Berlin covers a huge geographical area. A third of it is dedicated to forests, green parks, lakes, and public gardens, which give the city its unique natural-urban mix. Getting around in Berlin is easy, both by public transport and by rental car, because the road system in Berlin is of the highest level. As a result, renting a car in Berlin is the best way to experience the city and its surroundings.
 

◾ Rental stations in Berlin

Berlin's international airport, Berlin-Brandenburg, was opened in October 2020 and replaced both Tegel and Schoenefeld airports.  
Ofran operates at Berlin Brandenburg Airport through several car rental companies. Additionally, Ofran allows you to rent a car in Berlin's city center and offers a variety of stations throughout the city.
Germany, in general, and Berlin, in particular, has the largest selection of luxury vehicles at low and affordable prices, so if you've always dreamed of driving a Mercedes, Audi, or BMW on the amazing autobahns, you've come to the right place.
 

◾ Toll roads
Germany enjoys an excellent road system that includes more than 11 thousand kilometers of highways known as autobahns. Unlike other European countries, traveling on autobahns is free and does not involve tolls or additional payments. A pleasure for all driving lovers.

◾ Driving within the city of Berlin
Umweltzone - green areas
It is important to make sure that the rented vehicle includes a green UMWELTPLAKETTE sticker, whose purpose is to prevent polluting or old vehicles from entering the areas defined as green. These areas are marked with a sign, and vehicles entering them without the sticker are subject to a fine. The car rental companies in Berlin are obliged to provide the customer with a car with a sticker, so it is very important to verify this when picking up the rental car.
 

In addition, in certain areas within the city (mainly in residential neighborhoods and near educational institutions), there are signs called "30 ZONES" where the speed limit is lower than usual - up to 30 km/h only.

The streets in Berlin
If you choose to enter the center of Berlin with the rental car, please note that not all streets have house numbers going up/down when driving in the same direction. In some streets, the house numbers go up on one side of the sidewalk but go down on the other side, and this can confuse the driver. In such cases, it is recommended to take a look at the signage at the nearest intersection. For your attention, the Germans usually add the words "street", "square", or "park" to the names of places. Therefore, if, for example, you are looking for the street "Krausen", it will appear on the maps and signs as "Krausenstrasse".

Unlike other large European cities, Berlin is more convenient for car renters when it comes to parking. However, of course, in the city center and in the tourist areas it is a more difficult task. Parking is done using meters, but you can also park in regulated parking lots. Please note that in many places around the city, the speed limit is 30 km/h.

◾ Travelling outside of Berlin with the rented car:

It is possible to travel from Berlin to neighboring countries. Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel already when you start booking the car on our website (or tell our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.

Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.

The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guidelines, and make sure to get a sticker whenever you exit a country and enter another.

Driving in Berlin during winter

◾ Winter Compatible Tires and snow chains

During the winter season, between November 1 and March 31 of the following year, rental companies equip vehicles with winter-compatible tires.

However, winter tires are mandatory in certain areas of Germany, even if you are not driving in snowy or mountainous regions. It is therefore recommended to check in advance whether this requirement applies to your planned route and to confirm it at the rental station.

Winter driving always depends on road conditions and local authorities’ instructions.
You are responsible for ensuring the vehicle has the necessary winter gear for your planned route, especially when traveling to snowy or mountainous regions.

Please note that only selected car rental suppliers in Germany offer snow chains, and availability is further limited to specific rental locations.

If you expect to drive in winter conditions, you are required to carry snow chains as a backup and install them whenever necessary or when instructed by mandatory road signage. In cases where snow chains were not reserved in advance, or if your chosen supplier and pick-up station do not supply them, you will need to purchase them independently (e.g., at local petrol stations or automotive shops).

Cross-Border Travel

If you plan to drive outside Germany, please review the winter driving regulations of all transit and destination countries, declare cross-border travel during the booking process, and ensure your vehicle is fitted with the required seasonal equipment and tires. Always remember that winter driving remains strictly subject to local road conditions and official traffic regulations.

◾ Going Skiing?
Book the Ski Rack, on which you can assemble your skis in the car in advance. Please note that the device is intended for two ski sets only. In addition, it is worth knowing that rental companies do not offer a device for snowboarding.

Antifreeze liquid
at very low temperatures, the fuel in the tank may freeze. Therefore, we recommend parking the vehicle in a covered parking lot and/or adding antifreeze liquid to the fuel tank when refueling (a special substance that prevents freezing), which can be purchased at gas stations if necessary.

For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime, click to open our winter driving manual

And for important tips regarding renting a car abroad,  click to see our top tips 

Booking a car in Berlin with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in Berlin, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you, and the freedom to do so according to your schedule.

Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process, and with great prices.

Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in Berlin

Neighborhoods and districts
Berlin is divided into six main districts. The Mitte district is the historic center of the city and the beating heart of the nightclubs. West of there is a more bourgeois area which includes, among others, the beautiful Charlottenburg Palace, the huge Tiergarten Park, and the hip Schöneberg neighborhood. East of the central district, the Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain neighborhoods offer a mix of artists, students, media people, and immigrants from all over the world, and the trendy, family-friendly Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood.

The Wall Museum East Side Gallery
The city's most famous tourist attraction is something you don't want to miss during your visit to Berlin. The east side wall extends over a kilometer (the length of the wall before it fell was over 150 kilometers) and is covered with murals by over 20 international artists.
The walls, which have seen rather difficult times, tell today a story of freedom and liberation. Some of the works carry a political statement, and some do not, but all are colorful and evoke emotion. Adjacent to the wall is the museum that tells the story of the wall's construction in 1961 and its historic fall in 1989 through several different exhibits.
There you can find out about walking tours along the wall, which include explanations and are also intended for children.

Day trips from Berlin
The spaces in Berlin and outside of it, and the developed road system, make going out of Berlin for day trips comfortable and worthwhile. From open nature to magical towns - the city environment offers it all.
Barnim - Adjacent to the northern part of Berlin is the Barnim district. It is a rural region, rich in forests, rivers, and all the beauty that nature has to offer. Once you have arrived in Bern with your rental car, you can choose to travel around the area on foot, by bike, or by sailing on the water.
Spreewald - in this reserve, located about two hours from Berlin, in the state of Brandenburg, there are about 200 canals that you can navigate using kayaks, canoes, or traditional punt boats. It is possible that you will not encounter many tourists there because it is an attraction especially loved by knowledgeable locals.

Berlin with children

AquaDom & SEA LIFE Berlin
The underwater museum offers an observation of over 5,000 animals living in 37 different pools that simulate their natural habitats. From the Spree River through the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, to tropical regions, all family members will enjoy a trip to the marine nature.

LEGOLAND
The younger members of the family will be happy to play and run wild in Berlin's LEGOLAND. Over 5 million LEGO pieces, in all colors and shapes, will be at their disposal to plan, build, and dismantle entire towers and cities, to their heart's content.
In addition, the children and all other family members will enjoy a 4D cinema, a medieval dragon castle, and a giant carousel.
There is even an opportunity to experiment with creating Lego parts.

Shopping in Berlin

Like most European metropolises, Berlin also offers a wide variety of options for shopping, in familiar and well-loved stores and at more affordable prices than in Israel.

Alexanderplatz
The central square is surrounded by a large number of shopping centers and large department stores, such as the well-known Primark or Galeria Kaufhof, which offers slightly better quality goods. In the Alexa mall, which you will have a hard time missing, there are about 180 stores, among which you can probably find every famous brand you want.