Car rental in Germany

Renting a car in Düsseldorf is an excellent solution if you're planning to explore not only one of Germany's largest cities but also its surroundings. There are truly many interesting places here—from old European towns with narrow streets to fairy-tale castles and captivating natural landscapes.

With a car at your disposal, you'll be able to see the maximum number of attractions and focus on the places that interest you most. A vehicle will reduce travel time and allow you to avoid being tied to the last bus or train if you decide to stay longer at a location you enjoy. Plus, you'll gain the unique experience of driving on Germany's famous autobahns.

Advantages of Renting with Localrent

Localrent is a service where you can rent a car from local rental companies. You won't need to search for conditions and compare prices—all the best offers are collected on the Localrent website. Here are the main advantages of the service:

1. Transparent pricing. You see exactly how much the rental of your chosen car costs right at booking. The amount includes all fees and payments.
2. Small advance payment. To reserve a car, you pay only 15-20% of the rental cost by card.
3. Convenient filters. For quick selection of suitable offers, you can configure your search by various car parameters (class, brand, transmission type, engine capacity, etc.) and rental conditions (deposit amount, payment methods, etc.).
4. Different car classes. Choose transportation according to your preferences: from compact models to spacious crossovers and luxury-class vehicles.
5. Customer support. You can contact Localrent managers through online chat, messenger, or email to resolve any questions regarding car rental.

What You Need to Rent a Car

To rent a car in Düsseldorf, you'll need:

• Valid driver's license (category B)
• Passport
• Bank card for advance payment

Payment of the balance is made when picking up the car; some companies accept cash.

Be sure to pay attention to driver age and experience requirements. These are specified in the car listing. Conditions may differ even for identical models—it all depends on the rental company's regulations.

Traffic Conditions in Düsseldorf and Germany: Essential Navigation Insights

Driving a rental car will be comfortable and safe if you strictly follow German traffic rules. The well-developed autobahn network allows for fast travel across the country.

Key traffic regulations:

Right-hand traffic with permitted overtaking on the left.

Speed limits:

• Urban areas: up to 50 km/h
• Regular highways: up to 100 km/h
• Autobahns: no restrictions (though there's a recommended limit of 130 km/h)
• Signs may establish different limits, including on autobahns.
• Cyclist and pedestrian safety: When overtaking cyclists and pedestrians, maintain a lateral distance of at least 1.5 meters within urban areas, and at least 2 meters outside city limits.
• Mobile phone restrictions: Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except for hands-free calls or through Handsfree systems.
• Child safety requirements: Children under 12 years old and shorter than 150 cm must be transported in car seats or age-appropriate restraint devices.

Traffic enforcement insights:

Police rarely stop drivers for document checks. However, numerous cameras are installed on roads to record traffic violations. Local drivers may also report improper actions to the police.

Fuel Stations

Finding fuel stations in Düsseldorf and surrounding areas won't be a problem. They're located throughout the city, on approaches to it, as well as on highways and autobahns.

Fuel pricing considerations:

• Time of day: Fuel is always more expensive in the morning
• Location: The most expensive stations are located on autobahns

Stations often operate on a self-service basis—you fill up your car, then pay at the register. At night or on weekends, often only pumps with bank card payment are operational.

Parking

In central Düsseldorf and adjacent districts, parking is predominantly paid and available in different formats:

• Street parking zones: Marked with a P sign or blue markings. Payment is made through parking meters or mobile apps.
• Multi-level and underground parking garages: Convenient for extended parking periods.

Free parking can be found in residential areas and neighborhoods away from the center. Sometimes they're time-limited, indicated by a "2 Std" (2 hours) sign. Parking duration is controlled using a special disc, which can be purchased at gas stations.

There are also affordable or free Park & Ride facilities. These are located on the city outskirts near public transportation stops. You can leave your car and transfer to a bus. This is a convenient option if you want to walk around the city center without paying premium parking rates.

How to Book a Car in Düsseldorf

Booking a car in Düsseldorf on the Localrent website is a simple procedure that takes minimal time. To quickly find a suitable model, follow these instructions:

1. Specify the location and dates for the start and end of the car rental. Configure filters by selecting appropriate vehicle parameters and rental conditions. You can choose car class and brand, transmission and engine type, payment methods, free cancellation option, and other parameters.
2. Review the listing for the model you like. It includes specifications, rental conditions, and insurance details.
3. If necessary, select additional services (for example, child seat, second driver on the contract). Note that additional services may be paid or free.
4. Review the information on how much the rental of your chosen car in Düsseldorf costs, including all fees.
5. Pay the advance by card to confirm your reservation. The amount will be 15-20% of the rental cost.

Receive booking confirmation. A voucher with order details and the rental company representative's contacts will be sent to your email. Be sure to save the document on your phone or print it. You'll need to present it when picking up the car in Düsseldorf.

Where to Go with Your Rental Car

To make your vacation more interesting, you can visit the following places:

1. Neander Valley — the site where a Neanderthal skull was discovered. It houses one of Germany's largest archaeological museums, the Neanderthal Museum. Nearby is the "Ice Age Wildlife Park" with life-size models of prehistoric animals.
2. Cologne — one of Germany's oldest cities. Most tourists head straight to the famous Gothic-style Cologne Cathedral. We recommend climbing to the viewing platform near the cathedral to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the Rhine. You can also visit Museum Ludwig and the Chocolate Museum, and stroll along the waterfront.
3. Wuppertal — a small town famous for the Schwebebahn suspended monorail. Also of interest are one of Germany's oldest zoos, the Town Hall building, and the Waldfrieden sculpture park.
4. Essen — a former industrial center. The main attraction is the Zollverein complex with museums and exhibition spaces. This former mine now has UNESCO World Heritage status. Essen also features the Grugapark botanical garden with a mini-zoo, Essen Cathedral (Saints Cosmas and Damian), and the magnificent Villa Hügel.
5. Solingen — a town with half-timbered houses in the Wupper River valley. Its main attraction is Burg Castle, where you can walk through the knight's hall and view collections of weapons and armor. Near the castle is the Müngsten Bridge, Germany's highest railway bridge, perfect for impressive photos.

Choose your rental car according to your planned routes to get maximum driving enjoyment. For short trips, you can easily rent a relatively inexpensive compact model. For highway travel with hills and heavy traffic, a car with a more powerful engine is better suited.

Remember that insurance is only valid on paved roads.

Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car in Düsseldorf

Rental companies offer different pickup locations for car rental in Düsseldorf:

• Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS)
• Rental offices
• Delivery to your hotel or other specified address

When booking a car, you can use the "Specify location" filter to choose a specific pickup point. Note that in some cases, delivery of the car to your chosen address may require additional payment.

Rental Tips

If you're planning to rent a car in Düsseldorf, these tips will be helpful. They'll make your trips more comfortable and help you avoid unpleasant situations.

Monitor Speed Limits

The absence of speed restrictions applies to far from all autobahn sections. In the Düsseldorf area, there are zones with specific limits (especially when entering populated areas). Moreover, conditions often change, so it's important to watch for road signs.

Be Aware of Environmental Zones

Central Düsseldorf and some other cities are part of a low-emission environmental zone ("Umweltzone"). Entry by car is permitted only with a special sticker. Confirm its availability with the rental company representative.

Stay in the Right Lane on Autobahns

On German autobahns, the left lane is conventionally used only for overtaking. If you prefer a calm driving style, keep to the right, especially on multi-lane road sections.

Frequently Asked Questions