Category: Germany

Travel Guide and Why Go to Germany

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Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do

3 Days in Berlin: Itinerary Ideas

Germany’s capital is filled with historical sites, interesting museums, good shopping and excellent bars and clubs. Seeing Berlin in only three days can be an adventure but you will be able to hit at least the most important sights.

Itinerary assumptions:

  • fly directly into Berlin
  • stay in a budget hotel or hostel located close to the main sites (main even in Alexanderplatz)
  • make use of the public transportation (underground, bus, tram) and use the trains for the day trip; a day card (€ 6.80) is valid for trips to Potsdam, too
  • if you are comfortable cycling, then you can rent a bike during your stay in Berlin and make use of the many cycling paths available

Sample prices:

  • Return flight: London – Berlin – London : Aug 10 – Aug 13 , from €120 (Ryanair, Easyjet)
  • Return flight: Paris – Berlin – Paris: Aug 10 – Aug 13 , from €131 (Lufthansa)
  • Accommodation: from €43 per person (3 nights in 8-bed dorm); from €156 / 2 persons / 3 nights in twin room with private bathroom

Day 1

Start your first day in Berlin with a free walking tour (details here ). It starts at the Brandenburg Gate, in front of Starbucks daily at 9 a.m. , 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. The tour visits the Reichstag, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and Museum Island (among others). Get to Brandenburg Gate before the beginning of the tour so that you can visit it (it’s free).

Now that you have an idea where the main sights are located and how to get to them, it’s easier to plan the rest of your stay. Take a lunch break on Museum Island (where the tour ends) and then visit some of the museums. Pergamonmuseum features interesting collections of Greek and Roman relics and is considered the best museum in the city.

Finish the day in the Mitte district. Have dinner and try some of the clubs and bars.

Day 2

Start the day by seeing the city from above. The Reichstag has a glass dome which can be climbed. Be aware that you need to register on their website for such an experience (details here ) . There’s also a rooftop restaurant so if you don’t mind splurging a bit, you can enjoy a coffee or lunch with great views of Berlin.

Now it’s time to go to the Zoo. It’s the biggest in Europe and even if you don’t care much for seeing the animals, taking the tram to there will show some lovely sights and the time spent in the nature is a good change.

Alternatively, you can pack a picnic basket and head to Tiergarten, the largest park in Berlin. Then, for some interesting shopping head to Kurfürstendamm , which is filled with international chains.

In the evening, go to the Friedrichshain district. Have dinner and check out the bars and clubs in the area.

Day 3

Don’t leave Berlin without taking an in-depth look at the Berlin Wall… or better said at its most interesting part. In the Friedrichshain district, there’s the Eastside Gallery, named so because of the graffiti which now beautify the wall.

Head to Wannsee area for lunch and spend the afternoon here. The mad-made lake is an activities hub during summer. Soak up the sun and do some people watching.

Alternatively, you can visit the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe and its information center. And then visit Berliner Dom, the most impressive church in the city.

Alternative Day 3

Another option is to plan a day trip to Potsdam. Head to the train station, board the next available one and spend a day visiting this interesting city. There are walking tours available (such as this one ) . You get to see the old city palace , an interesting bridge and learn a lot about the city’s history.

>>read more about the Things to do in Berlin

Photo credits: Brandenburg Gate , Glass Dome , Berlin Wall, Potsdam

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Germany Planning a Trip Things to Do

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held annually in Munich, Germany. Despite its name, it runs from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world’s largest fair.

The event is held in an area called Theresienwiese, close to the city’s center. While beer is the main star of the festival, local foods are also enjoyed during the fair.

The beer

All beer served at the fair must be brewed within the city limits of Munich and have about 6% alcohol. All beers served must abide to the German Beer Purity Law.

History

Prince Ludwig (later to become King Ludwig I) was married to Princess Therese of Bavaria in October 1810. To celebrate the citizens of Munich were invited to a festival held on the fields in front of the city gates (called Theresienwiese). The event was closed with horse races and the next year they decided to repeat the horse races. Hence, the festival was born.

In 1811, an agricultural show was also added to the festival. The horse races ended in 1960, but the agricultural show still takes place every four years. In 1816, carnival booths appear. Since 1850 the annual parade became tradition and an important component of the festival.

