Germany travel guide: the best cities, routes and trains
Germany is a country of big, separate cities rather than one capital that dominates. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt and Dresden each feel different, and the trains between them are good. For a short trip, pick two or three, not six, and book the long train legs early. The one thing to know is that Sundays are quiet: most shops close.
The short answer
- First trip
- Berlin and Munich, with Dresden or Cologne as a third stop. They are the most different from each other, and they are linked by fast trains.
- How long
- Five days is enough for two cities. Ten days covers four with a day to spare. A single long weekend is best spent in one city.
- Best time to go
- May to September for long days and beer gardens, and December for Christmas markets. Spring and early autumn are cheaper and less crowded.
- Getting around
- Take the train between cities and public transport inside them. Deutsche Bahn runs the long-distance network. You will not need a car except in the countryside.
- Money
- The euro. Cards are accepted in most city restaurants and shops, but cash is still common in smaller places, markets and traditional inns.
- Book ahead
- Long-distance train fares are cheaper booked early, and Christmas market weekends and Oktoberfest need hotels booked months ahead.
Best cities to visit in Germany
Berlin
The capital: big, spread out and full of 20th century history, museums and nightlife. It suits anyone who likes a city with an edge.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Munich
Bavaria's capital, with palaces, beer halls and the Alps within a train ride. It suits first-timers who want the Germany of postcards.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Frankfurt
A business city with a small old center, good museums on the river and the country's busiest airport. It suits a night or two on the way through.
Give it 1 to 2 days
Hamburg
A port city of canals, brick warehouses and a famous concert hall. It suits people who like water, music and gray weather.
Give it 2 to 3 days
Cologne
A relaxed Rhine city around a huge cathedral, with brown pubs and a lively old town. It suits a short break or a base for the Rhine.
Give it 2 days
Dresden
A rebuilt baroque city on the Elbe, close to the Czech border and the sandstone hills of Saxon Switzerland. It suits art, architecture and quieter trips.
Give it 2 days
Beyond the cities
The Bavarian Alps and the castles
Neuschwanstein and the lakes below the Alps are a day trip from Munich by regional train and bus, or better with a night nearby. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the usual base for walking.
The Rhine valley
The stretch between Koblenz and Bingen has steep vineyards and castles above the river. Regional trains run along both banks from Cologne or Frankfurt, and boats sail between the villages.
Saxon Switzerland
Sandstone towers and walking paths above the Elbe, about an hour from Dresden by S-Bahn. It is the best day out in the east.
The Black Forest
Wooded hills, small spa towns and cuckoo clock country in the south-west. It works best with a car, or by train to Freiburg with local buses.
Heidelberg and Nuremberg
Two old towns that suit a night each. Heidelberg is under an hour from Frankfurt, and Nuremberg sits on the fast line between Munich and Berlin.
Germany itineraries
- Five days: Berlin and Munich
Spend three nights in Berlin, then take the fast train south, which is about four hours. Spend two nights in Munich. Add Dresden on the way if you can spare a day.
- One week: Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin
Start in Frankfurt for one night, then take a train down the Rhine to Cologne for two. Take the fast train to Berlin, about four hours, and spend the remaining nights there.
- Ten days: Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Munich
Two nights in Hamburg, three in Berlin, two in Dresden and three in Munich. Each leg is a train of a few hours, so keep every move to the morning. This is the classic loop across the country.
- Two weeks: the west and the Alps
Fly into Frankfurt and add the Rhine valley, Cologne and Hamburg, then head across to Berlin and Dresden. Finish in Munich and the Alps. Book the Munich nights early if Oktoberfest is on.
Best time to visit Germany
May to September is the easiest time: long days, beer gardens open and rivers busy with boats. July and August are warmest and busiest. Autumn is good for wine harvests, and Oktoberfest in Munich runs from late September into early October.
December is the other season, for Christmas markets in almost every town. Spend a night away from the biggest cities and book hotels early. January to March is cold and gray but cheap, and suits museums, spas and the Alps for skiing.
How to get around Germany
- Long-distance trainsDeutsche Bahn runs ICE and IC trains between the cities. Fares are cheaper booked ahead on bahn.de or its app, and delays are common, so leave margin for connections.
- Regional trains and the DeutschlandticketRegional trains and local transport are covered by the Deutschlandticket, a monthly subscription that is not valid on ICE or IC trains. Sales to visitors without a German address were not foreseen when we checked, so ask at a station before relying on it.
- City transportEach city has its own network of U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses, with day tickets. Validate paper tickets where required.
- FlightsFrankfurt and Munich are the biggest airports. Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne have good links across Europe. Domestic flights rarely beat the train.
- DrivingWorth it for the Black Forest and Bavarian countryside. Many city centers have low emission zones with a sticker required, so check before you rent.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Germany. Each city guide has its own list.
- Long-distance train fares4 to 12 weeks ahead
Early fares are cheaper than the flexible price on the day.
- Hotels for Oktoberfest and Christmas markets3 to 6 months ahead
Prices climb and rooms sell out in Munich, Cologne and Nuremberg.
- Reichstag dome and Berlin's big museums2 to 4 weeks ahead
The Reichstag dome needs a free registration, and popular slots go first.
- Neuschwanstein castle2 to 4 weeks ahead
Entry is by timed ticket, and sold-out days are common in summer.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe euro. There is no need for other currency, and prices in city shops are quoted in euros.
- Cards and cashCards are common in city restaurants and shops, but some places take only the German debit card or cash. Smaller inns, beer gardens, markets and bakeries are often cash only, so carry some.
- TippingRound up or add about 5 to 10 percent when you pay. Tell the server the total you want to pay instead of leaving money on the table.
- Tourist taxesMany cities charge a tax on hotel nights, usually a share of the room price, set by the city. Resort and spa towns charge a per-person visitor fee instead. It is normally paid at the hotel, so check whether it is in the price.
- EntryNon-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and F sockets, 230 volts. UK and US visitors need an adapter.
- SundaysMost shops, supermarkets and many bakeries close on Sunday. Station shops and restaurants stay open, so buy what you need on Saturday.
What to skip in Germany
- Six cities in a week
Most train time is hours, not minutes. Choose two or three and see them properly.
- Renting a car for the cities
Parking is dear and public transport is good. Hire a car only for the countryside.
- Eating on the main squares
The menus with photos and the long lists of dishes are aimed at passing visitors. Walk two streets away to find places Germans use.
- Oktoberfest on the last minute
Hotels and tent tables book out months ahead. Go in the first week, or choose another beer festival or a beer garden in summer.
Germany: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Germany?
Five days is enough for two cities, such as Berlin and Munich. Ten days covers four cities with a day to spare. Fewer than four days is best spent in one city.
What is the best city to visit in Germany for a first trip?
Berlin for history and nightlife, and Munich for palaces, beer halls and the Alps. If you only have time for one, choose by what you like: museums and edge, or tradition and mountains.
What is the best time to visit Germany?
May to September for good weather and beer gardens, and December for Christmas markets. Shoulder months are cheaper. Winter is cold, but cheap and quiet.
Is Germany expensive to visit?
Costs are mid-range for western Europe. Hotels in Munich and Frankfurt are the dearest, and Dresden and Cologne are usually cheaper. Food is good value, especially lunch menus.
Can you travel around Germany by train?
Yes. Deutsche Bahn connects every city on this guide. Book ahead for cheaper fares and expect some delays. Regional trains are slower but reach most towns.
Do I need cash in Germany?
A little. Cards work in most city restaurants and shops, but small inns, markets and some bakeries only take cash or a German debit card.
Do I need a visa for Germany?
Non-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.