Car rental in Cologne, Germany

Cologne has an omnipresent charm with its famous cathedral, chocolatiers, and stunning heritage of historical artifacts, to name just a few reasons why the city is so beloved. Add to that intriguing museums, pretty colorful buildings, and some of the best beers in the world: Cologne promises visitors an interesting and entertaining stay.

Thanks to Europcar's car rental services, you are free to roam the city and discover its many attractions at your leisure. You can then venture beyond the city to enjoy everything the Rhine region has to offer, including the cities of Düsseldorf and Bonn.

For your convenience, the Europcar agency in Cologne has several pickup points where you can collect your vehicle. Particularly convenient for late-night arrivals, our Cologne airport agency is open until three in the morning, while our Deutz Tradefair agency, located in the city center, is open 24/7.

Our fleet offers you a wide choice of rental cars to get around Cologne. If you are traveling in a small group, opt for an economical option: the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Golf are among the most popular. If you are more numerous, the Mazda CX-5 and Opel Insignia will be better suited as they are more spacious. Van rental is also available in Cologne, thanks to our selection of medium or larger-sized vehicles.

Several highways pass near Cologne and the city is easily accessible. The speed limit is 130 km/h on highways and dual carriageways, and 100 km/h on most other roads. In the city, the limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise indicated. Be attentive near residential areas and schools, where the maximum speed may be lower.

In Cologne, there are no restrictions on parking duration, but parking spaces are nevertheless limited. Street parking is generally expensive: it is wiser to opt for one of the available parking lots. Free or cheaper parking spaces are also available on the outskirts of the city.

On German roads, there are no tolls for private vehicles.

During the holiday season, Cologne's heritage truly comes to life. Visit one of the many Christmas markets held from late November until Christmas Eve, and be enchanted by a myriad of handcrafted products and delicious traditional treats under the light of sumptuous festive illuminations. Among the most popular are the cathedral market, the "angel market" in the heart of the city, and the old town market.

And when you have toured all the museums, culinary wonders, and numerous sites hosting the new music scene, there will still be plenty to discover in the Rhine region. 30 minutes from the city center by car, Bonn is an ideal destination for a day trip. It is where Beethoven was born, and you will find a statue of him on the Münsterplatz, which is also the historical center and boasts exceptional architecture. Several unique museums and restaurants make Bonn a must-visit destination.

An hour west of Cologne, Aachen is also highly appreciated for a day of relaxation. It is in the thermal springs of this ancient city that the Romans came to heal their wounds. The majestic Aachener Dom cathedral, where some 30 German sovereigns were crowned, is a must-see and houses a museum: the Aachen Cathedral Treasury. Aachen's proximity to the Netherlands gives its architecture a unique character.

From Cologne, you can also easily reach Dortmund (93 km) and Frankfurt (191 km), as well as Luxembourg (223 km).

The most visited site in the city is probably the Kölner Dom, which is the largest cathedral in Germany: the splendid building is distinguished by its twin spires and houses the shrine of the three kings. If you feel like some exercise, the climb to the top will have you ascending 533 steps! Back on solid ground, countless traditional German breweries, restaurants with their schnitzels, and a vibrant music scene await you for a celebration.

Culture lovers will be charmed by the roman-germanic museum and its beautiful collection of roman artifacts, as well as the eclectic works of modern painters exhibited at the Ludwig museum, from Rothko to Lichtenstein.

The Cologne zoo promises a busy day for the whole family, with its 10,000 residents representing over 800 species. Located near the Rhine, the zoo occupies the entire Riehl park. The public is allowed to feed the animals at certain times throughout the day, from hippos to meerkats, piranhas, and otters. If you visit the Cologne zoo by car, several parking areas are available nearby. The zoo is open 365 days a year, from 9 am to 5 pm from November to February and from 9 am to 6 pm from March to October.

The Schokoladenmuseum, with its boat-shaped building located at the tip of the Rheinauhafen peninsula offering 4,000 m² of exhibition space, is one of the best places to immerse yourself in the history of chocolate. With no less than nine distinct exhibition areas, you will learn all about the history and culture of cocoa, from the Aztecs to modern Europe. With its ever-changing exhibition calendar, tasting room, and shop, the Cologne chocolate museum is sure to delight all chocolate lovers.