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.
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 45min
From the UK
May–Sep
Best time
German
Main language
EUR (€)
Currency
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See Germany in 60 Seconds
Best Time To Visit
In Germany, the “peak season” runs roughly from May through September. Summer has its advantages: the best weather, snow-free alpine trails, very long days (light until after 21:00), and the busiest schedule of tourist fun. Pack light clothing and expect large crowds if you visit during the summer months.
Travel during spring and fall is easier and can be less expensive.
As for festivals, Oktoberfest takes place from late September to early October, and the famous Christmas Markets begin at the end of November, where you can treat yourself to a German Sausage or some hot Mulled Wine.
For a month by month look, click here
What To Expect
19°C
- Temperature
Capital: Berlin
Language: The official language of Germany is German. You will find that most Germans can speak English very well. ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in German: “Hallo” and “Danke”
Currency: The currency of Germany is the Euro (EUR). Euro (click here for current conversion rates)
Visa: 90-day Schengen visa on arrival for most nationalities (click here for more info)
Credit Cards & ATMs: Germany is a predominately a cash-focused society, you will have no problem using your credit card when in Germany. ATMs or Cash Machines in Germany are known as Bankomat. Use Google Maps to find ATMs by searching “Bankomat”. DO NOT USE Euronet ATMs, these will charge you a ridiculous amount of commission and a give you a poor exchange rate.
Plugs: For Germany there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Germany operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz I recommend buying a Universal Power Adapter
Safety: Germany is one of the safest countries to visit in Europe. You can feel safe going out at night. Safety Rating: Ranked 22 on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.55
Germany Travel Guides
City guides, road trips, hidden gems and seasonal tips. Everything you need to plan your Germany trip.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
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/day (~€58 / ~$63)
- Hostel dorms from £17/night (€20 / $22)
- Street food, bakeries and supermarket cooking
- Public transport and walking
- Free walking tours, parks, galleries
🍜
Mid-Range
~£120/day (~€140 / ~$152)
- Budget hotels and private Airbnb rooms
- Restaurants and beer gardens
- Mix of trains and regional day tickets
- Museum passes, castle entries, guided tours
🏨
Upscale
~£250+/day (~€290+ / ~$315+)
- 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
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Budget
- Hostel dorm: £17–£35/night (€20–€40 / $22–$44)
- Campsite: £13–£26/night (€15–€30 / $17–$33)
- Budget hotel: £52–£104/night (€60–€120 / $66–$132)
Mid–Luxury
- Airbnb apartment: £70–£130/night (€80–€150 / $88–$165)
- Boutique hotel: £130–£220/night (€150–€250 / $143–$242)
- Castle/luxury hotel: £260+/night (€300+ / $330+)
City Travel
- Bus/tram single ticket: £1.75–£3/ride (€2–€3.50 / $2.20–$3.85)
- Day pass: £6–£8.70/day (€7–€10 / $7.70–$11)
- Deutschlandticket (monthly): £42/month (€49 / $54)
Long Distance
- Regional train: £8.70–£26 (€10–€30 / $11–$33)
- ICE high-speed train: £17–£70 (€20–€80 / $22–$88)
- FlixBus intercity: £8.70–£26 (€10–€30 / $11–$33)
- Car rental/day: £26–£61 (€30–€70 / $33–$77)
Eat Cheap
- Bakery pretzel/sandwich: £1.30–£3.50 (€1.50–€4 / $1.65–$4.40)
- Budget meal (kebab/currywurst): £5.20–£13 (€6–€15 / $6.60–$16.50)
- Supermarket meal prep: £3–£5.20/meal (€3.50–€6 / $3.85–$6.60)
Eating Out
- Mid-range restaurant: £17–£35 (€20–€40 / $22–$44)
- Beer (500ml): £2.60–£5.20 (€3–€6 / $3.30–$6.60)
- Coffee: £2.20–£4.30 (€2.50–€5 / $2.75–$5.50)
Budget Fun
- Museum entry: £4.30–£13 (€5–€15 / $5.50–$16.50)
- Free walking tour (tip): £4.30–£8.70 (€5–€10 / $5.50–$11)
- Bike rental/day: £8.70–£13 (€10–€15 / $11–$16.50)
Big Experiences
- Neuschwanstein Castle entry: £13–£17 (€15–€20 / $16.50–$22)
- Rhine River cruise: £22–£65 (€25–€75 / $27.50–$82.50)
- Guided beer/food tour: £22–£43 (€25–€50 / $27.50–$55)
- Oktoberfest day (beer + food): £43–£87 (€50–€100 / $55–$110)
Tips for Saving Money in Germany
🚰 Bring a reusable water bottle. Tap water is safe everywhere in Germany. Skip the bottled water.
🚶 Take free walking tours. Berlin, Munich, 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. If you’re staying more than a few days, it pays for itself fast.
🏨 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. Honestly 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 Christmas markets, but shoulder months save you 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.
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. Germany’s distances are short enough that 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
Car Rental
Best for the Romantic Road, Black Forest, and Bavaria. Plus, sections of the autobahn have no speed limit. Which is as fun as it sounds.
✅ Total freedom for rural areas
✅ No speed limit on some autobahn sections
❌ City parking is expensive and stressful
City Buses, Trams & Metro
Every major city has solid public transport. U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, buses. The Deutschlandticket (€49/month) covers all of it nationwide.
✅ Cheap, reliable, covers everything
✅ Deutschlandticket is insane value
❌ Can be confusing in cities with multiple operators
Trains (DB)
The backbone of German travel. ICE high-speed trains connect major cities in hours. Regional trains cover everything else. Book early for the best fares.
✅ Fast, comfortable, frequent
✅ Advance tickets from £17 (€20 / $22)
❌ Walk-up fares can be eye-watering
Intercity Bus
FlixBus runs routes between pretty much every German city. Takes longer than the train but costs a fraction. WiFi on board too.
✅ Cheapest intercity option from £8.70 (€10 / $11)
✅ WiFi, plug sockets, decent seats
❌ Slower than trains. Berlin to Munich is ~7 hours vs 4 by ICE.
Cycling
Germany is one of the most bike-friendly countries in Europe. Dedicated lanes everywhere. Rental bikes from €10/day. Münster 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.
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.
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 not having a validated ticket are €60.
⚠️
Avoid Euronet ATMs
They charge terrible exchange rates and high commissions. Use bank ATMs (Sparkasse, Commerzbank).
Book Tours & Tickets
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
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. But 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 + Munich + 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, 3–4 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 (Black Forest, Romantic Road, 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. Don’t risk it. 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. If you ask for “Leitungswasser” (tap water) they’ll bring it but 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 2–3 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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