McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Ulm c/o McRent Services GmbH / Ulm8 Leibnizstrasse, 89231 Neu-UlmView map
Hiring a campervan in Ulm means setting off from a Baden-Württemberg city on the left bank of the Danube, facing Neu-Ulm, its Bavarian twin across the river. Downstream, the Danube leads to Günzburg, Dillingen and Donauwörth, then to the Ries crater; to the north-east, the Lone valley shelters caves where some of the oldest known works of art were carved. 1 partner company and 1 depot: McRent, which hands over its vehicles on Leibnizstrasse, in Neu-Ulm.
The A8 motorway, between Stuttgart and Munich, and the A7, between Würzburg and the Allgäu, cross at the Ulm-Elchingen interchange, a few kilometres from the centre.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle à Ulm?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Ulm
1 The Bavarian Danube and the Ries crater
- Ulm
- Günzburg
- Dillingen an der Donau
- Höchstädt an der Donau
- Donauwörth
- Harburg
- Nördlingen
- Neresheim
- Ulm
Downstream, the Danube passes Günzburg, another departure point of our partners, then Dillingen and its prince-bishops' castle, and Höchstädt, whose castle tells the story of the 1704 battle known in English as Blenheim. In Donauwörth, the Reichsstrasse lines up its colourful façades, and Harburg castle guards the Wörnitz gap. In Nördlingen, St. George's church is built of suevite, a rock born of the meteorite impact, and the Ries Crater Museum tells its story.
The way back passes Neresheim Abbey, Balthasar Neumann's last great work.
- Distance
- about 200 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
2 The Lone valley and the Ice Age caves
- Ulm
- Langenau
- Lone valley
- Niederstotzingen
- Giengen an der Brenz
- Charlottenhöhle
- Heidenheim an der Brenz
- Aalen
- Ulm
To the north-east, the Lone winds below limestone cliffs dotted with caves listed by Unesco. At the foot of the Vogelherd, the Archäopark in Niederstotzingen brings back to life the hunters who carved animals there from mammoth ivory. Giengen an der Brenz then houses the Margarete Steiff Museum, birthplace of the teddy bear, and the Charlottenhöhle cave reaches deep under the plateau near Hürben. Hellenstein castle overlooks Heidenheim, before Aalen and the remains of its large Roman cavalry fort.
Car parks in the valley are small: a compact vehicle is easier to park.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
3 The Swabian upper Danube: Wiblingen, the Heuneburg and the Bussen
- Ulm
- Wiblingen Abbey
- Ehingen
- Riedlingen
- Heuneburg
- Bussen
- Laupheim
- Ulm
Upstream, Wiblingen Abbey, on the edge of Ulm, hides a rococo library with painted columns. The river then leads to Ehingen, a town of breweries, and to Riedlingen, with its half-timbered houses and lanes along the water. Near Herbertingen, the Heuneburg recreates a Celtic stronghold above the Danube. Not far from Riedlingen, the Bussen, the holy mountain of Upper Swabia, bears a pilgrimage church and a viewpoint over the whole plain.
Return via Laupheim, birthplace of Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Studios.
- Distance
- about 150 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go à Ulm?
Best time
May, June and September
May to June, September
highs 18 to 23 °C, lows 8 to 13 °C
The best times to leave from Ulm: long days, meadows in bloom in the Lone valley in spring, soft light on the Danube in September, one of the two most pleasant months. May and June remain wet, often with late-afternoon thunderstorms: keep caves and museums for rainy afternoons.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 24 °C, lows 14 °C
The height of summer, warm without excess, coincides with the school holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. In July, Schwörmontag brings locals to the Danube for the Nabada, a float down the river on decorated rafts and boats. Book campsites and motorhome areas around Ulm and Günzburg, where Legoland draws many families.
March, April and October
March to April, October
highs 10 to 15 °C, lows 0 to 6 °C
Transition months, cool in the morning, with frost still possible in March on the plateau. Several caves and the Legoland park only open in the warmer season, from spring to autumn: check their dates. On the plus side, the roads of the Ries and the Lone valley are almost empty, and the October forests are very colourful.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 4 to 8 °C, lows -3 to 1 °C
Winter is cold and often grey, with persistent fog in the Danube valley and possible snow on the Swabian Jura. In December, the Christmas market sets up on Cathedral Square. With reliable heating, short stages and a campsite open in winter for every night, the trip remains possible.
Climate à Ulm, month by month
Most pleasant months: July, September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 °C | -3 °C | 68 mm | 4 h/day |
| Feb | 7 °C | -1 °C | 59 mm | 6 h/day |
| Mar | 10 °C | 0 °C | 53 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 14 °C | 3 °C | 60 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 18 °C | 8 °C | 97 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 23 °C | 13 °C | 95 mm | 12 h/day |
| Jul | 24 °C | 14 °C | 88 mm | 12 h/day |
| Aug | 24 °C | 14 °C | 96 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 20 °C | 10 °C | 66 mm | 9 h/day |
| Oct | 15 °C | 6 °C | 63 mm | 7 h/day |
| Nov | 8 °C | 1 °C | 61 mm | 4 h/day |
| Dec | 5 °C | -1 °C | 60 mm | 4 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up on the Bavarian bank
The McRent Ulm depot is actually in Neu-Ulm, at 8 Leibnizstrasse: you therefore hit the road in Bavaria, on the other side of the Danube. If you arrive by train at Ulm main station, a taxi crosses the river in a few minutes. The meeting time is shown in your booking confirmation.
