Car Rental in Nurnberg

Why rent a car in Nurnberg?

Nuremberg (known as Nürnberg in German) is a great city to visit. Blending an interesting history with a lively cultural scene, the city boasts impressive architecture, high-quality museums, and many unique art spaces. Nuremberg is near a number of other interesting Bavarian destinations, and with a rental car, even famous cities in other parts of the country are easily within your reach.

Top ways to enter Nurnberg

• Nuremberg Airport: Also known as Albrecht Dürer Airport, it served 4.2 million travelers in 2018, making it the second-busiest airport in Bavaria. The airport is served by around 20 different airlines providing flights to and from all over Europe. The airport is some 7.5 km (4.6 miles) north of the city center and can be reached in 15-20 minutes. Although sometimes also called Franconia Airport after the region in which it is located, it should not be confused with Franconia Airport in New Hampshire, USA.
• Munich Airport: The second-busiest airport in all of Germany, it handled 46 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a hub for a number of airlines, including Lufthansa, Condor, and Eurowings. Located 160 km (99 miles) south of Nuremberg, Munich Airport can be reached in just under two hours.
• Stuttgart Airport: Serving the largest southern German city, Stuttgart Airport handled nearly 12 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for Eurowings, Lauda, and TUI Airways and is also served by around 25 other airlines. Located 230 km (143 miles) southwest of Nuremberg, Stuttgart Airport takes three hours to reach.
• Memmingen Airport: Sometimes also called Munich-South for marketing purposes, this small Bavarian airport is popular with low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air, making it one of the cheapest airports to fly to in South Germany. Located 235 km (146 miles) southwest of Nuremberg, the airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
• Frankfurt Airport: The busiest in Germany and fourth-busiest in Europe, Frankfurt Airport handled 69 million travelers in 2018. Made up of two terminals and served by around 70 different airlines, it hosts flights to and from all the continents of the world. Located 230 km (143 miles) northwest of Nuremberg, Frankfurt Airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
• By rail: If arriving in Nuremberg by train, you can also pick up your rental car at the Nuremberg Central Railway Station (Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof).

City facts

• Despite being located quite far from the coast, Nuremberg has an oceanic climate. The average high temperature is 25°C  (76°F) in July, the warmest month, and 3°C  (37°F) in January, the coldest. Precipitation is quite even throughout the year with July being the rainiest month and February, the driest.
• For centuries, Nuremberg had the title of imperial city and due to its political importance, was often called the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Nuremberg is also the largest city and center of Franconia, a large historic region spanning the German states of Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia, and Baden-Wurttemberg. Franconia is characterized by its unique dialect, culture, wine, and cuisine. To this day, some inhabitants of Nuremberg feel more Franconian than Bavarian. 

Top sights and activities

• Nuremberg Castle. Not just a single castle, but a complex of buildings, the Nuremberg Castle is located at the heart of the historic center of Nuremberg. The former home of many German rulers and a symbol of power for the Holy Roman Empire, it is made up of the Imperial Chapel, Sinwell Tower, Heathen’s Tower and other impressive structures. No visit to the city is complete without seeing the Nuremberg Castle. 
• Art Bunker. The Second World War destroyed not only millions of lives but also countless artworks. To avoid destruction and preserve as much iconic art as possible, a number of art bunkers were created in Europe. Although most of the artworks that were saved in the Nuremberg Art Bunker or Kunstbunker have now been returned to museums, a visit to the underground cellars to learn about the preservation work is still a fascinating experience. Tours are available not only in German, but also in English, French, Spanish, and Czech.
• Natural History Museum. Dedicated to natural environments and the cultures that inhabit them, it is one of the most unique museums of Bavaria. Exhibits of ethnic art, anthropology, archaeology, and geology are dedicated not only to Germany, but also such faraway places as the Sahara, Siberia, and Central America. 
• Tower of the Senses. One of the most interesting cultural institutions in the city, the Tower of the Senses is an interactive museum dedicated to the fascinating properties of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste and how perception can be altered by art. Frequent fun workshops, many aimed at the audience of children, also take place here.

Traffic and parking

• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits it 50 km/h (31 mph) in populated or built-up areas. There is no national speed limit on autobahns (highways) and many of them don’t have a set speed limit. However, contrary to what is sometimes stated, about 50% of the autobahns do have their own individual speed limits, so do carefully follow the speed limit signs on each road that you’re driving on.
• When it comes to parking, different areas are indicated by different colors. Blue lines indicate a paid parking spot where you can park for up to two hours for an hourly rate of €2.50.  Dotted blue lines indicate parking areas for disabled drivers. Yellow lines indicate parking areas for taxis. Orange lines indicate parking areas for commercial delivery cars. A red line means that parking is forbidden - breaking this rule can lead to large fines and even your car being towed. 
• Where the speed limits are enforced, the tolerance for speeding is low. Driving just 3 km/h (2 mph) above the speed limit can, and often will, lead to fines. Many roads that do have speed limits have radars in place.
• Some autobahns have a minimum speed limit that applies to specific lanes, for example, a minimum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph) for the left lane and 90 km/h (56 mph) for the center lane. 
• Because of the very high speed used by some on the German autobahns, be extra careful before switching lanes.
• It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. This is strictly enforced and the fines are substantial.
• Children under the age of 12 have to use a child safety seat.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.00% for novice drivers. Exceeding these limits can lead to high fines and a license ban. 
• Proof of insurance and the car’s documentation need to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The general emergency number, like elsewhere in the EU, is 112.

