Planning a Trip to Germany? Read our Germany Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

A trip to Germany is really full of surprises. You will find cities with historic buildings, lakes in the mountains where you can swim, and trains that can take you to many places in just a few hours. Our Germany travel guide will help you plan your trip to Germany.

Ready to Dive Right In? Explore These Routes

5 Reasons to Visit Germany

Germany is a place that's full of interesting things to see and do and it has many strong local customs. You can learn about history in the morning, then sit in a beer garden in the afternoon and finish your day in a museum with artworks from Germany.

1. Cities with History

Berlin is a city with a lot of history and a vibrant arts scene that is fun to explore. You can see the Berlin Wall, walk around the government areas and then explore streets filled with art galleries and cafes that serve delicious food.

2. Castles That Look Like Film Sets

Neuschwanstein is the fairy tale castle in Europe that everyone talks about. Germany also has old castles along the Rhine River and in Bavaria which are a great thing to see when you visit Germany.

3. World Class Museums

Berlin and Munich have world class museums that're very famous. Museum Island in Berlin has five museums within walking distance of each other which's very convenient.

4. Christmas Markets and Outdoor Activity

In summer you can enjoy evenings and outdoor dining in beer gardens that're very nice. The lakes near Munich and Berlin are filled with swimmers when the temperature rises above 20 degrees. In winter the city squares are transformed into Christmas markets with stalls and Gluhwein.

5. The Best Public Transport

Germany has a rail network that connects cities in just a few hours, which is very fast. The ICE trains can take you from Berlin to Munich in four hours. This makes traveling in Germany much easier than you might think.

What to Do in Germany?

You can do many things in Germany. You can go to a gallery to see old paintings from the Renaissance time. You can sit by a lake and watch the sunset. The choice is yours!

You can explore cities like Berlin and Munich

Berlin is a city with a lot of history. When you walk around Berlin you will see parts of the Berlin Wall. You can stand at the Brandenburg Gate. Visit museums that have materials from ancient Egypt and new photography. The cost to get into these museums is around £8 to £18 depending on what's being shown.

Image by Liggraphy from Pixabay

Munich is a city that has a lot of things to see. The city centre is around Marienplatz, where the Glockenspiel plays music every day. From Marienplatz you can go to royal homes, big parks and traditional restaurants that serve yummy food like pork knuckle and dumplings. Many people like to visit Berlin or Munich for a trip but you should really spend at least three days in each city to see everything.

You Can Visit Historic Castles like Neuschwanstein

Neuschwanstein is a fairy tale castle that was built a time ago by King Ludwig II. He did not build it to fight wars, but to have a romantic place to stay. You will need to buy a ticket, it usually costs between £15 and £18. It takes around two hours to get to Neuschwanstein from Munich by train and bus. The trip is nice because you see beautiful mountains and quiet villages.

Image by Joe from Pixabay

If you go west you will see historic castles along the Rhine River. These castles are above vineyards and small towns by the river. You can take a boat ride on the Rhine River between Boppard and St Goar.

You Can Go To the Bavarian Alps and Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The Bavarian Alps are south of Munich. You can take a train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It takes around one to two hours. From there you can take a cable car to the top of Zugspitze, which's the highest mountain in Germany. There are hiking trails around Eibsee lake that have water and easy-to-follow paths. In winter you can even ski here from December to March depending on how much snow falls.

Image by Felix Mittermeier from Pixabay

You can also take a boat ride on the Rhine River

The part of the Rhine River between Mainz and Koblenz is very pretty. There are towns along the river each with a church and a castle on a hill. You can take a boat ride. Then get on a train to see more of the area.

Image by Tom from Pixabay

Before you book your flights to Germany, pick one area that you really want to see, like Berlin, Bavaria or the Rhine area. Then you can plan your trip around that. If you try to see the country at once you will spend too much time on trains and not enough time seeing the sights.

When Should You Visit Germany?

The best time to visit Germany is when the things you like are available. Do you like mountains, markets or museums?

Summer is a good time to be outside: from June to August it is usually twenty to thirty degrees in most parts of Germany. You can go to beer gardens, lakes and hiking trails in the Alps. When kids are on summer break it costs more to go to these places.

Winter is a good time to see Christmas markets: from late November to December there are a lot of festive markets in big cities and small towns. It is usually very cold from zero to seven degrees, so you need to pack winter clothes.

Autumn is a good time to save money: September and October are usually mild and it does not cost as much to stay in Germany. The vineyards along the Rhine River are really pretty in autumn when the leaves turn golden.

