Germany Road Trip: Berlin to Munich + Map 🚗
When I first planned a drive from Berlin to Munich, I thought it would just be a straight shot between two big cities. Spoiler: it’s anything but. Somewhere between sipping a currywurst in Berlin and clinking beer steins in Munich, you’ll find medieval towns that look like film sets, hills rolling with vineyards, and more castles than seems reasonable for one country.
The beauty of this route is how much you can cram in without feeling rushed. One day you’re strolling through cobbled streets in a sleepy village, the next you’re standing on a bridge staring up at Neuschwanstein Castle like you’ve wandered into a fairytale. And the best bit? The random little detours, a lake you spot from the road, a bakery that lures you in with the smell of fresh pretzels, a half-timbered town you’ve never heard of but instantly love. This isn’t just a drive; it’s Germany served up in all its beer, bratwurst, and breathtaking glory.
Germany Road Trip 🇩🇪
From hipster neighbourhoods in Berlin to fairy-tale castles in Bavaria, this 10-stop road trip serves up the best of Germany in one neat route. Think buzzing cities, half-timbered towns, vineyard-draped valleys, and mountains that look like they belong on a chocolate box. With each leg short enough to actually enjoy (rather than just survive), you’ll get plenty of time to linger, explore, and sample all the beer, bratwurst, and Black Forest cake your heart desires.
🚗 Quick Trip Facts
📍 Total Distance: ~650 miles / 1,050 km
⏰ Recommended Time: 12–14 days (can be done in 7–10, but slower is better)
🏁 Start/End Point: Berlin / Munich
⛅️ Best Time to Go: Late April–October (spring blossoms or autumn foliage are chef’s kiss)
🗺️ The Day-by-Day Itinerary
📍 Day 1 – Berlin (Stay 2 nights)
Start in Germany’s vibrant capital, where street art meets Prussian palaces. Explore the Brandenburg Gate, the East Side Gallery, Museum Island, and trendy Kreuzberg. For nightlife? Berlin doesn’t sleep — but you might need to after the flight.
📍 Day 3 – Dresden (~2 hrs 15 mins drive | Stay 1 night)
Baroque beauty on the River Elbe. Stroll the rebuilt Old Town, see the Frauenkirche, and sip coffee in one of its elegant squares. Dresden feels like an open-air museum with a surprisingly creative food scene.
📍 Day 4 – Leipzig (~1 hr 20 mins drive | Stay 1 night)
A cool, culture-packed city with a rebellious spirit. Home to Bach, buzzing art spaces, and great beer gardens. Cycle along the canals or people-watch in the Marktplatz with a giant pretzel.
📍 Day 5 – Erfurt (~2 hrs drive | Stay 1 night)
A medieval gem in the heart of Germany. Wander the Krämerbrücke (a bridge lined with houses), visit the cathedral, and enjoy the cobbled streets that look like they belong in a Brothers Grimm tale.
📍 Day 6 – Bamberg (~2 hrs 20 mins drive | Stay 1 night)
Beer lovers, rejoice — Bamberg is famous for its smoky Rauchbier. But even if hops aren’t your thing, the UNESCO-listed old town, cathedral, and riverside views are worth the stop.
📍 Day 7 – Nuremberg (~1 hr drive | Stay 1 night)
A city of history, half-timbered charm, and hearty Franconian cuisine. Explore the Imperial Castle, walk the old town walls, and sample Nürnberger sausages in the main square.
📍 Day 8 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber (~1 hr drive | Stay 1 night)
Possibly Germany’s most photogenic town. Cobbled streets, colourful houses, and an intact medieval wall you can walk along. At night, join the Night Watchman’s tour for stories with a side of drama.
📍 Day 9 – Black Forest (Freiburg) (~3 hrs drive | Stay 2 nights)
Rolling hills, deep pine forests, and cake so good it has its own name. Base yourself in Freiburg for charming streets and easy day trips to hiking trails, lakes, and cuckoo clock villages.
📍 Day 11 – Neuschwanstein Castle & Füssen (~4 hrs drive | Stay 1 night)
The castle that inspired Disney — and yes, it’s just as magical in real life. Visit the Marienbrücke for the perfect photo, then wander Füssen’s pastel-hued old town.
