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Germany: Castles, Beer and Zero Chill

Medieval villages, world-class cities, and more sausage than you can handle. Here's how to do it properly.

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The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle
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Start Here

Why Germany, Why Now

Germany is one of those countries that doesn't get enough credit as a travel destination. Everyone knows about Oktoberfest and the Berlin Wall, sure. But most people don't realise you can spend a week winding through medieval towns that look like someone built them for a film set, eat your way through Christmas markets in December, and then drive roads through the Alps that rival anything in Switzerland.

Berlin is raw, Munich is refined, and the smaller cities (Nuremberg, Heidelberg, Freiburg) are where Germany really shows off. The beer is cheap, the trains actually work, and the country is absurdly easy to get around. This guide covers all of it.

1hr 45minFrom the UK
May-SepBest time
£50 / €58 / $63Per day, budget
GermanMain language
Euro (EUR)Currency
Seasons

Best Time To Visit

Peak season runs roughly May through September: the best weather, snow-free alpine trails, and very long days, light until after 21:00. Pack light and expect big crowds. Spring and autumn travel is easier and often cheaper. For a full month by month breakdown, read our complete guide.

Spring (Apr to May)

Our pick

Easier travel, fewer crowds, and lower prices than summer. Beer gardens reopen and the countryside turns green again.

Summer (Jun to Aug)

Peak season

Best weather, snow-free alpine trails, and daylight until after 21:00. Also the busiest and priciest months, so book ahead.

Autumn (Sep to Oct)

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest runs late September to early October. Crowds start thinning after, and shoulder pricing kicks back in.

Winter (Nov to Feb)

Christmas markets

Cold and dark, but the famous Christmas Markets begin late November. Mulled wine and a German sausage make the cold worth it.

Watch First

See Germany in 60 Seconds

One minute of castles, cities, and beer gardens. Then read on for the full story.

Germany is a country where medieval towns, fairytale castles, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes all sit within easy reach of one another. In just 60 seconds, we’ll explore Berlin’s fascinating history, the castles of Bavaria, the dramatic Black Forest, picturesque river valleys, and some of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas markets. Whether you’re travelling for history, hiking, culture, or incredible food and beer, Germany offers an unforgettable mix of old-world charm and modern energy.

Rothenburg ob der tauber
Plan In Minutes

Book The Essentials

The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.

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Good To Know

What To Expect

The practical stuff, minus the waffle.

Capital

Berlin. Raw, layered with history, and unlike anywhere else in the country.

Language

German is the official language, and most Germans speak English very well. "Hello" and "thank you" in German: "Hallo" and "Danke".

Currency

The Euro (€). Check XE for current conversion rates before you go.

Visa

A 90-day Schengen visa on arrival for most nationalities. See the Schengen visa policy for full details.

Cards, ATMs & Plugs

Cards are widely accepted, but Germany still leans cash-first in places. ATMs are called "Bankomat", search that on Google Maps. Avoid Euronet ATMs, terrible rates and high fees. Plugs are types C and F, 230V, 50Hz, a universal adapter covers both.

Safety

One of the safest countries to visit in Europe. Ranked 22 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.55. You can feel comfortable going out at night.

Random Useful Tip

Tap water is safe everywhere, but restaurants won't bring it free. Ask for "Leitungswasser" if you want tap, or expect a "Mineralwasser" (sparkling, €2-3) by default.

Never Ever

Don't board a regional train without validating your ticket at the yellow machines. Fines for skipping it run to €60, and inspectors do check.

Right Now

Live Weather in Berlin

Straight from the source, updated as you read this.

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Detailed weather
The Guides

Germany Travel Guides

City guides, road trips, hidden gems and seasonal tips. Everything you need to plan your Germany trip.

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Budgets

How Much Does Germany Cost?

Germany isn't the cheapest country in Western Europe, but it's a long way from the most expensive. Here's what you'll actually spend.

Backpacker

£50 / €58 / $63per day, roughly
  • Hostel dorms from £17 (€20 / $22) a night
  • Street food, bakeries and supermarket cooking
  • Public transport and walking
  • Free walking tours, parks, galleries
See Money-Saving Tips
Most Popular

Mid-Range

£120 / €140 / $152per day, roughly
  • Budget hotels and private Airbnb rooms
  • Restaurants and beer gardens
  • Mix of trains and regional day tickets
  • Museum passes, castle entries, guided tours
Plan Your Budget

Upscale

£250+ / €290+ / $315+per day
  • Boutique hotels and castle stays
  • Fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants
  • First-class ICE trains or car rental
  • Private tours, Rhine river cruises, spa resorts
Find Accommodation
The Numbers

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Real prices in pounds, euros, and dollars. Pick a category.