Want to plan it properly? Read our full guide on the best time to go to Germany and choose the season that matches your plans.

How Many Days Do You Need in Germany?

Seven days works beautifully for a focused route. Ten days gives you breathing room and lets your Germany travel plan feel balanced instead of tight. This is what we recommend:

7 Days: Culture and History Route

Start with two days in Berlin.

Walk from the Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag dome.

Follow parts of the Berlin Wall.

Visit one museum.

On day three take a train to Dresden or Potsdam. Both are under two hours away.

The next day, take a train to Munich. The ride takes around four hours. Spend at least two to three days in Munich.

Explore Marienplatz.

Walk through the English Garden.

Visit Neuschwanstein Castle.

The train and bus ride from Munich to Neuschwanstein takes two hours.

10 to 14 Days: Cities, Castles and River Views

After Munich, head to Freiburg in the Black Forest. Stay there for two nights. The train ride takes four hours.

Walk around Freiburgs town.

Visit the square.

Hike on forest trails.

Then head north to the Rhine River.

Spend two nights in Mainz or Koblenz.

Take a boat cruise between castle towns.

See vineyards and stone fortresses.

Ending in the Rhine region is a good option because it's close to Frankfurt Airport.

Going to Munich? Read this 5-day Itinerary for Munich, including a visit to the Old Town, Neuschwanstein castle, and more!

How Much Does a Trip to Germany Cost?

Germany is pretty consistent when it comes to prices, which's good to know when you are planning a trip to Germany.

Average prices for everyday expenses in Germany

You can balance your budget for a trip to Germany by going to big cities and then smaller towns after. The cost of a place to stay in a smaller town is often a lot less.

Practical Travel Tips Before You Visit Germany

Our travellers have learned that small things can make a difference when you get to Germany. If you take care of a few things before you leave, you can spend your hours exploring instead of trying to figure things out. Here are a few travel tips for Germany that can be helpful.

Use Public Transport in Germany

Germany has a great system for train travel and you do not need to rent a car to get around. The main train company is Deutsche Bahn and their fast ICE trains can take you to cities like Berlin and Munich in about four hours. If you are looking for a cheap way to travel you can try FlixTrain on some routes. Sometimes their tickets can be very cheap, under £20 if you book at the right time.

In the bigger cities, the local transport system is easy to use. You can buy one ticket for buses, trams and underground lines. You can get the Deutsche Bahn app before you go to Germany. You can buy a day pass for £8 to £12.

The public transport system in Germany is good and easy to use. If you want to know more about staying safe in Germany you can read our blog about safety tips for Germany.

Get a Local SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Germany

You can get a good mobile signal in most of Germany, especially in cities. The main phone companies are Telekom, Vodafone and O2.

You can buy a SIM card for about £8 to £15 and the data packages cost between £10 to £25. It is often cheaper to buy your SIM card in the city instead of at the airport. You can also use WiFi in many cafes, hotels and train stations.

Carry Some Cash When You Visit Germany

You can use your card to pay in cities but Germany still uses a lot of cash. Some small cafes, bakeries and restaurants only take cash, outside of tourist areas. It is a good idea to have about £40 to £80 in cash for small purchases.

Be On Time When You Go Somewhere

People in Germany like to be on time. If you have a reservation at a restaurant or a tour or a train to catch you should be there on time. Trains leave at the time they are supposed to.

Ready to Map Out Your Germany Route?

We hope this Germany travel guide made planning your trip a little easier. Check out our mobile application where you can create your own Germany itinerary or use routes made by other travellers.

FAQs About Your Trip to Germany

Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?

Germany is in the Schengen Area. If you have a UK passport you can stay in Germany for up to 90 days out of 180 days without a visa. You should check the entry requirements for going to Germany before you leave.

What is the currency of Germany?

Germany uses euros. A lot of places take cards. Some small cafes and bakeries like cash. So it is a good idea to have some euros for small purchases..

What is Germany famous for?

Germany is famous for castles, good food, Christmas markets, the Brandenburg Gate and parts of the Berlin Wall that are still standing.

Is Germany expensive for people who are travelling?

Germany is not too expensive compared to places in Western Europe. You can save money by booking trains going to small towns and not taking a lot of guided tours in Germany.

Do people in Germany speak English?

A lot of people in cities, hotels and train stations speak English. In towns it is helpful to know a few basic words in German. For example "Bitte" means please. Danke" means thank you.