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  • How was the trip? (Wie war die Reise?)

How to say "How was the trip?" in German (Wie war die Reise?)

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Wie war die Reise?

How was the trip.

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136 Useful German Travel Phrases

Planning your big trip to Germany is so exciting—but you’re not done until you’ve brushed up on common German phrases for travel.

In this post, you’ll find a handy phrasebook of German travel phrases and vocabulary , conveniently organized by group. You’ll also learn about some great resources, such as travel language guides and handy apps for your smartphone.

German Greetings, Introductions and Goodbyes

German expressions for shopping, german travel phrases for the restaurant, german words and phrases for directions, german travel phrases for public transportation, german travel phrases for the hotel, german phrases for getting around the city, german words and expressions for emergencies, german expressions for language help, german guides for traveling, german apps for travelers, why you should learn german travel phrases, and one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Please note that most of these German sentences are in the formal Sie conjugation. For your travel purposes, this form should be just fine, although native speakers may opt to use different pronoun forms with you depending on the context.

german travel phrases

A trusty guide fits in your backpack or purse, and it serves as a way to look up unfamiliar words and phrases or brush up on vocab while traveling from one place to another. Here are some recommendations:

“Rick Steves’ German Phrase Book and Dictionary”

Rick Steves' German Phrase Book and Dictionary

You can’t go wrong with Rick Steves, since the man has traveled all over Europe (numerous times), hosted his own travel show and written dozens of bestselling guides for European travel.

From meeting new people to ordering a bratwurst, this guide outlines the most common everyday phrases to further improve your travel lingo. It also comes with phonetic spellings , currency information, rail transportation guides and a cheat sheet that you can tear out and slide in your pocket.

“German Survival Guide”

German Survival Guide: The Language and Culture You Need to Travel with Confidence in Germany and Austria

This guide can give you the confidence to speak with people while traveling through Germany and Austria. It touches on cultural points and shows you how to interact with German speakers a various spots such as the Autobahn, grocery stores, ice cream parlors and more.

It includes vocabulary and basic German instruction , with travel and study tips scattered throughout the entire guide. It’s a rather helpful book for your travels if staying in Germany or Austria for quite some time.

Lonely Planet German Phrasebook and Dictionary

German-phrasebook-and-dictionary

This German phrasebook has a huge section for decoding restaurant menus and ordering food properly, plus a 3,500-word two-way German-English dictionary.

The cultural manners section can prevent you from embarrassing yourself or making others feel uncomfortable and help you feel at ease while traveling.

Lonely Planet at large has tons of German phrasebook and travel guide options available on their site.  Read these ahead of time to know what to expect wherever you go, then bring them on your trip to whip out at a moment’s notice. 

Perfect-phrases-in-German-for-Confident-Travel

“Perfect Phrases in German for Confident Travel”

Context and manners are extremely important when going to Germany, just like they are in every country. If you insult a person’s language, why would they talk to you in return?

The “Perfect Phrases” book details the proper words and phrases to use while traveling, while also discussing faux pas and how they can hurt your conversation.

“Point it: Traveller’s Language Kit”

point-it-travellers-language-kit

This guide may not help you much with your pronunciation, but it’s an essential tool to bring with you while traveling in German-speaking countries.

The “Point It” book has 1,300 images and words, so you can point at the images when your speaking abilities fail. For example, point to the picture of a chicken when ordering at a restaurant.

A good app can serve as a viable replacement for a travel and language guide that doesn’t add any weight to your pack. Plus, the apps generally offer audio to hear how to pronounce certain words and phrases. Here are some great options:

Learn German Phrases & Words: Phrases for Travel in Germany

german for travelers

The Learn German Phrases & Words app is designed to boost your speaking capabilities while traveling. It can be used without an internet connection, so you can always depend on it.

The visual guide has carefully categorized sections like greetings, eating, romance and health. The app has over 800 common German phrases, and the German-speaking parrot pronounces everything for you.

Learn German – Phrasebook

german for travelers

This phrasebook is free, but you can upgrade to receive all of the phrases and words for your travels. The app works as a quick reference perfect for tourists visiting Germany. 

The main page shows categories like numbers, general conversation and transportation. Once you select a category and phrase, it gives you the option to hear a spoken version and slow down the audio for better understanding.

Wie Geht ‘s German

german for travelers

The Wie Geht ‘s app provides a few lessons with audio tracks that are useful while moving around the world. It has a travel section filled with options like directions, meeting people, weather, shopping, money and more.

Membership is required to get most of the content. The app is formatted like a class, but feel free to skip around and use the examples when you come across a moment when they are needed.

Germany Travel Guide Offline

german for travelers

The German Travel Guide app is not going to help you much with your German learning, but it may prevent you from getting lost.

The app works online and offline, with detailed maps for navigating cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. Check out weather, time and fun suggestions while moving around the cities.

With this app, you can immerse yourself in the German language and culture before stepping foot in Germany.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

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  • Even if you can’t have a fluent conversation, native German speakers always appreciate when foreigners put the effort into learning a bit of their language . It shows respect and demonstrates that you truly want to reach out and connect with people while abroad. 
  • You won’t be totally reliant on your German phrasebook. Yes, your German phrasebook has glossy pages and you love getting the chance to use it—but you want to be able to respond quickly when people speak to you, at a moment’s notice. 
  • If you can express yourself with some basic German phrases , you are less likely to be taken advantage of by taxi drivers, souvenir shops and waiters!
  • The perception that all German speakers speak English is simply not true. Even in big German cities you’ll find loads of people that know very little English. You don’t want to have to track down other English speakers every time you have a question or want to make a friend.

Try practicing some of these phrases out loud to get your pronunciation right before leaving on your travels. 

Before we part ways, there’s one final German travel phrase you need to know: Gute Reise!   (Have a good trip!)

Want to know the key to learning German effectively?

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You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don't know, you can add it to a vocabulary list.

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The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you're learning, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

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how was your trip german

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50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists: English Translations and Pronunciations

50 Essential German Phrases for Tourists - English Translations and Pronunciations

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, it’s always helpful to know a few basic phrases in German to help you navigate your way around the country. This guide provides 50 essential German phrases for tourists, along with their English translations and pronunciations. From ordering food in a restaurant to asking for directions, these phrases will come in handy during your visit to Germany.

Table of Contents

Here are 50 essential german phrases for tourists traveling in germany, with their english translations and german pronunciations:.

Read also: Offensive German Vocabulary: 50 Words You Should Avoid Using

  • Hello – Hallo (hah-loh)
  • Goodbye – Tschüss (chooss)
  • Please – Bitte (bit-teh)
  • Thank you – Danke (dahn-keh)
  • You’re welcome – Bitte (bit-teh)
  • Excuse me – Entschuldigung (ent-shool-dee-goong)
  • Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? (shpre-chen zee eng-lish?)
  • I don’t understand – Ich verstehe nicht (eekh fer-shtay-eh nikht)
  • How much does it cost? – Wie viel kostet es? (vee feel kohs-tet ess?)
  • Where is the bathroom? – Wo ist die Toilette? (vo ist dee toh-let-teh?)
  • Can you help me? – Können Sie mir helfen? (kern-nen zee meer hell-fen?)
  • I would like… – Ich möchte… (eekh merkh-teh…)
  • Do you have…? – Haben Sie…? (hah-ben zee…?)
  • Yes – Ja (yah)
  • No – Nein (nine)
  • Excuse me, is this seat taken? – Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz besetzt? (ent-shool-dee-goong, ist dee-zer platz beh-zetst?)
  • What is your name? – Wie heißen Sie? (vee hi-sen zee?)
  • Nice to meet you – Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen (froit mikh, zee ken-nen-tsuh-lern-en)
  • Can you recommend a good restaurant? – Können Sie ein gutes Restaurant empfehlen? (kern-nen zee ighn goot-es rest-o-rahnt em-pfeh-len?)
  • I’m allergic to… – Ich bin allergisch gegen… (eekh bin ah-ler-gish geh-gen…)
  • Is there a pharmacy nearby? – Gibt es eine Apotheke in der Nähe? (gibt ess igh-nuh ah-po-teh-keh in dare neh-eh?)
  • Could you call me a taxi, please? – Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Taxi rufen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh ighn tahk-see roo-fen?)
  • Where can I find a map? – Wo finde ich eine Karte? (vo fin-deh eekh igh-nuh kahr-teh?)
  • Can you show me on the map? – Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? (kern-nen zee ess meer auf dare kahr-teh tsigh-gen?)
  • I need a doctor – Ich brauche einen Arzt (eekh brow-khe igh-nen ahrtst)
  • I’m lost – Ich habe mich verlaufen (eekh hah-beh meekh fer-lah-fohn)
  • Is it safe here? – Ist es hier sicher? (ist ess heer zee-cher?)
  • Is there Wi-Fi here? – Gibt es hier Wi-Fi? (gibt ess heer wee-fie?)
  • How do I get to…? – Wie komme ich nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh nahkh…?)
  • What time is it? – Wie spät ist es? (vee shpayt ist ess?)

Read also: 45 Ways to Save Money During Your Trip to Europe

  • Can you tell me the way to…? – Können Sie mir den Weg nach… erklären? (kern-nen zee meer den vayg nahkh…er-kla-ren?)
  • I would like to book a room – Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren (eekh merkh-teh ighn tsim-mer reh-zer-vee-ren)
  • Is breakfast included? – Ist Frühstück inklusive? (ist frooh-shtook in-kloo-see-veh?)
  • What time is breakfast served? – Wann gibt es Frühstück? (vahn gibt ess frooh-shtook?)
  • Can I pay with a credit card? – Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen? (kahn eekh mit kreh-dit-kahr-teh tsah-len?)
  • What is the exchange rate? – Wie ist der Wechselkurs? (vee ist dare vek-sel-kurs?)
  • Can I get a discount? – Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen? (kahn eekh igh-nen rah-baht geh-kom-men?)
  • I need a wake-up call – Ich brauche einen Weckruf (eekh brow-khe igh-nen vehk-roof)
  • Is there a safe in the room? – Gibt es einen Safe im Zimmer? (gibt ess igh-nen zahf-eh im tsim-mer?)
  • Can I have some more…? – Kann ich noch etwas…haben? (kahn eekh nokh ess-tas…hah-ben?)
  • How far is it to…? – Wie weit ist es bis…? (vee vight ist ess bis…?)
  • What is the best way to get to…? – Wie komme ich am besten nach…? (vee kohm-meh eekh am bes-ten nahkh…?)
  • I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid (ess toot meer liyt)
  • What is the weather like today? – Wie ist das Wetter heute? (vee ist dahs vet-ter hoy-teh?)
  • Do you have a menu in English? – Haben Sie eine Speisekarte auf Englisch? (hah-ben zee igh-nuh shpy-suh-kahr-teh owf eng-lish?)
  • Could you please bring me the bill? – Könnten Sie mir bitte die Rechnung bringen? (kern-nen zee meer bit-teh dee rek-noong bren-gen?)
  • Is there a tourist information center nearby? – Gibt es ein Touristeninformationszentrum in der Nähe? (gibt ess ighn too-ris-ten-in-fohr-ma-tsee-ons-tsent-room in dare neh-eh?)
  • How do I get to the train/bus station? – Wie komme ich zum Zug/Busbahnhof? (vee kohm-meh eekh tsuhm tsug/boos-bahn-hof?)
  • Can I have a glass of water, please? – Kann ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben? (kahn eekh bit-teh ighn glahs vah-ser hah-ben?)
  • Have a nice day – Einen schönen Tag noch (igh-nen shern-en tahg nokh)

With this guide, you now have a handy resource to help you communicate with locals during your trip to Germany. Don’t be afraid to practice these German Phrases for Tourists and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these essential German phrases will help you make the most of your trip

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47 Survival German Travel Phrases [You Need To Know]

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Are you dreaming about your next trip to Germany? Maybe this is your first visit and you’re keen to blend in. Or perhaps you’ve visited German speaking countries a few times but always resorted to using English.

In this post you will discover 47 tried and tested German travel phrases that have worked well for me on my many trips to Germany. You’ll also hear audio of each of the phrases.

After reading this post you will:

  • Know how to say 47 essential German travel phrases
  • Hear how each of the phrases sound
  • Be able to mix and match which ever phrases you want to try out on German speakers

Why Learn German Travel Phrases?

Before we get started I want to give you a quick pep talk.

If you’re travelling to a German speaking country any time soon, you may head there with the idea that ‘everyone speaks English’.

If you’re heading for a city break, you’ll probably meet people in the tourist industry that do speak a bit of English. But once you step off the tourist path, you’ll realise that many people don’t speak much English at all.

Even if you’re opting for a city break, it shows a great deal of respect to the local people to at least learn how to say ‘hello’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in German. If you expand your knowledge and learn how to say more German tourist phrases such as ‘I would like’ or ‘can I check in?’ the person you’re speaking to will be really impressed.

In my many trips to Germany, I’ve learned to never be afraid of speaking German with the locals. Even during my earlier visits when I tried and butchered that poor language, the German speakers I spoke to were so happy that I was even trying.

Don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying. Even if you mostly speak English, then throw in one of these German travel phrases somewhere, you’ll make progress.

german travel phrases

Common German Words

Let’s make a start with the most common German travel phrases and words you’ll encounter as a tourist. These are simple pleasantries that will be appreciated by the locals. So make sure you learn some of these even if you don’t learn anything else.

Ready to finally master German sentence structure?

Download your German Sentence Structure Cheat Sheet  for just $1 and get your sentences to flow naturally.

how was your trip german

Asking For Help / Not Understanding

Whenever you’re in a country where you don’t speak a lot of the language, it’s always helpful to learn a few ’emergency phrases’.

For example, one time when I was in Germany, but didn’t know much German at that point, another guest in a hotel started chatting to me in German. My go-to phrase to politely end a conversation was sorry, mein Deutsch ist nicht so gut (sorry, my German isn’t very good).

And just so you know, in a real emergency, the emergency number in Germany is 112.

Whether you’re stopping for a quick coffee or a full on meal, there are loads of chances to practice some German travel phrases with the waiting staff when you order food and drink in German . At the very least, memorise ich hätte gern … (I would like…) and then add your drink or meal of choice. It’s really polite and shows a lot of respect to the person serving you to order in this way.

Some key words to listen out for are trinken (drink) and essen (eat). These are great words to train yourself to listen for so you can get a feel for what is being asked.

german travel phrases

In a hotel you’re most likely to meet English speakers, but if you want to practice some German, the receptionists are usually very happy to speak to you. Why not try some of these essential phrases out?

Getting Around & Directions

Thanks to Google Maps, you probably won’t need to ask a local for directions, but it’s always helpful to know how to ask the way to the toilet / bathroom if you’re in a café.

One thing to keep in mind when shopping in Germany, is that you’ll encounter shops, cafés and restaurants that only accept cash. So it’s a good idea to check before you order.

German has 3+ words for receipt, and in my experience they seem to be interchangeable. One way of saying receipt isn’t limited to the area you’re in, so you might hear Quittung, Bon and Beleg being used all in the same city. Keep your ears alert for these tricky words!

So there you go, 47 essential German travel phrases, all tried and tested and ready for you to use on your next trip.

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#1 Best Guide: Basic German Phrases For Travelers

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  • , August 30, 2023

Basic German Phrases For Travelers Ling App

Hey there! Are you planning to explore the bustling streets of Berlin or savor the serene beauty of the Bavarian Alps? Well, knowing a handful of essential basic German phrases for travelers can transform your travel experience from “lost in translation” to “living the dream.” Language barriers can be a bit intimidating, but fear not – we’re here to sprinkle a dash of linguistic magic on your journey.

We’re diving headfirst into the wonderful world of basic German travel phrases. We’ll keep things breezy, breaking down complex language tidbits into bite-sized chunks that even your grandma would approve of. So, pack your curiosity, and let’s dive into the “wunderbar” realm of basic German words because speaking German is easier than you think!

And guess what? You won’t find any lengthy grammar lectures or tedious vocabulary lists here. Nope, just simple, practical phrases that you can whip out whenever you need to charm your way through a German-speaking situation. Get ready to sprinkle some linguistic stardust on your journey – are you excited? We sure are! Let’s dive in and unravel the magic of basic German phrases for travelers.

German flag - Basic German Phrases For Travelers Ling App Germany

Greetings And Polite Expressions

Ah, greetings – the universal key to opening the doors of communication! In the realm of the German language, a simple “Hallo” (Hello) can work wonders. Whether you’re strolling through a bustling market or mingling at a charming café, starting with a warm “Hallo” can instantly create a friendly atmosphere.

But let’s take it a step further. Imagine impressing native German speakers with German greetings such as “Guten Tag” (Good day) or even “Guten Morgen” (Good morning). It’s like you’ve unlocked a secret code to their hearts!

Don’t worry if you’re unsure about your German skills – many Germans also speak English. So, if you find yourself in a friendly chat and want to switch to your comfort zone, you can always say, “Sprichst du Englisch?” (Do you speak English?).

Ordering Food And Drinks

Get ready to indulge your taste buds and navigate menus like a local in any German-speaking country! Whether you’re a culinary explorer or just looking to satisfy your hunger pangs, mastering a few essential words in the common language can transform your dining experience from good to “lecker” (delicious)!

Asking For Directions

Lost in a new city? No worries – we’ve got your back! When it comes to finding your way around, a few simple and essential German travel phrases can be your guiding light. Whether you’re in the heart of Munich or exploring the charming streets of Heidelberg, mastering these more common German phrases can turn your navigation game from “lost wanderer” to “exploration expert.”

So, take the time to read these words and learn German travel phrases! Let’s make your trip a memorable journey!

Shopping And Bargaining

We have some German basics to elevate your grammar when it comes to shopping! When talking to a native German speaker, try saying, “Kann ich einen Rabatt bekommen?” (Can I have a discount?)

Emergency Situations

While we hope for the best, it’s smart to be prepared with a few essential German phrases for the unexpected when traveling. Learning German phrases for emergencies can provide peace of mind and ensure you’re ready to handle any situation.

Making Friends And Socializing

When it comes to exploring new horizons, connecting with locals through common phrases can transform your journey into an unforgettable adventure. With just a sprinkle of at least the basics of common German travel phrases from your phrasebook, you’ll be well on your way to creating friendships that span cultures.

Mastering Basic German Phrases For Travelers

And there you have it – your ultimate guide to conquering the world of basic German words for travelers! Remember, you don’t need to be a language expert to make a genuine connection or travel with confidence. These basic German phrases are your stepping stones, paving the way for richer experiences and unforgettable memories. Happy travels, language enthusiast!

Learn German with Ling

Learn German With Ling!

Ready to level up your language skills while having a blast? Look no further! Dive into the world of language learning with the Ling app. Whether you’re aiming to impress the locals on your next adventure or just want to expand your horizons, the Ling app has your back. It’s like having a language tutor in your pocket, available whenever and wherever you are.

Download the app on the App S t ore and Play Store today, and let the language-learning journey begin!

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German for Travelers: 101 Useful Phrases Every Backpacker Should Know

Renán L. Cuervo

Passport? Check. Bags? Packed. Tickets? Booked. How’s your Deutsch? Get ready for your upcoming trip to Germany with this handy list of German phrases for travelers to cover every situation!

Why you should learn these German phrases for travelers

Are you getting ready to visit Germany? Or is it Austria? Switzerland? Whatever the country, these German travel phrases will make your trip that much more enjoyable. So, print them out or keep them on your phone!

Even if you’re not looking to become fluent in German, these common German phrases for travel are a great way to connect with native speakers and immerse yourself in the country during your journey. But, in case you need more convincing, here are a few other reasons why you should pick up some basic German for travelers :

Travel better : First, it’ll be easier to move around, ask for directions, and communicate with locals. Besides, you’ll score points with native speakers!

More independence : Second, you’ll rely less on expensive phrase books, awkward translations from your phone, and complicated hand gesturing. Additionally, we promise you’ll feel great after successfully ordering a beer in German all on your own. 

Not everyone speaks English : Third, the idea that every single European speaks English is not true. So, avoid the hassle of tracking down an English speaker every time you need help.

Easier to meet new people : Fourth, meeting people and making friends will be easier. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your new best friend or someone special thanks to a smooth Hallo, wie geht es dir?

