Confusing for many first timers to the Nürburgring is that there are actually 2 tracks here in the same area! Most people talk just about “The Nürburgring” as a whole, but the two circuits here are the Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Nürburgring GP Track. Both circuits are located right beside each other.
Nürburgring Nordschleife (North loop)
Nürburgring GP Track (Formula 1 track)
And just to confuse everything, there is technically a third layout, which is both tracks combined:
Nürburgring Gesamtstrecke (Combined circuit)
WHAT CAR SHOULD I DRIVE?
It all depends on your experience, but there is no wrong choice in selecting a car. For your first visit a Porsche GT3 may be overkill and you won’t use it’s full potential – but if that’s your dream we can help put together a program so you can make that come true. However – we won’t push you into a car that we think is beyond your level – we are experts in picking the perfect car for your experience level.
More often than not, your choice will be dictated by your budget, but in short, it’s hard to go wrong with a hot hatch like a Hyundai i30N or VW Golf R, especially if it’s your first time here.
FWD or RWD? We recommend front wheel drive cars for your first visit, as they are more forgiving if you accidentally come in “too hot”, or give too much acceleration at the wrong time. If you have a lot of experience with rear wheel drive cars (especially on track) then this may be a more appropriate for you.
Manual or Automatic? Because the track is so demanding to drive coupled with managing the other cars on track, we recommend an automatic car for your first visit. This way you’re not at risk of getting the wrong gear in the middle of the corner, potentially damaging the car. If you have a lot of experience with a manual car (daily driving and especially on track), then you’re welcome to book a manual car.
Standard or modified (RSR Edition)? We recommend a standard car for your first visit. Our more track-focused “RSR Edition” car options could also be eligible for real racing. They have bucket seats, harnesses (4 or 6 point belts) and a rollover cage on the inside. They include KW Clubsport suspension and Michelin Semi-Slick tires on the outside to name the most important ‘performance-related’ modifications. This means they are more capable on track, but are less progressive and less forgiving with mistakes. Again, if you have experience with driving modified cars on track, then you can gladly book one!
CAN I SHARE THE CAR WITH A GROUP?
If you want to come with a group, that’s great, and an excellent way to keep costs lower. We allow up to two drivers per car, so the best is to hire a few cars for your group! Get in contact with us directly and we will do our best to put together a nice package for you.
You don’t need to have experience with driving on track to enjoy the Nürburgring! If you want to hire a car, then you will need some experience with driving a car and basic car control skills. If you’re a brand new driver with no experience, then a taxi lap might be the right choice for you!
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE TO RENT A CAR?
Our car rentals start from 18 years of age and over. Generally, the renters age is not key but a drivers license and the right attitude is! It also depends on the sort of day (weather, traffic levels, trackday, road tour or touristenfahrten) and experience. What we need to be assured of first however is that you are up to the job. We can do this by organising some private instruction or by starting you off driving in the lower powered cars first.
Passengers need to be a minimum of 16 years of age. Younger passengers will not be allowed to ride along in the cars. On trackdays, the minimum ages can vary, and each will need to be checked with the organiser, but generally it is also a minimum age of 16.
Taxi Laps have a minimum age of 18 years old.
For Road Tours there is no minimum age, but those small enough to require car booster seats will need to use them. RSR does not have any child or booster seats available, so you will need to bring your own. Keep in mind that not all cars are compatible with these systems. Please ask!
DO I HAVE TO PAY A DEPOSIT?
Most of our cars do not require a deposit up front. A deposit is a sum of money paid before the rental, that is returned to the client upon a safe return of the car. While many of the companies who hire out cars at the Nürburgring ask for a deposit while hiring a car, for most of our cars under normal circumstances we do not require this. Exceptions to this rule may apply in certain cases:
The deposits we ask for can range from 1.000€ to 15.000€.
When we take a deposit, it is normally in the form of a hold on your credit card, which is released after the car is returned safely at the end of driving. We also accept cash or bank transfers as other options. Please make sure to have ability to provide a deposit if we request it.
