anywhere

playbook

Renting a boat on Starnberger See without a boating licence

GroundLiving

Automatically translated · View original (Dutch)

A day on Bavaria's second-largest lake in a licence-free electric boat, departing from Starnberg, Berg or Tutzing.

duration

€ 90–180

budget

Ground

pace

Starnberger See is just half an S-Bahn hour from Munich and is one of Upper Bavaria's most popular day-trip destinations. On the lake, the standard German rule for licence-free boating applies: engines up to 15 HP (11.03 kW) are permitted without an official boating licence, and in practice almost exclusively electric boats are used. Combustion engines have been heavily restricted for decades, keeping the lake calm and clean. Rental stations are located in Starnberg, Berg, Tutzing, Possenhofen and Seeshaupt.

Hourly rates usually start at €25 to €35 for an electric boat with four to six seats. A half-day runs between €90 and €160. The best season stretches from May to September, and advance bookings are a must on weekends. A relaxed loop takes you from Starnberg past the Roseninsel near Possenhofen, by Schloss Berg, and back through the open centre of the lake with views of the Alpine chain.

Checklist

0 of 6

Online-Reservierung bestätigt
Ausweis und Kaution dabei
Wind- und Wetter-App gecheckt
Schwimmwesten an Bord
Picknick und Wasser eingepackt
Rückgabezeit eingeplant

Related playbooks

⛵

Renting a sloop on the Hollandsche IJssel

A day out boating on the Hollandsche IJssel between Gouda and Krimpen in an open sloop without a boating licence. What it costs, where you start, and which route past the old polder villages makes for the most peaceful sail.

🛥️

Rent a Boat on Tegeler See Without a Boating License

Renting a motorboat on the Tegeler See, without a boating license. You cruise past the seven islands, the Greenwich-Promenade, and the Saatwinkler Steg.

🚤

Renting a boat without a licence on the Canal du Midi

Glide between plane trees and locks on the Canal du Midi, aboard an electric or diesel boat with no licence required, for a day trip departing from Capestang or Homps.

🚤

Renting a licence-free narrowboat on the Marne

Spending a day navigating the Marne aboard a small licence-free narrowboat, departing from Lagny or Meaux, past guinguettes, locks, and wooded riverbanks.

🚤

Renting a boat without a licence on the Étang de Thau

Spend a day gliding across the Étang de Thau on a licence-free electric boat, weaving between oyster beds, fishing villages and the calm waters around Bouzigues.

🐠

Snorkel Day at Playa Cas Abou

A day on the west side of the island: clear water, a reef just off the shore, and a beach bar for a midday break. About an hour's drive from Jan Thiel.

⛵

Family weekend on a tjalk

Two days with grandparents, parents, and children on board a historic tjalk on the IJsselmeer, with a skipper at the helm and sleeping bunks below deck.

🚤

Renting a boat without a licence on the Dordogne near Sarlat

Spend half a day gliding along the Dordogne in the Périgord Noir aboard a licence-free electric boat, between La Roque-Gageac, Beynac and their towering cliffs.

⛵

Day Charter on the Veerse Meer

A relaxed sailing day on a sheltered Zeeland lake with small islands, creeks, and low banks. No sailing licence needed when booking a charter with a skipper or instructor.

📵

Canal boating without a phone

A whisper boat for two hours on a nearby canal. No Spotify, no route. Sometimes a heron on the bank.

by PlayTryBe team

Book an electric boat in Starnberg, Tutzing or Berg online; book early on weekends.

Present your ID and deposit at the jetty and go through a brief orientation.

pause

Check the weather and wind forecast; afternoon gusts are possible in summer.

Set course for the Roseninsel near Possenhofen and take a short break at the boat landing.

Drop anchor off Schloss Berg and enjoy the view of the Sissi shoreline and the Alps.

Return to the drop-off station on time and hand over the battery level reading and the boat.

For anyone copying this

Do as we did

PaceGround

Duration4u

RouteAny order

Budget€ 90–180

Suggestions

Arrive by S-Bahn from Munich; the harbour is right next to Starnberg station.
Go on a weekday, as all boats are fully booked on summer weekends.
Choose an electric boat with a sun canopy, as the lake offers little shade.
Pick up a picnic basket at Starnberg station instead of heading to a restaurant jetty.
With family, opt for a pedalo from the shore instead for a more relaxed time all round.

Variations

- Tour mit den Bayerischen Seenschifffahrts-Schiffen kombinieren.
- SUP- oder Kajak-Verleih in Berg statt Motorboot ausprobieren.
- Sonnenuntergangs-Slot buchen, das Alpenpanorama wirkt im Abendlicht.
- Halbtag in Tutzing starten, weniger Trubel als in Starnberg.