Bordered by two different seas in the north and mountains in the south, Germany has a temperate climate with four rather distinct seasons. Although not as warm as neighboring France, Germany experiences warm summers and has even had some heat waves over the last decade. Its winters are quite cold and even the lowland and coastal regions of the country usually get a decent amount of snow.

The capital, Berlin, has its best weather from early May until late September. Although it's not uncommon for temperatures to reach 30 °C (86 °F) or higher, Berlin is pleasantly warm rather than excruciatingly hot on most summer days (and if the temperatures do get too high for you, there are a number of lakes and public swimming pools for cooling off). June is the month that probably gets the largest number of visitors, but it is also the rainiest month of the year.

Winters in Berlin are usually cool and very cloudy, but rarely get extremely cold. On the whole, Berlin is a bit sunnier and gets a bit less rain than London, Amsterdam or Paris. Of course, if you don't mind the cold, plan to spend most of your time in Berlin seeing things indoors, or just love that autumn ambiance, visiting during the colder part of the year can actually be preferable as many things like accommodation and rental cars will be cheaper and the crowds of other tourists will be smaller (this applies to all of the other big German cities as well).

Located near the North Sea, Germany's second city, Hamburg, has a distinctly oceanic climate. Although the city is less than a four-hour drive from Berlin, Hamburg is usually at least a couple of degrees cooler during the summer months and its annual precipitation is noticeably higher. The increased humidity also means that when it gets cold in winter, it can feel very cold. Most travelers say that the best time to visit is between June and September.

Located in the south of the country, Munich lies at a considerably higher altitude than Hamburg or Berlin. Although its summers do get very warm, the heat is somewhat moderated by the surrounding mountains. Munich is at its rainiest from May to August. Winters in Munich are quite cold, but a lot drier than on the coast. If you don't mind the occasional rain shower, the city can be very nice to visit during the summer months — otherwise, September is probably the best time to visit.

Now that you've decided when to travel to Germany, check out our prices for the dates you have chosen!

Germany is overall a very safe country, both for locals and visitors. Its crime rates are among the lowest in the world and its police are trustworthy. The countrywide emergency number in Germany, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Petty crime like pickpocketing and tourist scams are not unheard of, especially near famous tourist attractions in the big cities like Berlin and Munich. Always keep a close eye on your belongings and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it!

Germany has some of the best roads in the world, and even the secondary motorways in rural areas of the country are usually in great shape. The driving culture is overall quite relaxed and polite, and while you do get to see the occasional reckless driver, these are very rare occurrences. Traffic jams do occur in big cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, especially during the morning and evening rush hours — try to plan your driving times around them.

Driving in the German Alps can take some time getting used to, especially if you haven't driven at a higher altitude before, but most German mountain roads are in very good condition. During winter, having snow chains might be a requirement for driving in the mountains — if you visit during the winter months, ask your rental car provider about the availability of snow chains in advance.

There are no enforced speed limits on some motorways that are part of the German Autobahn system, as well as on some two-lane expressways (or Kraftfahrstraßen) that have a physical barrier between the lanes. Do keep in mind, though, that if you're traveling at the speed of more than 130 km/h (81 mph) and are involved in a collision, you can still be held liable for the accident even if you did not cause it. Furthermore, some rental car companies' insurance doesn't cover you in Germany if you had an accident while traveling at a speed above 130 km/h (81 mph). Therefore, not exceeding this speed might keep you on the safe side, even if it is not enforced by the law.

While there are no speed limits on some of the motorways of the Autobahn system, they are in place on many other motorways. Speed cameras are in use in Germany on those roads and using any radar detector, even that of a mobile app, is forbidden by law.

The official and everyday language of Germany is, of course, German. Different varieties and dialects of German are spoken across the country, but everybody understands Standard German.

The level of knowledge of English is quite high in Germany, albeit perhaps slightly lower than in the neighboring Netherlands or Scandinavia. English is better understood among younger urban populations and people working in the service and tourist industries, but even in the rural parts of the country, you'll probably find at least some people who speak it. At the same time, even in the big cities you're also likely to meet some people who don't speak any English, so learning at least some basic German wouldn't hurt.

