Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hire
» Southern Germany has an excellent public transport system meaning car hire isn't abso-
lutely necessary. One exception is the trip along the Romantic Road where a car makes
travel a lot easier.
» As anywhere, rates for car hire vary quite considerably by model, pick-up date and loca-
tion.
» Mini-economy class vehicles start from around €35 per day, but expect surcharges for
additional drivers and one-way hire.
» Pre-booking through websites such as
www.auto-europe.co.uk
,
www.rentalcars.com
and
www.holidayautos.com
can bring daily rates down to less than €20 depending on how
long you need the car.
» Child or infant seats are usually available for free or for a symbolic charge. Satellite-
navigation units can be hired for a small fee per day. Both should be reserved at the time
of booking.
» To pick up your car you'll probably need to be at least 21 years old with a valid driving
licence as well as a major credit card.
» Taking your car into an Eastern European country, such as the Czech Republic or Po-
land, is often not allowed. Check in advance if that's where you're heading.
» All the main international companies maintain branches at airports, major train stations
and in large towns.
Insurance
» German law requires that all registered vehicles carry minimum third-party liability in-
surance. Don't even think of driving uninsured or under-insured.
» When hiring a vehicle, make sure your contract includes adequate liability insurance at
the very minimum.
» Optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) for hire cars is extra and is charged when
you pick up the vehicle.
Road Rules
» Driving is on the right-hand side of the road and standard international signs are in use.
If you're unfamiliar with these, contact your local motoring organisation.
» Obey the road rules carefully: speed and red-light cameras are common and notices are
sent to the car's registration address, wherever that may be. If you're renting a car, the po-
