Key Travel Info Germany

Ready for an adventure? This is your helpful trip planner. Take a look at the key travel information about traveling to Germany.

We look at the best airports to fly to, visa and immigration information for non-EU travelers as well as public transport and hiring a car.

Key Facts

Geographically, Germany is the 7th largest country in Europe
Germany’s population is projected to reach 84 million in 2022 [source: Trading Economics] making it the most populated country in the EU
Germany has 1,484 miles of coastline
The country shares borders with nine European countries including France and Austria
Three German cities are placed in the Top 10 of Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking (Munich, Dusseldorf & Frankfurt am Main) [source: Mercer]
The majority of the German population identify as Christian, roughly half of Christians in Germany are Catholic
According to the German Institute of Bread, Germany officially has 3200+ recognized types of bread

Airports in Germany

Germany has over 20 international airports. Flying into Germany from the US or UK couldn’t be simpler. You have a big choice of airports. Here are the main international airports of Germany

Frankfurt Airport is best for Frankfurt am Main, Heidelberg, Trier, Erfurt, Bamberg & Wurzburg. This is well placed for central Germany where a lot of US Army Bases are located.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport is close to Berlin, Dresden & Leipzig and the rest of East Germany.
Munich Airport is ideal for Munich, Nuremberg, visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, Regensberg and also Austria.
Düsseldorf Airport is in the north west of Germany and good to fly into if you’re visiting Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bonn, Dortmund and Münster.
Hamburg Airport is the northern airport of choice if you’re planning a trip to Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, and Lübeck and the North Sea.
Stuttgart Airport has a smaller selection of long haul international arrivals but is well placed for the Black Forest, Stuttgart, Baden-Baden and Freiburg im Breisgau

Each airport is linked. If you’d like more information about the airport, click on the name to visit the airport’s website.

Money & Tipping

Germany’s currency is the Euro. Germany is part of the Eurozone along with 18 other EU states. The shared currency has made travel around the EU easier.

As of 1 August 2022, the Euro sits more or less equal with the US dollar.

Paying in cash in Germany is still the most common payment method especially in restaurants and cafes. Debit cards are accepted but it is best to check with the shop, restaurant or hotel before making a purchase.

Cash can be withdrawn at ATMs using a debit or credit card. The German word for ATM is Geldautomat. They are found at most airports and outside or inside banks across Germany.

Tipping in Germany is different from the US. There’s no need to tip the hotel receptionist or waiter for your morning coffee. Feel free to round up a taxi fare to the nearest round number.

In a restaurant it’s customary to round up the bill. You do this when paying rather than leaving cash on the table. For example, when the bill is €17.50, you’ll tell the waiter how much you’ll pay e.g. €19 or €20. Normally this is around 5 – 10%.

Visas & Immigration

Tourist Visas for Germany

US Citizen Visa Requirements for Germany

Short term visits to Germany as a tourist, on business, or for medical treatment do not need visa. US citizens can stay in Germany or the Schengen zone for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180 day period. To check up to date visa information visit the German Embassy in the US.

Australian, Canadian, NZ & UK Citizen Visa Requirements for Germany

As with the US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens can travel to Germany without a visa. The full list of citizens who can travel to Germany visa-free is available on the Foreign Office website.

Immigration Requirements

Althought not required for all countries, it is good practice to follow these guidelines when traveling to the EU. Ensure you have:

Valid passport with more than 6 months remaining
Evidence of the purpose of entry e.g. hotel booking confirmations for tourists
Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependent family members while in Germany

Getting
around Germany

Germany has an excellent public transport system. If you’re planning on visiting cities, using trains, S-Bahns and the occasional taxi would suffice.

Travel by Train around Germany

The Deutsche Bahn network covers the whole country. Rail travel in Germany is the easiest way for tourists to travel. Purchase tickets online on the Deutsche Bahn website, or visit the train station and purchase tickets from the ticket booth or machine. The language on the ticket machines can be changed to English.

S-Bahns and U-Bahns are the best way to travel within bigger cities and the surrounding areas. Tickets for the S-Bahn and U-Bahn can be purchased at the stations. It’s also possible to buy single tickets as well as day tickets on the DB website linked above

Rail&Fly

Many airlines, including Lufthansa and American Airlines, offer an afforable way to travel to your destination city with the Raily&Fly program. The scheme allows air passengers to book a rail ticket to the end destination at a reduced price. Full details of the program can be found on the DB website.

The German Climate

Germany has a mainly temperate climate. Summers are warm and winters can be cold. The east of the country experiences colder winters and often has a good amount of snowfall.

The north west of Germany has a windier climate due its proximity to the Atlantic. South west Germany is the warmest part of Germany, most of Germany’s wine is grown in this region due to the warm climate.

Average highs in Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt am Main during December (Christmas Market time) and June (the start of the summer holiday season):

Berlin

December – average high 41°F | 5°C
June – average high 74°F | 23°C

Frankfurt am Main

December – average high 43°F | 6°C
June – average high 75°F | 24°C

Munich

December – average high 39°F | 4°C
June – average high 72°F | 22°C