Germany is home to large diasporas of speakers of languages like Turkish, Italian, and Spanish, so they can also come in handy. Many Germans also learn French in school and have at least a basic understanding of the language.

While some old stereotypes portray Germans as either stiff or too blunt, the people of Germany are actually one of the main reasons to visit the country! Most are very kind, honest, and hospitable, especially once they've gotten to know you a little bit better.

Overall, German society is quite modern and open-minded, although, like anywhere else, people living in the countryside and small towns are a bit more conservative than urbanites. Orderliness and respect for anyone's personal space are very important in German culture.

Most Germans are Christians, mainly Protestants in the northern part of the country and Catholics in the south. Overall, religion doesn't play an especially large role in German society, with most people fairly open-minded about other views. Many people identify as agnostics or atheists. About 2%-5% of Germany's inhabitants are Muslims, mainly of Turkish origin. Many German Muslims are fully westernized while others remain more traditional.

Political beliefs and religious views are normally considered a personal matter in Germany. Making generalized, sweeping statements and being overly vocal about your convictions in public are generally frowned upon. Trying to discuss issues like history, current politics, or the refugee crisis with strangers is usually not the best idea.

Many people will tell you that the greatest thing about Germany is its cities. Described by one former mayor as 'poor, but sexy', Berlin is an unusual capital known for its boundless creativity and strong anti-establishment streak. While the innovation is undoubtedly there and the city is one of the contemporary art hubs of Europe, Berlin has something for every visitor — there's plenty of classical architecture and landmarks like Altes Museum, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie.

Very different in character, but equally beloved is Munich, the largest city in southern Germany. Best known outside the country as the home of Oktoberfest, the cozy character of the Bavarian capital has sometimes led to it being referred to as the world's largest village, but there's also plenty of high culture and architecture to enjoy.

Located near the North Sea, Hamburg is similar to Berlin in its independent spirit but unique in many other ways. A proud port city with centuries-old traditions, it is home to an array of stunning churches, more futuristic landmarks like the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, as well as, naturally, the bohemian character of the Altona and St. Pauli neighborhoods.

Best known for its financial muscle, Frankfurt is also a surprisingly fun city to visit. Second to no one in Germany when it comes to stunning skylines, the city also boasts a number of high-quality museums and pleasant green areas. On top of that, Frankfurt can also be a gateway to the scenic Middle Rhine Valley.

Located in the state of Saxony, Leipzig is one of the prime destinations of former East Germany. This is a city that grows faster than any other in Germany, not just in terms of industry, but also in culture — some even dub it 'the New Munich'. And if you're in this part of Germany, why not also pay a visit to Leipzig's neighbor, Dresden - the 'Florence of the North' has seen most of its famous architecture renovated, as exemplified by the beautiful Frauenkirche and other sites. Other cities of Germany that are beloved by tourists include Cologne, Nuremberg, Heidelberg, and many more.

Although urbanized and modern, Germany is also a country of stunning nature. Undoubtedly, this is best exemplified by the Bavarian Alps — home to a number of high-class winter sports resorts, the area becomes a hiker's dream every summer. Another popular nature area in southern Germany is the Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg - although the peaks are noticeably lower here, the thick woodlands, rolling hills, and traditional houses make the area look like it's straight out of the Brother Grimm fairytale

Highly urbanized and having an extensive road network, Germany has plenty of filling stations all over the country. Neither in the relatively sparsely populated North and East, nor in the mountains of the south you're too far away from the nearest pump.

Germany is somewhat infamous among foreign travelers for its avoidance of credit cards. While this is something of a myth and the gas stations belonging to the larger chains will almost always take cards, you can find the odd family-run station that will only accept cash, so having some on you is always a good idea.

Prices at German gas stations are shown per liter (1 liter = 0.26 US gallons).

