Rent Easy Rental company category:Premium
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Rent Easy Heiligenhaus c/o Hartmann GmbHPinner Str. 46, 42579 HeiligenhausView map
Hiring a campervan in Heiligenhaus means setting off from a small town in the Niederbergisches Land, perched on the hills above the Ruhr, on the southern edge of Essen. Below, the river winds past the half-timbered houses of Kettwig, Werden Abbey and Lake Baldeney; further north lie the former mines and steelworks turned cultural venues, and to the west, beyond Düsseldorf, the Lower Rhine plain and its Roman towns. Rent Easy, our partner company, offers campervans and motorhomes here.
Vehicles are collected at a garage on Pinner Straße, away from the traffic jams of the vast Rhine-Ruhr conurbation.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle à Heiligenhaus?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Heiligenhaus
1 The Ruhr valley, from Kettwig to Witten
- Heiligenhaus
- Kettwig
- Werden
- Baldeneysee
- Hattingen
- Burg Blankenstein
- Witten
- Heiligenhaus
First head down to Kettwig, with its half-timbered old town and reservoir, then to Werden, where the abbey church of St Ludger recalls one of the oldest monasteries in the Rhineland. Lake Baldeney then stretches out below Villa Hügel, the former home of the Krupp family. Further upstream, Hattingen lines up its timber-framed facades opposite the Henrichshütte blast furnace, and the Muttental valley in Witten shows the Ruhr's first coal galleries.
- Distance
- about 110 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Industrial Heritage Route, from Zollverein to the Rhine
- Heiligenhaus
- Zollverein
- Gelsenkirchen
- Bottrop
- Oberhausen
- Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord
- Duisburg
- Heiligenhaus
This short loop links the giants of the coal and steel era. The Shaft XII headframe at Zollverein, in Essen, leads the way, followed by Nordstern Park in Gelsenkirchen and the Tetraeder in Bottrop, a steel pyramid set on a slag heap. The Gasometer in Oberhausen hosts major exhibitions inside its huge cylinder, before the blast furnaces of Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, to explore by day or by night, and Duisburg's inner harbour.
- Distance
- about 130 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
3 The Lower Rhine, from Zons to Xanten
- Heiligenhaus
- Zons
- Kaiserswerth
- Xanten
- Rees
- Wesel
- Heiligenhaus
South of Düsseldorf, Zons has kept its ramparts and its medieval customs fortress on the banks of the Rhine. Heading downstream, Kaiserswerth preserves the ruins of the imperial palace enlarged by Frederick Barbarossa. Further north, Xanten combines its Gothic St Victor's Cathedral with the archaeological park built on the former Roman colony. The return follows the Rhine via Rees and its promenade, then the citadel of Wesel.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Low-profile or large motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go à Heiligenhaus?
Best time
May, June and September
May to June, September
highs 18 to 23 °C, lows 9 to 14 °C
The best time to leave from Heiligenhaus: eleven hours of sunshine a day in May and June, and cycle paths in the Ruhr valley still quiet on weekdays. In September, the terraces around Lake Baldeney stay open and the industrial museums are less busy than in high summer.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 23 °C, lows 14 to 15 °C
Summer stays mild but wet, with nearly 90 mm of rain in July, often in thundery showers. During the North Rhine-Westphalia school holidays, the shores of Lake Baldeney and the campsites of the Lower Rhine fill up at weekends: book your pitches as well as the vehicle, and keep an awning for rainy days.
March, April and October
March to April, October
highs 11 to 15 °C, lows 3 to 9 °C
Cool months, with nights sometimes close to freezing in March, when a heated vehicle is essential. April already brightens the wooded slopes of the Ruhr, and October colours the forests around Hattingen. It is a good time for the museums of Zollverein or Oberhausen, without queues.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 5 to 9 °C, lows 1 to 4 °C
Winter is the wettest season of the year, with more than a hundred millimetres of rain in both December and January and barely three hours of sunshine a day. The Christmas markets of Essen and Düsseldorf liven up the season, though; in snow or ice, winter tyres are compulsory in Germany.
Climate à Heiligenhaus, month by month
Most pleasant months: May to September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5 °C | 1 °C | 113 mm | 3 h/day |
| Feb | 8 °C | 2 °C | 91 mm | 5 h/day |
| Mar | 11 °C | 3 °C | 79 mm | 7 h/day |
| Apr | 14 °C | 5 °C | 71 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 18 °C | 9 °C | 79 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 23 °C | 14 °C | 83 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jul | 23 °C | 14 °C | 87 mm | 11 h/day |
| Aug | 23 °C | 15 °C | 79 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 20 °C | 12 °C | 89 mm | 9 h/day |
| Oct | 15 °C | 9 °C | 95 mm | 6 h/day |
| Nov | 9 °C | 4 °C | 82 mm | 4 h/day |
| Dec | 6 °C | 2 °C | 104 mm | 3 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Heiligenhaus, a town without a station
Heiligenhaus has no passenger railway station: from Düsseldorf airport or a nearby S-Bahn station, such as Kettwig, plan a bus or taxi to reach the garage on Pinner Straße. Confirm the handover time with Rent Easy, especially if you arrive late.