You can drive the track in one of two ways:
Most people (90% of our clients) drive the track during TF. The reason is mainly because there’s only a handful (about 20 to 25) of TD’s available each year. Then many of these TD’s sell out within 1 month after release. Also TD’s are more expensive and not everyone wants to drive a full day.
TF has the reputation of a dangerous environment which is a bit unfair. There are great TF sessions and horrible TD’s and vice versa. On TF there’s no buses and few motorbikes these days (already since 2019). The level of driving has gone up every year since a few years. Here at RSR we can tell you what the good TF days and periods are. There’s never a guarantee but we can advise you the best we can because of 25 years of local knowledge.
Touristenfahrten (Public Driving Sessions ) | Trackdays |
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This part of Germany has very distinctive seasons. This means in winter it snows, and in summer it gets reasonable warm (up to 40 degrees c / 104 degrees F). The driving season is generally from the start of March until the end of November, but this can change depending on weather at the time. The track is sometimes still open outside of these months, but opening times can be unpredictable.
The other thing to consider is: as the weather gets warmer during the main season, more people visit the ring. It can get very busy during the main season, and it’s not unusual to have a line of traffic on the track itself!
Insider secret #1 is to schedule your visit for the shoulder seasons, as the weather can still be very good, with a lot less cars on the track.
Insider secret #2 is to come and drive during the evening sessions on the weekdays (Monday – Thursday) as the track is quieter since most people work during the week.
Insider secret #3 is to visit for multiple days in a row – that way, if the weather is a bit undesirable, or the track closes early due to an accident, you can continue driving on the next day.
HOW IS THE WEATHER?
The hint is in the name: The Green Hell is green, because it rains quite often here. The track is in the middle of the Eifel mountain range, and has it’s own micro-climate, so it is possible to get all 4 seasons in one day!
During the main season the weather is more consistently warm, but you will still get rainy days, in the main season, and nice, dry days in the shoulder and off seasons.
The track still opens when it rains. It closes when it’s too foggy to see, or if the track is icy or slippery from snow.
Driving the circuit in the rain can be a good thing too! It means that there is much less traffic on the circuit, there are no motorcycles and the experienced guys won’t pass you at insane speeds. It’s a great way to learn the circuit better.
Accidents happen. We’re not here to sugar coat it. The Nürburgring is considered to be the most difficult track in the world, and motorsport is inherently risky by nature. Even though there are crashes every day on the track, accidents with our rental cars happen very infrequently, since we have a very strict safety procedure and do everything we can to best prepare you for driving on the track. If you have the right attitude and approach to driving, with support from RSR you do not need to be scared!
In short, in the case of an accident – if you cause damage to the car, you pay to repair only the damage you caused. However, in the (very rare) case where a car is written off you are normally not required to pay for the whole value of the car. Instead, up to a fixed excess level that is generally set at around half of the cars replacement value (different from the current market value).
If there is any damage to the track (Barriers) or towing costs, you will need to pay these directly to the Nürburgring. If there is damage to another car, we may require a deposit for damages until fault can be established.
For a full run down of the processes and steps you can take if you want to reduce the risk, please visit the following page of our website:
You’re of course welcome to bring your own car to drive the Nürburgring! Any road registered, motorway capable vehicle or motorcycle is allowed to go on the track. There are some important things to be aware of, your car may be stopped from going on track if:
Also important to note is that the police do make random control checks, and checkpoints around the area, especially on busy days. There has been an increase in frequency in police presence over the recent years.
HOW CAN RSR HELP ME WITH MY OWN CAR AT THE NÜRBURGRING?
In most cases if you’re driving your own car, you simply need to purchase your own tickets (from the Kiosk at the entrance, at the petrol station or online through the app) and then go and drive. If you’re looking for some extra support then we’d be happy to hear from you for any of the following services:
CAN I DRIVE MY =WEIRD OBSCURE VEHICLE= ON THE NÜRBURGRING?
If you vehicle isn’t capable of highway speeds (130kmh / 80mph), then it will most likely be refused to go on the track. So your mini scooter, modified lawnmower or Tuk-tuk/Rickshaw will not be allowed. Same with overly large vehicles like campervans or buses will be refused. Vehicles towing trailers will also be refused entry.