As of June 2024, the gas price in Germany is €1.76 (or $1.89), an almost 15% drop from the price hike of 2022. The gas in Germany is cheaper than in neighboring Switzerland, France, Italy, Denmark, and the Netherlands, but more expensive than in Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.

As in many other European countries, Germany experiences a rental car price hike during the summer months, although the difference is usually not as pronounced as when it comes to Mediterranean beach destinations of France, Italy, or Spain.

That being said, individual places are also affected by their own price dynamics. In Berlin, the average daily rental price is €60 in June, the most expensive month, €52 in July, and only €46 in August; the price hovers around €40 for the rest of the year. Hamburg, the second largest city, has even less seasonal variance, with an average monthly high of €46 in July and an average low of €34 in October. In Munich in the south, the summer prices of June to July are at the annual height of around €55 while dropping to their lowest of €37 in October and November.

There are a number of budget-friendly car rental companies in Germany, though obviously, the best price doesn't usually equate to the best service (read more on choosing the right rental car provider below).

There are a number of factors influencing the price, such as the transmission system of the vehicle, the length of your trip, and especially how early in advance you book the car - generally, the earlier you reserve the car, the better the price.

Price is obviously a huge factor when choosing a car rental company, but it shouldn't be your only consideration — often, for a couple of euros more, you can find a much better overall deal. Instead, try to look for a company that offers both a good price and has a good rating from previous renters.

Also, make sure you are familiar with the rental conditions! Different rental car suppliers will have different conditions. The rental conditions can influence the final price of the car and are important to be aware of in general.

You can find the rental conditions when searching for a rental car on our website.

Some of the most important things when picking up a rental car is knowing your rental car supplier's fuel and mileage policies along with its driver requirements.

Mileage policy :
A rental supplier's mileage policy is the maximum permitted distance that you are allowed to travel per day (or sometimes per week) with your rental car. Once you exceed the permitted distance, you will be required to pay an extra fee for every additional kilometer you drive. There might also be the maximum permitted mileage for the whole of the rental period.

Different rental car suppliers have different mileage rules. It's important to know about them before booking your car, especially if you plan to drive a lot or travel long distances during your trip.

You can find the supplier's mileage policy in their rental conditions:

Fuel policy:
Different car rental companies have different policies when it comes to fuel. While we used to offer car rental deals with full-to-empty fuel policies, we have since decided to only offer what we deem to be fair fuel-policies.

Driver requirements:
Different rental car companies will have different requirements for drivers. These may include:

The same as with mileage and fuel policies, the driver requirements of each car rental supplier be found on their rental conditions page.

Check our comprehensive Help Center to learn more about mileage, fuel, and driver requirements, as well as other important questions.

Choosing the right insurance is very important as it will protect you in case anything goes wrong during your rental period. If you have your own personal insurance, it may or may not cover your rental car — you should ask your insurance carrier to find out.

We strongly recommend you choose our own Full Coverage. Not only does it come at a reasonable price and covers most potential scenarios, but it will also give you clarity and peace of mind as you will have 24/7 support from our team for any issue that you might have.

Check the Insurance section of our Help Center to learn more about choosing the right insurance and everything related to it.

As elsewhere in the world, the more compact cars are generally cheaper than their more sizable counterparts. A smaller car is more convenient for exploring German cities and will also do a good job on most highways and secondary roads (though do your research in advance if you plan some off-road driving in the mountains). The starting price is €20 per day for a small car, €21 per day for a medium car, €19 per day for a large car, €25 per day for an SUV, and €62 per day for a premium car.

To pick up a rental car, you'll need to have your booking confirmation voucher, passport, driver's license, a credit card on the main driver's name, and all the other necessary documents.