Low-emission zones in the Ruhr
Essen, Duisburg, Oberhausen and other Ruhr cities have set up environmental zones (Umweltzonen), long restricted to vehicles displaying the green sticker. These rules change from city to city: check the regulations in force and make sure the sticker is on the vehicle's windscreen when you set off.
Narrow roads along the Ruhr
Between Kettwig, Werden and Hattingen, the valley roads are winding, often busy with cyclists, and car parks often have height barriers. At weekends, the area around Lake Baldeney is saturated by late morning: park the motorhome at an aire or a campsite, then follow the lake by bike or on foot.
Ferries across the Rhine
Several ferries still cross the Rhine between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border, notably at Kaiserswerth and Zons, saving a detour via the motorway bridges. Timetables and accepted vehicle sizes vary: check them before taking a large motorhome on board, especially when the river is high or very low.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip à Heiligenhaus
Where can I pick up a campervan in Heiligenhaus?
Rent Easy, our partner company, hands over its vehicles at Hartmann, a garage on Pinner Straße, in the town itself. The exact address and appointment time appear in your booking confirmation. Let the company know if your flight or train is delayed, as the vehicle handover takes a while.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Heiligenhaus?
The price depends mainly on the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle, from a compact campervan to a large family motorhome. Run a search with your dates: you will get the actual prices, mandatory fees included, and can book straight away. Comparing with the nearby departures from Essen or Düsseldorf often widens the choice.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
Yes, if the rental company agrees. Mettmann, Essen, Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Grevenbroich are also departure cities of our partners, all less than 45 km away as the crow flies. Enter the return city when you search: any one-way fees are then included in the price shown.
What is there to see in Heiligenhaus before hitting the road?
The former Niederbergbahn railway line, converted into a cycle path, runs through Heiligenhaus and offers wide views over the hills of the Niederbergisches Land. A few kilometres away, Kettwig's old town and the banks of the Ruhr are perfect for a first stroll, while you get used to the size of the vehicle.
Verified customer reviews
They rented à Heiligenhaus with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Quick and professional support from your operator - Marléne. We leave a message on the answering machine, and we get a call back at the scheduled time and date. The exchanges and responses are clear.
F.
Germany · Apr 2024
Trustpilot
This is our first rental of a modified vehicle, Marléne was very attentive to answer all our questions in preparing for our trip. The follow-up on the file went very well, we can't wait to start our journey. Thank you!
M.
Germany · Apr 2024
Trustpilot
Follow-up and kindness of contact personnel.
J.
Germany · Jul 2023
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Heiligenhaus
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Germany?
A category B licence is enough for campervans and motorhomes with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3.5 tonnes; heavier models require category C1. If your licence was issued outside the European Union, an official translation or an international driving permit may be required. The rental company sets the minimum age and years of driving experience.
Are motorways around the Ruhr subject to tolls?
No, German motorways are free for motorhomes and campervans, with no vignette or toll. Around Heiligenhaus, the nearby A44 and A52 run towards Düsseldorf and its airport or towards Essen and the heart of the Ruhr. These roads are very busy at rush hour: set off mid-morning instead.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome in the Ruhr valley?
Campsites line the Ruhr and its reservoirs, and many towns, including Hattingen and Xanten, provide motorhome aires, known as Wohnmobilstellplätze. One night's rest in a public car park where it is not prohibited is generally tolerated in Germany, as long as you do not set out a table, chairs or awning.
Can I take bikes from Heiligenhaus?
It is a good idea: the Ruhr valley cycle path, the Ruhrtalradweg, follows the river a few kilometres away, and the Industrial Heritage cycle route links the major sites. Ask the rental company whether a bike rack is provided or available as an option, and check the maximum load it accepts.
Can I drive into the Netherlands with the motorhome?
The Dutch border is about an hour's drive away, via Venlo or via Arnhem after Emmerich. Check in the offer's terms that the Netherlands is covered by the insurance, and find out about Dutch low-emission zones, which sometimes affect the oldest diesel motorhomes.
When should I book a campervan in Heiligenhaus?
With only one depot in town, the choice shrinks quickly: book several months ahead for the summer school holidays and for late August, when the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf draws motorhome enthusiasts. In spring and autumn, a few weeks are usually enough, but campervans are always the first to go.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Heiligenhaus
Heiligenhaus offers a calm starting point at the heart of one of the most densely populated regions in Europe. In less than half an hour you reach the wooded banks of the Ruhr, its half-timbered old towns and its lakes; an hour is enough to get to the converted blast furnaces of Duisburg or the Roman town of Xanten, on the Lower Rhine. Weekends mixing industry and nature are easy to plan, and the climate from May to September suits outdoor stages.
Rent Easy, our partner company, welcomes travellers at a garage in town, away from the bustle of the big centres. Nearby Mettmann, Essen and Düsseldorf, as well as Dortmund and Grevenbroich, are other departure cities of our partners: handy for comparing vehicles or planning a one-way trip.