Leave the motorhome outside the centre
The lanes of Ulm's old town are narrow, and underground car parks do not accept tall vehicles. Park on the outskirts or on the Neu-Ulm side, then cross the Danube on foot by one of the bridges. Ulm long reserved its centre for vehicles with the green sticker, the Umweltplakette: check whether this zone still applies at the time of your trip.
The Lion Man before the Lone valley
The Museum Ulm displays the Lion Man, a mammoth-ivory statuette found in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave, in the Lone valley. Half human, half feline, it is one of the oldest known depictions of an imaginary being. Seeing it before exploring the valley gives the cave itinerary its full meaning.
Avoiding jams on the A7 and A8
On Friday afternoons and summer Saturdays, the A7 towards the Allgäu and Austria and the A8 towards Munich are often congested around the Ulm-Elchingen interchange. For the Danube route, the valley roads, via Leipheim and Günzburg and then along the river towards Dillingen, offer a calmer and prettier alternative.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip à Ulm
Where can I pick up a campervan in Ulm?
Our partners' only departure point is the McRent Ulm depot, located at 8 Leibnizstrasse, in the town of Neu-Ulm, in Bavaria. The partner company hands over its motorhomes after a check-in inspection and a walk-through of the equipment. Your confirmation gives the place and time of the appointment: no need to look for the depot in Ulm's old town.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Ulm?
The rate varies a lot with the period: a week in August, at the height of the Bavarian and Swabian holidays, does not cost the same as an October departure, and the size of the motorhome or the length of the rental also count. Enter your dates in our search: the rate shown for Ulm includes mandatory fees and can be booked straight away.
Can I return the vehicle in another city?
McRent has other depots in the region: in Leutkirch im Allgäu, in Riederich, near Metzingen, and in Sindelfingen, on the edge of Stuttgart. If the offer accepts one-way hire, choose one of these cities as your return location when searching: any surcharge appears directly in the rate offered.
How do I get to Ulm by plane or train?
Ulm is served by high-speed trains between Stuttgart and Munich; since the new line across the Swabian Jura opened, Stuttgart is less than an hour away by train. Its airport is about 85 km away via the A8, Memmingen airport, with mostly European flights, about 55 km via the A7, and Munich airport about 150 km.
What should I see in Ulm before setting off?
The Gothic minster, whose steeple no church in the world surpasses, can be climbed on foot up to the galleries of the spire. At its foot, the town hall with its painted façade leads to the Fishermen's Quarter, its Blau canals and its leaning house. Near the station, a monument marks the site of Albert Einstein's birthplace.
Verified customer reviews
They rented à Ulm 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 Ulm
What licence do I need for a motorhome hired in Ulm?
Most rental motorhomes weigh no more than 3.5 tonnes and can be driven with a category B licence; above that, category C1 is required. If your licence comes from a country outside the European Union, bring an international driving permit or a recognised translation. McRent also sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, specified with each offer.
Do I have to pay for motorways around Ulm?
No: the A7 and A8 are free for motorhomes, with no vignette or toll, as the German electronic toll targets goods lorries. Things change if you continue to Austria or Switzerland, whose motorways require a vignette: find out about the rules in force and check that the vehicle's insurance covers these countries.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome around Ulm?
Wild camping is forbidden in Germany. Along the Danube road and in the Ries, many small towns have set up a motorhome area, or Wohnmobilstellplatz, near their old town. In Ulm and Neu-Ulm, spaces are fewer: check which pitches are available, and book a campsite around Günzburg during the summer holidays.
Do I need winter tyres when leaving from Ulm?
Yes, in snow, ice or frost: German law then requires winter or all-season tyres bearing the snowflake-on-a-mountain symbol. Around Ulm, freezing fog in the Danube valley and snow on the plateau, towards Heidenheim and Aalen, make the rule a real one every winter. For a departure between November and March, ask the rental company to confirm the equipment.
Can I go to Legoland in a motorhome?
The Legoland Deutschland park is in Günzburg, about half an hour from Ulm via the A8. The park's holiday village has pitches for motorhomes: find out about the conditions and book early for the school holidays. The park closes in winter: check its opening calendar before planning the stop.
When should I book a campervan in Ulm?
Ulm has only one departure point of our partners, and the summer holidays in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg cover late July, August and early September: book several months ahead for those weeks. In May, June or October, a few weeks are often enough; otherwise, widen your search to Günzburg or Leutkirch.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Ulm
Ulm is one of the few cities where you change federal state by crossing a bridge: the Danube separates the Swabian city from Neu-Ulm, in Bavaria, where the depot is located. From there, three directions open up without long stages: downstream along the river, with its former princely residences and the Ries crater; the limestone plateaus of the eastern Swabian Jura and their prehistoric caves; upstream, towards Upper Swabia, its abbeys and Celtic strongholds.
McRent, our partner company, hands over its vehicles on the Bavarian bank of the river. Günzburg, Leutkirch im Allgäu, Bad Waldsee, Riederich and Stuttgart, other departure points of our partners, widen the choice and let you end the trip elsewhere. July and September are the most pleasant months; May and June, wetter, offer greener landscapes and quieter roads.