Make learning German easier : Lastly, if you’re interested in fully learning this European language, good news! Learning phrases in your target language is one of the best ways to learn German .

German phrases for travelers: a note on pronunciation

Before we get to our list of German phrases for travelers , here’s a quick, helpful note on German pronunciation. 

Generally, German is a highly phonetic language: its words tend to sound exactly like they’re written. It’s also a close linguistic relative to English and uses the Latin alphabet, so its pronunciation is not that difficult to grasp. That being said, there are a few tricky letters and sounds to consider. Here’s a quick rundown:

To help you out even more, we’re adding the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) of each phrase so you know exactly how to pronounce it. 

Remember: the Fluent Forever app is chock-full of even more useful German travel phrases you can learn.

Various papers with German words printed on them

Keep these phrases handy! Photo by Skylar Kang

The top 101 German phrases for travelers

Greetings, introductions, and farewells.

From “hello” to “goodbye,” these first group of German phrases for travelers will help you pick the right salutation for the right context. 

Basic questions and answers

These aren’t life’s most pressing questions, but they’re certainly some of its most common ones. This next list has some great questions you’ll need, along with their answers.

You’ll need to eat during your trip, right? Well, these phrases will help you navigate your first time ordering a Bratwurst.

At the hotel

Be it at a hostel or a five-star hotel, the following phrases will come in handy when you’re looking for a place to spend the night.

Locations & asking for directions

You’ll also need to know how to get to places. So here’s a list of phrases you can use to find your way through Berlin’s lively downtown. 

Most German-speaking countries have efficient public transport. Make sure you keep these next phrases handy for when you need to use the metro.

Your friends and family will probably expect souvenirs. Don’t let them down and get them something nice at the gift shop! Here’s how:

Emergency phrases 

Emergency? Fret not, these last group of phrases are sure to help you out in your moments of need!

Learn German phrases for travelers with these online resources

If you’re looking to learn even more German, there are different resources you can tap into online. As we’ve already mentioned, even if you’re not looking to become fluent, locals will appreciate the effort you make to speak their language. 

First, you can learn with a language exchange partner. It’s a fun way to practice any language and meet someone at the same time. Additionally, if they’re from the place you plan to visit, they can give you useful information and travel tips. My Language Exchange is a great place to start your search.

Second, YouTube is a fantastic platform for online language tutors. There are a lot of people who upload free courses and provide tips in simple and straightforward videos. Here’s a list of some well-known German language YouTubers: 

  • German with Anja
  • Fröhlich Deutsch
  • EasyDeutsch
  • Get Germanized

Third, you can take a free German course before you step on the plane. Here’s a neatly compiled list of free online courses you can check out. 

Lastly, what better way to learn German online than with Fluent Forever? You can download our app and learn through our unique, science-backed method that’ll get you speaking in no time. Plus, you can sign up for our Live Coaching program to get 1-on-1 sessions from a native speaker who’s certified in our language learning system. 

Bis später!

  • German sounds
  • language learning

You are currently viewing Gute Reise! Have a Great Trip! Travel Phrases in German

Gute Reise! Have a Great Trip! Travel Phrases in German

  • Post author: Language Garage
  • Post published: December 16, 2020
  • Post category: German / Travel / Vocabulary

In this post we’ll look at a lot of German vocabulary and expressions that will come in handy when you travel. Let’s start with the basics.

Mein Koffer: My Suitcase

Before you travel, you of course need to pack. So let’s start there.

  • der Koffer, -Ø suitcase
  • Ich muss meinen Koffer packen. I need to pack my suitcase.
  • Mein Koffer ist schwer/leicht/voll/leer. My suitcase is heavy/light/full/empty.

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  • Meine Sachen passen nicht in meinen Koffer. My clothes don’t fit in my suitcase.
  • Ich brauche eine andere Tasche/einen anderen Koffer. I need another bag/suitcase.

Am Flughafen : At the Airport

If you’re traveling, you’re probably going to leave from and arrive at an airport.

  • das Flugticket, -s/die Bordkarte, -n/der Pass, -¨e/der Flug, -¨e plane ticket, boarding pass, passport, flight
  • die Ankunft/der Abflug/das Gate, -s/die Gepäckausgabe arrivals, departures, gate, baggage claim
  • die Passkontrolle, der Zoll passport control, customs
  • Ich muss mein Gepäck aufgeben. I need to check my luggage.
  • Ich habe Handgepäck. I have a carry-on bag.
  • Wann geht der Flug ab? When does the flight leave?
  • Bei der Sicherheitskontrolle gibt’s eine lange Schlange. There’s a long line at security.
  • In zehn Minuten gehen wir an Bord. We’re boarding in ten minutes.
  • der Fensterplatz/Gangplatz/Mittenplatz window seat, aisle seat, middle seat
  • der Pilot, -en/die Pilotin, -nen/der Flugbegleiter, -Ø/die Flugbegleiterin, -nen pilot, flight attendant
  • Bitte legen Sie die Sicherheitsgurte an. Please fasten your seatbelt.
  • Bitte stellen Sie ihr Mobiltelefon ab. Please turn off your cell phone.
  • Wir lang ist der Flug? How long is the flight?
  • Wir landen in zehn Minuten. We’re landing in ten minutes.
  • Wir müssen durch den Zoll und die Passkontrolle. We need to go through customs and passport control.
  • Wo ist die Gepäckausgabe? Where’s the baggage claim area?
  • Wo stehen die Taxis? Where are the taxis?
  • Fährt ein Zug/Bus in die Stadt? Is there a train/bus to the city?
  • Ich muss Geld wechseln. I need to exchange money.

Im Hotel: At the Hotel

You’ve finally arrived, so let’s get you settled in your hotel room.

  • Wo ist das Hotel? Where is the hotel?
  • Ich würde mich gern anmelden. I’d like to check in.
  • Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen _____. I have a reservation. My name is ______.
  • Wo ist der Aufzug? Where’s the elevator?
  • Auf welcher Etage ist mein Zimmer? What floor is my room on?
  • das Zimmer, -Ø/das Bett, -en/das Badezimmer, -Ø/das Fenster, -Ø/der Fernseher, -Ø/das Telefon, -e room, bed, bathroom, window, television, phone
  • das Bettlaken, -Ø/die Wolldecke, -n/das Kissen, -Ø/der Bademantel, -¨Ø sheets, blanket, pillow, bathrobe
  • Gibt es Zimmerservice? Is there room service?
  • Kann ich bitte eine Extrawolldecke bekommen? Can I have an extra blanket?
  • Kann ich ein Bügeleisen und ein Bügelbrett bekommen? Can I have an iron and an ironing board?
  • Kann ich einen Föhn bekommen? Can I have a blow-dryer?
  • Kann ich meine Sachen waschen lassen? Can I have my clothes washed?
  • Die Heizung funktioniert nicht. The heat isn’t working.
  • Die Klimaanlage funktioniert nicht. The air conditioning isn’t working.
  • Lassen Sie bitte mein Zimmer sauber machen. Please clean my room.
  • Kann ich ein anderes/größeres/ruhigeres Zimmer bekommen? Can I have another room / a bigger room / a quieter room?
  • Wo wird das Frühstück serviert? Where do we eat breakfast?
  • Gibt es ein Fitnesscenter? Is there an exercise room?
  • Gibt es ein Schwimmbecken? Is there a pool?
  • Gibt es eine Bar? Is there a bar?
  • Gibt es ein Restaurant? Is there a restaurant?
  • Haben Sie Wifi? Do you have WiFi?
  • Wie ist das Wifi-Passwort? What’s the WiFi password?
  • Wann muss das Zimmer geräumt werden? What time is check-out?
  • Ich würde gern auschecken. I would like to check out.
  • Könnten Sie mir bitte ein Taxi rufen? Can you call a taxi for me?

Ich habe hunger! I’m hungry

When you’re traveling, it’s important to know some basic terms for food, drink, and how to navigate a nice meal at a local restaurant. Check out this post , which covers all of that!

  • Wo ist der Bahnhof? Where is the train station?

Once you’re settled into your hotel, you probably want to know where things are in case you need to pop out and buy something.

  • Gibt es ein 24-Stunden-Geschäft in der Nähe? Is there a convenience store nearby?
  • Gibt es eine Apotheke in der Nähe? Is there a pharmacy nearby?
  • Gibt es einen Supermarkt in der Nähe? Is there a supermarket nearby?
  • Gibt es ein gutes Restaurant in der Nähe? Is there a good restaurant nearby?
  • Gibt es ein Krankenhaus/eine Arztpraxis in der Nähe? Is there a hospital/doctor’s office nearby?
  • Gibt es einen Buchladen in der Nähe? Is there a bookstore nearby?
  • Gibt es ein Kleidungsgeschäft in der Nähe? Is there a clothing store nearby?
  • Gibt es ein Schuhgeschäft in der Nähe? Is there a shoe store nearby?
  • Wo ist die U-Bahnhaltestelle? Where is the subway station?
  • Wo ist die Bushaltestelle? Where is the bus station?
  • Das ist gleich neben dem Hotel. It’s next to the hotel.

Of course, if you ask where things are, you’ll need some basic vocabulary related to directions and getting around.

  • Ist das in der Nähe? Is it nearby?
  • Ist das weit? Is it far from here?
  • Kann ich dahin zu Fuß gehen? Can I walk there?
  • Das ist (ganz) in der Nähe. It’s nearby.
  • Das ist sehr weit von hier. It’s far from here.
  • Das ist gleich gegenüber. It’s across the street.
  • Gehen Sie über die Straße. Cross the street.
  • Gehen Sie über die Brücke. Cross the bridge.
  • Gehen Sie nach rechts. Turn right.
  • Gehen Sie nach links. Turn left.
  • Gehen Sie geradeaus. Go straight ahead.
  • Das ist beim Bahnhof. It’s next to the train station.
  • Das ist in der Nähe vom Bahnhof. It’s near the train station.
  • Das ist hinter dem Bahnhof. It’s behind the train station.
  • Das ist links neben dem Bahnhof. It’s the left of the train station.
  • Das ist rechts neben dem Bahnhof. It’s to the right of the train station.
  • Das ist vor dem Bahnhof/gegenüber vom Bahnhof. It’s in front of the train station.

Lasst uns eine Stadtrundfahrt machen. Let’s go sightseeing.

  • Wir wollen eine Stadtrundfahrt machen. We want to go sightseeing.
  • Haben Sie einen Stadtplan? Do you have a map of the city?
  • Gibt es einen Bus für Stadtrundfahrten? Is there a tour bus?
  • Gibt es einen Reiseführer? Is there a tour guide?
  • Wir möchten ein Museum besuchen. We want to go to a museum.
  • Wir möchten eine Kathedrale/einen Tempel/eine Moschee besichtigen. We want to visit a cathedral/temple/mosque.
  • Wir möchten in den Park gehen. We want to go to the park.
  • Wir möchten eine Kunstgalerie besuchen. We want to visit an art gallery.
  • Wir möchten ein Theaterstück/eine Oper/ein Konzert sehen. We want to see a play/opera/concert.
  • Wir möchten eine Burg besichtigen. We want to visit a castle.
  • Wir möchten ein Denkmal besichtigen. We want to visit a monument.
  • Welche historischen Stätten sollten wir besichtigen? Which historical sites should we visit?
  • Welche kulturellen Stätten sollten wir besichtigen? Which cultural sites should we visit?
  • Wo ist die beste Einkaufsgegend? Where’s the best neighborhood for shopping?
  • Wo gibt es das beste Nachtleben? Where’s the best neighborhood for nightlife?
  • Wir möchten eine Bar/einen Nachtklub besuchen. We want to go to a bar/nightclub.
  • Von wo hat man einen guten Blick auf die Stadt? Where is there a good view of the city?
  • Wir möchten auf einen Wochenmarkt gehen. We want to visit a market.
  • Gibt es eine öffentliche Toilette in der Nähe? Is there a public bathroom nearby?
  • Wo sind die Toiletten? Where is the bathroom?
  • Wo ist der Ausgang/Eingang? Where is the exit/entrance?
  • Wieviel kostet eine Führung/Rundfahrt? How much does a tour cost?

Wohin fährt dieser Zug? Where does this train go?

You probably want to see some sights outside of the city, and for that you’ll need to get around.

  • Wir möchten nach Hamburg fahren. We want to go to Hamburg.
  • Ich hätte gern eine Fahrkarte nach Hamburg. I’d like a bus ticket/train ticket to Hamburg.
  • Wieviel kostet eine Fahrkarte? How much does a ticket cost?
  • Ich möchte eine einfache Fahrt. I want a one-way ticket.
  • Ich brauche eine Rückfahrkarte. I want a round-trip ticket.
  • Wann fährt der Zug/Bus ab? When does the train/bus leave?
  • Wann kommt der Zug/Bus an? When does the train/bus arrive?
  • Fährt dieser Zug/Bus nach Hamburg? Does this bus/train go to Hamburg?
  • Wie lang ist die Fahrt nach Hamburg? How long does it take to go to Hamburg.
  • Wo kann ich ein Auto mieten? Where can I rent a car?
  • Wie komme ich zum Strand/ins Gebirge/zum Nationalpark? How can I get to the beach/mountains/national park?
  • Was/Wieviel kostet das? How much does it cost?

When you’re traveling, you probably need to by all sorts of things. Let’s cover that vocabulary.

  • Wo kann ich eine Landkarte/eine Flasche Wasser/eine Tasse Kaffee kaufen? Where can I buy a map/a bottle of water/a cup of coffee?
  • Wo kann ich eine Sonnenbrille/Aspirin/Sonnenschutzcreme kaufen? Where can I buy sunglasses/aspirin/sunscreen?
  • Wo kann ich Ansichtskarten/Souvenirs kaufen? Where can I buy postcards/souvenirs?
  • Wo kann ich etwas zu essen/trinken kaufen? Where can I buy something to eat/something to drink?
  • Schreiben Sie mir bitte den Preis auf. Please write the price.
  • Kann ich bar bezahlen? Can I pay by cash?
  • Kann ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen? Can I pay by credit card?
  • Das ist zu teuer. That’s too expensive.
  • Haben Sie etwas Billigeres? Do you have something less expensive?
  • Darf ich mir das ansehen? Can I see that, please?
  • Ich nehme dies/das hier. I’ll take this/that.
  • Kann ich das anprobieren? Can I try it on?

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Check out our other posts on German language, culture, and more . And if you’re looking for convenient and affordable live German lessons with a real teacher, check out The Language Garage German . Our lessons are given online in a virtual classroom, so it doesn’t matter where you live or work. We can come to you. And we have flexible options, with a free trial so that you can decide if there’s a fit. Check us out!

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How to Plan a Trip to Germany (Your Step by Step Germany Trip Planner for Traveling to Germany for the First Time!)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

You’ve decided to visit Germany. Hooray! Whether you’re looking for bustling cities, sandy beaches, alpine hiking, intriguing history, fairytale castles, delicious food, fun festivals or friendly people, Germany is the perfect European vacation destination.

lake and alps in Germany

Not only is there a tremendous amount to do, see, eat, and experience in Germany, you can easily combine a visit to Germany with other European destinations. Germany is easy to get around in by train, bus, car or bike, and many people speak English.

You’re probably wondering…where do I even begin with planning my dream-come-true vacation to beautiful Deutschland? 

Where should I go? Is it better to take the train or rent a car? What are the must-see cities and attractions? Which ones should I skip? Where’s the best place to stay? What should I eat and drink?

Join our FREE Germany Trip Planning Facebook Group!

Don’t worry! We’re here to help you narrow down your travel options, plan your itinerary , and book your trip with ease. It’s actually quite easy to plan a trip to Germany by yourself with the information in this article, on this site and with some help of some online booking engines.

To reduce overwhelm and help you plan your ideal vacation, we cover everything you need to know to get started planning your trip to Germany . And if you have any questions, you’re welcome to ask us in our free Germany travel Facebook community or send us  an email . 

Ok, let’s begin!

  • 1 Meet Your Germany Travel Guides
  • 2 Overview of Regions
  • 3 Where to Go in Germany: Itineraries and Planning
  • 4 Want more itinerary ideas? Are you a big city person? Check out… 
  • 5 Prefer smaller historic, picturesque cities? Check out…
  • 6 What about cute little villages with “Fachwerk” (half-timber) architecture? There are so many! Here are a few ideas…
  • 7 Looking forward to visiting fairytale castles?
  • 8 Like islands and water? Take a look at…
  • 9 What about nature, hiking, and national parks? Consider…
  • 10 Passports & Visas
  • 11 What’s the Best Time to Go to Germany?
  • 12 Germany Booking Timeline
  • 13 What’s the Weather in Germany Like?
  • 14 What Time is it in Germany Right Now?
  • 15 What’s the Best Way to Get to Germany?
  • 16 Where to Stay in Germany
  • 17 Getting Around Germany
  • 18 What to Wear in Germany
  • 19 My Absolute Favorite Travel Clothing Items
  • 20 What to Eat in Germany

Meet Your Germany Travel Guides

Aaron and Cate

Hi, we’re Cate and Aaron, and we love helping people plan amazing trips to Germany. While Aaron has visited Germany several times (and is our chief rental car driver!), I lived there for 4+ years, have spent nearly 30 years of my life going back and forth between the US and Germany, and have traveled to all corners of the country.

I also taught German for several years and have a PhD in German Applied Linguistics, which means I’ve gotten to know Germany from several different angles. We’re so excited to help you plan your dream trip to Deutschland! 

Overview of Regions

northern Germany

Northern Germany  – Hamburg is the largest city in this region but there are other must-visit smaller cities like Lübeck , Stade, Bremen, and Lüneburg. Northern Germany also has the beautiful beaches of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, the Wadden Sea national park, and the islands of Sylt, Flör, and Heligoland. Northern Germany is flat and great for biking. It looks so different from Bavaria! Combine a trip to Denmark with a visit to northern Germany.

Saxon Switzerland

Eastern Germany  –  Berlin is of course the feature city in this region, but Dresden, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Quedlinburg, Bautzen, Erfurt, and Weimar are smaller must-see cities. There’s also the Harz mountains, Swiss Saxony national park , Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes in Thuringia, Wernigerode castle, the Schwerin Palace, and Sansouci in Potsdam. Combine a trip to eastern Germany with a visit to Poland or the Czech Republic.

Karnival

Central Germany  – This region offers bustling cities like Cologne , Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt , smaller cities like Aachen, Wiesbaden, Koblenz, and plenty of cute villages. There’s also the Rhine and Mosel river areas, vineyards, the Eifel national park, castles , and beautiful rolling hills. Combine a visit to central Germany with a trip to the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, or France.

Hohenzollern castle

Black Forest/Baden-Württemberg  –  Stuttgart is the largest city in this region, and smaller cities like Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, Freiburg , Tübingen, and Ulm also warrant a visit. Vineyards and wineries, spa towns, castles (such as Hohenzollern or Lichtenstein ), waterfalls, Lake Constance, cute villages, and hiking are also features of the Black Forest /Baden-Württemberg region. Combine a trip to France or Switzerland with a visit to southwestern Germany.

Munich

Bavaria/Alps  – Munich is the feature city of Bavaria ( Oktoberfest! ), along with smaller cities like Regensburg, Nuremberg, Würtzburg, Bamberg, and Passau. There’s also the famous Zugspitze, Eagle’s Nest, Neuschwanstein castle , and Chiemsee lake, as well as lovely alpine towns like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Berchtesgaden . Combine a trip to Bavaria with a visit to Austria, Czech Republic or Switzerland.

Click here for what to do in Munich!

Where to Go in Germany: Itineraries and Planning

There’s so much to see and do in Germany! Here’s some info to get you started on your itinerary (you can also check out this article with 10-14 day itinerary ideas ). 

If you have just a few days,  I recommend focusing on one city and a day trip (e.g., Hamburg with a day trip to Lübeck or Munich with a day trip to Neuschwanstein ).

If you have a week,  you could visit 2 cities (plus 2 day trips) in different parts of Germany and allot one day for travel between cities (e.g., a few days in Munich with a day trip to Chiemsee, travel day to Berlin, then a few days in Berlin with a day trip to Potsdam). Or you could spend a week touring one region of Germany (e.g. the Black Forest or the Rhine and Mosel areas).

