Car hire in Erlangen, Germany

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The most popular car rental companies in Erlangen

Hiring a car in Erlangen: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carPremium/Luxury, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$414
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Erlangen

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Erlangen car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Erlangen

  • Grab a cheap rental car in Erlangen and get on your way for around $414 a day. From short drives to open-road adventures, we'll help you find a rental that keeps up with your trip.

  • $111 is the cheapest daily price listed for a rental in Erlangen.

  • Staying a while and want to go further than the usual stops? $556 is the lowest rate for a weekly rental.

  • To land the best price on a Erlangen car hire, book in advance. Rates generally rise as your travel dates approach, and you might have less to pick from.

  • Browse the offers available with Enterprise, Keddy By Europcar and Sixt. They rank among the city's most trusted providers.

  • The coverage Enterprise or another supplier offers for your Erlangen car hire can vary, so be sure to check the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will charge a fee for it.

  • Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your rental. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved around. Just select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Erlangen.

  • Cut down on fuel costs by picking a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect your ride with a full tank and bring it back full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a ride that lets you explore further.

Best value car hire options right now

  • The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at $206 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $206, this provider is next in line.

  • The third option also keeps costs manageable. Expect to pay roughly $264 a day for one of their rentals.

  • Want a car that handles just about any journey? The Premium rental category is the crowd favourite among travellers visiting Erlangen.

Compare car hire types in Erlangen

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around the city or taking a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and excellent fuel efficiency.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to handle in cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they're a reliable fit for most trips.

  • Large: Long drives fly by in this Erlangen car hire category. Also known as full-size, they have the engine size to match the journey. The extra space and comfort make them a popular choice for groups of friends and families.

  • SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your ultimate road trip companion, ready for country roads, highways, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also promise extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Erlangen makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're tough, versatile, and ready to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the fee you'd have to pay if your Erlangen car hire is stolen or damaged. While not mandatory, you'll be glad to have it if something goes wrong. Keep in mind that insurance policies vary between providers, so make sure you know exactly what's included.

  • Travel smarter when you rent a car in Erlangen by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep your trip on track, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.

Good to know

  • Check each supplier's age requirements before booking your rental in Germany. Rules can vary, and added costs or restrictions may apply if you're a younger driver. At the start of your search, just uncheck the 'Driver aged between 25–70' box and enter your age to browse your options.

  • Add a car seat to your Erlangen car hire reservation if you're travelling with small kids. Requirements change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest option.

  • You'll need some documents when collecting your car. As a rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough balance for the deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will tell you exactly what you need.

  • If you've never driven in Germany, remember that traffic here sticks to the right side of the road.

  • In Germany, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you intend to have a few drinks, pass the keys to someone else or choose another way to travel.

  • Around 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.

  • You'll be using the euro (EUR) on your trip here. As well as your bank cards, consider having some cash handy for smaller purchases.

  • German is the language used most widely across the country.

Best hotels in Erlangen for drivers

  • Spend less time worrying about where to park and more time making the most of Best Western Hotel Erlangen. About 2 kilometres from central Erlangen, it comes with accessible parking, tour services and minigolf.

  • Art-Hotel Erlangen gets the details right with parking and features like Wi-Fi and billiards. It's roughly 2 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Browse the lineup of hotels in Erlangen for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find what works for you. You can even apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.

  • It's time to start exploring now you've found a car hire deal in Erlangen and your hotel. From Marktplatz to Botanischer Garten and Skulpturenpark, there's plenty to keep you busy here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Erlangen

  • Würzburg should be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Festung Marienberg and Market Square. This city is around 80 kilometres west of central Erlangen.

  • Maritim Hotel Würzburg and Premier Inn Würzburg are recommended accommodation options with parking in Würzburg.

  • Add Ingolstadt to your trip lineup. Pick up your cheap car hire in Erlangen and drive about 97 kilometres south to discover hot spots like Liebfrauenmuenster and Altstadt von Ingolstadt.

  • Relax after a day out and about in Ingolstadt at Mercure Hotel Ingolstadt or IntercityHotel Ingolstadt. These hotels are a good choice for guests bringing their own car.

  • Up for a bonus adventure? Leipzig is a top road trip destination that's about 209 kilometres northeast of Erlangen. Make a few pit stops at Oper Leipzig and Museum of Fine Arts.

  • Next up: catching some z's. HYPERION Hotel Leipzig and Hotel Leipzig City Nord by Campanile have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Leipzig.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Erlangen will set you back around $414 per day or $1,083 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Erlangen is a compact crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Premium/Luxury, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Erlangen are currently Thrifty and Dollar.
On average, around $1,083. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Erlangen is $556.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Erlangen, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Erlangen that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Erlangen.
Most places – Erlangen included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $111 per day. The average price per day is around $275.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Europcar and Buchbinder offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Dollar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Erlangen.