How to Plan a Trip to Germany: Frequently Asked Questions

Germany is open to American travelers.

There are few requirements for American travelers planning a trip to the country. Entry conditions are contingent upon decisions by the German government. A Zicasso travel specialist can give you more information on the latest requirements should things change between the planning process and your departure.

For more ideas on where you can visit without restrictions, browse Where Americans Can Travel Right Now.

Learn more: Plan Your Trip to Germany

The best time to visit Germany is in April, May, and June, or between September and October. However, December is a great month for Christmas markets.

April, May, June, September, and October offer lower prices, smaller crowds, and the best weather for a well-rounded trip. However, the last week of September and first week of October become very crowded in Munich because of Oktoberfest.

Christmas markets are festive and take place from December 1 to December 24. The top three take place in Munich, Rothenburg, and Nuremberg, but smaller towns also host festive, colorful, and cozy Christmas markets.

Learn more: Best Time to Visit Germany

Ten to 12 days is a great amount of time for a trip to Germany. The country is relatively young and did not unite until the 19th century, which means each region retains a specific culture and heritage. Ten to 12 days offers enough time to visit the highlights of Berlin, Munich, the Bavarian countryside, and the Rhine Valley, while also giving you the chance to explore other destinations at your pace.

Here is a list of the eight most popular cities and regions:

• Berlin
• Rhine Valley
• Munich
• Black Forest
• Baden-Baden
• Dresden
• Rothenburg

The 7 Best Places to Visit in Germany offers different experiences for a variety of interests, from sightseeing to Michelin-starred restaurants, colorful towns to hiking. While you might not see them all, you can find the right place for your trip from this collection of historic cities, rural wine regions, and contemporary atmospheres.

The list of things to do in Germany is extensive, but ours highlights the top things to consider:

• Berlin features layers of contemporary international history and a specialist guide can reveal the Cold War through an East German lens.
• The traditions of Bavarian cuisine come to life during a private pretzel-making lesson in a working bakery.
• Enjoy a panoramic view of historic timber-frame houses, medieval ruins, impressive castles, and fortresses on a Rhine Valley day cruise.
• The Middle Rhine is renowned for flavorful white wines that are accentuated by panoramic views of lush vineyards, ancient castles, and the rushing waters of the Rhine and Moselle rivers.
• Mosel-Saar-Ruwer is the most famous wine producer in the country and has a wine trail that crosses the banks of the Moselle River. Slate-laden soil and months of sunlight add to the flavors of the vines. The most popular from the region is Riesling.
• The scenic trails around the Black Forest offer long-distance trekking and short walks over 124 miles. A popular trail begins in Luxemburg and ends in the Black Forest.
• The Rhine Cycle trail offers marvelous views of the 40 castles and palaces that line the Rhine River. The mostly flat trail covers over 766 miles between the south of France and North Rhine Westphalia.
• Race a Porsche on the company test track with a Porsche driving instructor.
• Explore remnants of East Germany in Berlin with a local guide to find bunkers and overlooked artifacts of the Cold War.

With a landscape that changes from forests to meadows, vineyards to mudflats, mountain peaks to steep valleys, Germany is an exceptional destination for hiking.

Trails wind through a variety of topography leading to awe-inspiring views of the countryside. Hiking in Germany can give you a short-distance loop during a day-hike or a more challenging multi-day ascent to see glaciers.

Whether looking for a casual trek or long-distance exploration, Germany is an exceptional place for adventure with children, families, seniors, or couples.

Best hiking trails in Germany: Painters’ Way • The Heidschnuckenweg Trail • Rheinsteig Trail • Rhine Castles Trail • Goethe Way

Germany has exceptional castles that demonstrate the nation’s history and the beauty of historic architecture. Below is a list of our top eight castles to visit:

• Neuwachstein Castle
• Nuremberg Castle
• Heidelberg Castle
• Mespelbrunn Water Castle
• Rheinstein Castle
• Hohenzollern Castle
• Lichtenstein Castle
• Burg Eltz

Find out more with the 8 Best Castles to Visit in Germany, with each new place offering a distinctive view of the art, history, and heritage embodied in the castle grounds.

The easiest ways to travel around Germany are by train and by car.

Trains make travel quick and efficient, especially when visiting larger cities such as Berlin and Munich, and they are accessible for all types of travelers. Driving is also easy and fun with Germany’s modern infrastructure, clearly marked and legible signs, and the thrill of the autobahn.

Germany is a magnificent destination for a family trip. It brings castles to life, offers impressive hikes on which to view hanging glaciers and expansive valleys, teaches you how to make pretzels, and allows you to explore the settings of the Brothers Grimm fairytales in the Black Forest.

From horseback riding to racecar driving, Germany is an unforgettable destination for families with children of all ages. Our Unique 10-Day Family Tour of Germany is a sample of what you can do during your trip. A Zicasso travel specialist can help you decide the activities and experiences you want to have based on your family’s interests and schedule.

