Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [699]
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GREENING CITY CENTRES
To decrease air pollution caused by fine particles, 32 cities throughout Germany have introduced so-called Green Zones, which are low emission zones that may only be entered by cars displaying an Umweltplakette (emissions sticker; sometimes also called Feinstaubplakette). And yes, this includes foreign vehicles.
The easiest way to obtain the sticker is by ordering it online from the TÜV (Technical Inspection Authority) at www.tuev-sued.de or www.tuev-nord.de, both of which provide easy instructions in English. The cost is €14.99 per car. In Germany, stickers are also available from designated repair centres, car dealers and vehicle licensing offices. Drivers caught without one will be fined €40.
Cities currently participating include: Augsburg, Berlin, Bochum, Bottrop, Bremen, Cologne, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Frankfurt am Main, Freiburg, Gelsenkirchen, Hanover, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Munich, Oberhausen, Pforzheim, Regensburg, Reutlingen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Stuttgart, Tübingen and Ulm. Dozens more are expected to create their own zones in the coming years. See www.umweltbundesamt.de and www.bmu.de for the latest information.
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Driving Licence
Drivers need a valid driving licence. International Driving Permits (IDP) are not compulsory, but having one may help Germans make sense of your home licence (always carry that one, too) and may simplify the car or motorcycle hire process. IDPs are inexpensive, valid for one year and issued by your local automobile association – bring a passport photo and your home licence.
Fuel & Spare Parts
Petrol stations, nearly all of which are self-service, are generally ubiquitous except in sparsely populated rural areas. Petrol is sold in litres.
Finding spare parts should not be a problem, especially in the cities, although availability, of course, depends on the age and model of your car. Be sure to have some sort of roadside emergency assistance plan (opposite) in case your car breaks down.
Hire
As anywhere, rates for car hire vary quite considerably by model, pick-up date and location, but you should be able to get an economy-size vehicle from about €35 per day, plus insurance and taxes. Expect surcharges for hire cars originating at airports and train stations, additional drivers and one-way hire. Child or infant safety seats may be hired for about €5 per day and should be reserved at the time of booking.
In order to hire your own wheels, you’ll need to be at least 25 years old, and possess a valid driving licence and a major credit card. Some companies hire out to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 for an additional charge (about €12 to €20 per day). Younger people or those without a credit card are often out of luck, although some local car-rental outfits may accept cash or travellers-cheque deposits. Taking your rental car into an Eastern European country, such as the Czech Republic or Poland, is often a no-no, so check in advance if that’s where you’re planning to head.
All the main international companies, including Avis ( 01805-217 702; www.avis.com), Europcar ( 01805-8000; www.europcar.com), Hertz ( 01805-333 535; www.hertz.com) and Budget ( 01805-244 388; www.budget.com), maintain branches at airports, major train stations and towns.
You could make a booking when calling the reservation agent, although it may be worth checking directly with a local branch for special promotions the agent may not know about. Smaller local agencies sometimes offer better prices, so it’s worth checking into that as well.
Pre-booked and prepaid packages arranged in your home country usually work out much cheaper than on-the-spot rentals. The same is true of fly/drive packages. Check for deals with the online travel agencies, travel agents or car‑rental brokers, such as the US-based company Auto Europe