Hardcore race cars or anything not road registered will also not be allowed during the public Touristenfahrten sessions. However, they may be allowed on select Trackdays where race cars are allowed. The noise limit of the circuit needs to be observed, which is set normally at around 130dB.
In short, you will need to contact the Nürburgring directly if you want to ask about the validity of using your car on the track. They will not close the track for you to drive by yourself, or open it specially for you.
The best way to get to the Nürburgring is to fly into either Frankfurt Airport, or Cologne/Bonn airport, hire a rental car and drive across. It takes between 2 and 3 hours to drive, depending on conditions. Alternatively you can hire a taxi. Public transport is very difficult to use to get to the Nürburgring and is therefore not recommended, as then you’ll have an even more difficult time getting around once you’re here! There is no train station in Nürburg, and buses run infrequently!
Do not mix up the Nürburgring with Nuremberg – they are about 5 hours drive apart!
Best is to use our street address (and check the post code!):
RSRNurburg
Antoniusweg 1a
53520 Nürburg (Also can be written as Nuerburg)
GERMANY
To be sure you stay in Germany will be as comfortable as can be, we have put together a list of recommended restaurants and Hotels. We know from our own experience what the best place are to eat or sleep. If you still need advice, don’t hesitate to give us a ring.
In the local area the reality is there isn’t much more available for families to do aside from drive the track. There are shopping options available in Koblenz (45min) or Cologne (1hour 30min) and Adenau (15min). There are also few activities within a reasonable drive, see in the list below.
Hotel am Tiergarten
Kirchweg 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 92200
www.am-tiergarten.de
Pension Daniels
Antoniusweg 1, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 2439
www.nuerburgring-pension.de
Dorint Hotel am Nürburgring
Grand-Prix-Strecke, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3090
hotel-eifel-nuerburgring.dorint.com
Haus Pit Lane
Hauptstrasse 22, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 935 9050
www.haus-pitlane.de
Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel
Stefan-Bellof-Straße, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3025 666
www.lindner.de/nuerburgring-congress-motorsport-hotel
Lindner Hotel Eifeldorf Grüne Hölle
Eifel-Ardennen-Straße, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3025 666
www.lindner.de/nuerburgring-hotel-eifeldorf-gruene-hoelle
Hotel zur Burg
Burgstraße 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 7575
www.nuerburgring-hotel.de
Motorsporthotel Nürburgring
Hauptstraße 34, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 92000
www.motorsporthotel.de
Lindenhof am Nürburgring
Hauptstrasse 35, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 170 8080 256
www.lindenhofnurburg.com
Villa Hügel
Sprungschanzenweg 2, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 410
www.villa-huegel.com
Haus Burggarten
Burgstrasse 17, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 173 584 9000
www.zimmer-am-nuerburgring.de
Landhaus Balkhausen
Balkhausenweg 3, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 7625
www.landhaus-balkhausen.de
Land-gut-Hotel am Ring
Nordstraße 1, 53520 Meuspath
Tel.: +49 2691 459 090
www.hotel-am-ring.com
Döttinger Höhe Hotel
An der B258, 53520 Döttinger Höhe
Tel.: +49 2691 92390
www.doettinger-hoehe.de
Ferienwohnungen Oliver 92 am Nürburgring
Hauptstr. 34, 53520 Meuspath
Tel.: +49 6551 2279
Email: buchung@oliver92-fewo.de
www.oliver92-fewo.de/fewo-meuspath
Haus Marvin
Tannenweg 11, 56729 Döttingen
Tel.: +49 2691 2546
www.hausmarvin.de
Gästehouse Fuchsröhre
Hauptstraße 27, 53539 Welcherath
Tel.: +49 175 415 72 69
www.guesthouse-fuchsroehre.com
Lindner Ferienpark Nürburgring
Parkstraße 1, 53520 Drees