Budget

Hostel dorm£17-35 / €20-40 / $22-44
Campsite£13-26 / €15-30 / $17-33
Budget hotel£52-104 / €60-120 / $66-132

Mid to Luxury

Airbnb apartment£70-130 / €80-150 / $88-165
Boutique hotel£130-220 / €150-250 / $143-242
Castle/luxury hotel£260+ / €300+ / $330+
Spend Less

Tips for Saving Money in Germany

Twelve ways to keep a German trip affordable.

Bring a reusable water bottle

Tap water is safe everywhere in Germany. Skip the bottled water.

Take free walking tours

Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg all have them. Tip your guide €5-10 if it's good.

Cook your own meals

Aldi, Lidl, and Edeka are everywhere. Hostel and Airbnb kitchens save you a fortune.

Get a Deutschlandticket

€49/month for unlimited regional and local transport across the entire country. Pays for itself fast if staying more than a few days.

Book hostels early

Sites like Hostelworld have budget dorms from €20/night. Booking a few weeks out gets you the best rates.

Buy city or museum passes

The Berlin WelcomeCard and Munich CityTourCard bundle transport and attraction discounts together.

Eat at bakeries

German bakeries sell pretzels, sandwiches, and pastries for almost nothing. Some of the best food in the country comes from a €2 pretzel.

Book trains early

Deutsche Bahn advance tickets can be 50% cheaper than walk-up fares. The DB Navigator app is your best friend.

Travel off-season

Spring and autumn mean fewer crowds and lower prices. December is an exception because of Christmas markets, but shoulder months save real money.

Skip the taxis

Germany's public transport is so good you'll rarely need one. Bolt and Uber exist as backup but buses and trams are almost always cheaper.

Hit the free stuff

East Side Gallery in Berlin, Englischer Garten in Munich, most churches and public parks. Germany has loads of free attractions.

Rent a bike

€10-15 per day in most cities. Germany is insanely bike-friendly and you'll cover more ground than walking.

Transport

Getting Around Germany

Germany's transport system is genuinely excellent. Trains run on time (most of the time), the autobahn is free, and cities are built for walking and cycling.

Domestic Flights

Not as common as in bigger countries. Trains usually win, but Berlin to Munich saves time if you book early.

  • Fast for long routes like Hamburg to Munich
  • Budget airlines from £35 (€40 / $44)
  • Check-in, security and transfers eat into time saved
Find Cheap Flights

Car Rental

Best for the Romantic Road, Black Forest, and Bavaria. Plus, sections of the autobahn have no speed limit.

  • Total freedom for rural areas
  • No speed limit on some autobahn sections
  • City parking is expensive and stressful
Compare Car Rentals

City Buses, Trams & Metro

Every major city has solid public transport. U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses. The Deutschlandticket covers all of it nationwide.

  • Cheap, reliable, covers everything
  • Deutschlandticket is insane value
  • Can be confusing in cities with multiple operators
Travel Tips

Trains (DB)

The backbone of German travel. ICE high-speed trains connect major cities in hours. Book early for the best fares.

  • Fast, comfortable, frequent
  • Advance tickets from £17 (€20 / $22)
  • Walk-up fares can be eye-watering
Search Train Routes

Intercity Bus

FlixBus runs routes between pretty much every German city. Takes longer than the train but costs a fraction.

  • Cheapest intercity option from £8.70 (€10 / $11)
  • WiFi, plug sockets, decent seats
  • Slower than trains: Berlin to Munich is ~7hrs vs 4 by ICE
Find Bus Routes

Cycling

One of the most bike-friendly countries in Europe. Dedicated lanes everywhere. Munster is basically a cycling city.

  • Dedicated bike lanes in most cities
  • Cheap, healthy, covers a lot of ground
  • Weather can be unpredictable, bring a rain jacket
Recommended Tours
Cheat Sheet

Which Is Right For You?

Sticking to one city

Walk, cycle, and use the local day pass.