In 1854 the festival was cancelled due to a cholera epidemic, while in 1866 and 1870 it wasn’t held due to wars. In 1873, it was canceled again due to cholera epidemic. In 1881 the first bratwurst (sausage) were sold at the festival and in 1892 the beer was first served in glass mugs. By the end of the 19th century, the booths became beer halls as the organizers wanted more room for the musicians and the guests.

From 1914 to 1918 the festival was canceled due to World War I. Then in 1923 and 1924 it didn’t take place because of inflation. From 1939 to 1945 , World War II canceled the festival.

Since 1950 there has been a traditional festival opening : a twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg at midday.

In 2005, the concept of “quiet Oktoberfest” was introduced to keep the festival family-friendly. Until 6 p.m. only quiet music is played, leaving the partying music for later in the day.

Tents

There are currently 14 large tents at Oktoberfest. Here is a list of some of these tents :

  • Hippodrom is of the favorite tent among youngsters and also serves sparkling wine.
  • Armbrustschützenzelt is home to the crossbow competition. Try the food, too.
  • Hofbräu-Festzelt is very popular among Americans and Australians.
  • Schottenhamel is where the first keg is open and the party starts. It is a favorite of the local younger crowds.
  • Winzerer Fähndl is decorated with authentic Bavarian details.
  • Weinzelt also serves more than 15 different wines, as well as sparkling wine and champagne.

How to get to Munich

Munich is served by the second busiest airport in Germany. But during Oktoberfest this only means that a lot of people choose to fly here and the fares skyrocket. Even low-cost carriers aren’t that cheap during this time of the year.

Expect to pay from €112 one way on Air Berlin should you choose to fly from London in late September. Fly from Paris and the fare is €169 one way on Niki. But you can do something to lower the price: fly into another city and travel by train to Munich. Train travel in Germany is well organized and there are connections all over the country. Book your ticket up to 92 days in advance to get the discounts.

>>book a cheap flight to Munich

Where to stay

I’d start with the obvious: unless you somehow managed to score a very good deal way ahead of time, don’t stay in Munich. The city is expensive anyway but during Oktoberfest the prices skyrocket.

Since the festival takes place in late September (Sept 22 to Oct 7, 2012 to be exact), don’t count on warm enough weather for camping. Although in a dorm you can pay from €10 per night for a bed (within a campsite). And remember that some budget hotels have a 3-night minimum stay policy.

Where to stay then?

In Salzburg (Austria), beds in hostels start from €19 per night. Take the train (from €19 one way , 1h 45 min) to Munich.

In Regensburg, beds start at €16.57 per night. The train ticket is €25.20 one way and takes 1 ½ h to get to Munich.

In Nuremberg, you can find hostel beds at €16 per night. But the train to Munich is more expensive (€44 one way, 1h 15 min).

However, in order to save some more money and if you travel with a group of friends, consider buying group train tickets.

Read more about:
>>How to Enjoy Oktoberfest on a Beer Budget
>>Guide to Munich’s Oktoberfest
>>Oktoberfest in Munich

Photo credits:Official poster , Beer

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a very important travel destination in Germany and is located in the Neckar River valley. It is home to the oldest university in the country. After World War II the city came out almost untouched by the bombs, so it retains the baroque charm of narrow streets and castle ruins.

Frankfurt is the business and financial center of Germany, home to the country’s largest airport. It’s where you’ll most likely land, especially if you arrive from another continent. Frankfurt is a transportation hub, the place where roads and railways meet. The old city center, the Dom and the Iron Bridge are only some of the city’s landmarks.

Summary

Unless you plan to travel from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg – where you can catch a bus -, the option for traveling between the two cities is the train. Train tickets are the cheapest option. On the slower trains (1h 45 min) the fare is €16.40 one way. High speed trains are a bit more expensive (€19 one way).

Trains from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

Deutsche Bahn operates various types of trains on the Frankfurt to Heidelberg route. The IC and ICE trains take 55min and the savings fare is €19 one way (standard fare €20 on IC and €27 on ICE). The slower RB trains take 1h 45 min and the standard fare is €16.40 one way. Trains leave Frankfurt about every hour.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Buses from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

If you land at Frankfurt Airport , you can take the Lufthansa Shuttle Bus to Heidelberg. There are departures from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily, every half an hour to two hours, depending on the time of the day. The single fare is €22.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Driving from Frankfurt to Heidelberg

You can rent a car in Frankfurt and drive the 94km to Heidelberg is about 1h (depends on the traffic) on A5.