Germany is an incredibly safe, comfortable, and welcoming destination for senior travelers of all ages and capabilities. With a focus on accessibility and opportunity, it offers immersive travel experiences that can focus on the hustle and bustle of modern cities or the slower pace of historic towns.

As a senior traveler, you can experience the best of Germany at your pace as you travel with guides who share history, stories, and culture, combined with attention to the details that matter to you. Drivers can handle your luggage, tour or accommodation representatives can tend to your needs, and a travel specialist is available for questions or concerns you may have during your trip.

Germany is a surprisingly good destination for couples or honeymooners, with a history of outstanding food, exceptional accommodations, and breathtaking scenery perfect for a romantic ambiance.

The Alps offer a cozy escape into nature, while castles capture the spirit of fantastical stories. Charming towns reflect fairytale architecture and shimmering lakes reflect the surrounding shores. From Berlin’s contemporary ambiance to the spas of Baden-Baden, Germany is the perfect destination for a luxurious couples’ getaway or honeymoon.

Germany’s reputation as an international culinary powerhouse has grown over the decades to demonstrate mastery of local ingredients that celebrate traditional heritage and the growing demographics of the country. The following list represents the best foods to try:

• Spatzle, similar to an egg noodle
• Schnitzel, a breaded meat
• Flammkuchen, a type of German pizza
• Currywurst, a traditional sausage topped with curry powder and ketchup
• Bratwurst

Germany is one of the world’s best destinations for beer.

A historic passion for well-made and delicious beer is instilled in the culture, with the art of brewing for mass consumption dating back to around 1000 AD. Many monasteries, especially in southern Germany. have produced beer for centuries, and many brewers adhere to the original 16th-century statute, the Beer Purity Law – that it can only be made with water, barley, and hops.

Once regarded as a healthy drink that was safer than water, beer has become a proud tradition across Germany, with micro, regional, and national producers creating celebrated varieties.

Germany is famous for its Oktoberfest celebration and while Munich may be home to the most well-known celebration, our list explores a number of the best places to enjoy the event:

• Munich
• Stuttgart
• Berlin
• Cologne
• Frankfurt
• Dortmund

Germany is very safe for travelers. As with any destination, it is important to keep an eye on your valuables when in train stations or crowded areas, but Germany is a safe, dynamic, and comfortable country.

Germany’s official language is German.

While most locals speak it, other languages, especially English, are widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas. You should have little trouble communicating, except in rural villages and remote towns not often visited by English speakers. In these regions, your guide can navigate any language barriers.

Vaccination requirements in Germany depend on where you visit and what you do, and the CDC Germany Vaccination Information can clarify these.

Your Zicasso travel specialist is available to provide further insight if you have any concerns or questions.

For most travelers, the best airport to fly in and out of is Munich International Airport (MUC). The second most accessible airport is Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA). The top airports in Germany are:

• Munich International Airport (MUC)
• Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
• Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS)

Travelers from the US do not need a German visa. Americans can travel to the country for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least three months after the return date under the Schengen Visa and agreement.

From May 2023, you may need to register for ETIAS, a visa waiver, and multiple-entry travel authorization for American citizens for three years.

You may require additional documentation to enter the Schengen Zone and proof of travel funds in Euros to visit Germany. Your Zicasso travel specialist can provide more information when you start planning your trip.

The official currency of Germany is the euro (€).

You should carry euros when traveling in Germany as you will need them to pay for meals, accommodations, tours, or further experiences not paid for before arriving. Electronic banking is available in most places, making payment simple with the use of major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. In case of emergencies and for tours to rural towns or areas, ensure you have euros available.

Our Germany Tours & Vacations are a collection of curated trips from which you can get a better idea of what your itinerary may look like.

You can select a sample trip that aligns with your ideal vacation, be it a family trip, honeymoon, adventure tour, or something else. These are often a stepping stone from which our travelers create unique itineraries.

When you are ready, you can complete a Trip Request to begin planning your vacation. We ask for more information on where you would like to go, how long you would like to spend in Germany, the size of your party, and traveler ages to help streamline your planning.

You can also provide additional ideas and set a travel budget, after which our Travel Care team will contact you to match you with a top German travel specialist. Our German travel specialists will use their expertise and understanding of your preferences to curate your dream vacation.

Learn more: How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip in 4 Easy Steps • How to Plan Your Zicasso Trip Budget in 3 Easy Steps

Germany can feel like the heart of Europe or the perfect nature destination, a home for world-class museums or a representation of architectural charm.

From folklore to delicious beers and wines, storybook towns to opulent palaces, you can uncover the wondrous culture in the landscape’s beauty.

Our Germany Tours & Vacation can help inspire the right trip for you or you can find helpful information for planning your trip with Zicasso’s Germany Travel Guide.