highway Regulations

Road Conditions

1. Most German highways are four-lane in both directions, of excellent quality and good condition. Most highways have no speed limits, and there are a few speed-limited sections ranging from 80 to 130 kilometers per hour; all of them are possessed with a variety of fixed or mobile camouflaged speed detectors.
2. On roads outside of towns, including highways, there are no street lights. If you are not familiar with the road conditions, do not drive too fast; you should be able to assess the situation ahead.
3. Federal roads have narrower lanes and more curves, the visibility is often limited in mountainous areas. If you are not very confident about the road conditions, there is no need to follow others in driving at high speeds. Maintain your own pace and drive safely.

Are there Toll Highways in Germany?

In Germany, highways are generally toll-free for small vehicles. However, if your journey crosses into neighboring countries, be sure to check the toll systems of each country. For example, when driving near the border between Germany and Austria, be aware that Austrian highways have tolls. You must purchase a vignette (toll sticker) from roadside shops or gas stations and display it on your windshield. Since there are no clear border signs or toll booths, you need to be particularly cautious. If you are caught driving on Austrian highways without a vignette, you will be fined.

Refueling

Part of the high tax on German fuel prices is used to supply road construction, fuel prices in Germany are more expensive, with gasoline prices at around 1.5 to 1.7 euros per liter and diesel at around 1.4 euros per liter.

Note: Austrian fuel prices are about 80% of that in Germany, so if you have Austria in your driving itinerary, you can go with an empty tank and come back with full gasoline.

Types of Fuel

Gasoline (Benzin) in Germany is generally divided into Super Plus (98 gasoline) and Super (95 gasoline), some gas stations will also provide Super-E10 (an environmentally friendly 95 gasoline), diesel fuel is called Diesel.

When you refuel your car, choose the specified type of gas according to the gas cap or the vehicle’s instructions. If you are not sure what type of fuel to put in your car, ask the store staff when you pick it up. If you do not know how to recognize the fuel gun, consult a bystander or gas station staff.

Be careful not to add the wrong kind of fuel. If you do, please contact the store as soon as possible to arrange a repair to clean up the fuel tank and the fuel circuit system. Don’t start hastily to cause damage to the car.

Refueling Steps

Both self-service and manual refueling are available, and can be paid by credit card or cash.

Cash:

1. Remember the gas gun number
2. Pay at the cashier
3. Choose the gas at the dispenser
4. Refuel your car
5. Change at the cashier

Credit Card:

1. Put in the card
2. Enter information as required
3. Take out the card
4. Choose the gas number
5. Refuel your car

Please note that some gas stations will only fill up for people who have a card for that station (similar to a membership card), in which case you’ll just have to switch to another station.

Parking

Where can you park

• Pubic Parking Areas

Shopping centers and large supermarkets are usually surrounded by exclusive free public parking lots. Scenic spots and busy areas usually have paid parking lots. Parking in popular scenic spots is in short supply, and sometimes it is more difficult to find a parking space, for example, most of the parking spaces near scenic spot in Berlin are full, so it is recommended to choose in advance.

There are usually machine-controlled stalls at the entrance or exit of paid parking lots. Around these parking lots, there may be street signs indicating available spaces. Note that “Frei” means parking space available, not free. If the parking space is full, there may be a red “Besetzt” sign.

• Roadside Parking

On-street parking is usually signposted “Mit Parkschein” and there are automatic ticket machines with time period of 10 minutes, half an hour, an hour, and so on. The sign below indicates that parking is permitted in this area, and underneath the sign is a payment machine for on-street parking rolls.

• Free Roadside Parking

Metered free parking is generally available for up to 1 or 2 hours, as illustrated by the sign below left, with the arrow pointing in the direction of 8:00 – 18:00 on weekdays and 8:00 – 14:00 on Saturdays. The use of a parking meter sign is generally required, as illustrated by the sign below right, and exceeding the allotted time will be considered as violation and may result in a ticket.

Parking Restricted Areas

• You cannot park at spaces for the disabled, at the entrance and exit of a building, beside a fire hydrant or bus station.

• You are not allowed to park in special parking spaces, as shown in the two signs below, which indicate “Internal Parking Lot, No Outside Vehicles Allowed”, and you will be fined or even towed for parking in violation of the law.

• You cannot park where there are no-parking signs. For example, the picture below left indicates that parking is prohibited for vehicles other than recovery vehicles; the picture below right indicates that parking is prohibited from 7:00 to 19:00 on weekdays.

