Menu

Car hire Munich

  1. Europe
  2. Germany
  3. Car hire in Munich
Free cancellation
No credit card fees
24/7 Customer care

Car hire in Munich

Hiring a car in Munich

The capital of Bavaria is a stunning example of the best of German architecture, culture and hospitality. Hiring a car in Munich will allow you to uncover many of its secrets and find some fantastic places to explore both in the city itself and its surroundings. From the central Marienplatz square to its towering buildings and tranquil green spaces, there’s something for everyone in Munich.

A 30-minute drive along the A9 from the airport will take you to the city centre, avoiding the need for transfers to your hotel. You’ll be able to start discovering the sights of the city for yourself in no time.

What you need to know

When it comes to hiring a car in Munich you have several options. The first and most popular is to pick it up from the airport, where you will find a wide selection of vehicles. There are more than a dozen car hire companies operating out of Munich Airport (MUC) and they have all been given excellent or very good ratings by customers just like you.

If it is more convenient, you could arrange to pick up your hire car from locations in the city centre or at the train station. This is particularly useful if you are travelling from any of the countries surrounding Germany overland. Check our booking tool to see all the options and rest assured you’ll be covered by Holiday Auto’s 24/7 assistance and free cancellation should you require it.

Where to pick up your hire car

Most of the companies that operate out of the airport in Munich have desks within the terminal building. Once you have collected your luggage, simply look for the signs for your chosen hire car firm. Those that don’t have a desk, have free shuttle buses to get you where you need to be. You can see all of this information before booking and therefore choose the right option for you.

When it comes to picking up a car from the train station, there is a short walk, but you’ll find your collection point within easy reach. For city centre collections, it will be all about convenience, so see which hire companies have pick-up points close to where you are staying prior to booking.

Best Car Hire Companies Munich

enterprise
enterprise
enterprise

Car Hire Reviews Munich

  • “The pick-up was easy, it took 5 minutes from arriving at the desk to driving out the car, and the return took even less time.”
    Diane T

Where to go

There’s so much to see right in the centre of Munich that you’ll want to start exploring here first. Wander the streets and check out the market with stalls selling every type of German foodstuff you can imagine. Climb to the top of the tower at St Peter’s Church to get a good view of the glockenspiel show within the bell tower of the town hall every time the clock strikes the hour.

Take in the majesty of the incredible buildings and enjoy the park that is so close to the heart of life in Munich, before ducking into a nearby establishment for a strudel or a stein. Some of the famous beer halls have been around for centuries, so be sure to try their wares once the car is parked for the day.

Nearby Munich

Having your hire car means you’re not confined solely to the city centre of Munich, but can experience all of the attractions in the area. Less than an hour’s drive away via the A96 is the typical Bavarian town of Landsberg am Lech. Due to its important location on the salt road at the River Lech, it has collected wealth since the 14th century, leading to a pretty town centre, which is nice to explore.

A little bit further afield, but well worth the hour and a half drive along the A96 and B17 is the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein. It is said to have been the inspiration for Sleepy Beauty’s castle and occupies a wonderful position atop a hill overlooking the village of Hohenschwangau. It was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria and opened in 1886. Be sure to make it your destination on a wonderful road trip.

Longer drives

If you really want to make the most of having a hire car at your disposal, then you can go even further afield.

Salzburg in Austria is just over an hour and a half’s drive away along the A8 toll road, although the border crossing may add a few extra minutes. This is The Sound of Music country and you can even take a tour of important locations from the film. If you prefer your music more classical, then honour its most famous son, Mozart, who was born in the city in 1756.

Another fascinating historical city to explore is Nuremberg, which lies within Bavaria. Expect the drive along the A9 to take around an hour and 45 minutes to complete. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a stunning old town, featuring medieval architecture, a beautiful castle and an impressive fountain.

Top attractions to visit in Munich

There’s so much to do in Munich, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are a few places that should definitely be included in any trip, however.

Munich Residence

Between 1508 and 1918, the Munich Residence was the incredibly ornate seat of government for the dukes, kings and electors of Bavaria. The humble castle, constructed in 1385, was slowly transformed into an opulent palace that could house such prestigious people. Visit its incredible rooms and marvel at the astonishing art collection on display.

BMW Museum

You don’t have to be a fan of cars to find this museum impressive. The steel-constructed building itself looks like something from the space age before you even get to the vehicles. Get a guided tour and discover the entire history of the BMW car manufacturer and see some brilliant examples of these iconic cars.

Marienplatz

Everywhere you look in the Marienplatz Square, there are historic buildings and monuments. Take in both the new and old city halls; the Marian column, which celebrates the end of Swedish occupation; and the view down to Neues Rathaus and Frauenkirche.

null

view all