📍 Day 12 – Munich (~2 hrs drive | Stay 2 nights)
Finish big in Bavaria’s beer-loving capital. Explore Marienplatz, the English Garden, and the Viktualienmarkt food stalls. End your road trip with a stein in the Hofbräuhaus — you’ve earned it.
🚗 Total Distance: ~1,050 km / 650 miles
🕰️ Recommended Time: 12–14 days (can be done in 7–10 if you’re in a hurry, but you’ll lose the laid-back magic).
📸 Perfect For: History lovers, castle chasers, beer enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a well-paced mix of cities, countryside, and mountains.
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
Map will be located under "YOU" and then under "MAPS".
ℹ️ Add the map to your Google Maps app.
After opening Google maps, click YOU and then scroll down to MAPS. It should be located there. Any issues, just get it touch, it’s no problem!
📍 Destination Highlights & Quick Tips
Bamberg – A beer lover’s dream in Bavaria 🍺
Bamberg is one of those towns that feels like it was built for wandering. It’s got winding cobblestone lanes, pastel buildings that look like they’ve been dipped in watercolours, and a river that seems to wrap around the old town like a ribbon. The whole place is UNESCO-listed, so you know it’s going to be special, but it’s the beer scene that really makes Bamberg famous. This is the home of Rauchbier (smoked beer), which tastes a bit like someone dunked bacon in your pint, weird at first, but strangely addictive.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Stroll the charming Old Town and Little Venice
- Visit Bamberg Cathedral and the Old Court
- Try Rauchbier at a traditional brewery
- Explore Altenburg Castle for panoramic views
💡 My Top Tip: Try the Rauchbier at Schlenkerla Brewery — even if you don’t think you’ll like it. Pair it with a pretzel and some Franconian sausages for the full experience.
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber – A medieval postcard come to life 🏰
My favourite place in Germany, Rothenburg! It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down and just… exist for a while. Every corner is ridiculously pretty, with timber-framed houses, flower boxes spilling with geraniums, and cobbled streets that seem to glow in the evening light. The medieval wall still encircles the town, and you can actually walk along it for a bird’s-eye view over the rooftops. Come dusk, the crowds thin, the lanterns come on, and it feels like you’ve stepped straight into a storybook.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Walk the medieval town walls
- Join the Night Watchman’s Tour
- Visit the Christmas Museum (yes, all year round)
- Browse the boutique shops and bakeries
💡 My Top Tip: Stay overnight — most tourists come on day trips, so you’ll have the streets almost to yourself in the evening and early morning.
Recommended Tours and Tickets From Get Your Guide
Freiburg – Gateway to the Black Forest 🌲
Freiburg is everything you’d want in a Black Forest base: colourful houses, bustling squares, and plenty of cafés where you can sit in the sunshine with a slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) the size of your head. It’s also Germany’s sunniest city, which means it’s a perfect jumping-off point for exploring the region’s hiking trails, lakes, and cuckoo clock villages without worrying too much about rain.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Explore Freiburg Minster and the historic market square
- Follow the Bächle (tiny water channels) through the Old Town
- Take the cable car up Schauinsland mountain
- Day trip into the Black Forest for hiking or lake swims
💡 My Top Tip: Wear comfy shoes and watch out for the Bächle — local legend says if you step in one accidentally, you’ll marry a Freiburger.
Neuschwanstein Castle & Füssen – Straight out of a fairytale 🏞️
If castles had Instagram accounts, Neuschwanstein would be the influencer of the bunch. Perched high on a rugged hill with the Alps as a backdrop, it’s pure fantasy, no wonder it inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. But don’t skip nearby Füssen, a pastel-hued old town with cobbled lanes, little squares, and a river that turns turquoise in the sunlight. The combination of mountain air, history, and pure romance makes this stop one of the highlights of the trip.
🗺️ Things To Do:
- Visit Neuschwanstein Castle (book tickets in advance)
- Walk to Marienbrücke for the best photo angle
- Explore Füssen’s old town and High Castle
- Take a lakeside walk around Alpsee or Forggensee
💡 My Top Tip: Go early in the morning to beat the tour bus crowds — it’s way more magical when you don’t have to elbow your way to the bridge.