The following sign indicates that it is not permitted to park at the emergency exit of the fire engine “Feuerwehrzufahrt”.

How to Pay the Bill

Parking in Germany is generally self-service payment, such as the picture below. In different places the payment machines are different, but the payment method is similar.

Before parking:

Find the self service machine—Choose time period—Pay the bill—Print the bill—Put the bill on the windshield

After parking:

Get the parking ticket at the entrance—Park your car—Put the ticket inside the self service machine—Pay the bill—Print the bill—Put the bill at the exit

Accident Handling

If you are involved in a traffic accident, do not panic. Check whether the passengers are injured, help yourself and seek help from passersby. Emergency contacts are available at any time.

Police: 110

Fire & Ambulance: 112

This website provides access to multiple embassies of each country in Germany:

https://www.embassypages.com/germany

Scratch

Ensure the safety of personnel→Move the vehicle to the side of the road without obstructing the traffic→Call 110 →Take photos or videos of the condition of the vehicle →Register the accident by police and keep a proper record of the accident→Contact the rental car company and insurance company.

Theft

Call 110 → Police take notes → Insurance report → Verify information → Payment

Malfunction

Call the rental car company → They will send someone nearby to tow your car or change a tire.

If the rental car company is unable to help you, contact a towing service with the help of the police. Car repairs are very expensive sometimes, so it is important to have insurance.

Roadside Assistance

When renting a car and driving in Italy, if a traffic accident occurs, in addition to calling 110, you can also contact the following emergency contact numbers:

• Roadside Assistance Number in Germany:

ADAC: 089 558 95 96 97

AvD: 0800 9909909/+49 69 6606-600

ACE: 0711 530 34 35 36

• You can also contact your car rental company:

AVIS: 1-800-352-7900

SIXT: 1 (888) 749 8227

Budget: 800-218-7992

Thrifty: 1-800-283-0898

Hertz: 1-800-654-5060

ACE: (877) 822-3872

Dollar: 800-235-9393

Yesaway: 1 424-800-4990

Returning the Rental Car

To return the car, just drive back to the rental car company, but pay attention to the following things:

Refuel Before Returning

Usually, the basic rule for returning a car is to refuel the gas before returning it to the rental car company.

Even if the time is up, and there may not be a convenient gas station, it’s okay to drive for a while (about 5 kilometers or so) after refueling.

If you tried to return the car after the due time without refueling, or if you drove an excessive long distance after refueling, we will calculate the remaining time and charge you an additional fee.

Inspect the Car

When you arrive, we will have a representative inspect your vehicle for damage. If it had any damage, additional payment would be made.

Reconcile the Fee

When you return the car, the staff will check and record the vehicle and print the settlement list on site. Please check the list carefully, and if you have any unknown charges, you can raise them in person or call customer service to solve the problem.

Keep the Contract and Document

After returning the car, it is recommended to keep the contract and receipts in a safe place in case of needs.

Help after Trip

Traffic Citation

How to Pay Fine Ticket:

There are two main methods to pay a fine in Germany: ATM transfer or manual payment.

We recommend you to pay the fine as soon as possible, otherwise you may have to pay a late fee. If you can’t deal with it right away, tell the car rental company when you return the car, and you can let the company charge your credit card directly, but it usually requires a service fee.

Insurance Claim

If you bought a full coverage insurance, you would receive a fast claim settlement. The following documents should be prepared:

1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Credit Card Checkback History
4. The Car Rental Contract
5. Car Damage Deduction Bill

For more detailed information, check the terms and conditions of insurance company:

https://www.qeeq.com/term?info=axa_policy&browser_open=1

Unknown Charges after Trip

If you received an unexpected deduction when you return to your home country, it might be that your violation fee is paid by the car rental company, but usually the deduction amount will be more expensive than the violation fee because that includes the management fee charged by the car rental company. If you don’t know what the violation was, you can contact our customer service for help.

Classic Routes

Northern Germany

• Coastal Route “Hanseatic Cities and Sea Breezes”

The coast is calling with a 9-day journey to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, starting from Hamburg. Begin in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt and enjoy a walk along the Binnen- or Aussenalster lakes. The next day, choose between an excursion to the Wadden Sea National Park or the Archaeological Border Complex Hedeby. The route continues to Bremen, with its 10-meter high statue of Roland, then to Lübeck with its iconic Holstentor, and on to Wismar and Stralsund, known for their impressive brick Gothic and baroque architecture. The final section takes you along a charming coastal landscape to the world-famous chalk cliffs of Jasmund National Park on Rügen Island. This route is easily accessible by sustainable transport, allowing you to leave your car or motorhome at the starting points in Hamburg, Lübeck, and Stralsund.