If you have two weeks,  you can see a lot of Germany! You could, for example, start in Berlin, then visit Hamburg, take a day trip to Lübeck , then visit the Rhein river area, stop in the Black Forest , and end your trip in Munich. You could easily do this trip via train or car. Take a look at a couple 10-14 day itineraries we’ve outlined to give you a sense of how much you can do in that amount of time.

Grab our FREE Germany Trip Planning Checklist Now!

German train

How long does it take to travel around Germany by train? 

It’s quick and easy to travel around Germany by train. Here are some sample travel times to give you an idea: 

  • Berlin to Hamburg – 1 hour 45 minutes 
  • Berlin to Munich – 4 – 4 1/2 hours
  • Hamburg to Lübeck – 1 hour 
  • Hamburg to Cologne – 4 hours 
  • Hamburg to Munich – 5 hours 40 minutes 
  • Frankfurt to Nuremberg – 2 hours 
  • Stuttgart to Munich – 2 1/4 hours 
  • Munich to Berchtesgaden – 2 hours 

I use and recommend the official German rail system website to check travel times and book train tickets (point-to-point, saver tickets, and discounted regional tickets). I book all of our train tickets here!

Want more itinerary ideas? Are you a big city person? Check out… 

  • Cologne / Düsseldorf

Prefer smaller historic, picturesque cities? Check out…

What about cute little villages with “fachwerk” (half-timber) architecture there are so many here are a few ideas….

  • Wernigerode
  • Quedlinburg
  • Dinkelsbühl
  • Rothenburg Ob der Tauber
  • Berchtesgaden

Looking forward to visiting fairytale castles?

  • Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau (the “Disney castle”)
  • Castles near Frankfurt
  • Castles near Cologne
  • 16 castles to visit in Germany

Like islands and water? Take a look at…

  • Husum (North Sea)
  • Timmendorferstrand (Baltic Sea)
  • Lake Constance (Bodensee)
  • Titisee 

What about nature, hiking, and national parks? Consider…

  • Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park
  • Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park 
  • Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park
  • Jasmund National Park
  • Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park
  • Müritz National Park
  • Lower Oder Valley National Park
  • Harz National Park
  • Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
  • Hainich National Park
  • Eifel National Park
  • Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park
  • Saxon Switzerland National Park
  • Bavarian Forest National Park
  • Berchtesgaden National Park
  • Black Forest National Park

How about a road trip? Why not drive the…

  • German Timber-frame Road (northern to southern Germany)
  • Romantic Road (Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, north/south)
  • Castle Road (Bavaria to Baden-Württemberg, east/west)
  • Wine Road (Palatinate wine region, north/south)
  • Fairytale Route (from Hanau to Bremen, south/north)
  • Black Forest High Road (Baden-Württemberg, north/south)
  • Alpine Route (Baden-Württemberg to Bavaria, east/west)
  • Volcanic Route (Rhein River and Eifel mountains, north/south)

Passports & Visas

If you’re from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries, you do not need a visa to enter Germany (at the time of publishing this article). You do, however, need a valid passport with at least 3 months validity AFTER your planned departure date.

Play it safe and have MORE than 6 months validity on entrance to Germany! You also need at least 2 blank passport pages at the time of your arrival. Check your passport NOW so you have plenty of time to renew it if needed. Do not wait until the last minute to do this (been there, done that – it’s expensive and stressful)!

Germany is part of the Schengen zone, which means you can stay in Germany for up to 90 days without a visa. If you visit other countries in the Schengen zone before or after Germany, that counts towards your 90 days and reduces the amount of time you can spend in Germany. While on the automatic 90-day tourist visa you may not work but you can engage in business.

What’s the Best Time to Go to Germany?

The best time to visit Germany is whenever you can get there! No, seriously! There’s no best time of year for your  Deutschland   tour because there’s no bad time of year to visit. I’ve traveled all over Germany in spring, summer, fall, and winter and enjoyed every single season (Cate here, writing this article, by the way).

When should  you  travel to Germany? Well, it just depends on what you’re looking for…

Cruise boat on river in Germany

Summer  is when you’re most likely to have warm (even hot) sunny weather. But it’s not guaranteed. I’ve had hot steamy summers in Germany (like last summer when we traveled during a heat wave), cold rainy summers, and everything in-between.

Fortunately, even if you encounter rain in the summer it likely won’t last more than a few hours or at most a couple days before you’ll see the sun again. The benefit of summer travel is that you’ll have nice long days for sight-seeing because the sun doesn’t fully set until about 10pm. If you’re interested in beaches or mountains, summer is a great time of year to visit.

Note, however, that not all hotels, cars, and restaurants use A/C. If you really hate hot weather, play it safe and avoid Germany in the middle of the summer. (Although, to be honest, in all of the summers I’ve spent in Germany, there have only been a few days in the summer that I’ve found truly unbearable without A/C.) If you  must  have A/C, be sure to confirm that your room or rental car has it.

Summer can also be a more crowded time to travel, since so many families make use of summer break. Book accommodation early for the most options and best prices!

Neuschwanstein castle

Winter  travel in Germany can be cold but beautiful. One of my favorite times of year to travel in Germany is during the four weeks of advent at Christmas.

Yes, it gets dark early (by 5pm or a bit earlier) but the lights, decorations, and Christmas markets more than make up for it. Plus, you can go skiing and enjoy other winter activities.

I was just in Germany for a couple weeks in December and the weather was perfectly fine 90% of the time. There was only one day where the weather was truly miserable and even on that day there were enough breaks in the weather to enjoy my day trip exploring a new town and a new Christmas market. 

Germans don’t let winter keep them from enjoying outdoor activities, hiking to strolling through a Christmas market or enjoying a coffee at an outdoor cafe. Don’t let it stop you, either! Just bundle up, grab a mug of Glühwein, and you’ll be fine!

Würzburg

Fall and spring  are also great times to visit Germany. In the fall you’ll enjoy crisp mornings and cool evenings and seeing the leaves change color.

In the spring you’ll experience the joy everyone feels when they can once again sit outside at cafes and restaurants. The weather can vary quite a bit day to day but if you travel late in the fall or early in the spring you can score great deals and will find smaller crowds.

Germany Booking Timeline

I’ve booked flights, accommodations , and tours and tickets a few weeks before my arrival, and I’ve booked them several months in advance. Book early if you:

  • Are traveling during peak summer, Christmas market or ski season
  • Have very specific travel dates or lodging, transportation, sight-seeing needs
  • Are visiting big cities
  • Are on a tight budget
  • Are visiting during a special event, such as Oktoberfest 

I usually start looking at my options as early as possible so I can figure out what a good deal looks like for my travel dates. I then set up flight alerts and start earmarking AirBnB’s and hotels. I begin booking whenever I find something that meets my needs and fits my budget. 

Here’s a general booking timeline to get you started:

6-12 months in advance:

  • Research and book your international flights
  • Research travel insurance
  • Plan your travel itinerary and dates
  • Research and book flights within Germany or Europe
  • Research travel options within Germany (rental car, train bus, etc)
  • Research accommodation options (book if you find great deals or if availability is limited)
  • Make sure your passport is up-to-date (you need at least 6 months left on it when you enter Germany) and apply for a new one if it isn’t

3 – 6 months in advance:

  • Book accommodation
  • Book trains or busses (usually 90 before your travel dates is the earliest you can book but always check if you can book earlier – the best deals go fast)
  • Book rental car
  • Book tours, events, and tickets
  • Book travel insurance 
  • Review your travel wardrobe and gear and purchase the items you need  

1 month in advance:

  • Book any remaining attractions and tours
  • Book airport transfers or plan how you will get to your lodging
  • Purchase a sim card for phone or check how you can use your current phone service in Germany (e.g., I can use my Verizon phone service for a $10/ a day fee)

1 week in advance: 

  • Print out or ensure that you can easily access all bookings, tickets, and travel info on your phone (make sure you can access everything without data or wifi!)

1 day in advance:

What’s the Weather in Germany Like?

What will the weather be like when you visit Germany? Well, it depends on the time of year and where you are. Weather in Germany can be somewhat unpredictable no matter the time of year.

I recommend being prepared by wearing layers, packing an umbrella or rain jacket, and remembering that the weather will likely change soon. And, as I said earlier, don’t let any kind of weather stop you from enjoying Germany! 

cobblestone street

Summer.  Germany comes alive in the summer with everyone and their dog (literally, there are dogs everywhere) outside enjoying the nice weather. Average high in the summer is 80F.  

Be warned…it can rain in the summer but it doesn’t usually last that long. It can also be super hot in the summer…but again, scorching temperatures doesn’t usually last that long.

Munich English Garden

Fall.  Such a beautiful time of year in Germany with the leaves changing colors and cool, crips mornings and evenings and warm days. One of my favorite times of year in Germany! In September, the average high is 67F and by November it’s around 47F.

Christmas market

Winter.  Bring your scarf, hat, and mittens because German winters can get cold! Average temps hover around freezing with warmer days in the 40s/50sF. While it can snow anywhere in Germany, you’ll find the most snow in southern Germany. Winter weather doesn’t mean everyone hides inside, though. On the contrary! Do what the Germans do – bundle up and enjoy the outdoors.

Freiburg Cathedral

Spring.  I love being in Germany on the first spring day because  everyone  heads outside to enjoy the sun and everyone is in such a good mood! Early spring will see a high around 47F but by late spring it’s more like 67F.

What Time is it in Germany Right Now?

Germany is in the Central European Time zone (CET) or UTC+2. It’s 6 hours ahead of the US EST, 7 hours ahead of CST, 8 hours ahead of MST, and 9 hours ahead of PST.

Daylight savings in Germany in 2020: time “falls back” on October 25 and “springs forward” on March 29. Write these dates in your calendar so you don’t accidentally miss any flights or trains (been there, done that)!

What’s the Best Way to Get to Germany?

It depends on where you’re coming from and where you’re going.  When flying from outside Europe, many people fly into Frankfurt (FRA), the largest airport in Germany and one of the largest and busiest airports in Europe.

The benefit of flying into Frankfurt is that it has a ton of direct flights, and once you reach Germany you can easily take a commuter flight, train, bus or rental car to your final destination.

The downside? The airport is huge, busy, and I’ve noticed prices into Frankfurt have been higher than regional airports in Germany.

I used to  always  fly into Frankfurt , and then take a train, bus or rental car to my final destination. But recently? I’ve found that it’s easier (and sometimes cheaper) to bypass FRA and fly into other German cities, such as Munich , Hamburg , Berlin , Düsseldorf ( Cologne ) or Stuttgart .

You might even be able to find a direct flight from the US (I’ve flown direct Atlanta – Stuttgart and Washington DC – Munich, for example). Otherwise, you’ll change planes somewhere in Europe and take an easy 1-3 hour flight to Germany. We’ve changed planes in London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Paris, and Vienna, for example. You could also fly into another European city and then take a train, bus or rental car into Germany.  

Lufthansa plane

A Few Notes About Flying Into FRA (Frankfurt Airport) and Traveling Onwards

If you take a commuter flight from Frankfurt  (FRA) to your final destination in Germany, you’ll go through passport control in FRA and then to your connecting gate. Super easy. Most flights from FRA to elsewhere in Germany are an hour or less in duration.

If you’re traveling onward by train from Frankfurt,  you can transfer to the train right at the airport below Terminal 1. If your train leaves from the main station in Frankfurt, you can either take the S-bahn or a regional train from the airport to the Hauptbahnhof (main station) in about 10-15 minutes.  

Important:  you’ll find cheap “savings fare” train ticket prices if you book your ticket online well ahead of your arrival. Be sure to book your ticket for  at least  a few hours after your flight’s arrival time into FRA.

Be warned: getting through passport control, customs, picking up your checked luggage, and making your way to the train station can take longer than you think. And if your plane from the US (or elsewhere) is delayed…well, it’s easy to miss your train and have to buy a new, much more expensive ticket on the spot. Personally, I would book a saver fare train ticket for a train that leaves 3-5 hours after my international flight’s arrival time – at the minimum. And that’s still cutting it close if there’s any kind of delay!

Tip: If you want maximum flexibility and peace of mind, buy a “flex ticket.” You’ll pay more but these tickets aren’t tied to a specific train. So if your flight is five hours late, you can take a train later in the day without changing your ticket or losing money.

These tickets also you to stop somewhere en route to your final destination for a couple hours, and then get back on a different train (e.g., stop in Stuttgart for a couple hours on your way to Munich). So if you arrive on time, you can work in a short excursion on the way to your final destination (store your luggage at a locker in the train station). If your flight is late, just go directly to your destination. These tickets are also refundable before the first day of travel.

For ultimate flexibility and peace of mind, spend the night in or around Frankfurt and book a saver fare train for early the next morning. 

Autobahn

You can also easily pick up a rental car at FRA  and drive to your final destination. Aaron and I have done this a few times and never had any problems.

The one problem we do have? Staying awake long enough to drive to our destination! We usually keep the driving distance to an hour or two on the day of our arrival and drink a lot of coffee. Sometimes we pull over at rest area and take a nap. 

If you want to rent a car at the airport and are concerned about driving while jet lagged, consider picking up the car and then spending the night in nearby town, such as Wiesbaden (I spent an enjoyable few days there before catching my flight home a few years ago). 

If you’re catching a bus  from the city center to travel onwards, S-bahn 8 or 9 will zip you into town quickly and cheaply in about 10-15 minutes. Buy tickets at any of the ticket machines before you board the S-bahn.  

You can also catch busses  into Frankfurt and elsewhere in front of Terminal 1 (arrivals level) and Terminal 2 (level 2).

You’ll find taxis  in the same general area. It takes about 20 minutes to get into downtown Frankfurt by taxi.

Flying to Germany from Elsewhere in Europe

These days it’s super easy and generally inexpensive to fly to Germany from all over Europe. Here are a couple tips:

When booking your international flight, you might be able to include a stop-over in the city where you’ll transfer to your Germany flight. I used to do stopovers in London, and a couple years ago I did an awesome stopover in Iceland. TAP also offers free stopovers in Lisbon or Porto.   

I highly recommend looking into both flying and taking a train (or bus) into Germany, especially if you’re arriving from a neighboring country and not on a stopover. Of course, if you’re flying from cities like London, Barcelona, Rome or Oslo, flying is the best option. But if you’re traveling from Paris, Vienna, Copenhagen or Prague, for example, a train might be the better way to go.

Even if the actual flight is only an hour, you have to factor in the time it takes to travel to the airport, go through security, potential flight delays, and then traveling to your lodging once you land. A 5- or 6-hour train ride might actually take less time than a 1-hour flight when you total it all up!

Traveling to Germany By Train, Bus or Car

Traveling to Germany from other European countries by train, bus or car is easy. Train travel is generally simple, comfortable, and quick. Most train stations in Germany are located in the city center, so it’s easy to get to your lodging via taxi or public transportation. 

If renting a car in another country, just double check that you’re authorized to take the car out of the rental country. If you are, you’ll have no problems crossing the boarder and driving around Germany. 

Busses tend to cost less than trains, and you can find some amazing deals, but to be honest, I still prefer taking trains over busses. Trains are more comfortable, you can get up and walk around, and they’re almost always faster than busses. Plus, they don’t get stuck in traffic.

Tips for Booking the Best Flights with Cash or Miles: 

  • Start looking for flights early,  especially if you’re traveling during peak season. I booked our mid-June flights in late January. While we found low mileage flights for very specific weekend travel dates, we could have found better flight times had we booked even earlier. 
  • Track flights  through google or look at options in Hopper so you’ll know a good deal when you see one.  
  • Look for last-minute deals.  When I decided to go to Germany in December I didn’t start looking for flights until early November (the trip was a last-minute decision). Because I was flexible on travel dates and went early in the month, I found excellent tickets using miles. This doesn’t always happen, but it never hurts to look for deals, even if your travel dates are right around the corner. 
  • Fly in or out of smaller regional airports  (e.g., Berlin , Hamburg , Stuttgart , Munich , Düsseldorf). When I booked our flights for mid-June I couldn’t find anything into Frankfurt using miles. But I did find flights into Berlin and out of Stuttgart, and that actually worked even better for that trip ! For my recent December trip , I found that flying in and out of Stuttgart used the lowest amount of miles and had the best schedule. I’ve also flown into Hamburg and Munich airports.

Where to Stay in Germany

Germany has so many options for lodging:

  • Vacation rentals (e.g., VBRO, AirBnB)
  • Hip boutique hotels
  • Quirky hostels
  • More traditional HI hostels
  • Large hotel chains
  • American-styles hotels (Hilton, Marriott, etc)
  • Family-run Pensionen (bed and breakfast)
  • Camping (RV and tent)

When we’re in Germany we typically opt for AirBnB (I like having a kitchen to make breakfast) or a smaller family-run Pension or boutique hotel. We used to stay in hostels when we was younger (they’re pretty nice in Germany) but even then I found Pensionen to be very affordable – sometimes  more  affordable than hostels – especially when traveling with one or two other people. If we’re spending the night near an airport or train station and want convenience and ease we’ll stay at a larger chain hotel .

Whether you’re looking for luxury or budget accommodations, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Germany! To help you get started, check out our Germany hotel guides.

flowers

Breakfast  is often included with lodging in Germany (but not always). Sometimes breakfast will feature fresh bread or Brötchen (delicious German rolls), cold cuts and cheese, butter and jam, and tea and coffee. Other times there will be an extensive breakfast buffet that includes things like yogurt, museli, a variety of breads, meats, cheeses, and even hard-boiled eggs. You’re unlikely to find things like omelets, bacon, pancakes, waffles, and hot oatmeal.

If you’re looking to save money on lodging,  book rooms with a shared bathroom. (This is typically only an option in smaller or older hotels and not an option I come across as often anymore.) Sometimes that will mean sharing a full bathroom with other guests on your floor, and other times you’ll have a sink and/or shower in your room and will share a toilet located in the hallway. Shared bathrooms are more common in smaller Pensionen than in hotels.

These days I prefer the convenience of having a full bathroom in my room but I’m not averse to sharing a hall bathroom when needed (takes me back to my younger backpacking days – ha!). I’ve never had to wait to use a shared bathroom or had any trouble with them. Sometimes there are two or more bathrooms per floor. If you do opt for a shared bathroom, bring flip-flops!

Hostels can be a great option for families,  as many offer family rooms. Hostels typically offer a simple breakfast and sometimes dinner. While accommodations are simple, some hostels can be in spectacular locations. The hostel in Bacharach, for example, is in an old castle on a hill and offers a gorgeous view of the town below and the Rhine river!  

Getting Around Germany

One of the benefits of traveling in Germany is that it’s super easy to get around the entire country. You have so many transportation options.

You can rent a car and drive from place to place. Or you can stick to trains and busses. Or ride a bike – there are tons of bike paths throughout Germany.   

If I’m primarily visiting big cities I prefer taking the train or a bus to get from one city to another. When I spend more time in smaller cities or want to take day trips to harder to reach places, I prefer having a car.

For our recent summer trip to Germany, we rented a car at the Berlin airport and returned it to the Stuttgart airport. We didn’t take trains or busses at all. We got a car so we could go to places that aren’t as easily (or quickly) accessible by train. We didn’t use the car every day, though. We walked and used public transportation when exploring cities.    

German train

Speaking of public transportation, Germany’s is one of the best! It’s super easy to get everywhere you want to go via the S-bahn (above ground metro), U-bahn (underground metro), Strassenbahn (street car), and city bus. Taxis (and Uber/Lyft, where available) are also convenient options, though more expensive than public transport.

There are also car-share programs that you can look into. I haven’t used any of them and don’t know how convenient they are for travelers but it doesn’t hurt to check them out.

German cities are very walkable, so it’s easy to get around by foot. And, if you’d like to bike around like a local, there are lots of places to rent bikes (or scooters!) around town or maybe even at your hotel or AirBnB. If you’re more interested in just one afternoon of biking, try a city bike tour!

