Whether you’re commuting between the outskirts and the city, or need to transport your impulse-bought flatscreen-TV home: sometimes you just need a car. However, car ownership can be costly and stressful. In Hamburg, car sharing options abound, with more and more people relying on these affordable alternatives. Especially for occasional drivers, car sharing can be a cost-effective and easy option.
Non-Stationary Car Sharing
The cars of non-stationary car sharing providers like Free2move, Miles and Sixt are parked all over the city, so you'll almost always find a vehicle waiting just around the corner. This option is aimed mostly at spontaneous drivers that need a car for short distances within the city. Apart from a registration fee, there are no fixed costs: you either pay by the minute, hour, day, or kilometre, while petrol (or electricity) is included.
After registry, you can find the closest car via the mobile phone app. Once you found your vehicle, simply check for damage, unlock the car by a code and drive. After you’re done driving, simply park the car at your final destination. It helps, of course, that there are exclusive parking spots for sharing cars all over the city.
Stationary Carsharing
Companies like Cambio and Flinkster operate car sharing stations, where, much like at a standard car rental, you can choose from different models. These options can be booked in advance and also allow for long-distance and sometimes even international drives. Prices are usually based on time and distance, and there are different rates for payment by the hour, day, or week. Optional monthly payments result in lower rates or free kilometres.
Cambio should be your first option if you have small children, as most of the cars come with a complementary infant seat. Flinkster stations can usually be found around Deutsche Bahn train stations. And last but not least, the international Greenwheels provider even has delivery vans in its fleet.
Switchh
For a maximum of options, consider Switchh. At a monthly rate of only 8,90€, Hamburg’s public transport company hvv offers you a combination of free driving minutes and significant discounts with Free2move, Cambio and StadtRAD City Bikes.