When making the reservation, you will see your rental car's pickup location, of which there are many types. Since most travelers tend to pick up their rental cars at the airport, we'll mainly focus on the pickup locations in or near the airport. These are the most popular pickup location types:

• Meet & Greet. With this type of pickup location, you'll be met by an employee of the car rental company in the arrivals hall of the airport which you normally enter right after leaving the baggage claim area. The employee will usually have a printed sign with your name on it. The employee will take you to the company's office to proceed with signing the rental contract and collecting the car's keys.
• In the terminal. In this case, you will have to find your rental car company's desk yourself. The desk will be usually located in the arrivals hall. Once you've found the desk, you can present your documents and continue with the pickup procedure. Do keep in mind that you might have to wait in line.
• Shuttle bus. In certain cases, the car rental company's desk might be located outside the airport's terminal. Sometimes you can reach it on foot, but in most cases, you need to take a shuttle bus. For this, you'll need to find the shuttle bus stop inside the airport, the location of which will be given to you when making the booking. Sometimes, the shuttle bus is shared by multiple car rental companies while others have their own shuttle service just for them. Look for the name and the logo of your rental company to make sure you take the right shuttle bus.
• Delivery service. This type of pick-up is similar to Meet & Greet but takes even less time to complete as you won't need to go to the car provider's office to sign the agreement.
• Car rental center. This means that your car rental company shares its location with other companies. The car rental center is located in the arrivals hall, in another part of the terminal, or in a separate building next to the terminal.
• Outside terminal. This pick-up location means that your car rental company has an individual desk located outside the airport's terminal, but within the larger airport complex, that can usually be reached on foot

At the pickup location: After the car rental company checks your documents and make sure you have enough deposit on your credit card, you will receive the car's keys and be taken to the rental car which will usually be parked in a nearby parking lot.

Inspect the car: Upon picking up the car, you will have to sign a document called the check-out form. If your rental car has any scratches or other types of damage, they should be listed on the form. Inspect the car carefully — if it has any scratches or other issues that are not listed, make sure to point them out to the employee before signing the check-out form. The form will also list the mileage and the amount of fuel the car has at the pickup time.

Take photos: It is generally a very good idea to take photos of the car before picking it up, preferably from multiple angles and including the inside of the car with the odometer showing the previous mileage on the car and of the amount of fuel in the tank (read more about fuel on our Fuel Policy section above). The photos should have a timestamp to show the date and time when they were taken; most pictures taken with mobile and digital cameras have them.

Find out the drop-off location: Before leaving with the car, make sure you find out the exact drop-off location and the directions to get there. While it will often be the same as the pickup location, it might also be in a completely different part of the airport (this is especially the case with the larger airports that have multiple terminals).

Returning the car: When dropping off the car at the end of your trip, carefully check the vehicle in the presence of an employee of the rental company. If any new scratches or damages are found, the company employee should point them out in your presence. If there are none, the car's check-in form should state that the car has been returned in the same condition. The same applies to the cleanliness of the car (if you return a car that is not clean, the company might later charge an extra cleaning fee). Make sure to check the car's trunk and the glove compartment to avoid leaving any personal belongings in the vehicle.

You might also want to add some extras for your rental car such as a GPS system, a child's seat, second-driver permission (if you're traveling with a friend or a family member who can and wants to drive). If you plan to drive in the Alps or Pyrenees, snow chains might be useful or even necessary during winter. Be sure to search for them in advance and add them before making the booking. Not every rental car supplier will have all of these extras available. Adding extras will influence the final price of a car and different car rental companies offer them for different prices.

Yes, there are as many as 4,000 speed cameras on German roads and streets. Where speed limits are enforced, the tolerance for speeding is low. Driving just 3km/h (2mph) above the speed limit can, and often will, lead to a fine.

The fine for speeding will be sent to your rental car provider, and they will often add an additional fee on top for administering the fine (check your rental conditions for more information).

The drunk driving limits in Germany are 0.05% for experienced drivers and, crucially, 0.00% for novice drivers. The fines for drunk driving are steep and, if coupled with speeding or other types of reckless driving, can result in the loss of the driver's license or even imprisonment.

Although Germany has a large number of high-speed motorways, only vehicles that weigh more than 7.5 tons need to pay a toll. This excludes practically all types of rental cars.

There are two tolled tunnels in Germany, the Herren Tunnel in Schleswig-Holstein and the Warnow Tunnel in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Find out more about the toll roads in Germany on the European toll road website.