This Germany Travel Guide aims to provide you with simple and stress-free travel planning information and inspiration for planning a trip to Germany.
On this regularly updated page you will find links to useful posts on The Trusted Traveller, budget information, details on types of accommodation available, information on getting around the country and more useful links to resources around the web.
Quick Facts
Capital: Berlin
Language: German
Currency: € Euro which is made up of 100 cents. Coins come in 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2 denominations and notes in €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500 denominations.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with two round pins are standard. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances can be found in most hotels.
Travel Tips
Geography
Germany is located in central Europe and is bordered by Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland with the North Sea in the Northwest and the Baltic Sea in the northeast.
Divided into 16 states, Germany’s landscape is diverse with the towering Bavarian Alps in the south, winding rivers and thick forests in the west and stunning lakes in the east.
Weather
Germany has an unpredictable temperate climate which brings warm summers and cold winters which are becoming increasingly warmer.
Best Time to Visit
Germany is a year-round destination and you should plan your visit based on the types of activities you wish to enjoy.
June to September (summer) high temperatures and the years most rainfall which gives it an almost Mediterranean feel.
From December to March (winter) it is cold with plenty of snow in the south, perfect for those wanting to take part in winter sports such as skiing. It is also a nice time of year to visit some of the smaller villages on the edge of the Alps because of the festive spirit and spectacular scenery.
The should seasons (April/May and October/November), are my pick for the best times of year to visit because the weather is still mild, there is less rainfall and the crowds of summer have lessened. This makes it the perfect time for hiking in the mountains and exploring the bigger cities.
Money
It is always recommend to have a mixture of cash and bank/credit card with you when you travel anywhere in the world and this is no exception in Germany.
In Germany ATM’s are called Bankomats and are found in all major towns and cities across the country. As well, credit cards are widely accepted although, one of the thing you need to know before travelling to Germany is that some establishments may still only accept cash.
Making sure you have plenty of cash on hand as well as your credit or debit card will ensure you don’t waste time looking for an ATM when shopping for some of the epic German souvenirs available around the country.
Getting There
Getting to Germany from surrounding European countries is simple, quick and cheap by bus or train. You can find out more about rail travel in Europe, including purchasing tickets, on the Rail Europe website; and about bus travel on the Eurolines website.
Germany is also well-connected by air with flights arriving in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt and other cities from all across Europe and the UK and parts of the US, Middle East, Africa and Asia. A flight from London to Berlin will take around two hours and a flight from New York to Berlin about eight hours.
I use and recommend Expedia for researching and booking flights all around the world.
It is also possibly to arrive by boat along the Danube River from Austria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Getting Around
Germany’s great highways and efficient public transport make it a breeze to get around.
Train
Europe’s excellent network of trains means that getting around Germany and in fact to/from other European countries is the most timely and cost-effective way to travel. All the major cities are connected to one another and you will find that most regional areas are well-connected to at least one of two of those major cities.
There are two classes on the trains, 1st and 2nd class, with the only real difference being slightly more leg space and room to move about in 1st class.
Most trains you can just show up at the train station and buy your ticket on the day while a few (mostly high-speed intercity trains) may need a seat reservation to be made in advance. This can be done either at any train station in the country or online through a ticketing agent in your home country. Here are a few that I recommend depending on where you are from:
- Rail Europe for residents in USA, Canada & Mexico.
- Rail Europe for residents in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe and other select parts of the world.
Bus
Eurolines operates services bus services around the country and they are a cheaper alternative to train travel but will take longer to get from a to b.
Driving
Germany’s excellent and famous Autobahn’s (highways) make it an easy country to navigate by car.
You’ll be able to collect a hire car from all major airports and cities with most allowing you to pick up in one location and drop off in another, which makes sense if you’re road tripping around the country.
The roads in Germany are well maintained and easy to navigate because they are well signposted. During the winter months remember that weather conditions can change rapidly especially on roads going through the mountains. Be sure to obey all signs and drive with care in slippery conditions.
I use and recommend Expedia for researching and booking car hire all around the world.
Where to Stay
Germany caters for everyone when it comes to accommodation. Here is a list of the types of accommodation you’ll find:
- Camping/Cabins – With Germany being a very outdoorsy country you’ll find lots of camp grounds that offer tent sites and basic cabins as low costs. And as with a lot of other European cities, you’ll also find large camp sites on the outskirts of big cities like Munich that you can stay at cheaply and commute each day into the city for sightseeing.
- Hostels – You’ll find hostels in abundance in the Germany’s bigger cities and one or two in most other regional areas as well. The level of cleanliness in Germany and similar parts of Europe is well above average so you will likely find your room and shared bathroom to be super clean.
- B&B’s/Pensions – Small family run style accommodation like B&B’s or pensions can be found all over the country in big cities, small towns and popular rural locations. Accommodation is simple yet comfortable and the experience usually comes with friendly hosts and a home cooked breakfast each morning.
Get up to $45.00 AUD credit when you join Airbnb using this link.
- Hotels/Apartments – You will find both chain hotel/apartments brands and independent hotel/apartments to be in abundance in cities across the country. The good thing about this type of accommodation is in most cases you know what you are going to get, a clean, comfortable and modern room with a decent array of facilities in the room and on the property. Apartments are great for longer stays as they allow you a bit more space and the option to self cater.
I use and recommend Booking.com for researching and booking hostel, motel, hotel, apartment and resort accommodation around the world.
- Luxury Hotels & Resorts – Germany has its fair share of 5 star properties, some of which have been named in top lists of accommodation around the world. These will offer you brilliant service and a top location, sometime with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Eating
Germany has a variety of eating options that will suit all budgets and tastes. While you will find the majority of its restaurants and cafes serve local and European dishes, the country is expanding and becoming more multicultural with its cuisine offerings.
- Supermarkets/Markets – Save money and shop in supermarkets and local markets for snacks, picnic lunches and even ingredients to make a whole meal in your self catering accommodation.
- Fast Food / Take-away – Chain fast food stores are in all major centres of the country and along highways as well. If you’re looking for a cheap and tasty fast food meal, look to where the locals are, usually getting snacks and light meals from food trucks and stands on the side of the street. A popular street food snack is a sausage or hot dog covered in curry sauce and you’ll find stands selling them everywhere.
- Cafes – German’s love cafes and some of the world’s most well know can be found in the country. Coffee, delicious sweets and tasty German sandwiches will be on offer for sit down or takeaway.
- Restaurants – Portion sizes tend to be on the larger side in Germany so eating out in restaurants can be really good value. Consider sharing a meal with a travel companion if you’re not too hungry to save money or sticking to one course.
- Fine Dining – Germany has it’s fair share of the worlds best restaurants so if it is fine dining experiences you are after then you won’t be disappointed.
Useful Germany Posts
Suggested Itineraries
First Timers One Month Europe Itinerary
Things to Do
Getting Around Guides
Other Germany Travel Planning Resources
Here is a constantly growing collection of resources from around the web to help you plan you dream trip to Germany.
- The official German Tourism website is a great place to start planning your trip.
- The authority in all things travel, Lonely Planet has an extensive section all about Austria. Or why not buy the Germany Lonely Planet Guidebook in hard copy or as an eBook.
- The Europe Up Close team have you covered for, well all of Europe, but I particular like there articles on Germany.
- Jim and Corinne moved from the US to Germany and have chosen to make travel a priority. They document their travels around the world on Reflections Enroute and have a ton of travel tips for Germany.