How to plan a trip to Germany: a complete guide

Considering visiting Germany? Our advice is to take time to figure out what you most want from your trip before honing in on places that’ll best deliver those wants! You’ll also need to figure out a number of practical factors, like the best time to visit and how you’ll get around. To help you navigate all that — and a whole lot more — here’s a complete guide to how to plan a trip to Germany.

When to go to Germany

Being a wonderful year-round destination, when it comes to deciding best time to go to Germany, that depends on where you plan to visit, the kind of activities you most want to enjoy, and your budget. 

On balance, the best stretch of time to visit Germany is between the broad period of May and October when the weather is largely mild-to-warm and ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying outdoor cafés and beer gardens, no matter where you visit.

While July and August can be more crowded and more expensive, it's the best time for open-air events, with long daylight hours, and the lakes and mountains looking especially lovely.

For smaller crowds, spring (April to early June) is also a great time to visit, whether you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors in pleasant weather, or fancy exploring cities.

Meanwhile, fall (September to November) means wine harvests, Oktoberfests, spectacular forest scenery and crisp weather that invites exploring charming towns, castles and national parks.

Lastly, mention must be made of Germany’s legendary winter markets, particularly in places like Nuremberg, Munich, and Dresden. 

While the weather is cold, winter is a magical time for families and romantics to visit Germany, with ski resorts in the Bavarian Alps offering winter sports for all levels.

So, the best time to visit Germany depends on what you’re looking to do, like we said at the start!

How many days are enough in Germany?

The answer to this question has a lot do with where you’re traveling from. For example, if you’re visiting from another European country, you could to a deep dive into a German city like Berlin or Munich on an immersive weekend break, or else explore a region and city (or two) in 7-14 days. 

If you’re traveling from the US and want to get a decent sense of the country, we suggest working to a 10-14-day German itinerary. 

This will give you time to explore 2-3 cities, and their respective wider regions, through a mix of day trips and transfers, without feeling too rushed.

How much does a trip to Germany usually cost?

The cost of a trip to Germany will, of course, depend on your travel style, accommodation choices, whether you plan to travel around a lot, and the number (and kind) of trips and tours you take. 

• Accommodation: expect to pay €90–€150 a night for a mid-range hotel or well-rated guesthouse in major cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg. In smaller towns, prices are likely to be lower.
• Food and drink: dining at in mid-range restaurants, cafés, and the occasional beer garden will cost around €25–€40 per person per day.
• Transport: using a Germany Rail Pass, local trains, or car rentals (plus fuel) will cost around €150–€250 per person depending on routes. Local transit (U-Bahn, buses) adds about €30–€50 to your expenses.
• Attractions and tours: museum entries, castle tours and attractions are likely to average out at €10–€20 per activity. Budget around €100–€200 per person for a week of sightseeing.

Do I need a visa?

Note that your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area, you mustn’t overstay the 90-day limit, and you can't work or study. 

You might also be asked to show proof of return ticket, proof of accommodation and travel plans, and proof of having sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Also note that from mid-2025, U.S. travelers — and other visa-exempt nationals — will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) before entering Germany or any Schengen country. 

This isn’t a visa — it’s a travel authorization that’s valid for three years, or until your passport expires. 

How to get around Germany

With one of the most efficient and well-connected transportation systems in Europe, getting around Germany is a breeze. Whether you're staying in one place or planning a multi-city trip, there are convenient travel options for every budget.

To kick-start your research into how you’ll get one place to another — here’s a handy run-down of transport options.

Trains

Trains are the backbone of long-distance travel in Germany, with national railway, Deutsche Bahn (DB), operating high-speed trains linking major cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg quickly and comfortably. 

Meanwhile, regional trains connect smaller towns and are ideal for day trips. 

For either option, booking in advance online, or through the DB app, can save money.

Car rental

For short trips or more flexibility during longer trips, car rentals are widely available and useful for exploring rural areas like the Romantic Road or the Bavarian Alps. 

Be mindful of the fact that that many highways (Autobahns) have no speed limits, but rules are strictly enforced elsewhere.

Also note that parking in cities can be tricky, so use park-and-ride options when possible, or don’t bother renting a car at all — public transport in cities is excellent. More on that a little later.

Long-distance buses

For budget-conscious travelers, long-distance buses like FlixBus are affordable alternatives to trains, though they’re lot slower than trains.

Domestic flights 

While Germany operates domestic flights (handy, for example, if you need to travel quickly between Munich and Berlin), they’re less common, and less used by tourists, due to the might of the rail network.

Public transport in cities

Most urban areas have reliable systems of an U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (commuter rail services), trams and buses. 

Tickets are usually interchangeable across transport types and can be bought via machines or mobile apps like DB Navigator or BVG (Berlin). Always validate your ticket before boarding.

In cities, biking is also popular, with well-marked lanes and bike rentals available. As a pedestrian, be very mindful of stepping out into cycle lanes.

What are the best regions to visit in Germany?

If you’re looking to experience at least some of the best things to do in Germany, here’s an overview of the best regions to visit in Germany for different kinds of vacation.

Germany packs in something for everyone — fairy-tale castles, medieval towns, alpine hikes, and lazy lake days all in one country. Whether you're after high-adrenaline adventure or laid-back countryside escapes, some of the best places to visit in Germany are all about choosing the right region for your vibe. So plan smart — your route makes all the difference.

Best regions for culture and history

• Bavaria: home to Neuschwanstein Castle, magical medieval towns, and a bounty of beautiful Baroque architecture, Bavaria is rich in traditional German culture.
• Saxony: there are so many satisfying reasons to visit Saxony! For example, the cities of Dresden and Leipzig are stacked with world-class art, plus WWII and Cold War history.
• Berlin-Brandenburg: packed with museums, Cold War landmarks, and historic depth, Berlin-Brandenburg is also ideal for travelers who want some urban adventure.