Tel.: +49 211 9598 9607
www.lindner.de/nuerburgring-drees-ferienpark
Hotel Rieder
Mittelstraße 13, 53534 Wiesemscheid
Tel.: +49 2691 1013
www.hotel-rieder.de
Hotel an der Nordschleife
Trierer Str. 15, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 930 158
www.hotel-an-der-nordschleife.de
Blaue Ecke
Markt 5, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2005
www.blaueecke.de
Landhaus Sonnenhof
Sonnenberg 10, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 9227 0
www.sonnenhof-nuerburgring.de
The Crown Pub – Apartments
Hauptstraße 22, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +44 7776 258 026
https://www.thecrownadenau.de
Agnesen-Hof
Hauptstraße 77, 53534 Barweiler
Tel.: +49 2691 931 440
www.agnesen-hof.de
Eifelranch am Ring
Römerstraße 19, 53534 Barweiler
Tel.: +49 2691 933 4512
www.eifelranch-am-ring.de
Hotel und Kongresszentrum Wanderath
Am Buchholz 34, 56729 Baar
Tel.: +49 2656 889-0
www.innogy.com/wanderath
Die Rennscheune Guest house
Erlenwiese 1, 53539 Kelberg
Tel.: +49 170 246 6887
airbnb.com/h/rennscheune
Restaurants – Nürburg (2 min. / Ring)
Pistenklause (RSR Recommends)
Dinner – Italian, German, Steak
Kirchweg 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 922 053
Hotel am Tiergarten
Breakfast & Lunch – Buffet
Kirchweg 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 922 00
Devil’s Diner
Lunch – American Diner
Zufahrt Nordschleife, 53520 Meuspath
Tel.: +49 2691 302 5740
Restaurant & Pizzeria Paddock
Lunch & Dinner – Italian, German
Hauptstraße 34, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 920 00
Restaurant zur Nürburg
Lunch & Dinner – German, Burgers
Burgplatz 2, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 939 9060
Restaurant Zur Burg
Dinner – German
Burgstr. 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 7575
Lindenhof am Nürburgring
Dinner – German
Hauptstr. 35, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 170 8080 256
Restaurant Fascination – Dorint Hotel
Dinner – International
Grand-Prix-Strecke, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3090
Restaurant Nuvolari – Lindner Hotel
Dinner – International
Stefan-Bellof-Straße, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3025 176
Restaurant Pizzeria Mamma Mia
Lunch & Dinner – Pizza
Hauptstrasse 34, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 937 9330
Restaurants – Müllenbach (7 min. / Ring)
Restaurante Pizzeria Il Cavallino
Dinner – Italian, German, Steak
Hauptstraße 14A, 53520 Müllenbach
Tel.: +49 2692 932 621
Restaurant Gasthaus Gilles
Dinner – German
Hauptstraße 30, 53520 Müllenbach
Tel.: +49 2692 8832
Bistro Zum Alten Maier
Lunch & Dinner – German
Hauptstraße 46, 53520 Müllenbach
Tel.: +49 2692 1299
Restaurants – Wiesemscheid (7 min. / Ring)
Restaurant Rieder
Dinner – German
Mittelstraße 13, 53534 Wiesemscheid
Tel.: +49 2691 1013
Restaurants – Wiesemscheid (7 min. / Ring)
Agnesen-Hof
Dinner – International, Fine Dining
Hauptstraße 77, 53534 Barweiler
Tel.: +49 2691 931 440
Pizzeria Zur Alten Scheune
Dinner – Italian, German, Steak
Hauptstraße 30A, 53534 Barweiler
Tel.: +49 2691 935 657
Restaurants – Adenau (7 min. / Ring)
Blaue Ecke
Dinner – International
Markt 5, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2005
Ristorante Pizzeria Pinocchio
Dinner – Italian, German
Hauptstraße 150, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 932 287
Zur gemütlichen Ecke (Comfy Corner)
Dinner – German
Hauptstraße 247, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2629
Ali Baba
Lunch & Dinner – Turkish, Italian
Hauptstraße 133, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 938 921
Asia Bistro Orchidee
Dinner – Asian
Hauptstraße 96, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 933 210
La Stazione Adenau
Lunch & Dinner – Italian
Bahnhofstraße 24, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 932 6346
Restaurant Sonnenhof
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – International
