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Ah Deutschland…Germany is one of my favourite countries to visit. In fact, it’s one of my top 10 solo female travel destinations. You simply cannot say you’ve travelled to Europe without visiting Germany, a country which has been at the heart of the continent for centuries. Deutschland ist gut. I know you’ll like it. So read on for my essential Germany travel tips.
Accommodation information is listed in the Destinations section below.
GERMANY TRAVEL TIPS & ESSENTIALS
Visa:
Germany is a founding member of the EU and is part of the Schengen Area. EU/EEA citizens have the right to visit, live and work in Germany.
Citizens of a number of countries including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can visit Germany visa-free for up 90 days. Have a look at my Schengen Travel Visa Overview post for further visa information.
Language:
Politeness is a core value in Germany so learning the courtesy basics will win you favour. German is an easy language to read as it’s pronounced as written with some words having similar English versions. After your efforts at Guten Tag and Danke your German host will modestly apologise in advance for their English language skills. After 10 seconds their fluency will amaze you. Here is a list of basic German phrases that will be useful on your travels:
Currency:
The Euro. Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank, home of the Euro currency.
Best time to visit Germany:
If you want double-digit temperatures on the Celsius scale for sight-seeing then late April to September is the best time to visit Germany. International festivals are a huge drawcard with Cologne’s Karneval (Pre-Lent Carnival), Munich’s Oktoberfest and the Frankfurt Book Fair the most well-known. Germany is also a major centre of trade fairs and its Christmas markets are some of the best in Europe.
Temperatures in the shoulder seasons can change considerably in a short space of time. I visited Berlin in the last week of March where the temperature was 3C. A week later it was 15C! So one of the most-important Germany travel tips I can give you here: Check the long-range weather forecast!
Electrical plugs in Germany:
The standard continental European type which is the two round pin plug/socket of 220V-240V.
Travel in Germany:
The diesel engine, the electric trolleybus and airship were invented in Germany along with pioneering work in the production of the helicopter and other internal combustion engines. Welcome to transport heaven!
For long distances within Germany, Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway, comes highly recommended. The main railway station in a city/town is called the Hauptbahnhof (Hbf). Each city has its own extensive public transport system.
My Germany by Train post gives extensive details on train travel in Germany including tips on understanding rail tickets and signs at the station.
Travelling by bus in Germany is ideal for short distances and for budget travellers. Routes are run by a whole host of private companies too numerous to mention here. The GoEuro and BusRadar websites give a good overview of the ticket prices, timetable and of the companies. Cities and towns will have a central bus station (Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof- ZOB) but some companies operate to and from a site near the local hauptbahnhof.
For private transport, Germany’s autobahn road network is the envy of Europe. Just remember, the most well-known advertising slogan in Germany is Audi’s Vorsprung durch Technik (Progress through technology), a philosophy everyone seems to embrace.
Germany has excellent links to neighbouring countries by train, bus and plane. International airports are dotted around the country near major cities with Frankfurt Am Main airport by far the largest.
The Arts in Germany:
Where do I begin? For classical music check out Beethoven, Bach, Wagner, Handel, Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn. For literature try Goethe, Hesse, Brecht, Mann, Müller, Böll and Grass. For philosophy check out Marx, Kant, Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, Hegel and Engels.
German cinema has produced some gems from Fritz Lang’s Metropolis to the Oscar-winning and highly recommended The Lives of Others. The Goddess of German cinema is Marlene Dietrich.
The Deutschland 83, 86 and 89 series are as good a TV show you’re going to find so check them out for a little armchair travelling prior to your trip. Babylon Berlin is also a popular German TV series that has gained international recognition.
Is Germany safe to visit?
I’ve always considered Germany a safe and civilised country and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs advises to take normal precautions. Germany is a great country for solo female travellers to start their adventures. Nevertheless, beware of pickpockets around the large Hauptbahnhofs.
GERMANY DESTINATIONS
Berlin:
Ever since Otto von Bismarck united the various German states in 1871 to form the German Empire, Berlin has been at the heart of Europe. Decisions, good and bad, made in Berlin have had a profound effect on the continent. Creative, historical, liberal, energetic, friendly – Berlin is an unmissable stop on any tour of Europe. Check out my post on what to see on a Weekend in Berlin.
I recommend booking.com for accommodation in Berlin.
Munich:
Munich (München) is a microcosm of Germany – stunning architecture, excellent transport links, great shopping, historical significance, high-performance cars and a sporting culture. My One Day in Munich post gives an outline of the main things to see and do. Check out booking.com for accommodation in Munich.
Frankfurt:
Frankfurt is Europe’s second-busiest transport hub. If you have a long layover at Frankfurt Airport, my Frankfurt Layover post is a guide to the city, outlining a stress-free itinerary for a layover. When in Frankfurt, I usually stay in the Hotel Europa Life but my Frankfurt post contains suggestions for other accommodation options.
Dresden
Not able to cope with the drunkenness in Prague, I left the Czech capital a day early and found refuge in Dresden. In my Visiting Dresden post, I outline the benefits of an overstay night in the city and why you should arrive there with an empty suitcase.
Arrivals Hall 