best car rntal agencies in Germany

I think you will get your best rates from Gemut (www.gemut.com) but beware, they won't quote you full insurance coverage. They try to make you use your credit card insurance, which is makes them look cheaper, but is a risky proposition.

However, renting a car in Germany is a losing proposition. It's not like in the U.S. where public transportation is abysmal. Public transportation in Germany will get you almost anywhere for less. Learn to use it.

I have successfully used autoeurope alot, rent bef you go and save lots. they are a consolidator and get the best rates for you. So could be with Avis or other in the end.

Yes, there are rental agencies at the Munich rail station. As you leave your train, follow the signs, the offices sit on the second level to the left. I know there is a Sixt office there and a few others.

Sorry, don't have personal experience with rental agencies in Heidelberg.

We used Auto Europe last fall. We picked up the car in Koblenz and returned it to the Frankfurt airport. Unfortunately, the pick up and drop off sites weren't in train stations. I would suggest you check Auto Europe anyway. Their site will tell you where the offices are located and specifies train stations. We have used Auto Europe for years and always had good results.

Hi Susan,

We've used and can highly recommend www.gemut.com (800-521-6722). They aren't "trying to make you use your credit card Ins." at all. They are very helpful and knowledgeable people and offer excellent advice and prices.

Renting a car is not a losing proposition at all. It's a preference. To each his/her own.

Paul

We used Gemut for the first time in Germany last year. We picked up the car in Munich and dropped it off at the airport in Frankfort. We found them to be efficient with fair rates. Would use them again.

We have used Avis and Auto Europe. We have American Express. You will have to call and have them tell you what you coverage will be. Different countries are different. Then they must mail you about your coverage so you have it with you. We saw two very bad accidents the first couple of days we were in Germany. We had no trouble driving ourselves. One accident was on the Army Post. Also, we liked having the insurance explained to us by Avis with an English Speaking person. We have rented and returned to different locations both in Germany and other countries.

Also, be sure and call your credit cards and tell them you are going out of the country. One of our friends had his cut off for 24 hours because he didn't call before he left. Good thing we were with him to pay!

We used Gemut who used Auto Europe who rented through Avis. When we found a cheaper rate through Avis Germany (including insurance), Auto Europe matched the rate in U.S. dollars, and re-booked our rental at that rate (with insurance). (The Gemut/AE rental was pre-paid vs. Avis direct, which was just guaranteed via credit card.) I felt better having a U.S. contact, in case something went wrong. When I had trouble figuring out how to get to the rental agency, and couldn't figure out how to get my cell to work on Europe calls, I was able to call back to Auto Europe, who conference-called me to the local rental office. They were very helpful.

Oh, and I picked up our car in one city and dropped it off at the airport at another city. Just a warning, it is cheaper to pick up at a non-airport/train-station location (sometimes by as much as a hundred dollars or more) but the drop-off shouldn't make a difference. The trade-off (like in my situation) is that sometimes those locations are a bit less convenient to get to or might have less convenient hours.

Another endorsement for Gemut after using them several times. If you go to their website, gemut.com, you will find some good information about driving and other travel related material. We have always used our AMEX platinum card for cdw insurance. Liablility is included with all rentals in Europe by law. You are protected for damage to people or property outside your vehicle. $0 deductible. The following article on Gemut's website should help. As you can tell from this article they explain about cdw and other insurance so they do not try to hide anything. Ultimately I take responsibility to research and ask questions about matters relating to renting and do not rely on the rental company to volunteer everything as they may forget to bring up something.

http://www.gemut.com/European-Auto-Rental/Europe-Car-Rental-Quotes-News-Deals-and-Advice/Avoiding-Unwanted-CDW-Charges-on-European-Car-Rentals.html

Hi Susan, We just got back from our two week trip to Bavaria last week. We used Gemut.com and rented the car through AutoEurope. To save money, we picked the car up outside of the Frankfurt airport. We then dropped it off in Garmish. Both companies were great to work with. Gemut gives you an 800 number you can call 24/7 should you need it. We had a beautiful, new car with a built-in GPS (we nick-named her "Gretchen") which was wonderful - don't know what we would have done without it. You still need a good road map though.