Germany is a great place to explore by bike. With its many standard and scenic routes and bike-friendly infrastructure, it’s perfect for cycling enthusiasts and casual riders alike. However, renting a bike can be a hassle, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. That’s where bike rental apps in Germany come in!
There are a number of top bike rental apps in the Germany, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Bike rental apps are a great way to explore Germany on two wheels! They’re convenient, affordable, and easy to use. So why not give them a try?
1. Nextbike: Germany’s Leading Bike-Sharing App
Nextbike is a user-friendly app that allows you to find, unlock, and lock bikes at any of its many stations across Germany. With over 300 cities and more than 25 countries on four continents, Nextbike is one of the top bike rental apps in the Germany. It is a great option for anyone looking for a convenient and affordable way to get around Europe by bike.
Price
Nextbike offers 3 pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €1 for the first 15 minutes and then €0.05 per minute after that.
- Day Pass: This plan costs €10, and it allows you to ride for up to 24 hours.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €10 per month, and it allows you to ride for up to 30 days.
Key Features
Nextbike offers a number of key features that make it one of the best bike rental apps in Germany:
- Wide Network of Stations: Nextbike has one of the largest network of bike-sharing stations in Germany, so you’re never far from a bike!
- Easy-to-Use App: The app is easy to use and navigate.
- Secure Bikes: Nextbike bikes are equipped with GPS tracking so they can be located if they are stolen.
- Convenient Booking: You can book a bike in advance, so you don’t have to wait in line.
Pros
- Extended network of stations
- Easy-to-use app
- Secure bikes
- Easy booking
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Some bikes may have poor condition
- Bikes can be difficult to find
- Can be expensive for frequent riders
2. Byke: A Convenient but Limited Bike Rental Option
Germany’s bike renting culture has grown significantly in recent years. One of the newer players is Byke, a stationless bike rental service from Berlin-based company Wind Mobility. Byke operates in a few major German cities, including Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg.
The Byke app is straightforward to use, allowing users to locate nearby bikes, unlock them using their smartphone, and lock them up again when their ride is finished. The app also provides real-time bike availability and route planning.
Price
Byke’s pricing structure is relatively simple. The basic plan starts at €1 for the first 20 minutes, followed by €0.05 per minute thereafter. This makes it one of the most affordable bike rental options in Germany.
Key Features
- Stationless Operation: Its biggest advantage is its stationless operation, which eliminates the need to search for designated docking stations. This can be particularly convenient for those who want to ride a bike without being constrained by specific locations.
- IoT Technology: Byke’s bikes utilize IoT technology to enable seamless locking and unlocking without keys or traditional docking mechanisms.
Pros
- Stationless Operation: Eliminates the hassle of finding and returning bikes to specific stations.
- Affordable Pricing: Competitive pricing compared to other bike-sharing services.
- Convenient App: Easy-to-use app for bike location, unlocking, and locking.
Cons
- Limited Availability: The Byke network is less extensive than those of more established bike-sharing providers.
- Safety Concerns: There are some concerns about the safety of Byke bikes, particularly regarding brake performance and overall structural integrity.
- Disclaimer: Terms and conditions state that users are responsible for checking the bike for visible defects before riding, which could potentially shift liability for bike malfunctions.
3. Call a Bike: A Convenient but Flawed Option
Call a Bike is Deutsche Bahn’s bike-sharing service, and it’s the second most popular bike rental service in Germany after Nextbike. It has a wide network of stations across Germany, and it offers both traditional bikes and electric bikes.
The Call a Bike app is easy to use and allows you to find, unlock, and lock bikes at any of its many stations across Germany. With over 16,000 bikes and now e-bikes in over 70 cities, Call a Bike is one of the top bike rental apps in the Germany.
Price
Call a Bike offers 3 pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €1 for the first 30 minutes, and then €0.05 per minute after that.
- Day Pass: This plan costs €5, and it allows you to ride for up to 24 hours.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €15 per month, and it allows you to ride for up to 30 days.
Key Features
Call a Bike offers a number of key features that make it a convenient and affordable option for bike renting:
- Wide Network of Stations: Call a Bike has one of the widest network of bike rental stations in Germany, so you’re never far from a bike.
- Easy-to-Use App: The Call a Bike app is easy to use and navigate. You can find the nearest station, unlock a bike, and lock the bike when you’re finished.
- Secure Bikes: Its bikes are equipped with GPS tracking.
- Convenient Booking: You can reserve a bike in advance to avoid waiting in line.
Pros
- Large network of stations
- Easy-to-use
- Secure bikes
- Convenient booking
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Sometimes outdated and unkempt bikes
- Problems with renting and returning via the app
4. Bond: The Fastest Bike-Sharing Service in the World
Bond is a Swiss bike-sharing service that offers electric S-pedelecs with a top speed of 45 km/h. The company is now operating in Hamburg and Munich, Germany.
The Bond app is easy to use and allows you to find, unlock, and lock S-pedelecs at any of its many docking stations across Germany.
Price
Bond offers two pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €49 per kilometer.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €150 per month, and it allows you to ride for up to 500 kilometers per month.
Key Features
Bond offers a number of key features that make it a convenient and affordable option for getting around:
- High Speed: Bond’s S-pedelecs can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h, which is faster than other bike-sharing services.
- Long Range: Bond’s S-pedelecs have a range of 50 kilometers, which is more than enough for most trips.
