How to find a cheap car hire deal in Essen
Searching for a cheap rental car in Essen? You're exactly where you need to be. With prices averaging $200 a day, we compare the best deals so you can choose fast, spend less, and feel good about what you paid.
The cheapest daily price for a rental in Essen is $44.
Staying a little longer? Grab a weekly rental from $246 and say yes to more adventures.
Walk away with the best price on a Essen car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get the car that fits and a rate that works.
Enterprise, Keddy By Europcar and star car are some of the most reliable providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.
The coverage Enterprise or another supplier includes with your Essen car hire can differ, so always go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.
Booking a one-way car hire can be the key to cheaper deals. Simply click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can score some excellent one-way prices on a car for rent in Essen.
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your ride with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. You won't get hit with overpriced refueling charges either.
Want to explore more without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra fees.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices at $134 a day.
Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around $125.
The third option also shows up on the list of top-value suppliers. Drive off in one of their rentals for roughly $119 a day.
The Intermediate rental category is a dependable choice if you can't decide which ride is right for you. It's also the car type that's rented the most in Essen.
Compare car hire types in Essen
Small: Whether you're cruising narrow city streets or taking a short trip, this car category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to excellent fuel efficiency and easy handling.
Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine fuel efficiency, space and comfort. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most plans.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and enhanced tech features, this Essen car hire category includes full-size cars. With roomier rear seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a better view of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or cruising along wide-open highways, many offer all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.
Van: Choose this vehicle category when you need a car for rent in Essen that makes light work of heavy loads. Featuring commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's supplies, luggage or a bunch of your favourite people.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Essen car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so compare before you book.
Make driving easier when you rent a car in Essen by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras that take the pain out of parking.
Good to know
Age requirements often vary by supplier (and even car type), so know the rules before you book. Some companies in Germany may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age range, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to explore your options.
Add a car seat to your Essen car hire reservation if you're bringing the kids. Rules can change from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their size, weight and age is always the safest choice.
Bring the right documents to keep the pick-up process smooth. You'll generally need your physical driver's licence (no screenshots) plus another photo ID. Also bring a credit card with enough available balance to cover the deposit. If extra requirements apply, your booking will list them.
Take a few moments to get used to your rental. Set up your seat and mirrors, test the brakes and blinkers, and get a feel for its handling before you drive away. And remember to stay on the right side of the road in Germany.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Germany is 0.05%. Because alcohol doesn't affect all people equally, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 8am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.
You'll be using the euro (EUR) for all your purchases and expenses throughout your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cards and cash so you always have a backup option.
German is the language you'll hear most people speak in this country.
Best hotels in Essen for drivers
Offering parking, Ibis Styles Gelsenkirchen gives you the freedom to come and go as you please. This hotel is about 8 kilometres from central Essen and also comes with internet access and a 24-hour front desk.
Or take advantage of the parking at Centre Hotel Essen. The city centre is roughly 2 kilometres from this option, which also features express check-out and luggage storage.
Browse through the hotels in Essen for even more choices. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find exactly what you're after. You can even select the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to bring up places with on-site charging.
After you've found a car hire deal in Essen and the right hotel, it's time to plan your adventures. PACT Zollverein, Philharmonie Essen and Red Dot Design Museum are a classic introduction to the city.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Essen
Around 32 kilometres east of central Essen, Dortmund should feature on your itinerary. Head straight for can't-miss sights like Dortmund Christmas Market and Museum of Natural History.
PLAZA INN Stays Design Dortmund and Hotel Unique Dortmund Hauptbahnhof are popular accommodation options with parking in Dortmund.
Add Duisburg to your travels too. Grab your cheap car hire in Essen and drive around 18 kilometres west to take in major attractions such as Rhine River and Botanical Garden.
Mercure Hotel Duisburg City and Elaya Hotel Oberhausen are comfortable places to stay in Duisburg if you're hanging around for a while. Choose one of these and have somewhere handy to leave your ride.
Up for a bonus adventure? Bielefeld is a popular road trip destination that's about 121 kilometres northeast of Essen. Consider making a few pit stops at Sparrenburg Castle and Teutoburger Wald.
Get some shut-eye in Bielefeld at either Steigenberger Hotel Bielefelder Hof or LÉGÈRE Hotel Bielefeld. They've got a bed waiting for you and space for your wheels too.
