If your trip to Gelsenkirchen is all sorted out but your itinerary is a little on the empty side, let us give you a helping hand.Close to the city center, Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site is one attraction you might like to add to your to-do list. If you still have some room on that schedule, ZOOM Erlebniswelt and Red Dot Design Museum will keep you busy as well.

Situated 25 miles from Gelsenkirchen, Düsseldorf is a popular stop on most people’s itineraries. Make your way here to access Rhine Tower and Duesseldorf City Hall, two exceptional attractions to circle on your map. Nothing says living large like a road trip does, so keep on cruising to Moenchengladbach. It’s 37 miles away and also has a few attractive sights, such as Borussia Park and Rheydt Castle.

If you adore feeling the sea breeze on your skin and the sight of seabirds drifting over the ocean, get behind the wheel and spend a couple of hours walking beside the water at Seaside Beach Baldeney. You’ll find this beautiful stretch 8 miles from Gelsenkirchen.

After spending loads of time mixing with like-minded individuals, it’s always nice to know you can kick back and relax somewhere nearby. If you’re traveling to Gelsenkirchen for work-related purposes, here are some of the top convention centers that are close to hotels and cafés:

• RuhrCongress Bochum (6 miles away).
• Messe Essen (7 miles away).
• Ruhrfestspielhaus (9 miles away).

We’ve pulled together a list of our top tips and tricks to help you save more money:

• A car can take you wherever you want to go — so can we. Compare the cheapest deals from the top companies in town in just a couple of clicks.
• Keep your eyes on your inbox for our popular Price Drop Alert. We’ll keep you in the know about all the hot deals cruising around your location
• Scan the bargains at all rental locations around town, including the airport and surrounding area. A short cab ride to a neighboring rental car center might score you significant savings
• If you have some elbow room in your schedule, change your dates to find lower prices on different days of the week
• To avoid paying for an extra day or a late fee, try to keep your pickup and drop-off times as similar as possible
• Sometimes car rental companies reward you with discounts if you pay as soon as you book, so keep your eyes peeled for these penny-pinching deals
• It’s best to make a reservation as soon as your vacation dates are finalized. The early bird catches the worm!

Whether you’re heading off on your own or with the entire family, CarRentals.com can help you find a perfect set of wheels for your Gelsenkirchen adventure. A mini is a fantastic choice if you’re going to be spending lots of time in the center of the city. Thrifty and with impressive mileage, these vehicles will take you from A to B with ease. If you’re eager to make a splash, have a look at our special category. You’re sure to find something that’ll attract a few glances! Got the little ones in tow? A roomy full-size car should tick all the boxes.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey, which makes your car choice important. If you’re planning an amazing road trip around Gelsenkirchen, a roomy SUV could be a good choice. If you’re hoping for the cheapest price possible and plan on staying mostly in the city, a budget compact is a wise pick. All you need to do is decide what’s going to be the best fit, throw your bags in the trunk, and clock up those miles.

When driving somewhere you’ve never been before, you’ll want to have a solid understanding of the rules and regulations. Here’s what you need to know to get behind the wheel in Gelsenkirchen with confidence:

In Gelsenkirchen, you’ll need to stick to the right side. When exploring someplace new, it’s always a good idea to go for an automatic vehicle. That way, you can concentrate on the road and not stress about gear changes.

It can be. Driving around the block looking for a parking spot is all part of the experience in Gelsenkirchen. Getting within walking distance of the popular sights is easier if you plan ahead.

As with many places, you can expect more traffic in the early and late rush hours. However, due to its smaller population of roughly 270,000, traffic isn’t a major problem in Gelsenkirchen.

The residential zones in Gelsenkirchen have a 30km/h speed limit. Outside these built-up areas, the speed limits generally range between 30km/h and 130km/h.

More often than not, your car rental company will charge the amount of the fine to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may share your contact details with the relevant local authority so they can send a fine directly to you.

If you have hands-free functions like Bluetooth enabled, it’s fine to use your phone while operating a vehicle in Gelsenkirchen. Just make sure you stay focused on the road.

While driving in Gelsenkirchen, it’s a criminal offence to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) of over 0.05%. Planning to have a couple of drinks with lunch or dinner? Consider using a ride-sharing service or taking a taxi.

No, it’s not. In Gelsenkirchen, red equals stop, with no exceptions. When nearing a set of traffic lights, always drive at a safe speed so you can easily stop when you need to.

Although there are a few exceptions, seat belts must be fastened when the vehicle is in motion in Essen.