A few transportation tips:

  • For the best train ticket prices book your ticket via the official German rail system website in well in advance. I book all of our tickets there. Note: if you pre-purchase your ticket at the lowest price you have to take the specific train you booked. If you miss that train, you have to buy another ticket. 
  • If you don’t mind taking slower regional trains you can get some really cheap tickets and regional day tickets. You may not want to use these tickets to go from Munich to Hamburg, but they’re great for day trips, whether traveling solo or with others.
  • Busses are often less expensive than the train (though not quite as comfortable and often slower).
  • There are Eurail options for Germany, and they’re a great choice if you value flexibility and ease or if you want to make stops while traveling (eg., stop in Cologne for a couple hours while traveling from Hamburg to Munich).
  • If you plan to rely on public transportation in the cities you visit, buy a day pass (or perhaps a multi-day or week pass) rather than individual tickets. Also check to see if there are group day tickets or if young kids can ride free. Note: there’s often a small additional fee to bring a bike or a large amount of luggage on public transportation. There are often less expensive day passes for travel starting after 9am. 

What to Wear in Germany

Check out my packing list for Germany!

Layer, layer, layer!  The weather in Germany is often unpredictable so your best bet is to bring layers so you can customize your wardrobe on the fly. Since rain is a possibility any time of year, you may want to bring a light rain jacket or an umbrella.

Bring comfortable shoes.  You’ll no doubt walk all day long (often on cobblestone), so bring your most comfortable, supportive shoes. Be sure to break in your shoes  before  you travel. There’s nothing worse than realizing a day into your trip that your shoes pinch your toes or give you huge blisters. (Bring along moleskin, just in case. I always have  this kind  in my day bag!) I typically bring a good pair of walking shoes appropriate for the season (e.g., boots in the winter) and a nicer pair of flats (sandals in the summer).

You can wear jeans.  Some people say  never travel with jeans  but I’m not one of those people. I love traveling with jeans! They’re comfortable, I can wear them a few times without having to wash them, and I feel less like a tourist wearing them because everyone wears them. If you like jeans, wear jeans.

Scarf, hat, gloves.  If you’re traveling in the winter or even late fall or early spring, definitely bring a warm scarf, hat, and gloves or mittens. Or buy them in Germany and take them home as a souvenir! Almost all of my winter accessories are from Germany. Even if you’re not traveling in colder weather, I recommend a  travel scarf with a hidden pocket  for ease and security.

You can wear shorts in the summer.  Shorts are more popular in Germany than they used to be, so if you like them and are comfortable in them, wear them. That said, do also bring summer dresses or skirts and or lightweight pants to wear when shorts are too informal.

Bring a comfortable day bag or purse.  When you’re out and about all day you want a comfortable bag or purse to hold your travel essentials – wallet, phone, camera, ipad/kindle/book, umbrella, journal, etc. For peace of mind, you may even want one with special security features.  Click here to read my guide for buying the best travel purse.

My Absolute Favorite Travel Clothing Items

Merino wool camisole/tank  – These camisoles are the BEST for travel! They’re soft, comfortable, easy to hand wash, and they never stink. This might be TMI but a few years ago, when I was traveling solo around Europe, I wore the same merino wool tank each day for 14 days in warm spring weather. It never smelled bad! Since that experiment I don’t typically go that long without washing my tanks, but I like knowing that I could!  Click here to read more reviews and buy a merino wool camisole/tank.

Foldable flats  – I splurged on a pair of foldable leather flats a few years ago, and after I broke them in I started really liking them. I wouldn’t recommend them for a full day of walking (especially on cobblestones) but I like to bring my foldable flats along for a change of pace or when I want the option of wearing a cute pair of shoes but don’t want them to take up much space in my suitcase.

Merino wool shoes  – I bought a pair of dark grey merino wool walking/tennis shoes a couple years ago and I LOVE them! I can wear them barefoot in the summer, and not only do my feet stay relatively cool, my shoes don’t stink when I take them off at the end of the day. I can throw them in the wash if they get dirty (though mine still look great 2 years later), they pack flat and don’t take up much space in my suitcase or travel backpack, and the heel is thick and cushioned. You can also buy replacement merino wool insoles without having to buy a new pair of shoes.

What I don’t like: the pair I have doesn’t have enough arch support for me and there’s not enough padding under the ball of my foot. The first few times I wore them they were uncomfortable after walking all day and I was super disappointed! But after adding an arch support and a gel insert under the ball of my foot (I like  this one ) I loved them and now wear them all the time while traveling and at home. Many people love them from the start!  Click here to to read reviews and check out merino wool shoes.   

What to Eat in Germany

You’ll never go hungry while traveling in Germany! While you can always find traditional items like Schnitzel, Spätzle, Rouladen, and Bratwurst, there are plenty of healthier options, including those that are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

Many restaurants now cater to special diets and accommodate allergies, as do some specialty grocery stores. Aaron has a meat allergy and frequently eats gluten-free and has never had a problem finding delicious food in Germany.

These days Germany has a wide variety of restaurants to ft all budgets featuring cuisine from all over the world (except Mexican…I’ve yet to find good tacos in Germany). So you won’t be stuck eating Schnitzel every day – unless you want to!

We usually eat breakfast at our AirBnB or hotel, enjoy a nice lunch at a restaurant we’ve stumbled upon, and then grab a Döner, salad or pizza for dinner. We also often picnic using ingredients from the bakery and grocery store or farmer’s market.

Traditional German dishes to try:   Schnitzel, Spätzle, Rouladen, Bratwurst, Sauerbraten, Schweinehaxen, Maultaschen, Currywurst, Leberkäse, Flammkuchen, Sauerkruat, Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), Quark, all kinds of German breads.

Quick lunches and snacks on the go:  Döner, Falafel, Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes), Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Bratwurst, Currywurst, salads, Brötchen filled with meat and/or cheese, fresh pretzels, pastries, cakes. Click here to see the best German street food!

Desserts & sweet treats:  Schwarzwälderkirchtorte (Black Forest Cake), Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake), cheesecake, Stollen, Frankfurter Kranz, cake, Donauwellen cake, Berliner, Lebkuchen, Pflaumenkuchen (plum cake), all kinds of pastries and chocolate – just to name a few! Click here to see the 10 must-try German desserts and sweets.

Beer:  every kind you could ever imagine! I usually just ask for the local beer unless there’s a specific one I know I want to try.

Christmas: This is the best time of year to be in Germany, partly because of the many delicious holiday treats like Lebkuchen, Stollen, Glühwein, and so much more. Click here to read more about what to eat in Germany during the Christmas season.

Want to try German food now? Click here to see where to buy delicious German food online!

Got a question about traveling in Germany? Join our free Germany trip planning community or  send us an email!

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Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

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Here’s how we can help you plan your perfect trip in 2024.

GERMANY TRAVEL PLANNER:  Just getting started? Have questions about Germany’s confusing train tickets or how to find the best guided tours? Not sure which parts of Germany should be in your itinerary (and what to leave out)? Our  Germany Travel Planner  answers those questions and more via how-to videos, our interactive Germany Planning Map, City Cheatsheets, and MUCH more. Click here to unlock the best of Germany the easy way!

GERMANY TRAVEL CONSULT:  Feeling overwhelmed? Itinerary just not coming together? Wonder if a few tweaks would take your trip to the next level? Book a Mini or Full consult with Cate! She’ll help you create or tweak your itinerary, recommend train tickets/passes, hotels, things to do, guided tours, show you how to buy train tickets, orient you to specific cities, help you plan out day trips, and answer your Germany travel questions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  We recommend using  Booking.com  since they have widest range of accommodations available from hostels, boutique hotels, luxury chains, aparthotels, at the best prices. Check out our  accommodation guides  for specific recommended hotels.

WHAT TO PACK: If you’re bringing your phone, be sure to bring this plug adapter , this power bank , and this wrist strap . They’ve been lifesavers for us! You can see our other packing essentials here and here .

TICKETS & TOURS:  For guided tours, day trips, private tours, and skip-the-line tickets,  Get Your Guide  is our go-to!

TRAINS & BUSES:  To research train schedules and buy tickets or a Germany Rail Pass, we recommend the official  Deutsche Bahn (German Rail System)  website (and download their DB Navigator app). For buses, look at  FlixBus  , which offers tickets for routes within Germany and to other European countries. FlixBus is often cheaper than trains but can take longer.

71 Comments

I enjoyed reading this information. My husband and I would like to stay in Germany for 2 to 3 months in 2022. I am interested in staying in the area of Bamberg with the plan of visiting other regions in Germany via a rental car. Either at the end or beginning of our stay we would like to visit France (especially Paris). I have so many questions. But our hope is to have basically our last trip on our own and experience more of the everyday lifestyle. Up to this point we have only traveled via being guest of Viking River Cruise and tours.

Hi Donna! 2-3 months in Germany sounds awesome! Since you’ll be there so long, you might want to consider spending 1 month in 3 different regions or 1.5 months in 2 regions. Otherwise you’ll be doing a lot of overnight or multi-night trips if you want to see other regions. Are you thinking about renting an AirBnB? If you want to experience the everyday lifestyle, I highly recommend it. Feel free to email me if you have questions as you start planning. 🙂

Hi! Thank you for this awesome post. It’s very useful. I wanted to ask you a question. I’m planning to travel to Germany as soon as the pandemic starts to be less dangerous. I want to go to Germany for 2 months, how many cities do you think is possible to visit? And also how much money do you think is possible to use everyday for food if my budget is small? Thank you very much!

Hello! Two months is a good amount of time to visit Germany, and you should be able to see and do quite a lot! Just how many cities depends on how quickly you like to travel and what you want to do in each place (e.g., just see the highlights or live like a local). If you want to stick to big cities you could spend 1-3 weeks in each and take lots of day trips to see the surrounding area.

If that’s the case, you could rent an Airbnb (or similar), which would not only save you money on lodging (they’ll often give discounts for stays of 1 week or longer) but also make it easier to make some inexpensive meals at the Airbnb (and it’s easy to make German dishes “at home”!) and maybe even do laundry for free.

If you want to be on the go the whole time, moving from city to city (big, medium, and small), it will be more expensive unless you stay at hostels (or super cheap hotels). And remember to factor in the constant packing and unpacking, time getting to/from the train station (or airport)…that gets tiring when traveling for a couple months!

I recommend coming up with a budget, then looking at what kind of lodging fits that budget (hotels, hostels, longer Airbnb stays, Couchsurfing, etc). Then think about what you most want to do in Germany (live like a local, just spontaneously explore, see specific sights, have specific experiences, etc) and what you want your daily experience to be like (e.g., do you want to feel relaxed each day and get to know fewer places or be on the go, packing and unpacking, moving from place to place). Neither is better than the other, it’s just important to get clear on what kind of experience you want!

A few ways to reduce your budget: – Eat in fewer sit-down restaurants. Eat breakfast at “home”, buy snacks and drinks at the grocery store and bring them with you each day, cook some meals each week at “home”, pick up lunch from a grocery store or bakery and eat in a park, etc. Make eating dinner in a sit-down restaurant a special occasion. Doing these things will save you money and you’ll eat healthier!

– Take busses or slower trains to travel around Germany. There are regional train passes you can purchase that allow travel in a specific area very inexpensively. Travel will be slower and there are some restrictions on when you travel (often not during rush hour) but you’ll save money and often you’ll see some out of the way sights. You can also get good deals on flights but once you factor in travel to the airport (time and cost), time to check in, waiting to board, potential delays, and then getting from the airport to your final destination, it’s often just easier to take the train.

– Buy standard train tickets in advance. You can get nice discounts on faster train tickets if you book far enough in advance.

This might be more info than you wanted but I hope that helps you start planning your trip! Let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂

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Great post full of detailed information on all aspects of travel in Germany. When travel reopens in Europe we’re planning on a 2 week trip in Germany with our adult son. He’s an avid soccer fan so we’ll need to plan the trip around the soccer schedule so he can see as many games as possible. We are considering Eastern Germany with a short trip into Poland or Northern Germany with a few days in Denmark. We’d really appreciate your expertise and suggestions. Although we’ve traveled extensively in many western and eastern European countries, we have not spent a great deal of time in Germany. Thanks. J.

Hello! I’m back working on this site now and am happy to help. I’ve got more articles and resources coming but let me know if you have any specific questions!

Hi Both The Ueckermann family 9-10 adults and 2 little once to experience Germany in Oct 2023. Central G and Netherlands will be awesome. We need to do all planning and funds estimates please assist. We live in South Africa and hopefully COVID 19 not a factor any more. Plan 2-3 weeks depending on the funds regards Engela

Hi Engela! Let me know if you have any specific questions about planning your trip to Germany. Happy to help!

HI, I was having trouble with your email 🙂 so sorry I am just replying here. I was hoping you could help us and I wasn’t sure if you offer buying tickets and guidance of our specific places we would like to visit. Anxiously wanting to hear back from you, Anne

Hi Anne! I just sent you an email. 🙂

Hello Cate! Such a well written article with great info! My husband and myself would like to travel to Germany in Oct. of 2022, possibly with my then 16 year old son as well. We want to go in October so we can also experience Octoberfest. I cant have beer because I have celiac’s. IS THERE OTHER ALCOHOL DURING OCTOBERFEST OTHER THAN BEER? WHAT IS THE WEATHER IN OCTOBER AND DOES OCTOBERFEST RUN THE FULL MONTH? IS THERE A CERTAIN AREA WE SHOULD STAY TO REALLY EXPERIENCE OCTOBERFEST AND ANY POTENTIAL ISSUES TO AVOID DURING OCTOBERFEST? We are overwhelmed with planning our trip because we don’t even travel within the US and I feel like there’s so much we want to experience in such a short period. We would like to go for 2 weeks. We want to go because both our families are from Germany. My family comes from Nuremburg (sp) and my husbands family Bavaria but we are unsure which part. This trip is important for us to try to learn about our family roots. DO YOU KNOW WHERE WE COULD GO IN GERMANY TO LEARN ABOUT OUR GENEOLOGY? We would like a more of a laid back approach to experiencing Germany. I dont want to necessarily feel rushed every single day but I do understand that some events and places we would want to visit would need to be scheduled and we are ok with that. I would like to do the Air bnb but know nothing about them. I would like less stress worrying about transportation such as missing busses. We are interested in castles, picturesque views, experiencing floating on the Rhine River perhaps. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON AIR BNB’S THAT PROVIDE BREAKFAST AND ANY IDEAS ON AREA’S TO VISIT BASED ON EVERYTHING I’VE PROVIDED? P.S……our last name literally translates to “the German”. We have had so many Europeans tell us that when they hear our name…LOL

CORRECTION: This is Lisa Nemec. My hubands family is Bohemian. We believe his family crossed over from Czech.

Hi Lisa! There are plenty of other drinks at Oktoberfest, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something. The weather at that time of year can vary but in late September to early October it’ll likely be warm during the day and cooler in the evening. Oktoberfest is mostly held in late September but I believe it goes until Oct 2 in 2022. There are a lot of hotels and AirBnB’s within walking distance of Oktoberfest (also walking distance to downtown) but book early because they fill up quickly! You’ll also pay a premium at that time of year. Some people prefer not to stay near the main train station but other people don’t mind it.

As to where you could go in Germany to find out about your genealogy, I’d start by searching the genealogy sites online and get as much specific info as you can. You can then try a site like http://www.genealogienetz.de/index_en.html (I haven’t used it, just found it).

If you have 2 weeks, you could fly in and out of Munich and focus on Bavaria. While in Munich you could take a couple day trips to Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Neuschwanstein, the Alps, etc. You could see a lot at a laid-back pace in 2 weeks!

AirBnB’s are great if you’re going to be somewhere for at least a few days, want a little extra space, a kitchen, etc. Even just being able to make breakfast, coffee/tea, and keep drinks cold for when you come home in the evening is so nice. But you don’t typically get hotel-like services like a prepared breakfast, new towels each day or linen changes. If you want to be walking distance to lots of things in Munich, a hotel near downtown could be a great option. If you’re ok with being in a neighborhood, an AirBnB could be a good choice. There are so many great neighborhoods in Munich so you really just need to look at price, amenities, and distance to the things you want to see. I’ve stayed at hotels near Marienplatz and in an AirBnB further away (maybe a 10-15 minute walk + U-bahn ride to Marienplazt) and I enjoyed both.

I hope that helps!

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HELP……I have been put in charge of coming up with an itinerary for my hubby and 4 of our friends for travel in July 2022. I truly have no idea what I am doing. What we are looking for are castles, beautiful scenery and history (although I have been told that they do not want to go to concentration camps). The following is the tentative itinerary I have come up with. We are looking also, for moderate priced Inns/quaint hotels and castle stays centrally located. Any changes/suggestions/comments would be GREATLY appreciated. We will be renting 2 cars. 1 night Munich drive to Nuremburg 3 nights Nuremburg – drive to Fussen 1 night Fussen – drive to Ettal 3 nights Ettal – drive to Unterwossen 1 night Unterwossen – drive to Salzburg Austria 3 nights Salzburg Austria drive to Munich 1 night Munich – fly home

Hi Linda! Your itinerary looks good for a 2-week trip. Here are few suggestions:

-If you’re flying into Munich, you could drive right to Nuremburg on the first day, since it’s only a couple hours drive from Munich airport. If you pick up your car, drive into Munich, settle into a hotel, and then drive to Nuremburg the next day, you’re using a lot of time for driving/checking in/unpacking/packing and you won’t get to see much of Munich. If you go right to Nuremburg on arrival day and stay for 3 nights, you could add a night to the end of your trip so you have 2 nights in Munich or add a day to Salzburg and keep Munich at 1 night.

-Fussen and Ettal are pretty close to each other so you could stay 3-4 nights in one and then take a day trip to the other. I like to reduce the number of one night stays as much as I can during 1 and 2 week trips for the reasons I mentioned above. You could also stay in Ettal and make day trips to both Fussen and Unterwossen and cut out 2 1-night stays.

-If you don’t want to see Munich, I’d keep that at 1 night and stay near the airport at the end of your trip. If you do want to see Munich, I’d give that 2 nights minimum.

I hope that helps! I think you’ll really enjoy your itinerary!

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Thankyou for all the wonderful suggestions! I’m visiting Germany closer to Christmas for two weeks.

That’s my favorite time to be in Germany! Everything is so beautiful and festive. You might be interested in my Stuttgart Christmas Market article – even if you won’t be near Stuttgart, it will give you an idea of what you can do, see, and eat at any Christmas market. I also talk about 6 other nearby Christmas markets that are super fun to visit. 🙂 Enjoy your trip!!

I had all but given up on our delayed 25 yr Wedding Anniversary(07/28/2020 delayed to Sept 2021, due to covid) trip to Germany. Then I found your website! It reinvigorated our desire to NOT CANCEL our plans! We have a son in Kaiserslautern(rhein main air force base) , and want to split a 2 week trip between seeing 7-8 days traveling in Germany( Berlin, Munich, Cologne, and Stuttgart) and Paris. And then 6 to 7 day visiting our son. We had all but given up, until I read your article. Thanks! I wish that there were some way to have everything planned for us in advance! But, your post at least has assured us that we can make this happen on our own. Thank you very much!!

Definitely don’t cancel your plans, even if you have to postpone! (We had to postpone our anniversary trip, too – such a bummer!) You can definitely make your trip to Germany happen. Here are a few ideas for you…

You could fly into Paris, then travel to Kaiserslautern to see your son and do a day trip to Stuttgart (visit the Christmas market if you’re there in December or nearby Esslingen any time of year) and then either visit Munich and the area around there (fly out of Munich) or travel up to Cologne and over to Berlin (fly out of Berlin).

It’ll be a lot to try to see Paris, spend several days in Kaiserslautern, and also see Cologne, Stuttgart, Munich, and Berlin but if you can combine things – like if your son can go with you to visit Stuttgart and Munich or Cologne and Berlin, you could see a lot of the places you’re interested in. Flying into one city and out of another will help a lot, too.

You could also fly into Munich, then go to Kaiserslautern via Stuttgart, take a short trip to Paris, then go to Berlin via Cologne and fly out of Berlin. Or do the same but start in Berlin and fly out of Munich.

You’ll have a great time no matter your itinerary! 🙂

Your website is a such a great resource! I have a ton of questions about planning a trip, I’m just going to send you an email.