- Convenient Docking Stations: Bond has a network of over 50 docking stations in Germany, so you’re never far from a bike.
- App-Based Operation: Bond is fully operated through an app, which makes it easy to rent, unlock, and lock bikes.
Pros
- High Speed: It has the fastest bikes in the world.
- Long Range: Bond’s S-pedelecs have a long-range, so you can travel further without having to worry about running out of power.
- Convenient Docking Stations: Bond has a network of docking stations in many cities, so you’re never far from a bike.
- Easy-to-Use App: Bond is fully operated through an app, which makes it easy to rent, unlock, and lock bikes.
- Helmets and Luggage Racks: Bond bikes come with helmets and luggage racks, which is a great feature for long trips.
- Swiss Quality: Bond is a Swiss company, so you can expect high-quality bikes and services.
Cons
- High Price: Bond is the most expensive bike-sharing service in the world.
- Requires Driver’s License: A driver’s license is required to rent Bond bikes.
- Limited Availability: Bond is only available in a few cities in Germany.
5. Donkey Republic: A Convenient and Affordable Bike-Sharing Option
Donkey Republic is a Danish bike-sharing service that operates in over 50 cities in Europe, including Berlin, Freiburg, Regensburg, and Landshut. This app is easy to use and allows you to find, unlock, and lock bikes at any of its many docking stations across Europe. With over 50 docking stations in Germany and the Netherlands, Donkey Republic is one of the top bike rental apps in the Netherlands and Germany.
Price
Donkey Republic offers a variety of pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €1.50 for the first 30 minutes, and then €0.05 per minute after that.
- Day Pass: This plan costs €5, and it allows you to ride for up to 24 hours.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €15 per month, and it allows you to ride for up to 30 days.
Key Features
It offers a number of key features that make it a convenient and affordable option for getting around:
- Wide Network of Docking Stations: You’re never far from a bike! The app has one of the widest networks of bike rental stations in Germany and the Netherlands.
- User-Friendly App: The Donkey Republic app is easy to use and navigate.
- Secure Bikes: Its bikes are equipped with GPS tracking, so they can be located if they are stolen.
- Easy Booking Process: You can book a bike in advance, so you don’t have to wait in line.
Pros
- Large network of stations
- Easy-to-use app
- Secure bikes
- Convenient booking
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Fixed stations for borrowing and returning
- Safety and brakes are unsatisfactory
6. MietOn: A Convenient and Affordable Bike Rental Option for Locals
MietOn is a bike rental service that operates in over 100 cities in Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. MietOn is a great option for those who want to get around Germany by bike. However, its limited availability in some cities may annoy some users. If you’re looking for a more reliable option, consider using Nextbike or Call a Bike.
Price
MietOn offers a variety of pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €0.50 for the first 30 minutes, and then €0.05 per minute after that.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €10 per month, and it allows you to ride for up to 30 days.
Key Features
MietOn offers a number of key features that make it a convenient and affordable option for getting around:
- User-Friendly App: The MietOn app is easy to use and navigate. You can find the nearest station, unlock a bike, and lock the bike when you’re finished.
- Secure Bikes: MietOn bikes are equipped with GPS tracking, so they can be located if they are stolen.
- Easy Booking: You can book a bike in advance, so you don’t have to wait in line.
- Locally-Focused: MietOn is a German company with a strong focus on local communities.
Pros
- Large network of stations
- Easy-to-use
- Secure bikes
- Convenient booking
- Affordable prices
- Locally-focused
Cons
- Limited availability in some cities
- Bikes can be in poor condition
- The booking system can be buggy
7. KVBike: A Convenience Bike Rental Option for Locals in Germany
KVBike is one of the top bike rental apps in the Germany for iOS that operates in over 15 cities in Germany, including Berlin, Freiburg, and Regensburg. The company is known for its convenient and reliable service.
The KVBike app is easy to use and allows you to find, unlock, and lock bikes at any of its many docking stations across Germany.
Price
KVBike offers a variety of pricing plans:
- Basic Tariff: This plan costs €2.50 for the first 15 minutes, and then €0.10 per minute after that.
- Day Pass: This plan costs €8, and it allows you to ride for up to 24 hours.
- Monthly Subscription: This plan costs €19, and it allows you to ride for up to 30 days.
Key Features
KVBike offers a number of key features that make it a convenient option for getting around:
- Wide Network of Docking Stations: KVBike has a network of docking stations in many cities, so you’re never far from a bike.
- Easy-to-Use App: The KVBike app is easy to use and navigate. You can find the nearest station, unlock a bike, and lock the bike when you’re finished.
- Secure Bikes: KVBike bikes are equipped with GPS tracking, so they can be located if they are stolen.
- Convenient Booking: You can book a bike in advance, so you don’t have to wait in line.
- Locally-Focused: KVBike is a German company with a strong focus on local communities.
Pros
- Large network of stations
- Secure bikes
- Convenient booking and navigation
- Locally-focused
Cons
- Fixed stations for borrowing and returning
- Safety issues with the brakes
- Limited availability in some cities
Explore Germany on Two Wheels with These Top Bike Tental Apps
Whether you’re looking for a suitable and cheap way to explore Germany or you want to experience riding a high-speed S-pedelec, these top bike rental apps in the Germany have something for everyone. With so many great options to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect bike rental app in Germany to help you explore this country.
So saddle up and hit the road!