Berlin is the perfect city for visitors who love both recent European history and mainstream, yet hip shopping and partying opportunities. Even those who visited Berlin just 10 years ago will find that the city has changed a lot, but at least one thing is still the same: the most unusual and exciting independent design and arts shops and eateries still crop up in all the nooks and crannies of the city, making exploration a real joy. While the city is fairly navigable by foot and U-Bahn, its road infrastructure makes driving relatively simple. Make the most of your visit to Berlin by staying mobile with a rental car.
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The best time to visit Germany depends on what activities you plan to do. Summer typically extends from mid-April through September with cool and rainy days from time to time. Book ahead if you’re planning on visiting in July and August.
The official language of Germany is German, though many Germans are bilingual, and most have been taught some English in school. In former East Germany, the older generations will still have some knowledge of Russian. French, Italian, and Spanish are also widely spoken, and many immigrants from Turkey, Italy, and Poland, and increasingly Arab-speaking countries, retain their native language proficiency.
Berlin is located in the Central European Time Zone, UTC+1.
The currency of Germany is the euro, and credit cards are widely accepted at grocery and retail stores. Take advantage of frequent ATMs to have cash on hand for restaurants, bakeries, and butcher’s shops.
Car hire is available in over 50 locations throughout Berlin, including at the Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF) airports, in Berlin Mitte, and at the central railway station.
As one of the signers of the Schengen Agreement, Germany accepts visitors from many countries around the world visa-free for up to 90 days. Double check entry requirements for your nationality before you depart, as you may be required to apply for a visa before you arrive.
Berlin is by far Germany’s largest city and a good deal of its infrastructure is organized for the car, making it fairly navigable despite its size. This makes a car ideal for exploring all over the city, though parking can be fairly expensive and residents are not often patient with drivers who are uncertain of where they’re going. Particularly if you are travelling in a small group and plan to travel beyond the city borders, hiring a car is likely to be your most efficient, inexpensive, and comfortable way of travelling.
Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road throughout continental Europe.
– In residential areas: 30 km/h
– In towns and cities: 50 km/h
– Outside towns and cities: 100 km/h
– Speed on the Autobahn is unlimited unless marked by signs suspended above or posted alongside the road.
– There is no consistent timing for rush hour in Berlin, though you will save a lot of time by asking your hotel staff which intersections to avoid during the day!
1. As in any large city, street parking will be difficult to find in Berlin. But, particularly in neighbourhoods farther away from tourist attractions, when you do find a space, it might just be free! Keep an eye out for signs that designate areas as restricted by time, residence permit, and fee. For ease, take advantage of frequent parking garages.
2. Keep as far right as traffic allows when driving on the Autobahn.
3. An international driver’s permit is not necessary for driving in Germany.
4. There are no toll roads in Germany.
5. The minimum driving age is 18, and some rental agencies also allow rental by drivers as young as 18. You are likely to face young-driver surcharges until the age of 25.
Car hire in Berlin typically starts at around €20 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Berlin:
Opel Adam or similar (mini class) – €20/day
Volkswagen Polo or similar (economy class) – €21/day
Ford Focus or similar (compact class) – €22/day
Volkswagen Passat or similar (intermediate class) – €25/day
Ford Mondeo or similar (standard class) – €36/day
Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.
There is almost no seasonal variation in price for rental cars in Berlin. Instead, you can get the best prices by shopping around. At any given time, major rental car locations such as the Tegel or Schönefeld airports, the central railway station, or neighbourhoods such as Mitte can offer visitors the best deals. GLOBAL Rent-a-Car, Flizzr, Thrifty, and Alamo are among the most competitive rental car companies in Berlin.
In particular, keep an eye out for discounts between 10% and 25% that reduce your daily rental price!
You can also often save at least €8 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.
There is no need to look further – you can always find a special offer and save big on Ultimate Travel 4 All!
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