Renting a Car at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) opened in 2020 and serves unified Germany's capital — a city of extraordinary history, world-class museums, legendary nightlife, and an insatiable creative energy. Germany has no general motorway speed limit, making a rental car particularly thrilling for intercity travel.
Prices from €25/day. Germany's Autobahn network is exceptional. No motorway vignette is required. A low-emission sticker (Umweltplakette) may be needed for driving in city centre environmental zones — rental cars usually come pre-cleared.
Which Car Rental Companies Operate at BER?
- Europcar
- Sixt
- Hertz
- Avis
- Budget
- Enterprise
Additional options are available through DiscoverCars and RentalCars.com, which aggregate independent local operators alongside the major brands — often at the lowest rates.
How to Pick Up Your Car at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Follow signs to baggage reclaim in the arrivals hall.
Rental desks are in the arrivals hall — follow 'Car Rental / Auto a Noleggio / Autonoleggio' signs after customs.
You need: booking confirmation, valid driving licence (≥1 year), passport or ID card, and the credit card used to book.
Walk around the car with the agent before signing. Photograph any existing damage.
Follow airport exit signs toward the city. Your sat-nav or phone maps will guide you from there.
What Documents Do You Need?
- Valid driving licence — held for at least 1 year. EU licences accepted without translation throughout the EU/EEA.
- Passport or national identity card.
- Credit card in the primary driver's name for the security deposit (debit cards rarely accepted).
- Non-EU licence holders may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if the licence is not in Latin script.
Young Driver Rules at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Drivers aged 18–24 can rent from most providers but typically pay a Young Driver Surcharge of €10–€25/day. The minimum rental age is usually 18, though some providers require 21 or 25 for premium vehicle categories.
Tips for Renting at BER
- No general motorway speed limit in Germany, but recommended speed is 130 km/h. Many sections have limits posted — obey them.
- The Green Environmental Sticker (Umweltplakette) is required in many city centres — rental cars are usually compliant; confirm.
- Fuel in Germany: Shell and Aral are most widespread; motorway stations are expensive — fill up in towns.
- Parking in Berlin centre: use the Berlin Mitte garages or the Potsdamer Platz car park.
Ready to Book Your Berlin Brandenburg Airport Car Hire?
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Compare Prices at BERGetting from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin City Centre
With a rental car, driving from Berlin Brandenburg Airport to Berlin city centre takes approximately 30 min (30 km). Follow the airport exit signs toward the city — sat-nav or Google Maps will route you from there. Parking in the centre varies; check our tips above for the best options.
Driving in Germany
Germany uses right-hand traffic. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on rural roads, none km/h on motorways. Blood alcohol limit: 0.05%. No general motorway speed limit (recommended 130). Green sticker required for city centre zones. Currency: Euro (€).
Nearby Destinations Worth Driving To
- Potsdam — 35 km, 35 min. Frederick the Great's Baroque palaces and gardens — Sanssouci is Germany's Versailles.
- Dresden — 195 km, 2 hr. The Florence of the Elbe — a beautifully restored Baroque city with world-class art museums.
- Hamburg — 290 km, 2.5 hr. Germany's great port city — the Speicherstadt warehouse district, the Reeperbahn, and Europe's finest maritime museum.
- Szczecin (Poland) — 145 km, 1.5 hr. Cross-border to Poland's Baltic port city — medieval castle and waterfront renewal.
For more planning help, read our car rental tips guide and find out which fees to watch for when you collect your vehicle.