Thank you Komal

Got it and replied 🙂

We’re planning a trip to Germany at the end of February next year. What is the weather typically like during that time? Our itinerary includes arriving in Frankfurt, spending a day in Cologne, then heading to the Black Forest for about three days, followed by three days in Zurich, and returning to Frankfurt for three more days. Do you think this plan is good, or would you suggest any changes? Additionally, what places would you recommend visiting? Lastly, do you think purchasing a Eurail Global Pass is worthwhile for this trip?

The weather will likely still be cold in February but you could have some sunny days. Rain (or even snow) is always a possibility so bring an umbrella or even a waterproof jacket or shoes.

To best answer your other questions, I recommend booking either an itinerary review or a one-on-one consult in Zoom. I’ve helped hundreds of clients answer questions just like yours. 🙂 You can check out both options and read what previous clients have said here: https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/services/

I’d love to help you get your trip sorted so you have the best trip to Germany ever!

What is a good budget for 2 adults in Germany for two weeks?

It’s nearly impossible to give a guideline because it depends on so many things – your travel style, what kind of transportation you want to use, your accommodation & restaurant preferences, etc. I know that’s not very helpful in the short-term but it would be less helpful for me to give you a specific budget not knowing any specifics about you or your trip plans. Plus, most travelers like to splurge in one area and cut back in another but that’s so different for each traveler.

What I recommend is this: start looking at flights, transportation, and accommodations well before you want to book them in order to get an idea of what each costs for your travel dates. Add everything up for 2 weeks and then decide if you’re ok with that amount so far, keeping in mind you’ll still need to add on food, souvenirs, tickets/tours, insurance, and anything you need to get before you leave (clothes, luggage, passport, etc). I like to do this research before I book flights/transport/accommodations. That way I get an idea of what will be my splurge and where I will need to reduce costs to keep within the budget that’s right for me. Everyone’s ideal budget is so different!

hi i am planning to travail to Germany in December 2021 with my family , any idea

My big tip for Germany in December: visit the Christmas markets (if they’re open this year)! You’ll find one in nearly every German city, town and even small villages. They’re outdoors so dress warmly and enjoy the food, drink, and stalls. They’re a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts, too.

Days are short in December, and some touristy sites do shut down in winter, so keep that in mind. But you’ll still find plenty to do after dark, especially if you’re in bigger cities. As long as you take these two things into consideration, you’ll have a great visit no matter where you go!

Hi, my partner and I are wanting to visit Germany in January 2022. I have previously stayed in Wurzburg for 3 weeks and dream of taking my partner there.Seeing as I went with school a few years ago we didn’t really have a chance to look around other parts of local Germany. Where would you recommend us to go whilst in that area? We like architecture (but not too much…) we’re in our 20’s so we also want to have fun 🙂 we’ll either be driving (we live in France) or we’ll be going by train. Will the Christmas markets still be on? I doubt it but you never know… Thanks

Also, we are wanting to go with our dog. Would that be possible or too complicated?

You could easily go to Munich and spend a few days there – lots to see and lots of places to have fun. (I had a great time there in my 20s!) There are also a lot of day trip options – Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, Neuschwanstein, Passau, Regensburg, etc. You could also stop in Nuremberg on your way to Munich. All of that is easy by car or by train – and if you go by train, you could probably do those day trips using a regional train pass. Or you could do guided day trips and not have to plan anything! I’ve got some listed in my Munich guide – https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/munich-travel-guide/

It looks like the Christmas markets are on for 2021 but they could always get canceled in the coming weeks. Most have their last day on Dec. 24 so unfortunately, you won’t get to see them if you visit in January. That just means planning another trip to Germany for December 2022! 🙂

Germany is pretty dog-friendly so it’s probably do-able. But there are likely museums and other sites that might not allow dogs inside. If you mostly want to spend time outdoors, and your dog is ok with possibly very cold/wet/windy weather, or if you can leave the dog at your lodging for part of the day, it might work ok.

Hope that helps!

Hi Cate, you have put together a terrific planning guide. Thanks. Our 4 children just gave us a trip back to Germany in celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. We lived in Erlangen from Aug 1972 – 1973. We are excited to go back but we are debating between a Rhine river cruise or going on our own. We’ll probably go sometime in May/June or Sept/Oct 2022.

How exciting!! It’s so fun to go back and revisit where you used to live in Germany. Aaron and I did that in 2019 and had such a good time seeing what had/had not changed. I’m excited for you!

I’ve heard people say great things about Rhine river cruises. If you don’t have time to or don’t want to do much trip planning, that’s a great option. The downside is that you’re more limited to what you can do and see. If you have time and interest in planning your own trip, you can definitely do it. And since travel is coming back, I’ll be focusing on this site a lot more in the coming months and helping people plan their trips, so I’ll be here to help you, too. 🙂

Hi Cate, We have wanted to visit Germany (from the US) for a few years now and have finally decided to make it happen, but had no idea where or how to start. Your article is full of valuable information. Thank you. At least we now have a starting point. Our trip isn’t for another year, but it will go quickly. So excited and thank you for all the information.

You’re welcome! I’m so excited for you already. 🙂 The next year will fly by and you’ll be on a plane bound for Germany before you know it. Now that travel is coming back, I’ll be focusing on this site a lot more so be sure to come back when you’re ready to plan your trip. I’m working on lots of guides and helpful resources! 🙂

Hello. My grandfather expressed interest in going to Germany in 2022. More specifically, he wants to go to ‘The Battle of the Bulge’ where his older brother passed away in World War II. We would also like to go to the Holocaust Memorial. I have been trying to research/plan this trip but would be open to suggestions. We are from the US and could spend about a week out there. I am grateful that I stumbled across your blog as it is very informative and interesting! 🙂

Hello! That sounds like it will be a wonderful trip for your grandfather! If you’re talking about visiting the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin (highly recommended), you could fly right into Berlin (their new airport!) and spend half of your time seeing the city, then head to Brussels and take a Battle of the Bulge day tour! I found one here that you can look at (aff link): https://www.getyourguide.com/bastogne-war-museum-l35043/bastogne-battle-of-the-bulge-tour-from-brussels-t169657/?partner_id_Y5UOFLS It looks like it also goes into Luxembourg so you could get 3 countries in one trip. 🙂 If you have enough time, you could take a day trip to Brugges or Ghent – both are 30-60 minutes from Brussels. You could then fly out of Brussels back to the US. To get from Berlin to Brussels you’d probably want to fly but it’s a short flight and you could probably get an early morning or a late afternoon flight so it wouldn’t take up your whole day. Hope that helps with your planning!

Hi, your site is wonderful and has some great information! I am traveling (solo) to Germany in late April and will be there for one month. I have been to Munich/Bavaria/Salzburg before so I’d planned on focusing my trip on the rest of Germany. I’m flying into Berlin and was planning on staying there 4-5 nights, then I’m not sure where to go. I was thinking of spending a week in an area and going on day trips; for example, the Black Forest, the middle Rhine area, maybe Harz Mountain. But I also want to see some cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Trier, and Hamburg. So maybe a bit of both cities and countryside? Do you have any thoughts? Thanks!

I definitely recommend choosing 3-4 locations where you can stay for a week or so and then take day trips. You could do longer stays in Berlin and Hamburg – there’s tons to do and see in each city, as well as lots of day trip options. You could also do Cologne or try a smaller town on the Rhein or Mosel and explore that area in more depth. For the Black Forest you could stay in the university town of Freiburg and day trip to towns/hiking in the Black Forest, as well as Basel and Colmar/Strassbourg). You could also choose 3 locations for longer stays (e.g., Berlin, Hamburg and Freiburg) and then do a couple of 2 or 3-night stays as you travel between cities, e.g., a short stay in Wernigerode or Quedlinburg (Harz mountains), Trier, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, or Tübingen on your way to Freiburg. Tip: if you want to do a lot of day trips, make sure you stay where it’s fairly quick and easy to get to the train/bus station! Since you’ll be there for a month you have lots of flexibility and plenty of time to do and see a lot of the areas you mentioned!

@Cate, Thank you so much! I’m really enjoying going through your site, too!

Looking for a good travel guide book for Germany any recommendations?

Rick Steve’s is always a good one! I’ve used his guidebooks a ton. You can get his Germany guidebook on Kindle or as a hard copy (aff link): https://amzn.to/33z7d59

@Cate, Thanks

So excited to find your site! My husband and I will travel from Texas to Bavaria for 7-10 days in September. I am in charge of all the planning. I’m thinking Munich & surrounding area and Salzburg. Do you have any suggestions? I’m also pondering some organized day tours..

Munich is a wonderful home base for seeing lots of great sites in Bavaria! You could easily spend 1-3 days in Munich (especially if you’re there during Oktoberfest) and then take day trips to places like Neuschwanstein, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Salzburg, Linderhof, Chiemsee, Berchtesgaden, Nuremberg…just to name a few! You can easily do all of that by train and mix it up with some organized day tours here and there. I’ve been working on a Munich guide that will have ideas for day trips and tours so keep an eye out for that!

Hello Cate, Your blog is very helpful. Like to seek your help and guidance. I am from Singapore and not familiar with Germany. Both me and my wife intend to fly to Amsterdam where my daughter is attending university and spend 18 days vacation with her in Europe during her break. Am planning 7 days touring Germany. Tentatively looking tourist site at hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart and then off to another country eg. france, switzerland or Italy for another 7 days. then travel back to Amsterdam to fly home. Any advise how we can optimize the traveling as we are not familiar with these region? Appreciate your kind assistance. regards, Perry

It will be so much fun to travel with your daughter! It might be difficult to fit Hamburg, Berlin and Stuttgart into 7 days. On the train it takes about 6 hours from Amsterdam to Hamburg, 3 hours from Hamburg to Berlin, and over 8 hours from Berlin to Stuttgart. While all three of those cities are amazing, I recommend choosing either northern or southwestern Germany, rather than trying to hit all three (or make the Germany part of your trip 10 days).

You could, for example, travel from Amsterdam to Hamburg, then to Berlin, and fly from Berlin to France or Italy. That would give you plenty of time for travel, city exploring and day trips.

Or take the train from Amsterdam to Stuttgart and explore that area. Stuttgart is close to France, so you could spend several days seeing both southwestern Germany (Stuttgart, villages in the Black Forest, Freiburg, Baden-Baden, etc) and French cities like Strassbourg, Colmar and Mullouse. You could also very easily go to Basel in Switzerland! It’s a long train ride from Amsterdam to Stuttgart so I’d look into flights. Stuttgart is a great airport to fly into!

Hi, my family and I would like to visit Germany this summer. My husband and I have two teenagers (15 and 13), and one of them is reads a lot and it is very interested in history. We would like to visit german cities but also, some concentration camps. Our plans is to spend two weeks there. Any suggestions?

You’re going to have so much fun in Germany! Everywhere you go there’s so much history, so it just depends on what kind of history you’re looking for. For a 2-week stay you could easily visit 2 (maybe 3) different parts of Germany without feeling like you’re spending your whole vacation on the train or in the car. You could, for example, fly into Munich, visit the city and Dachau concentration camp, take a few day trips to Salzburg, the Alps, Neuschwanstein, Nuremburg, etc – there are so many options!…then visit the Black Forest area, the Rhein/Mosel area, the Hamburg area or the Berlin area and fly out of that second city (Stuttgart, Cologne/Düsseldorf, Hamburg or Berlin). If you want to focus on 2 main areas, say Munich and Berlin, you could do a 1-2 night stopover in a city in-between. Hope that helps you get started on your planning! 🙂

@Cate, We are from USA planning on attending next years NfL game if possible. We are a large group 10-15people who would also like to see the culture and history. Open to staying in Berlin, munich, or anywhere else as long as accessible to get to game. We want to fly out wed night from BOS be there Th F S Su (game in Frankfurt) leave M. Anything you would recommend?

Hi! I just now saw your question. If you’re flying into FRA and have Th, F, and S to do some sight-seeing, I’d stick to the Frankfurt area and do day trips. If you go to Berlin or Munich you’ll spend most of your time in transit and checking in/out of hotels. We’ve got a Frankfurt guide on our website and also a castles guide – so you could spend a day exploring FRA, then a day visiting a castle, and then 1 day visiting a nearby city like Heidelberg, Nürnberg or Rothernburg ob der Tauber. Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. We’ve also got a Germany Trip Planner and one-on-one travel consults, too. And lots of info on this website. We’re happy to help!

I just found your great website! We have just drafted a 3 week trip plan to Germany and Austria and I would love your thoughts about it!. Is late May better than June? (I really can’t do heat without AC!)

– [ ] 2. Land in Vienna- 2 nights… – [ ] 3. Take tour or just Spend a day in the sprawling Schönbrunn Palace, – [x] 4. Rental car to Take KM 29 for about an hour to Burg Liechtenstein drive an hour to Melk Abbey Then Steyr From Melk, Steyr 1 night stay – [x] 5. Spend a little time, touring the Steyr Mannlicher! – [x] 6. Wake up early and bike 15 minutes to spend the morning exploring more of Halstatt before the day-trippers.. Sky Walk salt mine – [x] 7. After lunch, enjoy more the beauty of Salzkammergut area! on to Salzburg in time to return the rental car. we will stay in the old town (Salzburg 3 nights) – [ ] 8. See Salzburg – [ ] 9. Take guided tour to Eagles nest – [ ] 10: To Munich by 2 hour train.. taxi to hotel, Sleep Munich 2 nights … – [ ] 11. Guided tour all day— Dachau and Munich sites – [x] 12 Slow morning to rest, checkout, cab, 1.5 hour train to Oberarmagau for lunch and stroll. Rent car in Garmish and Drive another hour to Sleep in Hohenschwangau 2 nights Maybe take 30 minute Schloss Hornschwangau Castle tour before closing if time – [x] 13 Visit Neuschwanstein! (Hohenschwangau castle first if not last evening) then rent a bike and go a mile -7 minutes to Tegelberg luge ride – [x] 14 drive 2.5-4 hours but first stop for lunch and see Ulm Cathedral. Going Opposite the crowds arrive in afternoon to stay in nearby Rothenburg 3 nights. See stunning Rothenburg – [x] 15 After coffee and quiet streets, walk the medieval wall. If crowds arrive, leave and drive a short way and tour the Bad Weinsheim Frankonian Open Air Museum – [x] 16 Drive 30 min to Ansbach, park and Take 30 min train and10 min cab into Neuremburgfor day. – [x] 17. leave in early morning and drive 3-5 hours through To St Goar take B9 along the Rhine from Bingen arrive in time to tour Burg Eltz and then maybe return car in Emmelshausen this day or next. Take cab back down to nearby St Goar for 3 nights. – [ ] 18 See Burg Eltz castle if not seen yesterday and then see Marksburg castle – [ ] 19 REST maybe just board a boat for a relaxing Rhine River cruise from Sant Goar. We will disembark to visit small Bacharach and back again by train. – [ ] 20 Depart by 70minute train to Frankfurt airport Or would it be better to do the trip in reverse, starting with Germany first? Thank you!!

It’s not usually super hot in May but it can be hot in mid-late June. The last time we were there in June (2019) it was incredibly hot and there isn’t as much a/c there…but you never know, I’ve had cold and rainy June visits, too. If you want to be more sure of not-super-hot weather, I’d go in mid-late May or early to mid-June — as long as you’re ok with the possibility of some not-so-warm days. If you go in mid-late June and don’t love hot weather, book hotels with a/c, rent a car with a/c, and plan to buy a lot of cold drinks. No matter the weather, it’s always fun to travel around Germany! 🙂

You could easily do your itinerary either way so I’d just look at whether flights are better into Vienna/out of FRA or vice-versa. Check the hotels you want to stay in to make sure they have availability — I’ve actually reversed my itinerary before due to hotel availability!

You’re planning to cover a lot of ground in 3 weeks and be on the go go go, which some people find more tiring than expected…but if you know your travel style, then go for it! 🙂 3 nights in one place gives you 2 full days, which is a good amount of time for most places. 2 nights means 1 full day, which can be enough in some locations but if you do many in a row, it can feel like you’re constantly checking in/unpacking/packing/checking out, and can get super tiring if you’re doing a lot of day trips.

Be sure to plan in time for getting ready, eating breakfast, packing, checking out of the hotel, getting to the train station/car rental – it often takes up more time than you’d expect. Trains aren’t as punctual as they used to be, so keep that in mind for what you plan on arrival after a train trip.

An idea — instead of taking a train to Oberammergau, then to Garmisch to rent a car, then driving to Hohenschwangau, I’d rent a car in Munich and drive to each place. It will probably be less expensive to rent in Munich and easier than doing the train and car pick-up (especially with luggage!).

For the longer drives, plan on them taking longer than what’s estimated in google maps because there’s often traffic! If you miss the traffic and arrive early, it’ll be a nice bonus!

Your idea to add in some guided day tours is a good one – it’s a nice change from having to figure everything out yourself and can feel like a mini vacation from your vacation.

Overall, you’ve got a really fun trip planned!

Hi Cate! I love your clear way of describing and explaining. My husband and I are invited to a wedding outside of Berlin the last weekend in April. From there we would love to head to the spas in Baden-Baden .. what else would you suggest to see in the Baden-Baden area and without driving the best transportation option? We can stay up to about 10 days. Thank you!

Thank you for your nice comment! 🙂 I’d take the train from Berlin to Baden-Baden. It’s about 6 hours and you can relax and see the sights along the way. You could fly from Berlin to Stuttgart but by the time you travel to the airport in Berlin (the new one is further out than Tegel was), check in, wait to board, fly, and then take the train from Stuttgart to Baden-Baden, it’s at least as long as – if not longer – then taking the train.

When in Baden-Baden you could visit Gengenbach, the Black Forest, Triberg (cuckoo clocks & waterfalls), Tübingen, Stuttgart/Esslingen, Lichtenstein Castle, Hohenzollern Castle, Freiburg, Basel (Switzerland), Strassbourg (France), Colmar (France) — just to name a few! You should be able to reach all of these places via train/bus. The Black Forest Open Air Museum is also a lot of fun! I’m working on guides to several of these locations – and some are already on the site – so check back soon for new ones. 🙂

You should be able to get a free KONUS train pass, which enables you to travel throughout the Black Forest region for free. I don’t think it works for every place I listed but it will get you to several of them. Here’s more info about the KONUS card: https://www.schwarzwald-tourismus.info/planen-buchen/konus-gaestekarte (you can switch to English if it’s in German).

You could fly out of Stuttgart airport or travel up to Frankfurt and fly out of there. Strassbourg or Basel might work, too.

@Cate, that really does! Thanks again,

You’re very welcome!

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I am planning a trip with my husband, 18 year old daughter, mother in law and myself. We will have 8 nights total flying Munich to Amsterdam or vice versa. Interested in the Christmas markets, of course, castles (would love if we could stay the night in a castle if that’s possible), and just getting an authentic German experience. My mother in law found family ancestry in Stuttgart, so she would like to stop there. The other areas that we have an interest in are Frankfurt, Cologne (wonder if there is such thing as a day cruise on the Rhine River), and maybe Hamburg (for the canals, but I’m not sure December is the best time of year for that). Although, I’m not sure we’ll be able to see all those cities in just 8 nights, as we would also like 1-2 nights in Amsterdam.

We plan to rent a car and I will be doing the driving. We live in Colorado so I’m familiar with winter driving, but wonder if I can use Google maps while traveling through Germany.

Would love your thoughts or suggestions on this.

Thank you, Lea Ann

Hi Lea Ann, you’ve got the makings of a magical winter trip! All of the places you mentioned will be beautiful in December because of the Christmas markets. Stuttgart, for example, has a huge, old Christmas market (plus there are 2 other really beautiful ones nearby) and there are 2 nearby castles you can visit. Hamburg and Cologne and also wonderful cities (Frankfurt too but I’d skip it on a short trip unless you have a specific reason to go there).Amsterdam is also a lot of fun and a great place to fly in or out of.

It’s a lot to fit into 8 nights so you’ll definitely need to hone in on just a few places, otherwise you’ll spend your entire trip packing/unpacking/driving. 🙂

You can use google maps in Germany and that’ll make getting from place to place easy. But unless you want to stop at specific sights between cities, you could easily take the train, since you’re going to big cities (you don’t need a car in any of the cities you want to visit). If you don’t mind parking the car at each hotel in the city, a car can give you more flexibility.