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Germany Planning a Trip Transportation

Getting from Dusseldorf to Cologne

Dusseldorf is located on the River Rhine and is famous for its nightlife, shopping and events. It is also home to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS), the third largest airport in Germany. Also, Airport Weeze (NRN) serves the city and is used by European low cost carriers. Many travelers choose to fly here and then connect to the rest of Germany rather than flying into the larger Frankfurt or Munich airports

Cologne is also located on the River Rhine and is the fourth largest city in Germany. It is a very popular city among travelers, well known for the Kölner Dom, the traditional neighborhoods, the Hohenzollern Bridge, the parks and the churches. Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) is an important hub for low-cost carriers TUIFly and Germanwings , offering excellent connections to the rest of Europe and other continents.

>>read more about the Airports in Germany

Summary

If you don’t want to rent a car to travel between Dusseldorf and Cologne, then the other option is the train. There are fast and slow trains on this route running every half an hour and the fares start at €10 one way.

Trains from Dusseldorf to Cologne

Deutsche Bahn operates trains between the two cities. The standard fare is €11.50 on the IC trains and €17 on the ICE trains. However, the travel time is the same. There are also slow trains which take 51min but are not operated by Deutsche Bahn (and the fare is not available on the site). Depending on the time of the day, fast trains run every half an hour to three hours.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Driving from Dusseldorf to Cologne

You can rent a car in Dusseldorf and drive the 44 km (on A57) to Cologne in about 40 min. If you want to stop by Leverkusen, choose either A3 or A59 with similar driving time.

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Getting from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin is best known for its history and nightlife. Tourists come here to see what’s left of Berlin Wall and explore the museums and other sites.

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and is located on the Vistula River. It is an excellent start point for planning to visit both the Baltic Sea coast and the Carpathian Mountains. Most of the major sites area located in the city center and include the Royal Castle, the Royal Palace and the Poster Museum.

Summary

The cheapest and easiest way to travel between Berlin and Warsaw is by train. Buses are not much more expensive but take 9 hours and run only 3 times a week.

Flights from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin is served by two airports, but right now only Tegel International Airport (TXL) handles the international flights to/from Warsaw. It is the main international airport serving Berlin and is hub for Air Berlin and Germania. It is also focus city for Lufthansa.

Starting with June 2012, Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is scheduled to open and it will handle flights to/from Warsaw. However, the opening has been postponed indefinitely. When eventually opened it would be hub for Air Berlin, EasyJet, Germania, Germanwings and Lufthansa.

Warsaw is also served by two airports, but the one operating flights to/from Berlin is Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport (WAW). It is located about 10 km from the city center. It is hub for LOT Polish Airlines, OLT Express, EuroLOT, Enter Air and Wizz Air (until Jul 17).

The only company operating flights between Berlin and Warsaw is LOT Polish Airlines. The flight time is 1h 15 min. In mid-June 2012, the single fare is €177 but you can choose an indirect flight (via Riga) and pay €164 on Air Baltic. Return flights during the same period start at €101. By mid-October 2012, the single fare is €75 (indirect) on Air Baltic.

>>book a cheap flight to Berlin

Trains from Berlin to Warsaw

Bahn.de lists all connections between Berlin and Warsaw (Warszawa), regardless if the trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn or not. There are several types of trains running on this route, including EC and EIC. The direct trains take 5 h 35 min and the single savings fare is €39 (if paid in advance). The single standard fare starts at €49.10. There are five direct trains leaving Berlin each day (4:28 a.m., 6:40 a.m, 9:40 a.m., 2:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m.).

Buses from Berlin to Warsaw

Berlin Linen Bus operates direct buses between Berlin and Warsaw (Warszawa) three times a week (Sat, Mon, Thu). Buses depart Berlin at 6:55 a.m. and take 9 hours to get to the destination. The single fare is €43.

On the way back, buses leave on Mon, Wed and Fri at 10:45 a.m. from Warsaw. The same fare applies.

Driving from Berlin to Warsaw

It is possible to rent a car in Berlin and drive the 590 km to Warsaw. Both Germany and Poland are part of the Schengen area, so you won’t be paying any surcharges. The travel time is about 7 h 10 min on E20 and Route 2. Please note that this rout has tolls.

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Getting from Berlin to Dresden

Berlin is the capital of Germany, known for its history and nightlife. There are plenty of things to do and places to see in the city. If you travel with the kids, don’t miss the zoo.

