Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in Munich

Munich's old town rewards a good pair of walking shoes, but the real reason to swing a leg over a motorcycle here is everything just past the city limits. Ride out from Marienplatz in the morning and you can be threading the curves of the Kesselberg Pass between Walchensee and Kochelsee by lunch, or parked lakeside at Tegernsee with the Alps rising behind you. Few cities put this much genuinely good riding within such easy reach of the centre.

Munich's centre is compact and easy on foot, so a motorcycle earns its place the moment you leave it behind. The Alps, the lake district around Starnberger See and Tegernsee, and passes like Kesselberg all sit one to two hours out, and no train timetable or rental car can string several of them together in a single day the way two wheels can. In town, moderate traffic and lane-filtering habits (where locally practiced) make getting across the centre painless, while the surrounding countryside offers real riding roads, not just scenic detours.

Top 10 things to see in Munich by motorcycle

1. Marienplatz — the city's historic core and the natural place to start or end a loop, with the Rathaus-Glockenspiel chiming overhead.
2. Englischer Garten — one of the world's largest urban parks; ride its edges and stop at the Eisbach to watch the river surfers.
3. Olympiapark — the 1972 Olympics grounds, with the Olympiaturm and BMW Welt and the BMW Museum right next door for anyone who loves engines.
4. Schloss Nymphenburg — a baroque palace with canals and gardens on the western edge of town, an easy scenic ride from downtown.
5. Viktualienmarkt — the historic open-air market just off Marienplatz, perfect for a coffee stop and local snacks.
6. Frauenkirche — Munich's twin-domed cathedral, a landmark you'll spot from many of the roads leading into the old town.
7. Starnberger See — a lake south-west of the city, under an hour away, ringed by pretty villages and easy curves.
8. Tegernsee — a classic alpine lake about an hour south, with mountain roads all around it that riders come back for.
9. Walchensee and the Kesselberg Pass — the twisty road linking Walchensee and Kochelsee is one of the region's best-known stretches for riders heading toward the Alps.
10. Zugspitze, via Garmisch-Partenkirchen — Germany's highest peak, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours south, a full day of alpine scenery ending at the cable car base.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in Munich?

The licence you need depends on the machine. An A1 licence covers bikes up to 125 cc / 11 kW from age 16, A2 covers up to 35 kW from 18, and a full A licence lifts the restrictions from 24 (or from 20 after two years on A2). Car-licence holders can add the B196 extension for 125 cc bikes, but it's only valid inside Germany, so it won't help visitors riding on a foreign licence. If your licence isn't from the EU or EEA, bring an International Driving Permit. Most rental companies set their own minimum age, usually 18 and up, sometimes higher for bigger machines, and will hold a deposit on your credit card — the amount depends on the bike, so check with the operator when you book.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in Munich?

Expect to pay 25-35 EUR per day in low season and 45-70 EUR per day in high season, with premium and larger-displacement models running 70-120 EUR per day.

• Prices climb from June through August, Munich's peak riding months, with another bump around Oktoberfest in late September.
• They drop from November to March, when cold and wet conditions keep most riders off the road.

When to book a rental motorcycle in Munich?

High season runs May to September, busiest of all in July and August, so book ahead if you want a specific model. Low season runs November to March, when many rental operators trim their fleets or close for winter altogether. If you can, aim for late May, June or September — mild weather, long daylight and quieter roads on the classic routes than midsummer traffic brings.

Local traffic rules in Munich

Germany drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for rider and passenger on any motorcycle, moped or scooter, and your headlight stays on, dipped, day and night. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h on open roads, and while much of the Autobahn has no fixed limit, an advisory 130 km/h is a sensible pace. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to 0.3 g/l if you're involved in an incident, and to zero if you're under 21 or still within your first two years of holding a licence. Junctions without signs follow right-before-left, and trams generally have the right of way, so keep an eye out in the city centre.

If you want to rent a motorcycle in Munich, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!