Hitting multiple cities

Train with advance booking. ICE is fast and reliable.

Road tripping the countryside

Rent a car. The Romantic Road, Black Forest and Bavaria need wheels.

Tight budget, long distance

FlixBus between cities, Deutschlandticket for everything local.

Before You Go

Quick Tips

Book DB Tickets Early

Advance fares save up to 50%. Use the DB Navigator app.

Get a Deutschlandticket

€49/month for unlimited regional and local transport. No brainer if staying 3+ days.

Validate Your Tickets

Stamp tickets at the yellow machines before boarding. Fines for skipping this are €60.

Avoid Euronet ATMs

Terrible exchange rates and high commissions. Use bank ATMs like Sparkasse or Commerzbank.

Experiences

Book Tours & Tickets

Handpicked Germany experiences, powered by GetYourGuide.

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Questions

Germany Travel FAQs

The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.

Do I need a visa to visit Germany?
If you're from the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you don't need a visa for stays under 90 days. Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so your 90-day allowance is shared across all Schengen countries. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date. For other nationalities, check the German embassy website for your country before you book anything.
Is Germany safe for tourists?
Very. It consistently ranks among the safest countries in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare and you can walk around most cities at night without issues. The usual common-sense stuff applies: watch your bags in busy tourist areas, especially Berlin's Alexanderplatz and Munich's Marienplatz, don't flash expensive gear on public transport, and be aware of your surroundings. Overall, you'll feel comfortable here.
Do most people speak English in Germany?
Yes, especially in cities and tourist areas. Younger Germans in particular tend to speak very good English. In smaller towns and rural areas it's more hit or miss, but even there you'll usually find someone who can help. Learning a few German phrases goes a long way though. "Danke" (thank you), "Bitte" (please), and "Entschuldigung" (excuse me) will earn you points.
How long do I need in Germany?
Depends on what you want to see. A week is enough to cover two or three cities, Berlin plus Munich plus one smaller town like Nuremberg or Rothenburg. Two weeks lets you add road trips through Bavaria or the Black Forest. If you're only hitting one city, 3 to 4 days per city is the sweet spot. Berlin alone could fill a week if you're into history, nightlife, or both.
What's the best time to visit Germany?
May through September for the best weather and longest days. June to August is peak season with higher prices and bigger crowds. For something specific: Oktoberfest runs late September to early October, and Christmas markets open late November through December. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer decent weather with fewer tourists. Winters are cold and dark but cheap, and those Christmas markets make it worth it.
Is Germany expensive?
It's mid-range for Western Europe. Cheaper than Switzerland, Norway, or the UK. More expensive than Poland or the Czech Republic. Budget travellers can get by on around £50/day (€58 / $63) with hostels, supermarket meals, and public transport. Mid-range is around £120/day (€140 / $152). The biggest costs are accommodation and intercity trains if you don't book in advance. Beer, food from bakeries, and public transport are all surprisingly affordable.
What's the best way to get around Germany?
Trains are king. Deutsche Bahn's ICE network connects every major city, and regional trains fill in the gaps. The Deutschlandticket (€49/month) is absurd value for unlimited regional and local transport. For rural areas like the Black Forest, Romantic Road, or Bavaria, rent a car. Between cities on a budget, FlixBus is cheap and reliable. Within cities, public transport is excellent everywhere. See our full Getting Around section above.
Do I need travel insurance for Germany?
Strongly recommended. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers some emergency treatment if you're from the UK or EU, but it doesn't cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, or repatriation. A decent travel insurance policy covers all of that and costs very little. Compare options in our Travel Insurance section.
Can I drink the tap water?
Yes, everywhere. German tap water is held to stricter standards than most bottled water. Bring a reusable bottle and fill up. The only catch: in restaurants, tap water isn't free. Ask for "Leitungswasser" (tap water) and they'll bring it, though they might look slightly offended. Ordering a "Mineralwasser" (sparkling water) is the norm and costs €2-3.
Is the Deutschlandticket worth it?
If you're staying more than 2 to 3 days and using any public transport at all, yes, absolutely. €49 (about £42 / $54) for a full month of unlimited regional trains, buses, trams, and metros across the entire country. The only thing it doesn't cover is ICE and IC long-distance trains. For short city-to-city trips, regional trains work fine and are included. It's one of the best travel deals in Europe right now.
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