Car hire in Munich
Bavaria: castles, Alps and beer
Munich is the grand gateway to southern Germany: an elegant capital with centuries-old beer halls, world-class museums and the Englischer Garten as its green lung. But its real ace lies beyond the city map. Less than an hour's drive away begin the Bavarian Alps, the crystal-clear lakes and the villages of painted facades that everyone associates with postcards of Bavaria.
And that's where a hire car changes everything. Public transport gets you to the centre well enough; a car gets you to Neuschwanstein at dawn, lets you pull over at a viewpoint above Lake Tegernsee simply because you fancy it, and links the Romantic Road at your own pace, free of organised excursions and fixed timetables.
Bavaria's roads are a pleasure in themselves: beautifully surfaced, clearly signposted and lined with scenery that tempts you to stretch out every journey. Picking up a car in Munich opens a fan of possibilities stretching from the castles of Ludwig II to the peaks of Garmisch — with Austria just a short hop away.
Search cars in MunichDay trips from Munich
- Neuschwanstein Castle — Ludwig II's fairytale castle, perched above the Pöllat gorge. Around 2 h of beautiful driving to the south-west — ideal with an early start.
- The Romantic Road — Links walled towns such as Landsberg am Lech and, further on, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The first stretch is ~50 min away and best savoured unhurried.
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze — An Alpine base ~1 h 15 min to the south: gorges such as the Partnachklamm, mountain meadows and the roof of Germany looming over the valley.
- Lake Tegernsee — Around 50 minutes away, a stately lake ringed by gentle hills — perfect for a drive around the shore, a viewpoint stop and lunch by the water.
- Chiemsee and Herrenchiemsee Palace — The 'Bavarian Sea', ~1 h to the south-east: park on the shore and a boat carries you to the island palace inspired by Versailles.
- Salzburg (Austria) — Mozart's city is ~1 h 45 min away by motorway: a compact old town, a fortress high above and a perfectly rounded day trip from Munich.
A perfect day behind the wheel
- Autobahn : some stretches are signposted with no limit — but 130 km/h is recommended; the left lane is for OVERTAKING ONLY.
- Umweltplakette : cities require the green emissions sticker; German hire cars carry it.
- Winter : winter tyres are compulsory in snow (hire cars come equipped in season).
Getting around
- Within Munich, forget the car: much of the historic centre is pedestrianised and the U-Bahn and trams work wonderfully. Save the car for your excursions.
- If you're staying in the centre, look for hotels with their own parking or nearby covered car parks (Parkhaus); street parking in the central districts is tricky and spaces are scarce.
- A plan that works very well: collect the car the day you hit the road and return it when you're back in the city, so you only pay for the days it's actually rolling.
When to go
From May to September you get long days and clear Alpine passes: the best season for driving, though also the busiest, especially at Neuschwanstein. Late September brings Oktoberfest and full hotels. Autumn turns the southern forests gold, and winter transforms Bavaria into a stage of Christmas markets, with roads that call for proper equipment.
Your pick-up
Munich Airport (MUC) and all of Germany: Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart…
Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to pick up a hire car in Munich?
The airport is most convenient if you fly in and hit the road the same day. If you're spending a few days in the city first, it usually works out better to collect it from a city-centre or station office just before your excursions.
Is a car worth it if I'm only staying in the city?
Honestly, no: the centre is best explored on foot and by U-Bahn. The car comes into its own the moment you want to see Neuschwanstein, the lakes or the Alps with complete freedom — then it earns every euro.
Can I cross into Austria with a car hired in Munich?
Generally yes, and it's one of the great attractions: Salzburg and Innsbruck are close by. That said, mention it when booking and confirm with the provider that border crossing is authorised in your contract.
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