






Find lower car rental prices at Munich Airport (Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, MUC) with Road Genius. Find rates of SUVs, compact cars, minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Compare Munich Airport car rentals from major brands at the central rental center between Terminals 1 and 2, with easy pickup in the P26 garage. Hit the A92 for quick access to Munich, Salzburg or the Alps, and filter for automatics, winter tires, child seats and one-way rentals.
On average, car rentals at Munich Airport cost around €52 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €31 per day.
Compare pickup locations: Airport hires include an airport premium (~€30 or ~20%). If you’re staying in Munich first, consider a city pickup later. Off-airport sites with a shuttle can also be cheaper.
Time your booking to demand: For Oktoberfest, Christmas markets and summer, book early. Otherwise grab a free-cancellation rate and re-check prices; rebook if they drop.
Book online, not at the counter: Walk-up rates are often 10-25% higher. Also compare weekly vs 5-6 day hires, since adding a day can lower the total.
Pick the right car: Manual is typically ~30% cheaper than automatic. Go compact if you’ll be in Munich city. For long autobahn runs, diesel can cut fuel costs by 25-40%.
Skip extras you don’t need: Use your phone with offline maps instead of €8-12/day GPS and only add extra drivers if necessary. Avoid prepaid fuel.
Refuel off-airport: Fill up in Hallbergmoos or Neufahrn before returning to MUC to save ~€5-10 per tank vs the on-airport Shell.
| Area | Location | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal Fronts | Directly at terminals | 10 minutes |
| P1-P5 | Adjacent to terminals | Unlimited |
| P8 | Short walk to terminals | Unlimited |
| P9 | Remote (shuttle service) | Unlimited |
| P20 | Adjacent to terminals | Unlimited |
Munich city center – A92 → Mittlerer Ring, 40 km (25 miles), 30-45 min
Nuremberg – A92 → A9, 170 km (106 miles), 1.5-2 hr
Salzburg, Austria – A92 → A99 → A8, 145 km (90 miles), 1.5-2 hr
Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Alps – A92 → A99 → A95, 130 km (81 miles), 1.5 hr

How long does the car rental pickup process take at Munich Airport?
The whole pickup process usually takes 20-40 minutes. This includes service at the counter (10-20 minutes), the walk to your car (5 minutes) and a quick vehicle check (5-10 minutes). During busy times like Oktoberfest or the summer holidays, you might have to wait up to 45-60 minutes. You can speed things up if you use a loyalty program that offers express pickup.
Can I pick up a car at Munich Airport and drop it off in another city?
Yes, most major rental companies let you rent a car one-way inside Germany for a small fee or even for free between major cities. You can also rent one-way to nearby countries like Austria, Switzerland or Italy, but you will usually pay an extra fee from €150-400, depending on where you're going. You should always book one-way rentals early, as the company may need to give special permission.
What documents do I need to rent a car at Munich Airport?
You will need a valid driver's license (that you've had for at least 1 year), a passport or ID card and a credit card in your name. Your credit card must have enough available credit for the security deposit, which is usually between €300 and €1,500 depending on the car. If you are visiting from a country outside the EU, you should bring an International Driving Permit if your license isn't in Latin letters. You usually have to be at least 21 years old, and drivers under 25 will pay an extra fee.
What should I know about driving from Munich Airport to the city center?
The drive from Munich Airport to the city center is about 40 km (25 miles) and usually takes 30-45 minutes. You can take the A92 autobahn from the airport, which leads to the A9 and then to the Mittlerer Ring road around central Munich. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM on weekdays). You can also take smaller country roads through Freising and Garching, but they are usually slower. We recommend using a GPS, as there are many ways to get to your exact spot in Munich.
Is it easy to find the car rental return area when coming back to Munich Airport?
Yes, you'll find the car rental return area is clearly signposted as you drive towards the airport. Just follow the signs for "Rental Car Return/Mietwagen Rückgabe", and they will lead you to the P26 parking garage. Inside the garage, each rental company has its own return area. If you arrive during opening hours, staff will check your car back in right away. From there, you can walk to the terminals using the covered walkways, which takes about 5-10 minutes to get to the check-in areas.