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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

country

GermanyDeutschland

First trip: pick two bases, Berlin (3–4 nights) and Munich or the Rhine (3–4), and join them by high-speed train; do not try to cover north, south and west in one week.

Not field-verified

Germany is large and decentralised: there is no single capital-of-everything, so trips that chase a checklist of cities spend their days on trains. What breaks plans is rail delays on long connections, trade fairs and Oktoberfest pushing up room prices, and Sundays when shops close. Choose two or three bases, leave slack for late trains, and check event calendars before booking beds.

All regions, cities and parks in Germany (Atlas) →

Regions

Berlin and Brandenburgplanned

Berlin base; Potsdam as a day trip

3–4 nights

Bavariaplanned

Munich, the Alps, Neuschwanstein and Franconia

3–5 nights

Rhinelandplanned

Cologne, the Rhine valley and the Moselle

2–4 nights

Northern Germanyplanned

Hamburg and the Baltic and North Sea coasts

2–3 nights

Arrive

FRA

Frankfurt

Long-distance and regional rail stations at the airport

MUC

Munich

S-Bahn to central Munich

BER

Berlin Brandenburg

Airport express and S-Bahn trains to central Berlin

Time math

4 days
Berlin 4 (Mitte, Museum Island, Wall sites, Potsdam day trip)
7 days
Berlin 3 + Munich 4 (high-speed train, one Alps or castle day trip)
10 days
Berlin 3 + Cologne or Rhine 3 + Munich 4

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
  • Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
  • Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.

Etiquette

  • Quiet hours in the evening and all Sunday are observed in residential areas: no loud noise or DIY.
  • Do not cross on a red pedestrian light, especially in front of children.
  • Sort rubbish and return deposit bottles (Pfand) at supermarket machines.
  • Punctuality matters for bookings and tours.
Oktoberfest (mid Sep–early Oct)
Munich rooms sell out and prices rise; book months ahead.
Trade fairs (Messe) in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hannover, Düsseldorf and others
Hotel prices spike for the fair days; check the city's fair calendar.
Christmas markets (late Nov–Dec)
Busy weekends in Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden and Munich.
Dec 24–26 and Easter weekend
Shops and many restaurants close; reduced transport.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 3/5

  • Currency is the euro (EUR). Card acceptance has improved but some bakeries, bars and small restaurants are still cash only.
  • Carry cash for markets, beer gardens, kiosks and some taxis; ask before you order.
  • Tipping: round up or add about 5–10% when you pay, told to the server rather than left on the table.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

Safety

  • Emergency: 112 (the EU number) works everywhere; 110 for police.
  • Pickpockets work main stations, Christmas markets and crowded trains.
  • Cycle lanes are for bikes: do not walk in them, and look both ways before stepping off the pavement.
  • Validate or buy tickets before boarding local transport; there are no barriers, and inspectors fine on the spot.

Germany borders nine countries; direct trains run to Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague, Zurich and Copenhagen.

Open Europe

Sources