Munich Airport Franz-Josef-Strauss Car Rental

When you arrive at Munich’s Franz Josef Strauss Airport, you’ll be on the doorstep of one of Germany’s great historic cities – plus you’ll have all the spectacular Bavarian countryside to explore. So, if you’re hiring a car, you’ll want to get out and about as soon as possible.

Our pick-up location is conveniently placed at the heart of the airport complex. We’re based on Level Three in the Munich Airport Center, a handy area between Terminals One and Two. The MAC also includes a useful supermarket if you need anything before you jump in the car.

Many German cities now require vehicles to display an obligatory emissions sticker in order to enter certain environmental zones. But don’t worry - our staff here will ensure that your hire vehicle clearly displays the sticker so you can drive to most of the best attractions.

The glittering old buildings and public squares of the Bavarian capital are just a few minutes’ drive away – but don’t ignore the amazing attractions of the surrounding countryside. You’ll find the beautiful lakes, mountains and villages of the German and the Austrian Alps within a short drive.

The first good news for anyone hiring a car at Munich Airport is that the modern road network makes it easy to explore the region. Our pick-up point is right next to the main airport access road, called the Zentralallee. This is a straight highway that leads right to Junction 6 of the A92 expressway. The A92 quickly connects to the A99 Munich beltway, allowing you to drive to any part of the city. There’s also the nearby A9, which runs south into the city center or north towards the medieval fortress city of Ingolstadt.

Main routes lead off the A99 beltway in all directions. For example, the A8 will take you northwest to the ancient cities of Augsburg and Ulm, or southeast towards the Berchtesgaden National Park and over the border to the Austrian city of Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.

There is a choice of routes into the heart of Germany’s third largest city, depending on your ultimate destination. It’s easiest to use the A99 beltway road and the two inner highways (the Mittlerer Ring and the Altstadtring) to escape the worst of the rush hour jams.

Most of the sights can be found in the restricted central historic zone, however, so it’s often easier to use the extensive park & ride services and the efficient public transport system.

It’s a tough choice: visit the famous picturesque mountains of the Bavarian Alps or the extraordinary historic landmarks of Munich itself? With a hire car, you have the chance to see both.

Marvellous Munich

You can easily drive into the city from the airport; it’s just 12 miles to the center. You’ll find that while the suburbs are smart and modern, the center offers one of Germany’s most impressive collections of period architecture.

Head for the three grand public squares at the heart of Munich. The Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, and Konigsplatz are surrounded by stunning old buildings, palaces and formal gardens. Among the ranks of neo-classical columns, domes, and spires, the city’s most memorable monument is the twin-towered Frauenkirche Cathedral. It’s the tallest building across a wide area of the city. It’s great to wander the charming Old Quarter around the cathedral on foot, stopping at pavement cafes, shops and restaurants.

Munich is much more than a collection of historic monuments - thanks to a large student population, it’s also one of Germany’s liveliest cities. The renowned Oktoberfest beer festival attracts around seven million visitors, and other cultural or popular events include the Tollwood Festival of music, theater and craft in June and December, and the January carnival season featuring 800 different fancy-dress balls.

Northern exposure

A short drive north from Munich you can discover the best historic towns and cities of Bavaria. The old university city of Augsburg is full of spires, canals, and cobbles. Head for Rathausplatz to find the best sights, including the medieval town hall and Perlachturm Tower with panoramic views.

Ingolstadt stands astride the River Danube and is also packed with gothic architecture. Discover the atmosphere of old Bavaria by wandering the historic streets, and remember this was the setting for the original Frankenstein story. Bring yourself back to the modern world at the notable hi-tech Audi museum celebrating the marque’s headquarters in the city.

Northeast of Munich is the less-familiar town of Landshut, which yet again features a wealth of ornate gothic windows, turrets, and arches. The highlight is the church of St Martin, which features the world’s tallest brick tower overlooking the houses and palaces of the old center.

Southern comforts

A short drive south of Munich Airport is the ‘Five Lake Region’ between the city and the Alps. The romantic Wörthsee, Pilsensee, Wesslinger See, Ammersee and Lake Starnberg offer both energetic watersports and more gentle pleasures, like waterside restaurants and exploring lakeside villages. And all the time you’ll have a scenic backdrop of the snow-capped Alps to the south.

Hit the heights

It’s not much further south to the mountains themselves. You’ll find every sort of alpine attraction here, from romantic castles to glamorous ski resorts. Winter sports are available from December to April, summer activities from May to November. Major sights in the Bavarian Alps include the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest mountaintop retreat and Berchtesgaden National Park. The Park’s walking trails and photogenic views are among the best in Germany.