🗺️ Recommended Read: The 8 Best Places to Visit in Bavaria: Your German Travel Guide! 🇩🇪
Access to the map
No sign up required and totally FREE. Literally just using Google Maps to plot your route! Saves you messing! We don't gatekeep here! Enjoy.
🛑 Pit Stops & Side Detours
- Königssee – Emerald lake in Bavaria, best explored by boat.
- Quedlinburg – Storybook timber-framed town and UNESCO site.
- Rhine Gorge – Vineyard views and castle spotting galore.
- Bamberg’s Little Venice – Pretty riverside houses you can see by boat.
- Mittenwald – Alpine village famous for violins and mountain views.
🍽️ Local Eats Worth Chasing
- Currywurst – Berlin’s street food MVP.
Rauchbier in Bamberg 🍺 – Smoky, malty, and surprisingly moreish. - Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – Black Forest cake, with the proper cherry schnapps.
- Nürnberger Rostbratwurst – Small but mighty sausages from Nuremberg.
- Brezn (pretzels) – Soft, salty, and everywhere.
🎒 Road Trip Essentials Checklist
✅ Vehicle check: oil, tyre pressure, coolant.
🔋 Bonus gear: EU-compatible sat nav & phone charger.
📲 Offline maps (Google Maps + Komoot for hikes).
🥨 Snacks: pretzels, chocolate, and Haribo for the long drives.
🧥 Layers: Germany’s weather can swing from t-shirt to jacket in a day.
💶 Cash: some small towns are still “cash only.”
🎶 Playlist & Podcast Picks
🎵 Nena (99 Luftballons), Rammstein (for the drama), Kraftwerk (road trip techno vibes).
🎙️ Podcasts: History Extra (for castle backstories), Join Us in France (for crossover trips), Gastropod (for foodies).
💡 Download before you go — patchy signal in rural Bavaria and the Black Forest.
What to know How to Plan or Save for a Trip? Here are our best:
FAQs
How long does the Berlin to Munich road trip take, and can it be done faster?
The recommended duration is 12–14 days to fully enjoy the 10 stops, including Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Freiburg, Neuschwanstein Castle/Füssen, and Munich. It can be condensed to 7–10 days, but you may miss the relaxed pace and some detours like Königssee or Quedlinburg.
What is the total distance of the road trip, and what type of car is best?
The total distance is approximately 650 miles (1,050 km). A compact or mid-size car is ideal for navigating city streets and rural roads, but ensure it has good fuel efficiency for longer drives, like the 4-hour leg to Neuschwanstein. Check the “Road Trip Essentials Checklist” for tips on vehicle prep (e.g., oil, tire pressure).
How do I access the free Google Maps route for the trip?
The free map is available via Google Maps with no signup required. After clicking the “View Map” link, go to “Your Places” > “Maps” in the Google Maps app to find the route. Save it for offline use, especially in areas with spotty signal.
What are the must-try foods along the route?
Highlights include currywurst in Berlin, Rauchbier (smoked beer) with Franconian sausages in Bamberg, Nürnberger Rostbratwurst in Nuremberg, Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) in Freiburg, and soft pretzels (Brezn) throughout. Check the “Local Eats Worth Chasing” section for more.
When is the best time to do this road trip, and what should I pack?
Late April to October is ideal for pleasant weather and spring blossoms or autumn foliage. Pack layers for unpredictable weather, comfy shoes for cobblestone streets, and cash for small towns. Offline maps (Google Maps or Komoot) and a playlist with Nena or Rammstein are also recommended for the drive.
Travel Planning Resources
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Book Your Flights: Kick off your travel planning by finding the best flight deals on Trip.com. Our years of experience with them confirm they offer the most competitive prices.
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Find Apartment Rentals: For affordable apartment rentals, check out VRBO. They consistently offer the best prices.
Car Rentals: For affordable car rentals, check out RentalCars.com. They offer the best cars, mostly brand new.
Travel Insurance: Never travel without insurance. Here are our top recommendations:
- EKTA for Travel Insurance for all areas!
- Use AirHelp for compensation claims against flight delays etc.
Book Your Activities: Discover walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more on Get Your Guide. They have a vast selection of activities to enhance your trip. There is also Tiqets.com for instant mobile tickets.
Book The Best Trains: Use Trainline to find the most affordable trains or Rail Europe for rail passes!
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! The Travel Tinker is a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel! Tinkering your plans as you browse!
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