Toll roads

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. Neither of them is particularly close to Nuremberg.

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

Ideas for day trips

• Fürth. A cute little town that is basically a northern suburb of Nuremberg, Fürth is a great destination for a day-trip. Unlike its larger neighbor, it suffered very little damage during the Second World War, with much of its medieval and renaissance architecture in good shape to this day. Special attractions include the Jewish Museum, Radio Museum, and the classy Rathaus or city hall. Located just 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Nuremberg’s city center, Fürth can be reached by car in about 15 minutes.
• Erlangen. A cozy Franconian city with a youthful population, Erlangen has an array of different attractions for visitors to enjoy. These include the impressive Margravial Palace, the Huguenot Church, Siemens Medical Technology Museum, and a number of parks and public gardens. Just outside the city is the Tennenlohe Forest Experience Center where visitors can explore the local woods and learn about their ecological importance. Located just 22 km (14 miles) north of Nuremberg, Erlangan can be reached in about 25 minutes.
• Munich. The capital of Bavaria and one of the famous old cities of Europe, Munich is both cozy and modern. Many travelers enjoy its distinct architecture, public fairs, hearty cuisine, and the feeling of a big village, but just as many come for its high-tech museums and contemporary art scene. In addition to many attractions in the city itself, Munich can also serve as a gateway to the Bavarian Alps. According to many surveys, Munich has some of the highest quality of living among all the cities in the world. Located 170 km (105 miles) south of Nuremberg, the city can be reached in just under two hours.
• Bamberg. Located about an hour’s drive to the north, Bamberg might be a relatively small town but punches way above its weight when it comes to well-preserved architecture. Its historical center has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and locals will often proudly (and rightly) tell you that this is one of the most beautiful places in all of Germany.
• Regensburg. Another gem of a city, Regensburg was founded by the Romans and has been inhabited for about 1,850 years. The city’s historical center bears witness to the different architectural eras that it has experienced and boasts gems like the Regensburg Cathedral, as well as the oldest sausage kitchen in the world! The drive from Nuremberg takes about 90 minutes.
• Würzburg. The largest settlement in the Lower Franconia region, Würzburg is a truly charming historical city. Known for its picturesque setting on the Main River, countless architectural landmarks, and lively university life, it is connected to southern Bavaria by the so-called Romantic Road, one of the most scenic routes in this part of the country which can be easily traveled along by car. Coming from Nuremberg and the east, Würzburg can be reached in about 90 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Nuremberg is the Volkswagen Golf, closely followed by the Volkswagen Up and the Toyota Aygo. The most popular rental car types are compact, mini, and economy.

Further destinations

• Leipzig. A blend of old and new, the former East German city was heavily bombarded during the Second World War but has recently reinvented itself as a great hub of technology, industry, and innovation (some people in Germany call it ‘the New Munich’). The city has plenty to enjoy, from beautifully renovated churches and castles to the Zeitgeschichtliches Forum, a Museum about life in former East Germany, and the University of Leipzig Botanical Gardens. Located 285 km (177 miles) northeast of Nuremberg, Leipzig can be reached in three hours. 
• Dresden. Historically one of the most beautiful cities of Germany, the Florence of the North suffered very heavily in the Second World War, but its Baroque glory has since been largely rebuilt. Sitting on the Elbe river, Dresden is known for its many stunning sights, but also for excellent museums and lively cultural life. Located about a three-and-a-half-hour drive northeast of Nuremberg, Dresden is one of the two great cities of the Saxony region, the other being the aforementioned Leipzig.
• Frankfurt. Most people outside Germany know Frankfurt as the European hub of business and finance, but this West German city has so much more to explore. Many travelers come here every year for attractions like the English Theater, the Goethe House, and the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. Frankfurt also has one of the most impressive skylines in Europe which can be observed from the Top of the Main Tower as well as a number of other locations in the city. Located 225 km (140 miles) west of Leipzig, Frankfurt can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Czech Republic. Bordering Bavaria to the east, the Czech Republic (or Czechia) is a fascinating travel destination. Most travelers know it for its capital Prague, one of the most admired cities in Europe; but small, beautiful towns like Karlovy Vary (famous for its spas) and Plzen (home to great cathedrals and a synagogue) are even closer to Germany. The latter is just 205 km (128 miles) east of Nuremberg and can be reached in two hours. Although like Germany, the Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen area and therefore there are no border checks between the two countries, you should still ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit you crossing the border. 

Car rental prices in Nurnberg

• Vans - from $83 per day
• Convertibles - from $87 per day
• Small cars - from $52 per day
• Medium cars - from $52 per day
• SUVs - from $55 per day
• Large cars - from $36 per day
• Station wagons - from $59 per day
• Premium cars - from $108 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Increase your chances of landing a great rental car by following these tips:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Nuremberg is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 48% cheaper than the yearly average and 65% cheaper than renting a car in April. Catch the end of the summer with a trip to Bavaria!