How to plan a trip to Germany?

Organising a trip is not easy, as it requires careful planning and taking into account many factors that will make all the difference to your holiday. That’s why we’ve put together this post where we’ve compiled the best tips for planning a trip to Germany, such as the best means of transport to get there, the ideal season to travel, the necessary documentation or the dishes you can’t miss.

One way to prepare your trip in an organised way is with the Passporter App, with which you canfind out what to see in each destination, save your documents, tickets and reservations, discover the best places to eat and learn about the culture of the region through the experiences of other travellers. During the trip you will also be able to share photos and give advice to those who want to travel to Germany.

1. How to get to and around Germany?

Germany has an excellent transport infrastructure that will allow you to get to and around the country in comfort. Before setting off on your trip, it’s a good idea to compare all the alternatives so you don’t waste time and can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here’s a summary of all the transport options in Germany.

• Airplane: is the most efficient way to get to Germany. The main international airports are Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart, but there are many more that receive regional flights and will get you across the country in just a few hours.
• Train: Germany’s rail system, known as Deutsche Bahn, is efficient and has a comprehensive network. Trains are an excellent option for travel both within cities and between different regions of Germany or even from neighbouring countries. You can buy tickets online or directly at the train stations.
• Bus: Germany has an intercity bus network connecting many cities and towns thanks to companies such as FlixBus and Eurolines which offer regular and cheap services throughout the country and between neighbouring countries.
• Car: If you prefer the flexibility of owning your own vehicle, you can travel with your own car or rent one in Germany. The country is characterised by incredibly well-maintained motorways. However, be aware of traffic regulations and low-emission zones in some cities.
• Motorhoming: The country is well suited to motorhoming and you’ll have no trouble finding places to spend the night with your campervan.
• Metro and public transport: Germany’s major cities have very efficient metro, tram and bus systems that are ideal for getting around within urban areas and exploring the sights.

One of the advantages of organising your trip with Passporter is that it allows you to compare and buy airline tickets through Skyscanner from within the app, where you can also save them so that you have all your travel documents in one place. From the Passporter App you can also book a car for transfers with MyTransfer.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Have your documentation needed for travelling to Germany at hand in the Passporter App

If you are an EU citizen you do not need a visa to travel to Germany, your ID card or passport will suffice. Travelling from another country outside the EU, you should check with the embassy whether or not you need a visa to enter the country.

If you need a visa to travel to Germany, you can save it in the Passporter App so you will always have it at hand and will not risk losing it.

3. Taste the gastronomy in Germany

German cuisine is varied and offers a wealth of traditional dishes and regional products that are not to be missed. In the big cities you’ll also find a wide variety of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine, and many street stalls with fast food such as hot dogs. Here are some of Germany’s most typical dishes:

• Sauerkraut: fermented cabbage, seasoned with salt and spices. It is often served as an accompaniment to meat dishes, such as sausages or roast pork.
• Schnitzel: meat fillets, usually pork or veal, breaded and fried.
• Kartoffelsalat: Potato salad, made with boiled potatoes, onion, dill and dressed with vinegar or mayonnaise. It is a popular accompaniment to many main dishes.
• Currywurst: is a fried or grilled pork sausage, cut into pieces and coated with a tomato sauce and curry powder. It is a very popular street dish in Germany.
• Leberkäse: this is a meat pie made from a mixture of pork, beef and spices. It is cut into slices and served hot or cold in sandwiches or as a main course.
• Brezel: a pretzel-shaped roll, often found at fairs and markets. It can be sweet or savoury and can be enjoyed on its own or with butter.
• Apfelstrudel: this is an apple pie made with a thin dough and filled with apples, sultanas, nuts and cinnamon. It is served warm with icing sugar and is often accompanied by vanilla ice cream.

Germany values its bread, which is usually black, dense and seeded, and also has a long tradition of wine-making

When you go to a restaurant, remember that people eat lunch around 12:00 and dinner between 6:00 and 8:00. It is usual to leave a proportion of between 5% and 10%.

We understand that finding a good place to eat can be frustrating, so we recommend that you search the Passporter App for restaurants and bars that have been recommended by other travellers.

4. The best time to plan a trip to Germany

Germany is a year-round tourist destination, but in the end, the best time of year will depend on the type of trip you want to make.

Summer in Germany tends to be warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the high 30s. It’s also the peak tourist season, so you may findmore crowds and higher prices. However, it’s a great time to enjoy festivals, swimming in lakes and outdoor activities.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, it’s best to travel in spring or early autumn, when it’s not too cold and the country’s countryside is still in full colour. Winter is generally not the best time to travel because of the shorter daylight hours and colder weather, but it’s worth a trip to the cities to see the Christmas decorations and visit the markets.

5. Plan a trip with friends to Germany

Travelling with friends is a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. However, it can also be a challenge to agree on certain things, especially when travelling in large groups. That’s why it’s important to get to know the people you’re travelling with and discuss your preferences before you set off on your trip.

No two trips are the same, but in this post you will find some tips that can help you when organising a trip with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

And with the Passporter app, you can plan your travel itineraries from start to finish, inspired by the experiences of other travellers and involving the whole group. Add your friends and create the perfect plan for your next holiday together. During the trip you can also share your photos and share your own experiences.

6. Check out Passporter for family-friendly things to do in Germany

Germany is a perfect destination for family travel. As well as beautiful forests where children can run around freely, there are numerous amusement parks, castles and many other attractions for the little ones. Here are some of the best things to do for the whole family:

• Theme parks: Germany has numerous theme parks offering fun for the whole family. Some of the most popular include Europa-Park in Rust, Legoland Deutschland in Günzburg and Phantasialand in Brühl.
• Castles and palaces: Some of the most famous castles are Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria or Heidelberg Castle in Heidelberg. Many of these places offer guided tours and special activities for children.
• Nature parks: Germany has beautiful nature parks where you can enjoy outdoor activities with your family. Parks such as the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the Black Forest National Park and the Rügen Island National Park. They all offer hiking and cycling trails for all levels and breathtaking panoramic views.
• Interactive museums: These museums are designed especially for children, such as the German Museum of Science and Technology in Berlin or the Ritter Sport Chocolate Museum in Waldenbuch. These places offer interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to learn while having fun.
• Amusement and water parks: In Germany you can enjoy thrilling rides and water slides at parks such as the Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick, the Aquapark Oberhausen in Oberhausen or the Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen.

7. Other tips for travelling to Germany

Here are other travel tips that are sure to be of great help to you during your holiday.

• In Germany the locals are very respectful of the rules, so don’t even think about crossing at red lights because if the police see you there will be a fine.
• There are sometimes no turnstiles on public transport, but don’t think of entering without paying because ticket inspectors abound and they may ask for your ticket at any time. If you don’t have a ticket, be prepared to be fined.
• Germany is a very safe country, but in big cities and in crowds you should be careful with your valuables.
• In some village establishments they don’t accept credit cards.
• It’s common to find public toilets in the middle of the street that cost between 50 cents and €1 to access. Sometimes you can also be charged at train stations and even in restaurants.
• Although the official language of Germany is German,everyone speaks English at tourist sites.

8. Use Passporter to organise your itinerary and keep documents up to date

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information about the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any modifications you need and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips for planning a trip to Germany.
• Enjoy your trip to Germany!

If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

9. Frequently asked questions for planning a trip to Germany