Car hire in Essen, Germany

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Essen

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Essen car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Essen pick-up location

There are 25 car hire locations in Essen. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Essen

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 carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$273
Best time to book2 weeks 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

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Essen for around $273 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching all the major providers, so you can easily compare prices and book.

  • August is the cheapest month to rent a car in Essen. With average daily rates of $58, you're riding easy with savings like these.

  • To score a cheap rental car in Essen, get in early. Prices tend to rise as your travel dates approach, and leaving it too late could mean missing out.

  • Rent your wheels from Enterprise, Keddy By Europcar or star car. These are some of the most reliable brands offering car hire deals in Essen.

  • The coverage Enterprise or another supplier offers for your Essen car hire can vary, so remember to check the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.

  • Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when searching for a car for rent in Essen. Providers sometimes need to move vehicles between locations, which means you can lock in some great one-way prices.

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car hire in Essen with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. You also avoid the high fees rental companies charge for refueling.

  • Want to explore freely without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and go as far as you like without the extra costs.

Compare car hire types in Essen

  • Small: Whether you're darting along city streets or just planning a quick trip, a cheap rental car in Essen from this category delivers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can expect easy handling and excellent fuel efficiency.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this just-right ride is calling your name. Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they offer a mix of interior space and fuel efficiency and are good for couples and small families.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the luggage, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the capacity to handle it all without breaking a sweat. Ideal for long-distance journeys, this Essen car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: When adventure's on your mind, an SUV's made for the moment. It's your ultimate road trip companion, ready for highways, country roads, and everything in between. These sports utility vehicles also offer extra space and improved safety features.

  • Van: Featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Essen makes light work of big hauls and group travel. They're spacious, functional, and built to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Excess insurance covers the cost you'd have to pay if your Essen car hire is stolen or damaged. While not compulsory, it's worth considering for extra protection. Just remember that not all insurance policies are the same, so make sure you understand exactly what's included.

  • From navigation systems to reverse cameras, the right extras can make all the difference. Think about which features will make your trip more comfortable when you rent a car in Essen.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals can vary by provider (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some suppliers in Germany may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Add a car seat to your Essen car hire booking if you're travelling with small kids. Rules vary from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest choice.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Essen

  • Check out the leading attractions in the city once you've lined up a car hire deal in Essen. PACT Zollverein and Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen are a great lead-in to the rest of your trip.

  • If you're after a place to stay in Essen while touring around, consider Garner Hotel Essen - Handelshof by IHG or GHOTEL Hotel & Living Essen.

  • Dortmund should be on your itinerary if you want to see Dortmund Christmas Market and Museum of Natural History. This city is around 32 kilometres east of central Essen.

  • Stays Design Hotel Dortmund and Hotel Excelsior Dortmund Hauptbahnhof are recommended accommodation options in Dortmund.

  • Alternatively, pick up your cheap car hire in Essen and travel around 18 kilometres west to Duisburg. Featuring Rhine River and Botanical Garden, its highlights live up to the hype.

  • Duisburg has some comfortable places where rest comes easy, including Mercure Hotel Duisburg City and IntercityHotel Duisburg.

  • Extend your journey and road-trip it to Bielefeld, roughly 121 kilometres north-east of Essen. First, swing past Sparrenburg Castle, then head to Teutoburger Wald.

  • Drift off to sleep in Bielefeld at Steigenberger Hotel Bielefelder Hof. LÉGÈRE Hotel Bielefeld has a soft bed ready for you too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Essen will set you back around $273 per day or $425 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Essen is an economy crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire company in Essen is currently Thrifty, followed by Enterprise.
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 August.
On average, around $425. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Essen is $349.
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 $56 per day. The average price per day is around $98.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Enterprise, Keddy By Europcar and Europcar 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.