Dresden is the capital of Saxony and is located on the Elbe River. The places to visit include the Church of Our Lady, Zwinger Palace, the Dresden Baroque Quarter, to name just some of them.

Summary

The short distance (193km) between Berlin to Dresden doesn’t require a flight (but there are indirect flights via Dusseldorf , which start at €114 one way in mid-June 2012). The cheapest way to get between the two cities is by bus (from €9 one way).

Trains from Berlin to Dresden

Bahn.de operates direct and indirect trains between Berlin and Dresden. There are trains departing Berlin about every hour, from 4:40 a.m until 1:46 a.m.. The savings single fare (if booked in advance) is €19 and the standard fare starts at €32.90. The travel time is about 2 h (direct or 1 stop).

>>read more about Train travel in Germany

Buses from Berlin to Dresden

Berlin Linen Bus operates buses between Berlin and Dresden. The single fare is €9 or €15 one way but you must book the ticket in advance. There are departures every half hour, daily from 6:15 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. On the way back , buses depart from 4:45 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., every 15min to half an hour.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Driving from Berlin to Dresden

You can rent a car in Berlin and drive the 193 km to Dresden on A13 in about 2 h (but the time does depend on the traffic).

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Getting from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is located few kilometers from Füssen, an enchanting town in Bavaria. Aside from being the gateway to the famous castle, the city of Füssen is also home to Hohes Schloss , the former Benedictine monastery of St Mang and there are lovely lakes with magnificent views located near by, too.

The castle is located on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau and was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat. Immediately after the king’s death, the castle was open for the public. Most tourists know this castle as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Summary

Neuschwanstein Castle is located close to Munich so visit it as a day trip is an excellent choice. Trains take about 2 hours and then you need to take a short bus ride before you walk for 30 min to get to the castle.

Trains and buses from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Bahn.de operates a variety of trains between Munich and Füssen. Direct trains start running at 7:51 a.m. and leave hourly. The single savings fare is €21 and the standard fare is €24. The travel time is 2 h.

Once in Füssen, take bus 9713 to Hohenschwangau. From here, the castle can be reached on foot (30 min walk).

Driving from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

You can rent a car in Munich and drive the 128 km to Hohenschwangau (on A96 and B17) in about 1h 45 min. From here, just walk to the castle. You can find parking in Hohenschwangau (cost: about €5).

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Getting from Hamburg to Berlin

Hamburg is Germany’s Gateway to the World, home to the country’s biggest port. The city offers plenty of things to do and places to visit.

Berlin is Germany’s capital, a city well known for its history and nightlife. It also offers plenty of interesting places to visit and things to do.

Summary

The short distance (288 km) between Hamburg and Berlin doesn’t require a flight (although indirect flights via Dusseldorf are available and start at €98 one way in mid-June 2012). The cheapest way to get between the two cities is the bus (whether you can score a ticket in advance for €9 or pay the standard fee of €22 or €27). Trains aren’t very expensive (from €29) either if you book in advance.

Trains from Hamburg to Berlin

Bahn.de operates fast trains (ICE , IC) between Hamburg and Berlin. The travel time is between 1h 40 min and 1h 50 min. The single savings fare starts at €34 and the standard fare is €73. On the slower trains (EC), the single fare is €29 and the standard fare is €59. The travel time is 2h. There are trains departing hourly from Hamburg between 3:46 a.m. and midnight.

>>read more about Train Travel in Germany

Buses from Hamburg to Berlin

Berlin Linen Bus operates direct buses between Hamburg and Berlin. If booked in advance the single fare starts at €9. Otherwise the fare is €22. Buses depart hourly from Berlin, starting at 7 a.m and ending at 9 p.m.

On the way back, from Hamburg to Berlin, expect fares of €9 (if seats are available and if booked in advance) or €27. Buses depart Hamburg hourly between 6:10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Germany

Driving from Hamburg to Berlin

You can certainly rent a car in Hamburg and enjoy the 288 km drive to Berlin in A28. The travel time is about 3 h 10 min.

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Getting from Munich to Vienna

Munich is the capital of Bavaria, well known for Oktoberfest. But the German city also offers palaces, churches, relaxing gardens and interesting squares to spend your time. Don’t miss visiting some of the museums either.

>>read more about the Things to do in Munich

Vienna is the capital of Austria, a lovely city well known for its architecture, museums and opera. Walk on the Ring Street to see the most important sights in the country, visit Schonbrunn Palace with its gardens and zoo. And don’t miss Stephansdom, an impressive Catholic cathedral right in the center of the city. For lovely views of the city, talk the elevator to the observation deck on Danube Tower or ride the Giant Ferries Wheel in Prater.

