Car hire in Frankfurt
Germany’s business capital is conveniently situated at the intersection of the country's major motorways. Once you’re tired of the avant-garde skyscrapers and beautifully maintained old buildings, make Frankfurt your base for exploring the rest of the country in your Avis rental car.Book now
Popular car hire locations in Frankfurt
A car hire service for business or leisure
Whether you're coming to Frankfurt for a business trip, city break or family holiday, our car hire branches across the city are at your service. We offer a wide range of vehicles to suit every purpose, and with optional extras such as satellite navigation and winter products, we'll ensure you’re firmly in the driving seat.
Plan your trip to Frankfurt
The obvious place to start is at the top. Appreciate the unique skyline from afar from the bridges over the River Main. Some of the tallest buildings in Europe are concentrated in Frankfurt, in a relatively small area. This has lent the city its nickname of Mainhattan.The Main Tower is open to the public and has a viewing platform at 200 metres offering great views of the city and the surrounding area. On the ground, the hexagonal building with the neon Euro sculpture outside is the European Central Bank.
Standing in stark contrast is Altstadt, the old town. It was partially destroyed during World War II but several of the buildings have now been restored. Make your entrance at Römerberg, the central square. The most impressive sights include the Römer town hall and the Bridge of Sighs, the Ostzeile half-timbered houses and the gothic Alte Nikolaikirche.
The Museum Riverbank is symbolic of the city's reputation as the national city of the arts. Here you'll find the Städel Museum, the German Architecture Museum, the German Film Museum, and the Jewish Museum, to name but a few. The Historisches Museum in the old town covers the history of Frankfurt, displaying several models of the city at various periods in its history. The Long Night of Museums, at the end of April each year, sees over 50 museums open their doors until the early hours.
Frankfurt offers several popular oases in the middle of the city. On the banks of the River Main, the Nizza-Gärtens lure visitors with their Mediterranean flair. Further north in the West End is the enormous palm garden, adjoined by another botanical garden and the Grüneburgpark. Numerous other city parks, a huge urban forest in the south of the city and the traditional zoo, Germany's second oldest, also invite you to linger.
The city is also the venue of some of the world's most important trade shows. The Auto Show is one of the largest of its kind and held every other year in September. The Book Fair is the world’s biggest and most important book and media fair. It is held in October, lasts for five days, and attracts visitors and exhibitors from across the globe.
Road trips from Frankfurt
You are in the perfect spot for getting out and discovering the whole of Germany. Just jump on the right motorway, and you’re on your way.There's Mainz, with its well-preserved old city, and the historic spa city of Wiesbaden to the southwest. To the south lies Darmstadt with its picturesque old town and art nouveau architecture. Some 40 minutes beyond takes you to the splendid city of Heidelberg, home to the oldest university in Germany as well as a baroque old town and its world-famous castle ruins. Head out west and you’ll come to Würzburg. The Würzburg Residence is a World Heritage Site, and there are over 100 churches in various styles scattered across the city.
There are plenty of hiking opportunities nearby. It's just a 20-minute drive to Königstein im Taunus on the wooded slopes of the Taunus hills. After a long hike, relax in the spas of this state-approved health resort. The Vogelsberg mountains are just over an hour's drive northwards. There is an extinct volcano, which is the largest in Central Europe. The excellent hiking trails take in basalt formations, forests and traces of past volcanic activity. The Odenwald area, is also just over an hour away - in the opposite direction. It offers natural beauty in the form of dense forests, lakes and rivers. There are also Roman remains and historic castles waiting to be explored.
If you want to discover the rest of the country by car, Frankfurt is the place to start. The Frankfurter Kreuz near the airport is where the A5 and A3 motorways connect. Take the A5 north to Hanover and Berlin, or south to Karlsruhe and across the Swiss border to Basel. Take the A3 east to Nuremberg and west to Düsseldorf and Cologne.
German motorways are fast and safe. With Avis car rental, you'll be there in no time.
Welcome to a traditional, modern, global city
Frankfurt, more than any other large city, combines the most diverse facets of a modern metropolis. Known for its unique skyline of imposing skyscrapers, it also houses an important medieval old town. Known as a hub financial and trade-fair location, art and culture flourish at the same time. Visit this versatile cosmopolitan city in the heart of Germany and discover, with your rental car, the beautiful landscapes of the Taunus just outside the city.Imperial City and cradle of democracy
Germany's fifth-largest city was already one of the most important urban centers on German soil in the Middle Ages. From 1562 numerous Roman emperors were crowned here. In 1848, the first freely elected German parliament met in Frankfurt. Visit the imperial cathedral of St. Bartholomew, or the rebuilt Frankfurt Paulskirche, which today is a national monument and memorial.
Skyscrapers and emperors
While most modern European cities have not been able to develop skyscrapers with a modern skyline, Frankfurt's high-rise hotels are in no way inferior to the major cities of North America, Asia or Australia. Moreover, in contrast to these, the visitor does not have to do without historical buildings at the same time.
With this architectural diversity, Frankfurt is unique in Central Europe. Nearly 100 buildings are currently at least 50 metres high, many of which delight enthusiasts of modern architecture. Take a look at the real Commerzbank Tower, one of Europe's premier residential buildings mirroring twin banks of the Deutsche Bank, the original Messehaus 9 ("Torhaus") or the associated ensemble "Kastor und Pollux".
R&R
Frankfurt offers several popular oases in the middle of the city for rest: on the banks of the River Main, find gardens with a Mediterranean flair and the opportunity to relax. Further north in the West End is a huge palm garden, followed by another botanical garden and the Gruneburgpark. Numerous other city centre parks, the huge city forest in the south as well as the traditional zoo, Germany's second oldest zoo, also invite you to linger.
While most modern European cities have not been able to develop skyscrapers with a modern skyline, Frankfurt's high-rise hotels are in no way inferior to the major cities of North America, Asia or Australia. Moreover, in contrast to these, the visitor does not have to do without historical buildings at the same time.
With this architectural diversity, Frankfurt is unique in Central Europe. Nearly 100 buildings are currently at least 50 metres high, many of which delight enthusiasts of modern architecture. Take a look at the real Commerzbank Tower, one of Europe's premier residential buildings mirroring twin banks of the Deutsche Bank, the original Messehaus 9 ("Torhaus") or the associated ensemble "Kastor und Pollux".
R&R
Frankfurt offers several popular oases in the middle of the city for rest: on the banks of the River Main, find gardens with a Mediterranean flair and the opportunity to relax. Further north in the West End is a huge palm garden, followed by another botanical garden and the Gruneburgpark. Numerous other city centre parks, the huge city forest in the south as well as the traditional zoo, Germany's second oldest zoo, also invite you to linger.
Road rules in Germany
Which side of the road?In Germany, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- At crossroads or junctions in urban areas, you have the right of way if there is a road sign with a yellow diamond at the intersection. A white triangle with a red border indicates you must wait for the oncoming traffic to clear
- Be aware that on unrestricted motorways (autobahns) you can still get a speeding ticket for driving too fast for the prevailing traffic or weather conditions
- A number of German cities have low emission zones that require you to have a special permit to drive through them
- In cities, if you see a blue sign with white car, children and bike symbols on it, you must drive at walking speed
- If you're caught committing a driving offence, the police can issue an on-the-spot fine
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 50km/h (30 mph)
- Rural areas: 100km/h (62 mph)
- Motorways (autobahns): None unless shown. 130km/h (80 mph) is the suggested maximum
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 and less than 150cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.