Frankfurt car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Frankfurt
The best car rental companies in Frankfurt are Sixt, Enterprise, Hertz. Prices start from €32/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 13%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Frankfurt
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor's pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#4
Europcar
Local favouriteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-05 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Frankfurt
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €32 | Opel Corsa | 5 |
| Compact | €38 | Volkswagen Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €56 | Audi Q3 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €73 | Mercedes V-Class | 7 |
| Luxury | €98 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Frankfurt
Airport — Frankfurt Airport (FRA) — Europe's 3rd busiest
Rental centre is in Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall B, easily reachable from both terminals via the airport's internal SkyLine people mover.
Downtown — Frankfurt City Centre / Hauptbahnhof
Multiple agencies near the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof). The city centre has an environmental zone.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~13% of base rate | Airport pickups at FRA |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–28/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| Low-emission zone sticker | Free — included on all rental cars | Required for Frankfurt city centre driving |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off within Germany |
| Austria toll vignette | €10–15 | If crossing into Austria; not included in rental |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Frankfurt
- Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of the world's busiest hubs — terminals are large. The rental centre is in T1; allow extra time for T2 arrivals to reach it.
- Germany's Autobahn is accessible immediately from FRA — the A3 and A5 junctions are right at the airport. No general speed limit on unrestricted sections.
- Frankfurt's Umweltzone (low-emission zone) covers the inner city. Rental cars carry the required green sticker — you do not need to purchase one.
- The Rhine Valley (Loreley) scenic drive is only 1 hour west — stunning castles and vineyards along the river. Best in summer.
- Minimum age is 21; strict 0.0% BAC for under-21s. Young-driver surcharge under 25. Germany has some of the most modern rental fleets in Europe.
- Frankfurt is central to Europe — day trips to Cologne, Heidelberg, Koblenz, and Luxembourg are all under 2 hours.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Frankfurt
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Frankfurt?
You must be at least 21. Drivers 21–24 pay a young-driver surcharge of €15–28/day. Germany has a strict 0.0% BAC limit for drivers under 21.
Where exactly is the rental car centre at Frankfurt Airport?
The main rental centre is in Terminal 1, Arrivals Hall B, Level 0. If you arrive at Terminal 2, use the free SkyLine people mover to reach T1. The walk from baggage claim to the desks takes about 10 minutes.
Can I do unrestricted speed driving on the Autobahn from Frankfurt?
Yes — many sections near Frankfurt are unrestricted. The recommended speed is 130 km/h. Construction zones and city sections have posted limits. Most rental contracts permit Autobahn driving.
Is Frankfurt a good base for road trips in Germany?
Excellent — it's in the geographic centre of western Germany. The Rhine Valley, Black Forest, Heidelberg, Cologne, Nuremberg, and Munich are all within 3 hours.
What is the cheapest car type in Frankfurt?
Economy cars (e.g. Opel Corsa) start around €32/day. Frankfurt airport is one of Europe's most competitive rental markets.
Nearby trips