You can also stay in a castle in Germany! We’ve got a guide for that right here so you can see which one you like best.

It’s hard to get more specific about an itinerary here in the comments without taking to you and getting a better sense of your interests and needs but we’ve got lots of resources to help you — Christmas market guides (definitely take a look at the Stuttgart one!), city and hotel guides , and we’ve also got a Germany Travel Bundle with an interactive Germany Travel Map, City Cheatsheets, and other resources, and I do one-on-one trip planning consults .

And be sure to join our travel planning Facebook group !

@Cate, thank you for your quick response and feedback! I’ll check out the links you shared and I’ve joined your Facebook group.

You’re welcome! Glad you joined the group! 🙂

Hi Cate , I have visited Germany but only Düsseldorf for my sugery. I will like to take my wife and kids with me this time I have an appointment in December might use the opportunity to take them for Christmas holiday . I have 12’night in total . 5 night in Düsseldorf can you please advise which city we can visit for the rest days and we are not leaving Germany until 26th. So I want them To enjoy the Christmas but I don’t know which city to choose .I will you to please give me where the kids can enjoy the trip age 8 ,6 and 3 . Do we fly back from Düsseldorf or from Another city ? Thanks for your help.

If you’d like to fly out of the Düsseldorf airport, you could spend the second part of your trip in Cologne so you could visit the markets there, in Bonn, and surrounding area (e.g. a day trip to Aachen).

If you’re ok with flying out of a different airport, you could go to Stuttgart (good Christmas markets in the area and a couple castles), Munich (good markets and day trips) or Berlin (good markets and day trips) and fly out of any of those airports.

Most everything will be closed on Dec 25 and the latter half of Dec 24 so keep that in mind when doing your daily planning.

Hope that helps with your planning!

Hi, Thank you for the detail page. I and my family will be visiting to watch a NFL game in Frankfurt and had some travel ideas outside of the city that I have not found solutions for. First, are US citizens allowed to rent cars without a permit? We want to travel to Stuttgart and Munich for some museums and possibly Berlin, but I’ve yet to figure how time and distances for the trip as these do seem to be quite a distance from each other. Then, we would end the trip back in Frankfurt to travel back to the US, unless we find an airline in Berlin. Do you have suggestions? This would be a 7-14 day trip, depending on cost. Thank you

Hi Marco! Yes, you can rent a car with just your US driver’s license. While not required, an int’l driver’s license can be helpful if you get pulled over or in an accident (you can get on at AAA). You can check distance between those cities via google maps (it’ll show you both driving and trains). I always add 25% to the times they suggest because there’s a good chance you’ll encounter traffic somewhere. We use google maps for all of our road trips in Germany. You could definitely do Frankfurt – Stuttgart – Munich – Berlin – Frankfurt (stay near airport on the last night) in 14 days. If you don’t want to drive from Munich – Berlin – Frankfurt, you could return the car in Munich and then take the train to Berlin and back to Frankfurt. Hope that helps you get started on your trip planning!

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How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in German

When traveling to a German-speaking country, it’s always polite to wish someone a pleasant trip. Whether you’re saying it to a friend or a stranger, expressing this phrase in German can leave a positive impression. In this guide, you’ll discover several ways to say “Enjoy your trip” in both formal and informal situations.

Table of Contents

Formal Ways to Say “Enjoy Your Trip”

If you want to convey a sense of respect or address someone in a professional setting, here are a few formal ways to wish them a good trip in German:

1. “Genießen Sie Ihre Reise”

This is the most straightforward and commonly used phrase. It literally translates to “Enjoy your trip” and can be used in any formal situation.

2. “Ich wünsche Ihnen eine gute Reise”

This phrase means “I wish you a good trip” and is another polite way to express your wishes to someone who is leaving.

3. “Haben Sie eine angenehme Reise”

Translated as “Have a pleasant trip,” this phrase is a bit more formal but still conveys your desire for the person to enjoy their journey.

Informal Ways to Say “Enjoy Your Trip”

When addressing someone you are familiar with or in a casual setting, you can use these informal expressions:

1. “Genieß deine Reise”

This is the informal version of the first phrase mentioned above. It means “Enjoy your trip” and is used when talking to friends, family members, or someone younger than you.

2. “Ich wünsche dir eine gute Reise”

Similar to its formal counterpart, this phrase means “I wish you a good trip” and can be used between friends or acquaintances.

3. “Hab eine angenehme Reise”

This is the informal version of the third phrase mentioned earlier. It can be translated as “Have a pleasant trip” and is suitable for casual situations.

Additional Tips and Examples

Here are a few additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding of how to wish someone a pleasant trip:

1. Use Appropriate Intonation

When saying these phrases to someone, make sure to use a warm and genuine tone. It adds sincerity to your wishes and makes the recipient feel appreciated.

2. Combine with “Gute Fahrt”

In German, “Gute Fahrt” is commonly used along with the expressions mentioned above. It translates to “Good journey” and is a nice addition to wish someone a safe and enjoyable trip.

3. Consider Regional Variations

German is spoken in various regions, and sometimes there are slight variations in how phrases are expressed. However, the phrases mentioned above are widely understood and accepted throughout the German-speaking world.

“Genießen Sie Ihre Reise und gute Fahrt!” – Have a great trip and drive safely!

4. Adapt the Phrase Depending on the Context

If the person you’re wishing a good trip to is going on vacation, you can consider using “Urlaub” (vacation) or “Ferien” (holidays) in your phrase:

  • “Genießen Sie Ihren Urlaub!” – Enjoy your vacation!
  • “Haben Sie schöne Ferien!” – Have a great holiday!

5. Use Nonverbal Communication

In addition to saying the phrase, you can also express your well wishes nonverbally through a smile, a wave, or a thumbs-up gesture.

Now that you have learned several ways to say “Enjoy your trip” in German, you can confidently wish someone a pleasant journey. Remember to match the level of formality to the situation and always speak with a warm and friendly tone. Your kind wishes will surely make the recipient’s trip that much more enjoyable!

Related Guides:

  • Guide: How to Say “Enjoy Your Camping Trip”
  • How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in Different Ways: Formal and Informal Expressions
  • How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in French: Formal and Informal Ways
  • How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in Italian: A Comprehensive Guide
  • How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in Japanese: A Guide to Formal and Informal Phrases
  • How to Say “Enjoy Your Trip” in Korean: A Comprehensive Guide
  • How to Say “Have a Safe Trip and Enjoy”: A Comprehensive Guide
  • Guide: How to Say “Enjoy the Trip” to Someone

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Johnnie Chase

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100+ Useful Basic German Phrases for Travel

Basic German phrases

Are you planning a trip to Germany or a German speaking country? Or have you always wanted to learn German?

We have put together a guide to the most useful basic German words and phrases that will allow you pick up the basics on the language and really help you to survive visiting a German speaking country.

Do I Need to Speak German in Germany?

In the major cities and tourist destinations in Germany you will find a lot of local people can speak English, especially younger people, so visiting the country can be done without knowing any German. But not everyone does speak or understand English, especially in non-touristy locations so it is important to at least learn the basics. Also local people will appreciate if you put the effort into learning a bit of their language, even if just hello, please and thank you.

Is German a Difficult Language to Learn?

German is considered a one of the most difficult European languages to learn especially compared to French , Spanish and Portuguese. German is regarded as hard due to the long words, pronunciation, four noun case endings and three grammatical genders. But it is still a lot easier than a lot of other worldwide languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Like with any language, practise really helps to improve your fluency.

Greetings in German

Here are some of the word you will probably use the most and the good news is they. are very easy to pick up.

Hello – Hallo ( learn how to say hello in other languages ) Good morning – Guten Morge Good day – Guten Tag Good evening – Guten Abend Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen Good night – Gute Nacht See you later – Bis später

These are some of the most common words and phrases you are likely to use.

Please / You’re welcome – Bitte Thank you – Danke (here’s how to say thanks in other languages ) Yes – Ja (yah) No – Nein (nine) Excuse me – Entschuldigen Sie I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid What does that mean? – Was bedeutet das? I’m sorry – Es tut mir leid I do not know – Ich weiß nicht

Conversational Phrases in German

These are some basic German phrases when meeting people for the first time.

How are you? (formal) – Wie geht es Ihnen? How are you? (informal) – Wie geht`s? Nice to meet you – Es freut mich What’s your name? – Wie ist dein Name? My name is… – Ich heiße… I am fine – Mir geht es gut Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? Could you please repeat that again? – Können Sie das bitte nochmal wiederholen? I don’t speak German – Ich spreche kein Deutsch What did you say? – Was hast du gesagt? I don’t understand you – Ich verstehe Sie nicht What’s your name? (formal) – Wie heißen Sie? I’m doing well. – Mir geht’s gut Very good – Sehr gut Bad – Schlecht Where are you from? – Wo kommst du her? I am from … – Ich komme aus … USA / Canada / Australia / UK – USA / Kanada / Australien / Großbritannien Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? I don’t understand – Ich verstehe nicht I can’t speak German – Ich kann kein Deutsch I do not speak German very well – Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch I’m sorry, but I do not understand – Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht Could you say that again please? – Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? Could you say that more slowly please? – Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? Please write that down for me – Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf How old are you? – Wie alt bist du? What’s your phone number? – Wie lautet deine Telefonnumer? My phone number is… – Meine Telefonnumer lautet… Where do you work? – Wo arbeitest du? I work at… – Ich arbeite bei…

These phrases are good for when you are out and about buying things.

Supermarket – Supermarkt City center – Stadtzentrum Bank – Bank How much does that cost? – Wieviel kostet das? I would like… – Ich hätte gern… Do you have…. – Haben Sie… Rechts Excuse me, where is the – Entschuldigung, wo ist die Is it far from here? – Ist es noch weit von hier

Food & Drink

These phrases are perfect for visiting restaurants and ordering food.

A table for two, bitte – Einen Tisch für zwei, please We have a reservation – Wir haben eine Reservierung The menu, please – Die Speisekarte, bitte Can you recommend something? – Können Sie etwas empfehlen? What is this? – Was ist das? I would like – Ich hätte gerne Steak with fries – Steak mit Pommes Do you have a vegan meal? – Haben Sie ein veganes Gericht? Another glass of water, please – Noch ein Glas Wasser, bitte Enjoy your meal – Guten Appetit What is your favorite food? – Was ist dein Lieblingsessen? My favorite food is… – Ich esse am liebsten… The check, please – Die Rechnung, bitte Cheers! – Prost! Where is the bathroom? – Wo ist die Toilette

Hotels & Accommodation

We have a reservation – Wir haben eine Reservierung Do you have free rooms available? – Haben Sie noch freie Zimmer? How much is a room per night? – Wie viel kostet ein Zimmer pro Nacht? I would like to reserve a room – Ich möchte ein Zimmer reservieren Is the breakfast inclusive? – Ist das Frühstück inklusive? Room service – Zimmerservice What time is the check out? – Wie viel uhr ist check-out?

Transport & Directions

These are the most common German travel phrases related to getting around, These are some of the most important words and phrases to have:

Where? – Wo? Left / Right – Links / Rechts Entrance and Exit – Eingang and Ausgang In which direction can I find … ? – In welcher Richtung finde ich … ? Bus – Bus Subway – Metro Gas station – Tankstelle Train station – Bahnhof The airport – Flughafen North / South / West / East – Norden / Süden / Westen / Osten Upstairs / Downstairs – Oben / Unte Can I get there on foot? – Kann ich dorthin zu Fuß laufen? You have to turn left / right. Which underground or bus do I have to take? – Welche Straßenbahn, Metro oder Bus muss ich nehmen? Airport – Flughafen Train station, please – Bahnhof, bitte Is it close to … ? – Ist es in der Nähe von … ? Around the corner – Um die Ecke Where is the exit / entrance? – Wo ist der Ausgang / Eingang? Stop here, please – Halten Sie hier an, bitte. Where is the station? – Wo ist die Haltestelle? Where can I buy a ticket? – Wo kann ich eine Fahrkarte kaufen? Is this train / bus going to … ? – Fährt dieser Zug / Bus nach … ? Can you show me on the map? – Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? Do I have to change? – Muss ich umsteigen?

Emergencies

Here are some useful phrases to use if you find yourself in a difficult situation:

Could you please translate this for me? – Können Sie das bitte übersetzen? Help! – Hilfe! Police – Polizei Ambulance – Ambulanz Hospital – Krankenhaus

German Numbers

One – Eins Two – Zwei Three – Drei Four – Vier Five – Fünf Six – Sechs Seven – Sieben Eight – Acht Nine – Neun Ten – Zehn Eleven – Elf Twelve – Zwölf Thirteen – Dreizehn Fourteen – Vierzehn Fifteen – Fünfzehn – Sixteen – Sechzehn Seventeen – Siebzehn Eighteen – Achtzehn Nineteen – Neunzehn Twenty – Zwanzig Thirty – Dreißig Forty – Vierzig Fifty – Fünfzig Sixty – Sechzig Seventy – Siebzig Eighty – Achtzig Ninety – Neunzig One hundred – Hundert Two hundred and fifty – Zweihundertfünfzig Five hundred – Fünfhundert One thousand – Tausend

Days of the Week in German

Monday – Montag Tuesday – Dienstag Wednesday – Mittwoch Thursday – Donnertag Friday – Freitag Saturday – Samstag Sunday – Sonntag

Months of the Year in German

January – Januar February – Februar March – März April – April May – Mai June – Juni July – Juli August – August September – September October – Oktober November – November December – Dezember

We hope our list of the best German travel phrases for tourists and travelers has been useful to you. You could download the article as a PDF and print it out, or write down some of the most important ones.

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20 Phrases You Should Learn Before You Visit Germany

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Germany is a blast to explore. While its history has complexities, countless sites exist to discover and learn from. But what I adore most about Germany is its breathtaking views and delicious cuisine.

Many people may feel hesitant about visiting Germany due to language barriers and its historical background, but it’s a fantastic place to visit today.

During my college study abroad stint, I had the opportunity to visit Germany multiple times. I found that picking up a few German phrases made a huge difference in connecting with locals and truly enjoying my time there.

If you’re curious like me and want to brush up on some essential phrases before heading to Germany, here’s a helpful list to get you started.

1. Hallo – Hello

A joyful woman in a red coat waving at a man with his back to the camera on a sunny city street, exemplifying things Americans do without realizing how weird it is.

Pronunciation: hallo

“Hallo” is a straightforward phrase in German, as it closely resembles its English counterpart. It’s a versatile greeting that you can use when entering a store, passing someone on the street, or entering a restaurant. Just like in English, “Hello” (“Hallo” in German) can be used in various situations where you’d greet someone!

2. Auf Wiedersehen – Goodbye

Tourist 2

Pronunciation: off vee-duh-zane

Okay, don’t freak out. This word might seem unfamiliar and a bit intimidating, especially compared to “Hello” or “Hallo” in German, as it’s pretty different from its English equivalent. “Auf Wiedersehen” is the German way of saying goodbye. It’s the ideal phrase to use when leaving a place, similar to how you would use “Goodbye” in English.

The pronunciation is “off vee-duh-zane,” despite its intimidating appearance, it’s surprisingly easy to say and quite enjoyable to use. It’s also a fantastic way to show locals you value their time but are heading out. I personally enjoy using this phrase with a smile as I leave a store, letting the staff know that I’m departing but grateful for their service and the store experience.

3. Guten Morgen – Good morning

Tourist 1

Pronunciation: gue-ten morg-en

One of the ways I love to start the day in Germany is by saying “Guten Morgen,” which is quite similar to “Good Morning” in English. It’s a great greeting when entering a cafe, grocery store, shop, hotel, or any business in the morning.

4. Danke – Thank you

Tourist 4

Pronunciation: dan-kuh

After experiencing a kind gesture such as someone holding the door for you, filling your water at a restaurant, giving directions, or in many other scenarios, try using the German word “Danke” instead of the English “Thank you.” This conveys your appreciation for their assistance and demonstrates your effort to communicate in their native language, which is always a thoughtful gesture.

5. Bitte – Please

German Tourist

Pronunciation: bit-uh

Before seeking help or assistance, begin by saying “Bitte,” which translates to “Please” in English. This approach is a polite and thoughtful way of requesting something from someone rather than demanding their attention or help.

6. Entschuldigung – Excuse Me

A man smiling in a selfie with a scenic view of a european town's red rooftops and church towers under a clear blue sky in the background.

Pronunciation: en-shoy-due-go

When navigating busy streets in Frankfurt or Munich or trying to get through a crowded subway, use “Entschuldigung” in German instead of “Excuse Me” in English. This shows you’re politely asking to pass, and speaking their language lets them know you respect their culture and that you’re not just a rude tourist passing through.

7. Ja – Yes

A joyful man and woman, wearing winter clothes, enjoy sausages at a festive outdoor christmas market with lights and a tree in the background.

Pronunciation: jah

Here’s how to say “Yes” in German. While many people in major cities in Germany will understand if you say “Yes” in English, using the German word “Ja” is a small but meaningful way to show locals that you’re embracing their culture and appreciating them.

8. Nein – No 

No

Pronunciation: nine

This is how to say “No” in German. It’s straightforward and a wonderful way to demonstrate to the locals that you’re trying to learn their language and show your appreciation.

9. Deutsch – German

German Tourists

Pronunciation: doy-ch

You might notice signs with “Deutsch” accompanied by the German flag, which can be puzzling. “Deutsch” means “German,” so they refer to the same thing. In English, “German” and “Germany” are the equivalents of “Deutsch” and “Deutschland.”

It may initially seem confusing, but it’s helpful to understand before your trip. While locals will understand if you interchange the terms, it’s good to know beforehand that “Deutsch” means “German.” 

10. Wie gehts? – How are you?

German Tourist 3

Pronunciation: wee gates

In German, you can ask, “How are you?” as a polite way to chat with locals. For example, in the morning, you might say, “Guten Morgen. Wie geht’s?” which means “Good Morning. How are you?”

11. Sprechen sie Englisch? – Do you speak English?

13 Behaviors That Seem Nice But Are Actually Rude

Pronunciation: spre-ken zee English

This phrase is quite useful. Whether you’re in a store, seeking directions on the street, or approaching a hostess at a restaurant, start with a smile and say, “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” which means “Do you speak English?” In major cities, they’ll likely switch to English for you. If not, they may shake their head no or find someone else who speaks English to assist them.

12. Ich spreche kein Deutsch – I don’t speak German

A woman in a business attire saying no to her colleague.

Pronunciation: ish spre-keh kine doy-ch

If someone starts speaking rapidly in what sounds like a stream of unfamiliar words, they’re probably speaking German to you. Politely let them finish, smile, and say, “Ich spreche kein Deutsch,” which means “I don’t speak German.” Usually, they’ll switch to English if they know it, or they might smile, nod, and continue with their day.

13. Wo ist… – Where is…

German Tourist 1

Pronunciation: wuh ist

Learning this phrase is crucial before your trip to Germany, as it’s incredibly versatile. “Wo ist…” translates to “Where is…” and can be used in various situations. One of the most common uses is “Wo ist die Toilette?” for “Where is the bathroom?” Another popular phrase is “Wo ist der Bahnhof?” for “Where is the train station?” It’s a valuable expression for asking for directions or locating something throughout the country.

14. Ich verstehe nicht – I don’t understand

German Tourist 2

Pronunciation: ich vey-stey-ee niche

It’s common for locals to speak German quickly when you enter a business. Let them finish, then say “Ich verstehe nicht” or “I don’t understand” in English. This indicates that you didn’t comprehend what they said. They’ll likely ask “English?” to confirm if you speak English. Once you nod and say “Ja” or “Yes,” they’ll switch to English to continue the conversation.

15. Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? – Can I please have the menu?

A group of five young adults enjoying a meal at a restaurant, laughing and talking while a smiling waiter takes their order.

Pronunciation: kann iche bit-uh die spize-kart-uh hab-en

One of the highlights of traveling to different countries is indulging in their cuisine. Restaurants abroad have a different pace than those in the United States; they cherish the moment and take their time.

Knowing how to ask for the menu can be incredibly useful, especially if you’re hungry and eager to eat. To request the menu, you can say, “Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben?” They should respond with a smile, nod, and promptly bring the menu over to you.

