Munich car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Munich
The best car rental companies in Munich are Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise. Prices start from €33/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 14%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Munich
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€35/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Local favouriteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€31/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€31/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 Munich
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €33 | Volkswagen Polo | 5 |
| Compact | €40 | Volkswagen Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €58 | BMW X1 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €75 | Volkswagen Touran | 7 |
| Luxury | €100 | BMW 5 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Munich
Airport — Munich Airport — Franz Josef Strauß (MUC)
Rental desks are in the arrivals area of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Large facility with all major brands.
Downtown — Munich City Centre
Pick-up points near Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) and the English Garden. The city centre has a low-emission zone.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~14% of base rate | Airport pickups at MUC |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–28/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| Low-emission zone sticker (Umweltplakette) | Free (already on rental cars) | Required for city-centre driving in Munich — rental cars have the green sticker |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off within Germany |
| Austria/Switzerland toll | €10–15 vignette sticker | Driving in Austria (annual or 10-day vignette) or Switzerland (annual) — not included in rental |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Munich
- Germany's Autobahn has no speed limit on many sections — but always check the posted limits near cities and at construction zones. Most rental contracts allow Autobahn driving.
- Munich has a mandatory low-emission zone (Umweltzone) covering the ring road area. Rental cars always carry the required green sticker.
- A vignette sticker is required for Austrian and Swiss motorways — if you plan to cross the border, buy a 10-day Austria vignette (€10–15) at a petrol station or online before entering.
- Drive on the right. Germany has strict drink-driving laws — 0.05% BAC limit for most drivers (0.0% under 21 or with less than 2 years experience).
- Minimum age is 21; young-driver surcharge under 25. German rental cars tend to be newer-model premium brands (VW, BMW, Audi, Mercedes).
- The Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) from Würzburg to Neuschwanstein passes near Munich — a classic self-drive route taking 2–3 days.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Munich
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Munich?
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.
Can I drive on the Autobahn without a speed limit?
Yes — on unrestricted sections (marked by the white speed-limit cancellation sign). However, the recommended speed is 130 km/h. Most rental contracts permit Autobahn driving but ban racing circuits. Drive responsibly.
Do I need a vignette for Austria or Switzerland?
Yes — both require a motorway vignette. Austria offers a 10-day sticker (~€10–15 at petrol stations or online). Switzerland requires an annual vignette (CHF 40). If crossing the border, buy before entering or you face a fine.
What is the low-emission zone in Munich?
Munich's Umweltzone covers the area inside the ring road. Only vehicles with a green environmental sticker (Grüne Plakette) may enter. All rental cars automatically have the sticker — you do not need to buy one separately.
What is the cheapest car type in Munich?
Economy cars (e.g. Volkswagen Polo) start around €33/day. Munich prices are slightly higher than Berlin but still competitive for Germany.
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