Car hire in Cologne
1 office in Cologne · airport pick-up · Germany
Cologne revolves around two things: its Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site visible from half the city, and the Rhine, which splits it in two and gives it its open, festive character. This is the city of the Rhineland carnival, of Kölsch beer taverns, and of a museum scene that runs from Roman art to chocolate.
Its great asset for the driver is location: Cologne is the road hub of western Germany. Collecting your vehicle at Cologne/Bonn airport, between the two cities, puts the romantic Rhine Valley, the Eifel hills and no fewer than three countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) within one to two hours' drive.
Search cars in CologneWhy hire a car in Cologne
- Cologne/Bonn airport is 15 minutes from the centre and connects directly to the A59 and A3: you start your route without any city traffic.
- The Rhine Valley, with its castles and vineyards, and the Eifel mountains are lands of small villages where a car makes all the difference.
- From Cologne you can cross into Belgium or the Netherlands in little over an hour — ideal for a multi-country trip without changing vehicle.
Day trips near Cologne
- Bonn — The former federal capital: Beethoven's birthplace, a riverside walk and the relaxed feel of a university town on the Rhine. Around 30 min via the A59.
- Drachenfels and the Siebengebirge — Castle ruins above the Rhine offering one of the river's most celebrated views, reached on foot or by rack railway. Around 40 min away.
- Aachen — Charlemagne's cathedral, the first German city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just a short hop from the Belgian border. Around 1 h via the A4.
- Monschau and the Eifel — A picture-postcard village of half-timbered houses on the River Rur, gateway to the Eifel National Park. Around 1 h 10 min away.
Where to pick up your car
- Aeropuerto de Colonia
Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to collect the car at the airport or in central Cologne?
Our office is at Cologne/Bonn airport, and it's usually the most practical option: you avoid driving through the centre, head straight onto the motorway, and the cathedral is only about 15 minutes away if you'd rather start with the city.
Can I do a Romantic Rhine road trip from Cologne?
Yes — it's one of the finest excursions. Upstream, past Koblenz (around 1 hr via the A61), begins the Upper Rhine Valley stretch of castles, terraced vineyards and the Loreley rock, a route made to be driven with stops wherever you please.
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