16. Ich hätte – I would like…

German Cafe

Pronunciation: eh het-uh

Here’s how you say “I would like” in German. I often use this phrase when ordering at a restaurant, cafe, or bar! Some of my favorite ways to use it include saying “Ich hätte gerne ein Bier” for “I would like a beer.” Another favorite is at a cafe, saying “Ich hätte gerne einen Espresso” for “I would like an espresso.”

17. Eins, Zwei, Drei, Vier, Fünf, Sechs, Sieben, Acht, Neun, Zehn – One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten

A vibrant Christmas market with a large Ferris wheel illuminated in blue and yellow lights, surrounded by festively decorated stalls and a snow-covered Christmas tree.

Pronunciation: eyens, z-vy, dry, fear, fuh-nf, zex, ze-ben, ah-ct, nine, seen

Having a grasp of basic numbers before traveling abroad can be quite helpful. It is handy when navigating menu items, searching for street numbers, or ordering multiple pastries at a cafe. I also like to accompany the number with hand gestures to ensure clear communication.

18. Prost! – Cheers!

Beer 2

Pronunciation: pr-ah-st

One of my top picks for words to use in Germany is “Prost,” which means “Cheers” in English. It’s the ideal expression for raising a toast when you’re served a refreshing beer. Raise your glass to friends, locals, or anyone around and say, “Prost!” It’s a fun way to celebrate the little things in life before enjoying your cold drink.

19. Bier – Beer

Beer 1

Pronunciation: beer

A useful word to know before traveling to Germany is “Bier,” meaning “Beer” in English. While it’s similar to its English counterpart, you could probably get by without knowing it, it’s still one of my favorites. Germany is renowned for its outstanding beer, particularly during Oktoberfest, which offers incredible brews and a lively atmosphere.

While cold beer is often seen in bottles, another popular way to enjoy it in Germany is in a stein. A stein is like a pint glass but much bigger. It holds 1 liter, which is about 34 ounces. This is how draft beer is commonly served in Germany, so it’s good to know before you visit.

20. Pretzel – Brezel

Pretzel

Pronunciation: bretz-uh

You can’t go to Germany and not devour a few of their world-famous pretzels. However, don’t expect to see “Pretzel” on every menu, only to be disappointed when you can’t find any. Many places do serve them, but they’re often labeled in German as “Brezel.”

I made this mistake during my first trip to Germany as a teenager studying abroad. I spent ages scouring menus looking for pretzels, only to realize they were listed under “Brezel” on several menus I checked. I have definitely learned my lesson sense!

Abby Price

Author: Abby Price

Title: journalist, expertise: travel, snow skiing, outdoors.

Abby Price is a journalist, travel and ski writer, and the founder of the digital publications Summit Skier and Trekking Price’s. She is an expert on skiing, snowboarding, ski resorts, and United States travel. 

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Germany Footsteps

Germany Footsteps

How Long Does It Take To Learn German? Let’s Find Out! 🤔

In this article, we’re going to explore how long it really takes to learn German, breaking down the time needed to progress from a complete beginner to fluency. If you’ve ever wondered how quickly you can go from “Guten Tag” to full conversations, we’ll provide some realistic answers by highlighting a helpful video that walks through the journey of learning German at each level.

Learning any language takes time, but it’s easy to get confused by claims like “become fluent in three months.” This video breaks it down in a way that makes sense, explaining exactly how long it takes to go from A1 (beginner) all the way to C2 (native-level). It also offers practical tips on how you can speed up the process by structuring your study time and immersing yourself in the language.

How Long Does It Take To Learn German?

Whether you’re planning to move to Germany for work or study, or you’re just interested in picking up a new language, knowing the commitment involved will help you stay on track. Let’s take a look at how long it really takes to learn German and what you can do to make the process smoother.

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Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how long it takes to learn German, it’s useful to know something about the language levels that are used in German language courses.

This is handy because it gives you an idea of not just how long it takes to get fluent, but how long it can take to reach certain levels.

Then, when we talk about how long it takes to hit these levels, it will make much more sense and you’ll be able to better tailor the answers to your goals and available time.

Table of Contents

German Language Levels

There are six levels of German language learning in schools. You can chose to do a course in one level or in all. Basically total beginners start at A1 then work their way up.

You should not skip a level as each level relies on the knowledge gained in the last.

These levels are often used in Germany so educators and employers understand what level of German someone has.

How Long Does It Take To Learn German?

So now we know the levels, how long does it take to reach them? In the video below, you are given a clear and practical breakdown of what it really takes to learn German, from the basics to near-native fluency.

Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to master the language, the video walks you through the time and effort needed to progress through each level—A1 to C2—while keeping things realistic. You’ll learn how long it typically takes to reach each level, how many hours of study are involved, and what you can do with the skills at each stage.

For example, you can confidently pass the A1 exam in about a month, while achieving B2, the level required for many university programs and jobs in Germany, takes around eight months with focused study.

Rostock

If you’ve been wondering how quickly you can learn German or if those “become fluent in 3 months” claims are too good to be true, this video clears up the confusion. You’ll not only get a realistic timeline for learning but also valuable tips on how to speed up the process, such as creating a structured study routine and immersing yourself in the language.

The video makes it clear that fluency is within reach if you put in the effort—and gives you the tools to do just that.

People should watch this video if they’re serious about learning German and want a clear, no-nonsense guide to planning their study time and setting achievable goals.

It’s perfect for anyone looking to move to Germany for work, study, or simply for the challenge of mastering a new language. Plus, it’s a great reality check on what to expect, helping you avoid the common pitfalls of wasted time and poor learning strategies.

You can do this!

How Long Does It Take to Learn German? by Max Yoko

The video work out how long it will take you to progress through each level, assuming a structured study routine of 4 hours a day, 5 days a week.

The timeframe to pass each level is:

  • A1 (Beginner) : About 60-80 hours, achievable in roughly 1 month.
  • A2 (Elementary) : About 150-180 hours, or around 2 months (so 3 months starting from beginner).
  • B1 (Intermediate) : Requires around 300-360 hours, taking up to 4 months (so 7 months starting from beginner).
  • B2 (Upper Intermediate) : A milestone level requiring 500-600 hours, taking up to 6 months (so 13 months starting from beginner). This is often the goal level as it opens doors to universities and jobs.
  • C1 (Advanced) : About 700-900 hours, or around 8-9 months (so 21-22 months starting from beginner).
  • C2 (Highly Competent) : About 1000-1200 hours, or around a year. This is to reach near-native proficiency and wouldn’t be something you would sit at home and learn.

The video emphasizes that reaching fluency depends on how much time you invest and the learning methods used. It also shares tips for accelerating your learning, including immersive techniques and structured courses to help speed up passing B2 in 8 months and C1 within a year.

For those serious about learning German, the video serves as a realistic guide on how to plan your language learning journey effectively.

Want to learn more about German? Find 100 nouns you should learn h e re and have a chuckle at the funny side of German here . You can also find all our lessons here .

Related Articles:

Sharon Gourlay in the Rhina Valley

By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon first fell in love with Germany back in 2000 on her first visit. She loves the long history, the picturesque Old Towns, the castles, the food, everything really! Since then, she has visited many times and loves writing about Germany here so you can enjoy it too. In fact, Sharon loves German culture so much that she sent her kids to a German primary school in Australia. She especially loves Berlin and towns with charming Old Towns like Celle and Quedlinburg. Sharon also has a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and understands the nitty gritty of travel planning. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to Germany whether it's your first or tenth time!

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Penguin and Pia

Home » Destinations » Europe » Germany » 11 Must-Knows When Travelling To Germany For The First Time

11 Must-Knows When Travelling To Germany For The First Time

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Must Knows When Travelling to Germany for the First Time

Tips for Travelling to Germany for the First Time… From a German!

If you’re planning a trip to Germany, and you’ve never been there before, you might be wondering what to expect. Germany is a wonderfully diverse country that’s different from one town or city to the next.

Planning ahead is always a smart move as is asking yourself “What do I need for travelling to Germany”. From Germany travel tips and booking accommodation to money and language, there are lots of things to know before travelling to Germany!

We write a lot about Germany given that we’re a Canadian and a German writing Penguin and Pia.

We love helping you discover beautiful places in Germany – so much so that we’ve written a whole bunch of Germany posts to help you plan. You can read some of them at the end of this article!

So, having said that – here’s our take on providing you with the essentials for travel to Germany. We’ll even tell you about some do’s and don’ts. Consider this your travelling to Germany checklist! Ready to go? Let’s travel to Germany!

If you’d rather watch a video and hear us talking about travel tips for Germany, then you can find our video on our YouTube Channel here . We’d still recommend that you read the blog post after since there’s some valuable information that we don’t mention in the video!

Table of Contents

General Information About Germany

Germany, or Deutschland in German, is located in Western/Central Europe. The three biggest cities in Germany are Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, with Berlin being the capital.

Germany has a population of approx. 82 million people. The country is divided into 16 “Bundesländer” such as Bavaria, Northrine-Westphalia etc. which have jurisdiction power over some things such as education.

Think of “states” if you’re American or “Provinces” if you’re Canadian. For you as a visitor, this doesn’t really matter – however, it might be relevant if you travel with a special train ticket which allows unlimited travel within a certain area.

While German is the language spoken, there are many different dialects. The biggest differences are between the north and the south of Germany.

So, if you can’t understand someone because of the dialect – don’t worry. Sometimes, even German people from the North can’t understand a person from the south when speaking in a Bavarian dialect.

Visa Information to Visit Germany

Do you need a visa to travel to Germany for tourism? This is a good question and definitely one to ask if you’re unsure because travel visas can be complicated.

The answer for Germany is: it depends. Germany is located in the Schengen Zone. We won’t go too in-depth about what the Schengen Zone is – that’s for another article entirely. We will, however, talk about the Schengen Zone with regards to visiting Europe (and Germany).

In short, the Schengen Zone is an area in continental Europe of 26 countries that allow free movement between them once you’re in any of them.

If you enter the Schengen Zone, American passport holders and Canadian passport holders have 90 days of visa-free travel before having to leave again.

It gets more complicated because you can only spend 90 days in any 180 day period, but if you’re going for a short trip to Europe you’ll be fine.

Some passports don’t just get visa-free travel in the Schengen Zone and require a Schengen Visa to travel around the zone (that Germany is in) so it’s important to check with your country’s government/embassy.

Essential Reading – Here’s Our Packing List For Travelling to Europe

Debunking North American Stereotypes

Writing this post as a Canadian and German couple, it’s always interesting to talk about how people and countries perceive other countries and cultures.

One of the biggest misconceptions that bother Lisa was when Eric told her how North America generally stereotypes Germany.

When Eric was newly dating Lisa, people would joke about how he would have to start “wearing Lederhosn and drinking beer from large steins”.

What many people stereotype Germany to be is basically a giant Oktoberfest all the time. What they are describing is a small part of the culture in Bavaria.

Bavaria is only one region and not representative of the whole country. Not everyone wears dirndl and Lederhosn, drinks Weißbier (wheat beer) and eats Brezln (pretzel). While this is certainly done during certain occasions in certain parts of the country, it is definitely not a representation of the country as a whole.

For North Americans, it would be like saying everyone in the US wears cowboy boots and hats. People in New York would be like “hell no, that’s Texas”.

The same goes for Canada – it would be like saying all Canadians live a coastal, fisherman’s lifestyle. People from Ontario, the Prairies, the West Coast, AND all the Territories would be like “no, that’s the East Coast”. For Germans, the same is true about Bavarian life.

Paying and Tipping In Germany

The currency that is used in Germany is the Euro. While you will probably be able to pay with credit card in most restaurants, it might not always be an option – especially in cafés. Just in case, make sure to carry some cash with you at all time and you’ll be just fine.

In Germany, it is normal to give a tip but the tipping amount is nowhere near as much as in North America. When you’re at a café and the bill is very small, it’s fine to just round up to the next full Euro or give a 50 cent to 1 Euro tip.

If the bill is more expensive or you eat at a restaurant giving between 2 Euro and 10% of the bill is usually fine.

Plugs/Electronics Used in Germany

Germany uses a two-prong officially classified as Type C, or E/F plug with 230 Volt. This is also the kind of plug that will work in many other places in Europe.

That means if you’re coming from North America or the United Kingdom, you will need an adapter for your style of plug. Most electronics you’ll be bringing along can handle a range of voltage from 110 to 240 V and it’ll say on the label.

If your electronic isn’t compatible for a 230-volt plug (most should, but check) then you’ll need BOTH a converter AND an adapter.

Buying a travel adapter that handles different voltages can save you some worry. You can find one exactly like that  here.  It even includes USB ports for charging smaller electronics (cameras, phones, etc).

how was your trip german

Public Transportation

In general, Germany has a good public transport system. If you are only travelling to bigger cities you’ll be more than fine to get around by bus, tram, S-Train, or Subway.

Most of the cities also have apps for their public transport system and these can be very helpful for finding out how to get from A to B.

Germany also has a very good railway network and, only recently, also a pretty good long-distance bus system.

If you want to take the train from one city to another or go on a day trip, you can look up the train schedule here . You can buy your ticket in advance and print it out or download the app and show it on your phone.

If it is short distance trains only, you can also buy a ticket at the machine at the train station. However, for long distance connections including an ICE (the fast trains), there is a certain amount of “Savings Tickets” which can be significantly cheaper than the standard fare.

Once these tickets are gone, you have to pay the standard fare which can make it quite expensive. So, if you plan on travelling a long distance while in Germany, book your ticket in advance where possible.

Speaking English

If you’re travelling to Germany for the first time as an English speaker, you’ll find that most younger people in bigger cities speak enough English to at least communicate with you. Those people working in the services industry or the tourism sector usually speak English quite well.

If you are travelling to smaller towns and/or want to communicate with older people, it might be helpful to learn a couple of German phrases before your trip. We’ve written a whole post on the necessary German phrases to know before you travel to Germany !

Often times, German people might also understand more English than they can speak (take Lisa’s mom for example). People are generally helpful and patient so you shouldn’t worry that nobody will be able to understand you.

Also, being able to say “Danke” (thank you) and “Bitte” (please, you’re welcome) will go a long way and you’ll be sure to make some Germans smile for trying to speak their native language.

Safety While Travelling in Germany

Generally, Germany is a safe country. However, as in any other country, you should be aware of your belongings when you walk through touristy places.

Pick-pocketing can, and does, occur – but as long as you make sure you’re careful with your things you should be fine.

In big cities, there can be certain areas that you should not necessarily walk through as they can be considered “rougher” parts of town. This is not to say that something would happen to you if you did, but more a precaution to consider.

Most of the time these areas are in the outskirts of cities (like in Berlin) and you would never have any reason to go there anyway.

Renting a Car & Driving on the Autobahn

If you’re planning on renting a car, you should know that most Germans drive a stick shift so this is the default car you can find at rental agencies.

If you only know how to drive automatic, you should make sure that this is what you get when you rent a car online.

There have been stories where people just get an equivalent level car but with a stick shift as for most European people, it does not matter. You can compare rental car prices across different companies in Germany here .

Also, in Germany, you drive on the same side of the road as in the US or Canada.

One good piece of advice (as this is something that Lisa found super frustrating in Canada and the US): If you are driving on the Highway (Autobahn) and you’re driving slower than other cars make sure you are driving on the OUTSIDE LANE TO THE RIGHT!

There is nothing more frustrating than slow cars driving in the middle or left lane and holding everyone up behind them.

Since there is no speed limit at some parts of the Autobahn (or if there is a speed limit, it is oftentimes still higher than in North America), this can cause real problems and does lead to unnecessary accidents. So please be aware of this when driving in Germany.

Eric adds: As a North American driver, Canada and the US are FAR TOO lenient on people driving slowly in the left lane. If you do that in Germany, this might not go over well.

When a car is coming from behind you doing over 110 mph/175 km, there’s no time to go “oh, better get over now”. It’s already too late. Learn how to drive and be where you’re supposed to be driving or don’t drive at all. Rant over!

German History

It goes without saying that Germany has played a large role in shaping the course of human history over the past few centuries.

Some parts of that history Germany is proud to acknowledge, while other parts remain a point of remorse and shame for many German people. As such, there are a few things you should know about German culture and history.

The big one is: Watch the casual phrases you toss around. Saying “don’t be such a Nazi” to someone who is being anal or over-prepared about something isn’t the smartest move in Germany. Also, jokes about Hitler are offside and inappropriate.

While these phrases might have become quite common in North America, you should never use them in Germany.

History is still a touchy subject and, while many Germans had nothing to do with times of oppression back in the day, the majority of Germans don’t think it is appropriate to make fun of it.

German Culture: Smalltalk is Not a Thing

As a North American, this can come as a surprise for you, but Germans are not used to small talk. The cashier at the supermarket will likely not ask you how you’re doing and you’re not expected to ask them either.

That doesn’t mean you don’t have to use manners. You should say thank you at the end! Sometimes, they wish you a nice evening/nice weekend which you, of course, should return as well.

In conclusion, if you’re in line waiting for something don’t expect people to start a conversation – it’s just not that common!

And there you have it  – 11 things you should know before travelling to Germany for the first time. Germany is a big, beautiful country full of interesting people, a rich history, a proud culture, and a bright future.

We love Germany – and not just because Lisa calls it home. We’d advise anyone travelling to Europe to stop through and see for themselves what makes Germany such a great country to visit.

We hope this is helpful for first-time travellers! Oh, and definitely let us know how your trip to Germany goes!

As always, Guten Waddle,

  • Compare flights on Skyscanner
  • Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
  • Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
  • Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
  • Go over our packing list

Related Articles

If you’d like to learn more about Germany and different cities that you could visit, have a look at these posts:

  • Detailed 5 to 14 Day Germany Itineraries
  • Things to Do in the Capital Berlin
  • What to See in Hamburg
  • Things to Do in Coburg
  • Places to Visit in Bamberg
  • Attractions Worth Visiting in Würzburg
  • Spending Time In Aachen
  • What to See in Aschaffenburg
  • Exploring Beautiful Wiesbaden
  • Amazing Things to Do in Mainz

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Must Knows When Travelling to Germany for the First Time

2 thoughts on “11 Must-Knows When Travelling To Germany For The First Time”

I love Germany, my husband and I are planning on living there in a few years. I think that stereotype is hilarious, it reminds me of how people think that Texas is all dessert land and we ride horses. SO FUNNY. I love that Germans don’t do small talk. I hate small talk and being from the south it’s nice to go somewhere that doesn’t have an expectation of small talk. Thanks for sharing these tips!

Hi Kyntra! Thanks so much for your two cents! We agree – the stereotypes can be hilarious and oh SO wrong. We’ve never been to Texas but always wanted to see it for ourselves someday – we’ll have to hit you up for tips when it’s our turn to visit! Let us know if you ever move to Germany – we’d love to hear about your adventures 🙂 Happy Waddling!

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Happy to Wander

A 1st Timer’s Guide to Germany Travel: Where to Go, When to Go & More!

Last Updated: August 30, 2024

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how was your trip german

While most commonly associated with beers, bratwursts and tight leather pants, Germany is a country full of delightful finds that extend far beyond the stereotypes.

From dreamy castles and fairytale towns to awe-inspiring nature and sprawling cities, Deutschland has a little something for every kind of traveler… although I’ll admit the leather pants are also great.

I first visited Germany on a 6 week backpacking trip across Europe, and as I sipped my comically large beer under the toasty Berlin sun, I felt a strange sense of calm and belonging.

Spurred by this hunch, I moved to Munich. One study abroad later, I loved it so much I stayed for over 5 years… enough to gain so much giddy enthusiasm for this country that I’ve become a thoroughly insufferable dinner guest.

But my social life’s loss is your gain, my friend… because today, I’ve decided to channel all my Deutschland fangirl tendencies into this concise Germany travel guide filled with all my top tips, itineraries, and recommendations.

I hope you find it helpful, and of course, feel free to ask any more questions in the comments section or on Instagram here.

how was your trip german

Save this Germany Travel Guide for Later!

I promise it’ll come in handy!

Traveling to Germany Basics

Currency: Euro

Language: German, although accents and dialects vary wildly! In larger cities and tourist hotspots, most Germans also speak excellent English.

