Car Rental in Essen, Germany

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Choose from 31 pick-up spots

When's the cheapest time to hire a car in Essen?

Our data shows that October is the cheapest month to rent a car in Essen. It’s around $78 per day in October, compared to the yearly average of $129 per day.
Cheapest month avgOctober • $78
Yearly avg price$129

Select your Essen pick-up location

There are 31 car hire providers in Essen. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Car hire pick-up spots in Essen

Compare car hire prices at airports, train stations and in different neighbourhoods across Essen. You might find a better price, or the perfect pick-up point nearby. Start your journey where it suits you.
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These are estimated prices to help you choose from a large number of options. Each is an average based on the lowest car rental prices found for each destination over the last 15 days.

The most popular car rental companies in Essen

What's the most popular car to hire in Essen?

Based on recent Skyscanner data, the Volkswagen Golf is the most popular car to hire in Essen, with prices starting from $81 per day. The Volkswagen Touran and similar models are also popular drives in Essen.
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf14% chose this
Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Touran7% chose this
BMW 3-Series
BMW 3-Series5% chose this
Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo5% chose this
Most popular carVolkswagen Golf
Why?Comfortable, practical, good value

Essen's cheapest car hire providers

Budget has the cheapest car hire in Essen right now, with prices from $81 per day. You'll save an average of $17 per day when you book with them.
Budgetfrom $81 per day
Keddy By Europcarfrom $91 per day
Enterprisefrom $100 per day
Alamofrom $104 per day
Cheapest providerBudget
Book with them to save around$17 per day

Hiring a car in Essen: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyEnterprise
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$192
Best time to bookLess than 1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Essen

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 Essen car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Essen

  • In search of a cheap rental car in Essen? With prices averaging $192 a day, big savings are just around the corner. Whether you're wanting a zippy little number, a road trip-ready SUV, or something else entirely, we round up all the top offers to get you real value.

  • $80 is the cheapest daily price for a home in Essen.

  • Staying on a bit longer? Book a weekly home from $563 and explore beyond the usual highlights.

  • Land the best price on a Essen car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get the best value with the most choice.

  • Get behind the wheel with Enterprise, Keddy By Europcar or star car. They're some of the most trusted providers in the city.

  • Whether you book with Enterprise or another supplier, double-check the coverage on your Essen car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others treat it as an add-on.

  • Booking one-way could land you a discount on your home. Providers sometimes offer lower rates when vehicles need to be moved between branches. Just select 'Return car to a different location' when searching the cars for rent in Essen.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. No hidden refueling charges at drop-off either.

  • Roam without limits by booking a home with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, these rides let you drive as far as you want without extra charges.

Best value car hire options right now

  • Coming in first for value is this company, with average prices of $187 a day.

  • Offering daily rates of around $164, this provider is next in line.

  • The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly $193 a day with this supplier.

  • After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Economy home category is the top choice for travellers visiting Essen.

Compare car hire types in Essen

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in Essen may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, great on mileage, and perfect for city runs or weekend trips.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the kind of home even Goldilocks wouldn't second-guess. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are great for couples and small families.

  • Large: Offering greater driving comfort and improved tech features, this Essen car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and ample storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.

  • SUV: When adventure calls, an SUV says, 'let's go.' It's your ultimate road trip buddy, ready for highways, backroads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also deliver on space and advanced safety features.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Essen that fits a small crowd (and all their stuff), a van has room where it matters. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're best suited for group travel, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something to think about. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a big excess fee. Different Essen car hire providers have different insurance policies and cover levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Essen by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to keep you headed the right way, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.

Good to know

  • Home age requirements aren't always the same everywhere. Companies can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could be hit with extra charges or rules. Check the exact rules for each supplier before booking your car rental in Germany.

  • Add a car seat to your Essen car rental booking if you're bringing the kids. Regulations change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their age, weight and size is always the safest choice.

  • You'll have to provide some documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's license, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will lay out the exact list.

  • If it's your first time driving in Germany, be aware that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Germany is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink anything at all.

  • Aim to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a smoother run. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • You'll be using the euro (EUR) here. Along with your credit and debit cards, consider bringing some cash for minor purchases.

Best hotels in Essen for drivers

  • Offering parking, Casa Rose makes it easy to come and go as you please. This hotel is around 2 kilometres from central Essen and also comes with tour services and express check-out.

  • Alternatively, take advantage of the parking at Liro Hotel Oberhausen. The city centre is roughly 10 kilometres from this stay, which also features internet access and a lounge.

  • Browse the full range of hotels in Essen for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' and 'Outdoor parking' filters to find what works for you. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to include places with charging facilities.

  • It's time to get out and explore now you've found a car hire deal in Essen and your hotel. From PACT Zollverein to Philharmonie Essen and Red Dot Design Museum, the city's packed with places worth visiting.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Essen

  • Shift gears and head toward Dortmund. Around 32 kilometres east of central Essen, you'll find must-do sights like Museum of Natural History and Deutsches Fußballmuseum.

  • They've got hospitality down to a fine art at Hotel Unique Dortmund Hauptbahnhof and Hotel Unique Pearl, two accommodation options with parking in Dortmund.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Essen and then set out for Duisburg. Roughly 19 kilometres west of Essen, Rhine River and Botanical Garden are top attractions that make the drive more than worth it.

  • Kick back after a day of exploring Duisburg at Hotel Moers van der Valk or NH Oberhausen. These hotels cater to guests with cars.

  • Up for a bonus adventure? Bielefeld is a popular road trip destination that's around 121 kilometres northeast of Essen. Plan to make a few pit stops at Sparrenburg Castle and Botanischer Garten.

  • Browse the room options at LEGERE Hotel Bielefeld or Mercure Hotel Bielefeld Johannisberg. They make it a breeze to discover everything Bielefeld has to offer. They also come with parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Essen will set you back around $192 per day or $664 per week. 

The cheapest car to rent in Essen is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.

The cheapest car hire companies in Essen are currently Avis and Keddy By Europcar.

Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Essen is currently July.

On average, around $664. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Essen is $563.

If you're looking for freedom to explore Essen, 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 Essen 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 Essen.

Most places – Essen 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 $80 per day. The average price per day is around $192.

Of course. Most major car hire companies like Enterprise, Hertz and National offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.

Other travellers rated Enterprise as the best overall in terms of experience.

Yes – van hire is available in Essen.