Summary

If you purchase the train ticket in advance , it’s almost as cheap as the bus ticket (€39 train, €34 bus) but you’ll be saving two hours of traveling. Either way , you won’t need to deal with getting to/from the airport.

Flights from Munich to Vienna

Munich International Airport (MUC) is the second busiest airport in Germany and is a major hub for Lufthansa. It is also hub for: Air Berlin, Augsburg Airways and Air Dolomiti.

Vienna International Airport (VIE) is located just outside the city limits and is home base for Austrian Airlines and Niki. It is the busiest airport in Austria. S-Bahn (commuter rail) is the cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to the city center but there are also buses which go to important squares.

Flights between Munich and Vienna are operated by: Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Niki, Air Berlin and TUIfly. The flight time is 50 min. In mid-June 2012 expect to pay from €63 one way on Air Berlin. A return flight during the same period is €112 , also on Air Berlin. By mid-October 2012, expect to pay from €53 one way on Niki.

>>book a cheap flight to Munich

Trains from Munich to Vienna

Bahn.de operates trains between Munich and Vienna (Wien) Westbahnhof . If you purchase in advance, the single savings fare is €39 on the direct train (RJ) and €59 with a connection in Plattling. The standard fare ranges from €79.40 to €89.20 one way. The travel time is between 4 h 20 min and 5h.

The direct trains leave Munich daily at 1:27 p.m., 3:27 p.m. and 5:23 p.m. On the way back, the direct trains leave at 6:14 p.m., 6:14 a.m., 8:14 a.m. , 10:14 a.m. The complete scheduled can be found on the operator’s website (which also lists trains operated by other companies).

Buses from Munich to Vienna

Eurolines operates a bus line between Munich and Vienna. It departs Munich at 7 a.m. daily and the travel time is 6 h 30 min. On the way back, the bus departs Vienna daily at 4:45 p.m. The promotional single fare starts at €34 , but depends on how far in advance you purchase the ticket. The standard single fare is €47.

Driving from Munich to Vienna

You can certainly rent a car in Munich and drive to Vienna. Both Germany and Austria are part of the Schengen area so you won’t be paying any surcharges, either. On A1, the distance is 406 km and you should be able to cover it in about 5 hours (depends on the traffic, of course).

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Getting from Frankfurt to Munich

Frankfurt is the economical capital of Germany and home to the country’s largest airport, with a lot of connections to the rest of the world. The downtown area and the scenic neighborhoods attract millions of travelers each year.

Munich is mostly known for being home to Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer party, but the city also has a lot of other things to offer. The architecture and the culture are big parts of the city’s appeal to visitors.

Summary

With no buses connecting Frankfurt to Munich, the cheapest option is the train. Book in advance and you’ll pay €29 (savings fares one way on IC trains).

Flights from Frankfurt to Munich

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is a major international hub, the busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic in the country and connects Germany to the rest of the world. The airport is located 12 km from the city center and is hub for Condor Flugdienst and Lufthansa.

Munich is served by two airports, but the flights to/from Frankfurt land on / depart from Munich International Airport (MUC). It is located 28.5 km from the city center and is hub for Air Berlin, Augsburg Airways, Lufthansa and Air Dolomiti. It is the second busiest airport in the country.

The only company operating direct flights between the two cities is Lufthansa. In mid-June 2012 expect to pay from €78 one way on Lufthansa. A return flight in the same period starts at €159 on the same airline. The same fares apply later in the year, too.

>>book a cheap flight to Munich

Trains from Frankfurt to Munich

Bahn.de operates fast trains (ICE) between Frankfurt and Munich. The travel time is about 3 ½ h. If you book in advance (about a month) the single savings fare is €59 . The standard fare is €95 one way. Trains depart from each station every hour until 1 a.m. And they start around 5 a.m. daily.

The savings fare on the IC trains is €29 and the travel time is similar. If don’t mind traveling in the evening, these are excellent choices to save money and get between the two cities fast.

>>read more about Train travel in Germany

Driving from Frankfurt to Munich

You can rent a car and drive the 400 km (on A3 and A9) between Frankfurt and Munich. Driving in Germany is a delight and you should be able to cover the distance in about 4 h (depending on the traffic).

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