Getting Around: Trains, buses and flights are plentiful and affordable in Germany – my best tip is to use Omio to compare options easily. Having a car is ideal for visiting smaller towns, more remote locations and numerous destinations in a short amount of time, but is otherwise not needed for big cities.

Curious about trains in Germany? Read my full step by step guide to German train travel.

how was your trip german

Germany Highlights (By the Season)

  • Winter: Christmas markets, skiing & alpine sports, Karneval and Fasching season (Carnival), Starkbier (Strong beer) season
  • Spring: Cherry blossoms in Bonn , Frühlingsfest (Springfest) in Munich
  • Summer: Hiking, Beer Garden season, summer festivals/celebrations
  • Fall: Oktoberfest and other Volksfests, the world’s biggest pumpkin festival in Ludwigsburg, the Wurstmarkt (world’s largest wine festival)

how was your trip german

My Favourite Places in Germany

Not sure where to go in Germany? Here are some places I can definitely recommend!

Let’s get my mega-biased opinion out of the way first – Munich is the city I called home for 5+ years, and I couldn’t recommend it more… especially if you’re obsessed with beer like I am. This is the birthplace of Oktoberfest after all!

There are lots of fun things to do in Munich , like hopping around the city’s sprawling museum district (many only cost 1 euro on Sundays!), eating up the best Bavarian food that Munich has to offer or soaking in the wealth of historical sites scatered around the city.

It’s also an ideal base for many epic day trips. Going from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle (AKA the real life Sleeping Beauty castle) takes only 2.5 hours. Or, if you want to visit glorious Salzburg from Munich (AKA the birthplace of Mozart and setting of Sound of Music), that’s only 1 hour by train.

Why visit Munich when you travel Germany:

  • Amazing beer & beer festivals
  • The English Garden – one of the largest city parks in the world
  • Beautiful palaces and museums
  • Easy base for amazing day trips to the Alps

how was your trip german

Berchtesgaden National Park

If it’s natural beauty you’re after, Germany’s Berchtesgaden National Park (near the border to Austria) is a must-visit.

Everything here is breathtaking – from the shimmering turquoise lakes and snow-flecked mountains to the adorable Berchtesgaden town center.

And, if you’re up for it, this is the ideal place to enjoy a typically Bavarian wellness weekend.

Why visit Berchtesgaden National Park when you travel Germany:

  • Stunning hikes and scenery
  • The glorious boat ride on Königssee to see the equally stunning Obersee
  • Historic sights like Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest

how was your trip german

Hands down one of my favourite places to visit time and time again is Berlin.

This endlessly fascinating city is home to incredible museums, delicious food, and a unique culture that makes it distinct from the rest of the country, despite its status as capital!

Whether you’re a history nerd, an avid partyer, or a famished foodie, Berlin has plenty to offer.

Why visit Berlin when you travel Germany:

  • Fascinating history
  • World-class museums and attractions
  • A thriving nightlife and food scene

how was your trip german

Franconia is a glorious region in northern Bavaria that is divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper Franconia.

To me, it’s one of the most underrated regions in Germany for international visitors, with an abundance of fairytale half-timbered houses, amazing beer, and unique natural landscapes.

Here are some places in Franconia that are absolutely worth visiting:

  • Franconian Switzerland
  • Würzburg (still haven’t been yet!)

how was your trip german

Perhaps the most idyllic entry of this list is Monschau, a sleepy but gorgeous village found near the border to Belgium.

I was lucky enough to come here for Christmas markets a few years ago, and I loved it so much, I skipped the train I’d pre-booked just so I could spend a few more hours there. 

Picturesque half-timbered houses clustered around a roaring central river… oh, and a castle on a hill. Because of course they have one.

Why visit Monschau when you travel Germany:

  • Super friendly locals
  • Picture-perfect scenes at every turn
  • Christina might cry if you don’t

how was your trip german

Hamburg is an amazing city I’ve had the chance to visit a few times now. It’s a lifestyle city that reminds me a lot of my hometown, Vancouver.

Home to a mix of classic and modern architecture (including the coolest opera house in the world!), as well as Germany’s #1 attraction – the adorable Miniatur Wonderland, Hamburg has a lot to offer tourists, but perhaps the best way to enjoy it is with a nice beer and sunset along the Elbe.

Why visit Hamburg when you travel Germany :

  • Amazing architecture like the Elbphilharmonie
  • Fresh and tasty seafood (and a booming foodie scene!)
  • A fun, vibrant vibe

how was your trip german

Dresden is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, and its beauty is all the more astounding when we consider that much of the city was destroyed completely in WWII.

After decades of reconstruction however, Dresden once again shines with its former glory, establishing itself as one of the most important cultural hotspots in Germany.

… and all only a stone’s throw from Saxon Switzerland, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the country!

Why visit Dresden when you travel Germany :

  • Stunning architecture and sights
  • World-class museums and culture scene
  • Its jawdropping Christmas market (the oldest one in the country!)

how was your trip german

Stuttgart (and its Surrounding Area)

Stuttgart is the biggest city (and capital) of the German state Baden-Württemburg. 

It’s perhaps best known as the ‘cradle of the automobile industry’, which explains why it’s home to not just one, but two car-centric museums: one belonging to Mercedes-Benz, and one to Porsche.

Besides cars though, the area around Stuttgart offers up some of the cutest small towns you can find in Germany, all easily reachable by public transport, meaning you get the best of all worlds during a visit here.

Why visit Stuttgart and the surrounding area when you travel Germany:

  • Fairytale towns like Esslingen, Ludwigsburg, and Tübingen
  • Stuttgart’s Stadtbibliothek, one of the most unique and beautiful libraries in the world
  • Lots of fun events like Stuttgart’s Christmas Market and the Cannstatter Volksfest 

how was your trip german

Thuringia is a state often overlooked by international tourists, but if you’re looking for a truly charming German escape, its capital Erfurt makes an excellent choice.

This beautiful city is famed for its unique Krämerbrücke, which is a gorgeous medieval bridge lined with residential buildings.

But that’s not all – there’s also an impressive cathedral, an imposing fortress, and surprises waiting on every corner… quite literally, because Erfurt is the HQ of the German children’s channel KiKA, and there’s plenty of fun statues of famous characters scattered around town.

Why visit Erfurt when you travel Germany:

  • Krämerbrücke, the longest inhabited bridge in Europe
  • Quirky and fun children’s channel sculptures all over the city

how was your trip german

Cologne, to me, is a city synonymous with fun and celebration. While at first glance, it might not rank among the “prettiest” places to visit in Germany (much of it was destroyed in the war), it still boasts several impressive landmarks and sights, like the epic Cologne Cathedral.

Where Cologne really shines though is during special events – the Christmas markets here are some of the best I’ve been to in my entire life, and the Karneval celebrations… well, those are truly epic!

Why visit Cologne when you travel Germany:

  • Bucket list events like the Cologne Christmas Market and Kölner Karneval
  • The iconic Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral), one of the most famous churches in the world 
  • Fun-loving locals who are among the friendliest I’ve ever encountered in Germany

how was your trip german

Last but not least, we have Hannover, a city which (in my opinion) is one of the most underrated cities in Germany where tourism is concerned.

Locally, people often joke that Hannover is one of the most boring cities in Germany, but I don’t think that’s true at all. One quick look and you’ll find a stunning palace within the city, an architecturally impressive Town Hall (with a unique elevator offering epic views), and a cool laidback vibe that many compare to what Berlin was like decades ago.

Here are some awesome things to do in Hannover.

Why visit Hannover when you travel Germany:

  • Its gorgeous New Town Hall
  • The stunning Herrenhausen Palace and its gardens
  • A fun, laidback city vibe

how was your trip german

Bucket List Experiences in Germany

Germany is full of incredible bucket list experiences. Here are a few of my favourites:

Christmas Markets

German Christmas markets are the stuff of bucket list dreams.

If you adore Christmas, a German Xmas market trip needs to make it on your bucket list, because nobody captures Christmas coziness and joy quite like the Germans do.

The best part (besides the droolworthy assortment of German Christmas Market foods ) is that you’ll find Christmas markets in just about every city, town, and even the smallest of villages, each with their own unique take on traditions.

Trust me, you could never get bored of visiting these.

Here are some full guides to the Christmas markets I’ve visited in Germany:

  • Munich’s Christmas Markets
  • Berlin’s Christmas Markets
  • Cologne’s Christmas Markets
  • Esslingen Christmas Market
  • Ludwigsburg Christmas Market
  • Karlsruhe Christmas Market
  • Düsseldorf Christmas Market
  • Nuremberg Christmas Market
  • Essen Christmas Market

how was your trip german

Oktoberfest

Trust me – Oktoberfest , AKA the world’s largest beer festival, is reason enough to make a trip to Germany.

Typically celebrated annually in Munich, this is one of the most incredible events in the world, with millions of people attending, millions of beer served, and a guaranteed recipe for making memories to last a lifetime.

… If you can remember anything after 5L of beer that is.

Read my full Oktoberfest guide for more details.

how was your trip german

Visiting Fairytale Castles

If you love castles, I recommend avoiding Germany……. because you might just combust from sheer fangirl joy.

Seriously, Germany is every castle lover’s kryptonite, with elegant palaces and fairytale castles in the thousands. If you’re a Disney gal like me who grew up dreaming of happily ever afters, pack a ballgown and head to Germany ASAP.

I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Here are some castles that you must visit in Germany:

  • Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Nuremberg Castle

how was your trip german

The Cherry Blossoms in Bonn

The cherry blossoms in Bonn (also the birthplace of Beethoven and gummy bear legend, Haribo) are absolutely spectacular, and 100% worth visiting in Spring time. In fact, I’d even say they’re one of the best things to see in Europe at Spring time.

Yes, you, too, can come frolic in these tunnels of pink! Here is my guide on where to find cherry blossoms in Bonn.

how was your trip german

Karneval, Fasching, Etc.

Carnival Season is one of the best times to visit Germany if you’re looking for a party.

The grandest celebrations take place just before Lent, and are celebrated throughout the country, although the festivites in North-Rhine Westphalia are probably the best known.

My top recommendation? Go celebrate in Cologne, where the Kölner Karneval draws millions of visitors every year.

how was your trip german

My Recommended Germany Itineraries

Germany is a huge country with a massive diversity in sights… so how can you organize your time efficiently and make the most of your trip? Here are some German trip itinerary ideas…

Germany itinerary ideas for a taste of everything:

  • Southern Germany Classic: Munich, the Allgäu (for Castles!), Garmisch Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden National Park, Stuttgart & Area, Black Forest
  • Eastern Germany Classic: Berlin, Dresden, Saxon Switzerland
  • Western Germany Classic: Aachen, Monschau, Eifel National Park
  • Northern Germany Classic: Hamburg, Bremen , Lübeck, Kiel, Sylt
  • The Rhine River Classic: Mainz, Koblenz, Burg Eltz, Cochem, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf
  • The Harz Mountains Experience: Harz Mountains, Goslar, Wernigerode, Quedlinburg

how was your trip german

Germany itinerary ideas for city breakers and culture hunters:

  • The Big City Tour: Berlin and Munich (a 4 hour express train connects them)
  • The BaWu Special: Stuttgart, Ludwigsburg, Tübingen, Esslingen, Heidelberg
  • The Bavaria Special: Munich, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Bayreuth
  • The Saxony Special: Leipzig, Görlitz, Dresden
  • The Rhine City Hop: Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf
  • The Romantic Villages Hop: Würzburg, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Füssen

how was your trip german

Germany itinerary ideas for nature lovers:

  • Southern Germany Nature Itinerary: Berchtesgaden National Park, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the Black Forest and Lake Constance (Bodensee)
  • Bavaria’s Best Nature Itinerary: Berchtesgaden National Park, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich’s Lake Region, Franconian Switzerland, Danube Gorge
  • Eastern Germany Nature Itinerary: Dresden and Saxon Switzerland National Park

how was your trip german

My Top Germany Travel Tips

  • If you’re overwhelmed by transport options, Omio is a great resource for comparing trains, buses and flights in Germany at the same time.
  • If travelling by train, look into group discount tickets like the Bayern Ticket which give you unlimited train travel for one day on regional trains. It can save you a TON of money.
  • If you are traveling to multiple countries nearby (i.e. Switzerland), a Eurail pass might save you money.

Accommodation:

  • Booking.com is a great place to search up hotels, and filtering by Free Cancellation allows you to book without paying upfront
  • Airbnb can be a very affordable alternative for longer stays/bigger groups

Attractions and Tickets:

  • GetYourGuide is a great site for finding tours and attraction tickets
  • City passes like the Munich City Pass , Berlin Pass , and the Cologne Card can save you a LOT of money if you plan to visit many tourist attractions in a short time
  • If you’re trying to find specific info about a place, try using Google Translate to search in German because German versions of sites always have more info

If you’re past the planning stage and heading to Germany soon, make sure you read this before you go:

  • Hilarious must-knows before you visit Germany

how was your trip german

More Germany Travel Reads

Feeling inspired to visit Germany after reading all that?

As you can (probably) tell, I’ve written extensively about Germany.

So, here are some more articles that might pique your interest:

  • Unique Things to do in Germany (That You Can’t Do Anywhere Else)
  • The Best Christmas Markets in Germany
  • Hilarious Must-Knows Before You Visit Germany

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

4 thoughts on “A 1st Timer’s Guide to Germany Travel: Where to Go, When to Go & More!”

i found myself reading almost every post in your website for days and days and i ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and adore and thank you for spending so much time and effort to make it so helpful, informative and fun to read. you have helped me plan my trip to munich in december and i cant wait to visit just because of your enthusiasm 🙂

We would like to Thank you for sharing such a beautiful blog! Very informative.

This Germany Travel Guide truly captures the multifaceted beauty of Deutschland, a country that has something to offer to everyone, from culture enthusiasts to nature lovers. Your personal anecdotes from living in Munich make it come alive, making me yearn for a taste of that amazing beer you’ve mentioned, and a wander around the English Garden! The varied seasonal highlights emphasize how Germany is a year-round destination, offering uniquely charming experiences, from the festive winter Christmas markets to the lively summer festivals. It’s heartening to know that navigating around the country is convenient, making it possible to explore its picturesque small towns and vibrant cities. This guide is a treasure trove for anyone planning to travel to Germany – it gives a well-rounded view of the country, infused with personal insights, which makes it even more valuable. I’m particularly intrigued to visit Munich, the city you so passionately call home.

As a Berliner, I can’t agree more with this guide. Germany truly is a delightful mix of tradition and innovation, natural beauty and urban charm, hearty cuisine and diverse cultures. Moving around in Germany is indeed quite convenient thanks to the well-organized public transportation system, including trains, buses, and trams. And yes, English is widely spoken in major cities, so communication shouldn’t be a problem for travelers. As for the varied dialects across regions, it just adds to the unique charm of exploring this beautiful country. Safe travels, fellow adventurers!

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  1. How to Say "How Was Your Trip?" in German

    Now, armed with different ways to ask "How was your trip?" in German, both formally and informally, you can confidently engage in conversations and show genuine interest in others' experiences. Remember to adapt your language based on the level of formality required and enjoy connecting with German speakers on a personal level.

  2. Translation of "how was your trip" in German

    Translation of "how was your trip" in German. wie war die Reise. wie war Ihre Reise. wie war deine Reise. wie war die Fahrt. Wie war dein Trip. wie war dein Ausflug. Wie war der Flug. Hatten Sie eine gute Reise.

  3. How to say "How was the trip?" in German (Wie war die Reise?)

    How to say "How was the trip?" in German (Wie war die Reise?). And how you can say it just like a native.

  4. how was your trip translation in German

    how was your trip translation in English - German Reverso dictionary, see also 'have it your own way',yours',you',you're', examples, definition, conjugation. Translation Context Spell check Synonyms Conjugation. More. Collaborative Dictionary Documents Grammar Expressio. Reverso for Windows.

  5. 136 Useful German Travel Phrases

    136 Useful German Travel Phrases. Planning your big trip to Germany is so exciting—but you're not done until you've brushed up on common German phrases for travel. In this post, you'll find a handy phrasebook of German travel phrases and vocabulary, conveniently organized by group. You'll also learn about some great resources, such as ...

  6. how was your trip

    and the consequences thereof or deaths caused by acts of war or participation in civil unrest during travel. c) illnesses and accidents caused deliberately including their consequences as well as treatment for addictions; d) for the treatment of mental and psychological disorders and illnesses as well as hypnosis and psychotherapy; e) for examination and treatment as a result of pregnancy ...

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    With this guide, you now have a handy resource to help you communicate with locals during your trip to Germany. Don't be afraid to practice these German Phrases for Tourists and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these essential German phrases will help you make the most of ...

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    Knowing German travel phrases grants you the independence to explore without relying solely on translation apps or guidebooks. It boosts your confidence to interact with locals and handle unexpected situations. Learning travel phrases shows your genuine interest in the language and the people. It fosters a sense of appreciation and respect for ...

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    Eating Out. Whether you're stopping for a quick coffee or a full on meal, there are loads of chances to practice some German travel phrases with the waiting staff when you order food and drink in German. At the very least, memorise ich hätte gern …. (I would like…) and then add your drink or meal of choice. It's really polite and shows ...

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  11. #1 Best Guide: Basic German Phrases For Travelers

    While we hope for the best, it's smart to be prepared with a few essential German phrases for the unexpected when traveling. Learning German phrases for emergencies can provide peace of mind and ensure you're ready to handle any situation. I need help! Ich brauche hilfe! I need a doctor. Ich brauche einen arzt.

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    Whatever the country, these German travel phrases will make your trip that much more enjoyable. So, print them out or keep them on your phone! Even if you're not looking to become fluent in German, these common German phrases for travel are a great way to connect with native speakers and immerse yourself in the country during your journey.

  13. Gute Reise! Have a Great Trip! Travel Phrases in German

    In this post we'll look at a lot of German vocabulary and expressions that will come in handy when you travel. Let's start with the basics. Mein Koffer: My Suitcase. Before you travel, you of course need to pack. So let's start there. der Koffer, -Ø suitcase; Ich muss meinen Koffer packen. I need to pack my suitcase.

  14. Guide on How to Say "Have a Good Trip" in German

    Relax and enjoy your time off.) 3. Gute Fahrt! If the person you're wishing a good trip to is traveling by car, you can use the phrase "Gute Fahrt!" which means "Have a good journey!". This expression is commonly used for road trips and can also be used when someone is departing by train or bus. Example: "Gute Fahrt!

  15. How to say "have a good vacation" in German?

    @finitud Don't know what Uwe is referring to, but as a German, "dir" feels correct to me, "Dir" is only correct at the beginning of a sentence, "euch" feels correct for addressing a group of people, and "Euch" would be correct at the beginning of a sentence or for addressing a king or god (Pluralis Majestatis). ... For "have a good travel" you ...

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  17. How to Say "Enjoy Your Trip" in German

    1. "Genieß deine Reise". This is the informal version of the first phrase mentioned above. It means "Enjoy your trip" and is used when talking to friends, family members, or someone younger than you. 2. "Ich wünsche dir eine gute Reise". Similar to its formal counterpart, this phrase means "I wish you a good trip" and can be ...

  18. 100+ Useful Basic German Phrases for Travel

    German is regarded as hard due to the long words, pronunciation, four noun case endings and three grammatical genders. But it is still a lot easier than a lot of other worldwide languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Like with any language, practise really helps to improve your fluency.

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    3. Guten Morgen - Good morning. Pronunciation: gue-ten morg-en. One of the ways I love to start the day in Germany is by saying "Guten Morgen," which is quite similar to "Good Morning" in English. It's a great greeting when entering a cafe, grocery store, shop, hotel, or any business in the morning. 4.

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    Travel in Germany: 17 Important Must-Knows Before Your ...

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    In fact, Sharon loves German culture so much that she sent her kids to a German primary school in Australia. She especially loves Berlin and towns with charming Old Towns like Celle and Quedlinburg. Sharon also has a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and understands the nitty gritty of travel planning.

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    Plugs/Electronics Used in Germany. Germany uses a two-prong officially classified as Type C, or E/F plug with 230 Volt. This is also the kind of plug that will work in many other places in Europe. That means if you're coming from North America or the United Kingdom, you will need an adapter for your style of plug.

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