• Stones with stories: travel the road of megalithic culture through the Emsland region

The Route of Megalithic Culture is a 330-kilometer scenic route through Northwest Germany, leading to 33 exciting archaeological sites and over 70 Neolithic megalithic tombs (3,500 to 2,800 B.C.). This route offers insights into the lives of people who lived 5,000 years ago, explaining the function and construction of graves, their understanding of nature, everyday life, and afterlife beliefs. The route passes through Osnabrück, Ostercappeln, Belm-Vehrte, Wallenhorst, Bramsche, Ankum, Berge, Bippen, Fürstenau, Freren, Thuine, Lingen (Ems), Meppen, Sögel, Werlte, Lastrup, Cloppenburg, Visbek, Großenkneten, Wildeshausen, Dötlingen, Ganderkesee, and Oldenburg. Ideal for travel by car, caravan, motorcycle, or bike, this route offers a fascinating journey into ancient history and culture.

Eastern Germany

• Chasing silver on the Saxon-Bohemian Silver Road

Travel the 275-kilometer Silver Road in the Ore Mountains and explore over 800 years of mining history. This route connects towns and key sites of the region’s silver mining industry, from Zwickau to Dresden. Along the way, visit magnificent towns like Ehrenfriedersdorf, Marienberg, Freital, and Freiberg, known as the ultimate silver town. Experience the underground world in one of the many show mines and admire the rich heritage above ground. The route also features more than 30 visitor mines and numerous educational mining trails. End your trip with ample time to explore the state capital, Dresden. The Silver Road offers a unique journey through the historical lifeline of the Ore Mountains, keeping its customs and craftsmanship alive.

Western Germany

• Rhine- Romantic Route: from Cologne to Mainz

The Rhine Romantic Route, spanning 360 km from Cologne to Mainz and Wiesbaden, showcases one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes, the Upper Middle Rhine UNESCO World Heritage Site. This route features stunning scenery, steep vineyards, and medieval castles, passing through the Volcanic Eifel, Siebengebirge, Westerwald, Hunsrück, Taunus, and Rheingau regions. It inspired great works by Richard Wagner, Goethe, and William Turner, among others. The route brings to life the rich culture, history, and literature of the Rhine, with options to explore by car, camper van, hiking, cycling, or KD liners.

• Moselle Slate Route: circular route through the Eifel and along the Moselle river

The 110-kilometer-long Moselle Slate Route connects the Vulkaneifel Geopark with the Moselle holiday region, traversing diverse landscapes including Moselle vineyards, volcanic terrains, and the heights of the Eifel. This route highlights the region’s slate tradition, with shiny black slate roofs visible along the way. Slate has been mined here since Roman times and shipped worldwide via the Moselle River. The tour starts and finishes in Mayen, in the Vulkaneifel, and can be adapted to explore additional charming landscapes and destinations around the Moselle slate region.

Southern Germany

• The German Alpine Road: from Berchtesgaden to Lake Constance

The German Alpine Road offers an exhilarating 484-kilometer journey from Lindau on Lake Constance to Schönau on Lake Königssee. Plan for at least eight days to fully enjoy each stop along this scenic route. Highlights include an accessible treetop path with views of the Alps and Lake Constance, alpine dairies with delicious cheeses, a gondola ride up the Zugspitze, and a boat trip on the Königssee to the famous St. Bartholomä church. This route is ideal for electric vehicles, with over 300 public charging stations available. The road winds through lush Alpine meadows, rolling hills, verdant forests, craggy peaks, romantic valleys, and sparkling lakes, making it perfect for travel by car, motorhome, or motorbike.

Useful Websites and Numbers

• Emergency Numbers:

Police: 110

Fire & Ambulance: 112

• Official Tourism Website of Germany:

https://www.germany.travel/en/home.html

• Roadside Assistance Number and Website in Germany:

ADAC: 089 558 95 96 97ADAC: Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club

AvD: 0800 9909909/+49 69 6606-600

https://www.avd.de

ACE: 0711 530 34 35 36

Thank you for reading through to the end, enjoy your German road trip!