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Germany Travel Blog

Germany holds a special place in my heart. It is my second home. After living here for 15 years of my life, and had so many of our life changes take place here, it will always be a huge part of my heart. Jim and I were married here; we had our two daughters here. It’s an integral part of us.

With all the beautiful towns, castles, fortresses, rivers, fun activities for all ages, and great food, you will love it, too. I really hope that if you are considering a trip to Europe you plan to see some of Germany. You won’t regret it.

Germany Travel Guide

From north to south, Germany if full of things to do and see. The country is clean, well-organized, has fantastic public transportation as well as well-maintained roads, and the history is amazing!

You can easily spend a few weeks traveling around this amazing country and still want to come back for more. Germany is more than its big cities, much more, but it’s a good place to start.

Location and Visa

Germany is very centrally located, and is bordered by Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. All of these countries, like Germany, are part of the Schengen region, so it is super easy to rent a car or take a train and see multiple countries in one trip without adding an exorbitant amount of time.

Listen to our podcast about our Top 5 Cities to Visit in Germany

Pin Germany Travel Guide for later planning!

Germany...the land of fairytales and castles, beer and sausages!

Transportation

Of course everyone has heard of the famous, no speed limit autobahns that traverse the entire country. I think driving in Germany should be on everyone’s bucket list, especially since there are no tolls.

Driving in Germany is pretty easy. People follow the rules, and everything is well-maintained and well-signed.  I highly recommend renting a car and getting out to some of the beautiful towns. Overall, the Germans have transportation within the country down to an art form.

Airplane

Germany has many international airports. The major airlines usually fly into Frankfurt, Munich, or Dusseldorf. However, if you are flying around Europe you will find many budget airlines flying to smaller airports all over the country.

Train

The Deutsche Bahn is also a very well-run organization, and German trains run notoriously on time. I have only been on one train that had a delay. It was a big deal. We were delayed three minutes in the middle of winter when we were going from Schweinfurt to Frankfurt. Three minutes. You can read much more about using the German train system, and make sure to go to the DB website to see if you can get any deals.

You can also use your Eurail pass anywhere in Germany. Check out our post of using ours to travel through Eastern Europe, starting right where we lived in Weiden, Germany.

Buses

There are also a number of bus companies running in Europe that will take you across borders, from city to city. It’s cheap, reliable, and relatively comfortable with bathrooms on board. We’ve seen Flixbus pretty much on every highway we’ve driven.

Getting Around Germany

Not only is it easy to get around the country using trains, cars, and buses. It is very simple using public transportation within cities. All larger cities have a U-Bahn or S-Bahn, but even if they don’t the bus system is amazing.

Power Tip: If you will be doing a lot of sightseeing, especially in some of the larger cities, make sure to check your options for day or multi-trip tickets. In Bavaria, you can travel between cities for a mere fraction of the cost by using the Bavaria ticket. Most train offices have at least one person who speaks English, so always ask.

Money

Germany uses the Euro. For a normal main course at any regular restaurant, you will pay anywhere from 12 – 22 Euros, which is approximately $14-26. I know that is a huge jump, but it all depends on the size of the city. Plan to pay the higher prices in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, or restaurants very near a major tourist sight.

ATMs and Banks

You can find ATMs everywhere.

Credit Cards vs. Cash

Germans still largely use cash, but in most restaurants and stores you can use a credit card just about everywhere. Of course, you will want to have cash when going to a local market.

Health and Safety Concerns

Vaccinations

As usual, it is imperative that your normal vaccines are up to date.  Many doctors will suggest you also take your Hepatitis A and B as well.

Water

The water is safe, and you can drink or fill your water bottles from any tap.  Decorative fountains often have signs that say the water is non-potable, so refrain from drinking that water from public fountains.

Pharmacies

There are plenty of pharmacies all over Germany, and you should be able to find an open one any day of the week, even on Sundays. Just check with your hotel to ask where the closest one is.

If you are traveling with prescription drugs, keep your latest prescription handy as well as keep the medication in its original bottle.  If you need a refill, you will have to show the doctor or pharmacist your current prescription.

When is the Best Time to Go?

There is something to do and see in Germany all year long. Each season brings a new set of things to do, sports and activities, as well as festivals and foods. Spring can be a little rainy and still chilly, but once that lime green of new growth starts popping and the early spring trees like the cherry trees and magnolia start blooming, there is nothing like it.

Restaurants put a blanket on their outside tables, and everyone takes advantage of the sun when it’s shining. It can be one of the most beautiful parts of the year, and the  temperatures keep you moving whether by walking or biking or even kayaking.

Best Places to Go in Germany during Spring

Summers are amazing. The temperature rarely gets much over 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the days are long so you can go from early, early morning until after dinner with great light. Every window is adorned with brilliant red geraniums, the flower beds are manicured and stunning, and everyone is happy to be outdoors whether they are sporting or just having a cup of coffee. The Germans take their major vacation weeks in August, so before then it’s still not too over crowded.

Fall is my favorite season in Germany, not only because the air is crisp and clean, but also because it’s harvest season and there are so many festivals to go to and check out the local foods, beer, and wines!

Winters can be bleak and gray, with a lot of rain, but the mountains have snow to ski and sled, and the museums and castles are open all year long, so you can go inside. Of course, the month before Christmas are the famed Christkindlmarkts all over the country, and if you’ve never done one that is a great time to visit.

Travel Tips for Germany

Germany is chock a block full of things to do, outdoors and indoors, cultural and sporty. Check out all the cool things you can find to see and do:

Germany has an amazing array of food choices. It doesn’t shy away from very hearty, fried and fat-filled goodness to the healthy vegan, vegetarian options. There truly is something for everyone. Some iconic dishes that you will want to try are the endless variety of sausages, schnitzels, and breads. Ice cream in Germany is something special as well. Have you ever heard of spaghetti “eis” or ice cream? Well, take it from us, you will want to make sure to try it on your next stop!

Top Germany Destinations You’re Sure To Love

Berlin
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Nuremberg
Trier
Frankfurt
Regensburg
Berchtesgaden
Quedlinburg
Moedlareuth

Conclusion

You can’t go wrong planning a trip to Germany. It’s got castles, military history, world heritage sites, beer fests, wine fests, all kinds of fests, and the activities and things they have to do with children is fun and educational.  Pin Germany Travel now!

Start planning your dream trip to Germany today with this ultimate travel guide!

Mary Beth

Wednesday 23rd of November 2022

We are arriving in Munich and want to take the MVV Bus #65 from the airport to Freising and connect with a train to Passau. Where do we find the bus at the airport terminal? We will purchase a Bayern Ticket to do this.

Jim Vail

Sunday 4th of December 2022

Hi Mary Beth, when you exit baggage claim/customs turn right and head out the door. The bus stop is outside that door. You're looking for MVV bus 635 to get to Freising. You should ask at the info desk after arriving just in case the bus stop has been moved for construction, etc. Have a great trip!

Corinne Vail

Monday 28th of November 2022

Mary Beth, Yes, taking the Bayern ticket will definitely save you some money! Have fun!