My husband & I will be renting a car for a week, primarily for travel from Munich to Rothenburg, then onto Bacharach & finally Frankfurt airport.
While in Munich, we’d like to drive to Füssen. We chose driving over the train, as after visiting Neuschwanstein & Tegelberg,we’d like to drive along parts of the Alpenstrasse.
Any advice on who to rent from (and not) in Munich, & things to know before doing so?
Thank you.
Sixt is my go to rental company when in Germany (and now in some parts of the US as well). I’ve rented many, many cars from them without a problem. The other piece of advice I have is there is usually a surcharge for renting from the airport and main train station so I usually rent from the Einstein Straße location.
DJ
I used Thrifty in Heidelberg - fine enough for my needs. Regardless of who you use, get GPS in the car and be sure to ask the attendant to switch to English language before you leave. As was mentioned, airport rentals are usually more expensive. Kayak has a decent search feature to sort out airport and off airport rental locations.
Hi BXR- several comments on car rental in Munich. First, you can usually get a wider selection of cars at the airport even though you do pay an extra fee- I tried to rent in Munich proper a few years ago to save a few bucks but wound up walking out of the agency ( car was not available for 2 hours and it was not a midsize even though I booked a midsize, and of course in the middle of the discussion all of the agents stopped speaking English). Second, in addition to switching the GPS to English, ask them to demonstrate how to use the GPS. I had to get the desk clerk at my hotel to show me how to use the in-car GPS the only time I ever tried to use one in a rental in Germany. I use good maps found on line.. Third, be sure to check the car carefully for damage (even small scratches including the hubcaps) and be sure they note every scratch and nick on the rental car on the rental agreement. And when you return the car take pictures or you may wind up paying for damage that happens after you return the car. Fourth, The traffic in some parts of Munich is pretty bad and parking is even harder(and very expensive). Try to rent the car as you leave the city and not before-Public transportation in Munich is very good and reasonably priced. Rent the morning of (or the night before depending on the location of your hotel) and drive to Fussen. Stay in Fussen overnight and drive to Rothenburg the next day, then to Bacharach and on to FRA. Fifth, contrary to popular belief, most Autobahns have a speed limit, especially if the weather or traffic is bad. And the use of traffic cameras is widespread.
Have a great trip!!!
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I second that wholeheartedly! GET THE GPS. If we hadn't have had one, IN ENGLISH, we would probably still be driving around in circles, looking for our first stop. They absolutely programmed it for us, and took time to show us how to use it. Plus they took us out on a 30 minute drive, so we could familiarize ourselves with all the car's features. We both agreed.... the GPS was a lifesaver.
Thanks for the tips.
Re: Fussen, I am re thinking taking the drive after, so we will probably end up taking the train.
I will check out Kayak and Sixt. I think that picking up at MUC might be impractical, as we would have to travel from downtown Munich to do so. We will definitely get the GPS.