Best regions for adventure and outdoor magic

• Bavarian Alps: ideal for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking adventures, with Garmisch-Partenkirchen a top destination.
• Black Forest (Schwarzwald): perfect for hiking, cycling, and scenic drives, the beautiful Black Forest is esteemed for its deep woods and charming villages.

Best regions for relaxation

• Moselle Valley: picture-perfect, peaceful riverside towns, pretty vineyards, and picturesque hillsides — that's the Moselle Valley in a nutshell.
• Lake Constance (Bodensee): bordering Austria and Switzerland, this serene lake region is ideal for slow travel chilling.
• Baltic Coast: blessed with sandy beaches, friendly resort towns and spa retreats, Germany’s Baltic Coast is a beautiful, convenient spot for relaxing vacations.

What are the best cities in Germany?

Whether you’re thinking of including a few cities in your bigger German itinerary or are looking to enjoy a deep-dive city break, you’ll want these on your radar.

Berlin: best for cool contemporary culture and history

Blending history with electric urban edge — think street art, underground clubs, and world-class galleries and museums — Berlin is Germany’s capital of cool.

While you won’t want to miss visiting top attractions like the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Museum Island, and the Reichstag, don’t pass up the chance to visit East Side Gallery and cosmopolitan, café-packed Kreuzberg, which are among the best things to do in Berlin.

Munich (München): best for Bavarian charm, beer and outdoor adventures

While the elegant city of Munich is loaded with charm and attractions — among them Marienplatz, English Garden, Nymphenburg Palace, and the BMW Museum — the city is also a fine base from which to explore the Alps and fairy tale castles (hello, Neuschwanstein castle!)

To really soak up Munich’s legendary beer culture, time your visit to coincide with Oktoberfest so you can savor the best German beers for yourself.

Hamburg: best for maritime charm and modern architecture

With a rich maritime past, creative soul, and lively nightlife, the port city of Hamburg offers a unique blend of cool sophistication and alternative edge.

Highlights including the historic, UNESCO-designated Speicherstadt (the world’s largest warehouse district), and Miniatur Wunderland — the world’s largest model railway.

Meanwhile, strolling the Elbphilharmonie Plaza unveils striking architecture and river view.s. We also rate taking a boat trip through the city's canals.

Heidelberg: best for romance

Set along the scenic Neckar River and surrounded by forested hills, Heidelberg has something of a poetic, romantic vibe.

The city’s biggest draw is the Heidelberg Castle, a partly ruined Renaissance masterpiece perched above Altstadt (Old Town), which is a delight of cobbled streets, colorful buildings, cozy cafés, and traditional restaurants.

Heidelberg also boasts beautiful walking paths like the Philosopher’s Way, with river cruises, nearby hiking trails, and day trips to the Black Forest or Rhine Valley adding to its appeal.

Dresden: best for art, architecture and history 

Located in eastern Germany, Dresden — capital of Saxony — is a city of captivating contrasts.

Known as the “Florence on the Elbe” as a result of its grand Baroque and Rococo buildings, Dresdon’s Zwinger Palace, Semper Opera House and Frauenkirche showcase the city’s architectural excellence.

While the beautifully restored Altstadt (Old Town) exudes historic charm, crossing the Elbe River to the Neustadt sees the mood shift to a more bohemian vibe — think trendy cafés and street art.

Here’s an overview of how to get to Germany.

Traveling from the United States

Getting to Germany from the US is simple, with lots of direct flights operating from major cities to hubs like Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin.

Departure cities include New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Miami.

Expect a flight time of 7-10 hours, depending on your departure city and destination.

Traveling from the UK

Traveling to Germany from the UK is quick, affordable and straightforward, with most flights taking 1.5-2 hours.

Frequent flights operate from London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major UK cities to Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, and Düsseldorf.

For short trips, low-cost carriers make city breaks to Germany very accessible, and most airports have excellent public transport into city centers.

Accommodation in Germany

While most attractions in Germany offer walk-up tickets, we recommend booking advance tickets for the following:

• Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich: timed entry tickets sell out quickly. Book online several days (or weeks) ahead.
• Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) – skip-the-line tickets for the observation deck or restaurant are best booked in advance.
• Oktoberfest, Munich: Reservations for major Munich beer tents open months in advance.
• Tours of Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial near Munich: it’s best to pre-book a spot with a licensed guide or small group tour.
• Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg: this is very popular with families, and buying advance tickets help avoid long waits.
• Romantic Rhine River Cruises: book seats or packages ahead, especially during summer.

From Berlin

• Potsdam – 40 minutes by train from Berlin, Potsdam is home to Sanssouci Palace and beautiful parks.
• Sachsenhausen Memorial: this moving WWII concentration camp site memorial is an hour by train from the city center.
• Spreewald: in just 1.5 hours, you could be canoeing through a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

From Munich

• Neuschwanstein Castle: Germany’s top fairy-tale castle can be reached from Munich in two by train, plus a short shuttle.
• Dachau Memorial Site: it takes just 30–40 mins by S-Bahn to reach this poignant site.
• Salzburg, Austria: in 1.5–2 hrs, you could be soaking up Salzburg’s scenic setting and celebrated music culture.

From Heidelberg

• Speyer this historic town with a UNESCO-listed cathedral and technology museum can be reached in one hour from Heidelburg.
• Neckar Valley Castles: take a river cruise to see enchanting castles like Hirschhorn.