Berlin car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Berlin
The best car rental companies in Berlin are Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar. Prices start from €27/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 15%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Berlin
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Enterprise
Top ratedFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#3
Europcar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€28/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€31/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€27/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€29/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €200Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€26/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Berlin
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €27 | VW Polo | 5 |
| Compact | €31 | VW Golf | 5 |
| SUV | €48 | Audi Q3 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €66 | Mercedes V-Class | 7 |
| Luxury | €92 | BMW 5 Series | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Berlin
Airport — Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
Car Rental Centre on level E0 of Terminal 1; vehicles in the adjacent P2 garage.
Downtown — Central Berlin
Desks near Alexanderplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Kurfürstendamm (City West).
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~15% of base rate | Any airport pickup |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €15–30/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Winter-tyre surcharge | €5–10/day | Nov–Mar / wintry conditions |
| Security deposit | €200–250 hold | Credit-card pre-authorisation |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Berlin
- Drive on the right; most rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly.
- A green Umweltplakette (environmental sticker) is required to enter Berlin’s low-emission zone inside the S-Bahn ring — rental cars come with one fitted.
- Germany charges no car tolls on the autobahn (only trucks pay), so motorway travel is free — some stretches have no speed limit.
- Winter tyres are situational: legally required in snow, ice or slush (Nov–Mar in practice), with a €5–10/day surcharge from most suppliers.
- Non-EU visitors need an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence; EU licences are accepted as-is.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Berlin
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Berlin?
Most companies rent from age 21, though some premium categories require 25. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €15–30/day. The absolute legal minimum in Germany is 18, but few suppliers rent that young.
Do I need the green Umweltplakette (environmental sticker) in Berlin?
Yes. Berlin’s Umweltzone (low-emission zone) covers the whole area inside the S-Bahn ring, and you may only drive there with a green sticker on the windscreen. Rental cars come with one already fitted, so you don’t need to buy it. Driving in without one is a flat €80 fine. Electric cars with an E plate are exempt.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Germany?
EU/EEA licences are accepted as-is. Visitors from outside the EU (e.g. US, UK, Australia) should carry an International Driving Permit together with their home licence; a non-EU licence with IDP is valid for stays of up to six months.
Are there tolls on the autobahn?
No — Germany is one of the few European countries that does not charge cars to use motorways. Only trucks pay tolls, so all your autobahn driving is free. Note that some sections still have no speed limit.
Do I need winter tyres, and is there a fee?
Winter tyres are situational in Germany: they are legally required whenever there is snow, ice or slush, which in practice means roughly November to March. Most suppliers fit them automatically in that period, sometimes with a €5–10/day surcharge.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €200–250 is standard. It is a pre-authorisation, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow it within Germany for a fee of roughly €40–120. Cross-border drop-offs to other EU countries are possible with some suppliers but cost more and must be declared upfront.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Berlin Brandenburg (BER) has all major desks in the Car Rental Centre on level E0 of Terminal 1, with cars in the adjacent P2 garage. Central Berlin desks are near Alexanderplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Kurfürstendamm.
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