Sonnenberg 10, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 9227 0
Piazza Aviano
Lunch & Dinner – Italian
Markt, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2855
Pizzeria La Fontana
Dinner – Italian
Alte Poststraße 36, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 606
Mario`s Boxenstop
Lunch & Dinner – Turkish, Pizza
Hauptstraße 153, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 935 6631
Restaurants – Breidscheid (5 min. / Ring)
Cockpit Bistro
Lunch – German
Trierer Str. 13, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 7907
Café Zur Nordschleife Opa Strack
Lunch – German
Trierer Str. 11, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 302216
Restaurant zum Kleeblatt
Lunch & Dinner – German
Trierer Straße 79, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 43927
Ventisette
Lunch & Dinner – Italian
Trierer Straße 6, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 938 880
Restaurants – Welcherath (5 min. / Ring)
Gästehouse Fuchsröhre
Dinner – International
Hauptstraße 27, 53539 Welcherath
Tel.: +49 175 415 72 69
Restaurants – Boos (10 min. / Ring)
Gasthof Zur Quelle
Dinner – German
Hauptstraße 27, 56729 Boos
Tel.: +49 2656 541
Restaurants – Mendig (30 min. / Ring)
Vulkan Brauerei
Dinner – German, Brewery / Brauhaus
Laacher-See-Straße 2, 56743 Mendig
Tel.: +49 2652 520330
Bars – Nürburg (2 min. / Ring)
Pistenklause
Kirchweg 4, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 922 053
Lindenhof am Nürburgring
Hauptstr. 35, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 170 8080 256
Cockpit Bar – Dorint Hotel
Grand-Prix-Strecke, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3090
Lobby Bar – Lindner Hotel
Stefan-Bellof-Straße, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 3025 000
Eifel Stadl Nightclub
Otto-Flimm-Straße, 53520 Nürburg
Tel.: +49 2691 302 9733
Bars – Adenau (7 min. / Ring)
The Crown – British Pub
Hauptstraße 22, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +44 7776 258 026
Blaue Ecke
Markt 5, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2005
Brauhaus Adenau
Hauptstraße 94, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 8629
Zur gemütlichen Ecke (Comfy Corner)
Hauptstraße 247, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 2629
RELAX Cocktail Shisha Lounge
Hauptstraße 160, 53518 Adenau
Tel.: +49 2691 932 287
Go-Karting RingKartbahn
Nürburgring Boulevard 1, 53520 Nürburg (About 5min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2691 302 6670
www.nuerburgring.de/kartbahn
Nürburgring GP Track Backstage Tour
Nürburgring Boulevard 1, 53520 Nürburg (About 5min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2691 302 6670
www.nuerburgring.de/backstagetour
Nürburgring Motorsport Museum RingWerk
Nürburgring Boulevard 1, 53520 Nürburg (About 5min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2691 302 6670
www.nuerburgring.de/en/drives-fun/experiences/ringwerk.html
RaceRoom Cafe Driving Simulators
Nürburgring Boulevard 1, 53520 Nürburg (About 5min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2691 302 6665
www.nuerburgring.de/en/drives-fun/experiences/raceroom-cafe.html
Hotrod City Tour Nürburgring / Koblenz
Eifeldorf Grüne Hölle, 53520 Nürburg (About 5min from RSR) / Altlöhrtor 22, 56068 Koblenz (About 1hour from RSR)
Tel.: +49 172 4521698
www.hotrod-citytour-koblenz.com/
Sport am Ring Gym / Fitness Studio
In der Ex 1, 53518 Adenau (About 15min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2691 938147
www.sportamring.de
Wild- & Erlebnispark Daun – Animal Park / Wildpark
Mainzer Straße 11, 54550 Daun (About 30min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 6592 3154
www.wildpark-daun.de
Burg Eltz Castle Tours / Burgführung
Burg-Eltz-Straße 1, 56294 Wierschem (About 50min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2672 95050-0
www.burg-eltz.de
Reichsburg Cochem Castle Tours / Burgführung
Schloßstraße 36, 56812 Cochem (About 45min from RSR)
Tel.: +49 2671 – 255
www.burg-cochem.de