Car Sharing in Berlin

The capital of Germany, Berlin, boasts a well-developed car-sharing infrastructure, making this mode of transportation extremely popular. There are around 6,000 car-sharing vehicles available in Berlin from various operators.

Types of Car Sharing in Berlin

Berlin offers both free-floating and station-based car sharing. The city is a pioneer in the car-sharing industry and is remarkably convenient for getting around. Despite its large population, influx of tourists, and significant traffic, Berlin experiences minimal congestion, and finding a parking spot is generally hassle-free almost anywhere in the city. Many people visit Berlin to learn about traffic organization since the city is considered a gold standard in urban mobility.

Why Use Car Sharing in Berlin?

There are several reasons why car sharing is a great option in Berlin. These include benefits common to car sharing as a whole, as well as those specific to Berlin:

• It’s affordable: It’s cheaper than taking a taxi or owning a car if you don’t drive extensively.
• It’s fast: Berlin is a large city. Public transport might take 40–60 minutes to cover certain distances, but with car sharing, you can get there in just 20 minutes.
• Plenty of vehicles: It’s easy to find a car near you.
• Free parking and fuel: This is a big money-saver in Berlin, where parking typically costs €2 per hour.

Car-Sharing Operators in Berlin

Berlin is served by several car-sharing companies, including:

1. Miles
   • The largest free-floating car-sharing service.
   • Charges by distance or daily rates.
   • Fleet includes VW Polo, Audi A4, and Mercedes Sprinter vans. Electric options include VW ID4, Tesla Model Y, and Tesla Model 3.
2. Bolt
   • Entered the Berlin market in 2024 as a free-floating operator.
   • Quickly gained traction with a fleet of Audi Q2 cars.
   • Offers minute-based pricing plus a per-kilometer fee.
   • Known for competitive pricing and decent coverage.
3. Sixt
   • Less prominent than Miles and Bolt but collaborates with Miles.
   • Free-floating cars can be rented via the Miles app.
4. Free2Move
   • Offers car sharing, taxi services, and other mobility options.
   • Primarily operates as an aggregator for free-floating car sharing, using the ShareNow fleet.
5. ShareNow
   • Once a major free-floating car-sharing operator.
   • Its influence is waning due to rising competition.
6. Cambio
   • A station-based car-sharing service available in most cities.
   • Operates primarily through a station-based model.
7. Stadtmobil
   • Station-based car sharing, but vehicles are rarely seen in operation.
8. BSK
   • A new free-floating car-sharing service.
   • Uses older vehicles, previously employed by Uber.
9. Wheego
   • Station-based car-sharing operator in Berlin.
   • Also offers car rental services.
10. Flinkster/Ford Carsharing
    • Part of the Book-n-drive group, which is owned by Deutsche Bahn (German Railways).
11. SnappCar
    • A peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing operator.
    • Features privately owned cars and company fleets available for sharing.
12. Getaround
    • Another P2P car-sharing platform.
    • Cars can be accessed via in-person key handoff or contactless app-based options.

Berlin’s car-sharing landscape is vast and diverse, offering something for everyone, whether you prefer free-floating convenience or station-based reliability.