We are traveling to Munich and Bavarian Alps including some day trips into Austria. Planning on renting a car at Munich Airport. Will need an automatic transmission vehicle being that we are from the USA. Does anyone have any recommendations for which car rental company I should use as far as automatic transmission car availability, customer service, unlimited mileage, allowing cross-border driving, hidden fees, etc?
Posted by
Northern California
113 posts
We have used Sixt (picked up and returned to Munich airport)
Happy with service - and super easy pick and drop off. Had a positive experience with all the items you listed.
Only slight negative was that they didn’t have a vehicle in the smaller class size we reserved. While they upgraded us for no added fee to a bigger vehicle it made driving (mostly parking) in northern Italy a bit more difficult.
Will use them again.
Posted by
Schwerin
3285 posts
Bavaria is home country of Sixt (HQs in Pullach). Other larger reliable companies are Europcar, Avis and Hertz.
Cross-border rentals always have country limitations that you need to check prior. It shall be mentioned in the contract.
Never drive first meter without prior car check against protocol of existing damages. Everything not listed you will pay later. Do photos.
There is no general winter tire requirement in Germany, but instead a situational one. This means that in winter road conditions, i.e. black ice, slippery snow, slush, ice or frost, you are only allowed to drive with winter tires. Rule of thumb: needed from 5° C and below.
Important: If you want to drive a car in Germany ensure the validity of your driving license in Germany and also the likely need for an IDP to have valid driving permission [not license only] in Germany. Violations are expensive and in case of accident a driver without valid permission loses the insurance coverage.
Children below age of 12 need special seats.
Renting at airport, train station and other very attractive locations is more expensive than renting at regular locations (surcharge).
Check need for Autobahn vignette in Austria; and also the other topics I mentioned for Germany.
Posted by
7 posts
Simply put....Sixt.
Easy to reserve, easy to cancel. No muss, no fuss.
Posted by
Adams Basin
576 posts
I have been very pleased with Sixt. After many years of using all of the standard US sourced big guys, I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to deal with them. I will continue to use them, pricing dependent.
Posted by
Washington, DC
56 posts
Sixt from MUC is really great.
Was able to get the car and class I reserved for a one-way rental between MUC and Zurich. Rental agent made sure the car was cleared for such a multi-country adventure, even giving me clear directions about which side of ZRH to return to. All good, car was great (Volvo V60 - I was carrying a bicycle).
Agreed on scrutinizing the car beforehand for any damage. Take pictures of everything. Make note of it with personnel at the point of rental before driving away.
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
We have used gemut.com for car rentals. We used them again for our upcoming trip in December in a few weeks. Picking up and returning at Munich airport. The are tops in customer service and prices. No hidden anything.
https://www.gemut.com/latest-travel-news/what-you-should-know-about-renting-a-car-in-europe.html
Posted by
Schwerin
3285 posts
Gemüt is only an intermediary / broker - no rental car company with own fleet.
I recommend to book directly because in case of trouble an intermediary is seldomly helpful; same with hotels.
Posted by
1 posts
Searched 5 sites
Several reputable car rental companies operate at Munich Airport (MUC), offering a variety of vehicles and services to meet different needs. Here are some of the top options:
Sixt
Sixt is highly rated for its premium vehicles, including luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Maserati. They provide flexible options like add-ons for comfort (heated seats, parking aids) and additional drivers. Sixt offers 24/7 returns and has excellent customer reviews for service quality
Europcar
SIXT
.
Europcar
Europcar is known for its straightforward pricing (no hidden charges) and a fleet that ranges from economy to eco-friendly and luxury vehicles. They offer 24-hour roadside assistance and easy access at Munich Airport
Europcar
.
Avis
Avis provides a wide selection of cars and emphasizes customer satisfaction with convenient services like online booking modifications and long-term rental options. They are ideal for those seeking flexibility
Booking.com
.
Hertz
Hertz is another excellent choice, offering a range of vehicles, competitive pricing, and loyalty programs. They also allow for easy pickup and drop-off at the airport
Booking.com
.
Each company offers unique benefits, so the best choice depends on your specific needs, such as luxury features, budget options, or flexible terms. Booking early and comparing rates can help secure the best deal.
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
I have to say Gemut is VERY helpful. We had a delayed flight going to Munich. Medical emergency onboard. We wound up being charged a day we didn’t use. One single email to Andy at Gemut and he took care of my refund. I wouldn’t want to deal with the red tape of a rental agency. They did it for me.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5696 posts
The OP posted this over a month ago, so may very well have already booked his rental. But in the off chance he hasn't, I'll throw in my $.02. If you want to go through a 3rd party booking agency, you can take a look at AutoEurope. They are an American company and have been frequently recommended on this forum. You can compare various options from the available rental companies on their site.
FWIW, we've rented from Sixt in a few European countries with no problems (which is about all you can ask when it comes to rental cars).