Car Rental Paderborn
Hertz car rental in Paderborn
Car rental in Paderborn opens up the possibilities of western Germany’s picturesque jewel, with its beautiful Romanesque architecture, dreamlike castles and nature trails stretching for miles.
The major attractions are speckled around this city’s surrounding hills, so renting a car in Paderborn is a great way to explore.
Whether you are visiting for a short break or a two-week vacation, you can glide from the extraordinary Wewelsburg castle to Paderborner Dom and then spend a relaxing afternoon hiking around the lush forests at Egge.
From the Pader River to the glistening lakes of Nesthauser See, there are many great places to discover.
We have several convenient car rental pick-up locations in the area, and our local team will aim to have everything ready for you when you arrive. Simply reserve direct in advance – and start planning your German odyssey.
Driving in and around Paderborn
Paderborn is a charming city built upon wide, open roads and broken up by lush greenery. This makes it a pleasure to explore in a rental car – just hop on the Paderborn highways to meander from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Autobahn 33 connects the city to major urban areas to the north and west – including Hannover, Bielefeld, Münster and Dortmund – as well as the fairy-tale region of castles and forests that stretches to the south.
Bundestrasse 1 brushes past the city’s northern parameter, passing a golf club and several important museums. The Naturkundemuseum is a center of knowledge dedicated to natural science and history; it is set near a cluster of other museums coupled with the Castillo Neuhaus.
There are art museums, army museums, rail museums and live music venues here. Simply park in Paderborn’s Schloss Neuhaus district to experience these fascinating attractions.
Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is a computing history center set by the lakes, tennis clubs and business venues. Continue south on Fürstenallee to wind along the pleasant, airy roads towards the city center. This relaxed central zone is colorful and the perfect mix of old and new.
Here, there are more lakes, leading retail centers and Paderborner Dom – a must-visit cathedral surrounded by convenient parking lots, museums and trendy restaurants.
Reach the fabled Wewelsburg castle by driving south on highway 33 towards Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport. Alternatively, you can venture out to the lush hills of Egge by winding east on Bundestrasse 64.
Speed limits are clearly signed, and typically range from 50km/h (30mph) in towns and cities to 130km/h (80mph) on the famous autobahns.
A quick guide to Paderborn
Hi-tech in its modern attractions yet charmingly medieval at its heart, this destination is a fascinating blend of the old and the new.
Discover both local wonders and delights further afield when you rent a car in Paderborn. There’s plenty to explore.
Turrets, towers and magic
Drive around town and you won’t be able to escape the pull of the powerful cathedral.
Known as Paderborner Dom to locals, this historic place looks more like a palace than a place of worship. Take in the beauty of the Romanesque-Gothic white tower and green-roofed spire, or step inside to see the treasury and hear the organ in action.
Enchanting buildings aren’t confined to the city’s center either. Wewelsburg is a beautiful Renaissance castle that was built in a distinctive triangular shape. This is a truly unique place to feel like you have been transported back in time, and it holds fascinating secrets within.
Here you’ll find a permanent exhibition on the terror of the SS during the Second World War, and special displays on painting, illustration and elements of the region’s history. You can also learn more about the unusual past of the fortress itself, which was once used to train Nazis in occult and pagan rituals.
Schloss Neuhaus is a charming castle park and another must-visit attraction. But here, the focus is on family activities rather than history. Weave through the on-site maze, take the little ones to a playground or catch an open-air event during the summer. There are huge lakes and natural wonders too.
Feast on local knowledge
Paderborn is home to many brilliant museums, so tour them to soak up some interactive knowledge. The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum is the world’s largest computer museum – it’s great for tech-savvy adults and children alike.
Instead of treating computer technology as a purely recent phenomenon, this fascinating center looks at 5,000 years of human history and how it led to the digital age. From the creation of numbers and writing to the digital age, almost 20,000 square feet of exhibition space tells the full story from a social and economic perspective.
Other museums of interest include the LWL Museum in the Imperial Palace, which is based around the remains of the ‘father of Europe’, Charlemagne. Inside, you can learn about the history of the region and see artifacts from the Middle Ages.
Escape to nature
Once you’ve experienced all the charm of the city, take a break in the magnificent German wilderness.
The Egge Hills Nature Park is a great place to unwind, with old abbeys and timbered towns speckled between the mountains. Park up and wander in the woodlands or find respite in one of the many spa resorts.
From castles to nature, car rental in Paderborn helps you get even more from your German vacation.
