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Home » Europe » Germany » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Germany Travel Guide 2024

As a lover of cool cities and good beer, I am totally enamored with Germany. While famous for its fast cars and pretzels, there is so much more to see whilst backpacking Germany – historic towns, medieval monasteries and castles, culture-filled cities, fairy-tale forests, and majestic mountains.

To top it off, Germany has one of the strongest economies in the EU, yet traveling here is surprisingly affordable in comparison to the rest of Western Europe. Plus, traveling Germany is a great addition to any European travel itinerary.

Why Go Backpacking in Germany

Munich and Berlin are Germany’s most famous cities, but there is so much more to do and see in Germany wherever you stay. Hamburg is a great city, often overshadowed by Berlin. Cologne and Dresden offer awesome nightlife. The Romantic Road is what fairy tales were made of, and the Bavarian Alps are the gateway to your winter wonderland.

Below I have covered Germany with a couple itineraries and places to visit!

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Germany

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Germany has an extensive and efficient railway system, as well as some of the best highways in the world! This means you can cover a lot of ground in a little time.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you should cover a lot of ground. I suggest taking your time in Germany! The main cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, for example) can keep you busy for at least a week each. Moreover, many tourists never get outside these cities and explore Germany’s small villages, forests, mountains, and sea! (Yes, Germany has a coastline, but it’s not very sunny.)

Backpacking Germany 3 Week Itinerary: The Highlights

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3 Weeks: Germany’s Highlights

What’s great about this itinerary is that you can start anywhere since it’s one giant circle. If you are arriving internationally by flight, you will probably start in Berlin, or fly into Frankfurt (in the middle of Germany).

If you fly into Berlin, I suggest an absolute minimum of 5 days here. There is so much to do and so many cool areas to stay in Berlin ! Plus, the layout of the city isn’t set up conveniently because Berlin was essentially two cities for so long. If you like art, culture, museums, and all night parties, this is the city for you.

Next, I suggest stopping over in Dresden for a couple days. It’s a quaint university town with a fun bar scene. Afterward, head for Munich , Germany’s most popular city. On the way you can also visit medieval towns along the Romantic Road. Munich is a great city to ride a bike around the parks, stopping over at different beer gardens along the way. Make a day trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle or the Bavarian Alps for some hiking!

Need help deciding between Munich or Berlin ? Check out our helpful guide.

After Bavaria, head to the Black Forest.  Freiburg is a university town, and a good base to explore the Black Forest . The local student population has given the town a lively nightlife scene. Cologne in West Germany has a beautiful cathedral and fun nightlife scene as well.

Check out my guide to the best Black Forest hostels here.

End with 4 days in Hamburg . Check out my more detailed explanations of these destinations below!

Check out my ultimate guide to the best hostels in Frankfurt here .

Backpacking Germany 10 Day Itinerary: Bavaria

10 Days: Bavaria

10 days is enough time to explore the Bavarian region, but with an extra few days, you can see even more! Munich is the capital of Bavaria and most logical place to start/end this trip. From Munich you can either go north and explore the towns along the Romantic Road , or south and discover the Bavarian Alps hidden gems.

The Romantic Road is a 261-mile road that strings together some of Germany’s most beautiful and historic cities. While it would be easiest to do this road trip in the summer, the winter would be equally magical, especially because of Germany’s Christmas Markets.

Make sure to visit the medieval monasteries and castles along the way. and keep in mind most of these towns are quite small, and easily visited on a day trip from one another. Popular towns include Rothenburg ob der Tauber , Würzburg , and Bamburg .

It would be quite easy to combine this itinerary with Northern Italy or the Austrian Alps!

Backpacking Berlin

No backpacking trip to Germany is complete without backpacking Berlin , easily the edgiest city I’ve ever been to with arguably the best nightlife scene in Europe. The food scene has plenty of variety and it’s always evolving. Check out the Vietnamese, Turkish, hamburger, and vegetarian scene. I know, not traditional Germany, right? But nothing in Berlin is traditional, and Berliners pride themselves on that.

I recommend spending at least a week in Berlin because it’s a huge city and many of its neighborhoods and attractions are scattered throughout the city. Summers are a great time for outdoor events, concerts, and beer gardens, many of which close for the winter. For more information on where to stay in Berlin, check out this  .

Every neighborhood has some type of great park, usually with a beer garden close by. My favorite is  Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg because of its famous popular Sunday Flea Market. Tiergarten near Brandenberg Gate is Berlin’s “Central Park.” It’s massive and a great place to bike ride, picnic, or jog. You can even do all this naked in some areas… Viktoria Park in Kreuzberg is a nice, quiet area to take a stroll and have a picnic. and Tempelhof Park in Neukölln is an old airport turned park. There are wide open spaces for kite surfing and land sailing, and you can run and bike on the old airport runaways. Plus, it’s a great place to grill and picnic!

There are countless historical sites and museums to see in Berlin, and it would take you months to visit them all. I recommend picking a few within a topic that interest you, like The Third Reich, Cold War, Modern Art, etc. Many of Berlin’s museums are congregated in the Mitte district. My personal favorite history museum in Berlin is the Jewish Museum  in Kreuzberg. It’s incredibly sad, and also incredibly well put together, and you’ll learn a lot here.

The Reichstag is one of Germany’s most iconic buildings, and it’s free to visit, but make sure to reserve your spot. Spots sell out  weeks in advance. My favorite historical site is a bit out of the way and off the beaten path, but so, so worth it. For 8 euros you can explore an old Cold War American spy station that was used to keep tabs on East Berlin. It’s built upon an old WWII rubble that the Allies couldn’t destroy. Now forests and grassy hills have built over the rubble. Talk about symbolism.

Berlin’s multiculturalism and acceptance can be reflected in their variety of  cuisines. Kreuzberg is home to the largest Turkish population outside of Turkey, so there are a lot of great Turkish restaurants here, as well as a budding vegetarian scene. (Check out  Café V !)

And no trip to Berlin is complete without checking out it’s non-stop nightlife. Every day of the week there is always at least one club open for 24 hours, so theoretically you could party here forever… Many clubs are built in multi-room warehouses. Some are open-air, along the river, etc. Locals use Resident Advisor to stay in the know of where each party is that night.

My main advice for clubbing in Berlin is to dress casually. The best outfit is a black shirt and black jeans with black Nike’s or low-key sneakers. And avoid speaking English in line; the bouncers don’t like drunk tourists, and it’s pretty hard to get into a lot of clubs without a German native. If you don’t get in, just know there’s probably another great club around the corner.

Best Neighborhoods in Berlin

I recommend picking your hostel or Airbnb based on its neighborhood.

Kreuzberg: a hipster, slightly gentrified neighborhood with a large Turkish population. There are tons of great restaurants and bars here, and you’re within walking distance to a lot of nightclubs. You’re also walking distance from the East Side Gallery, and close to many touristic attractions by metro.

You’re better off finding an Airbnb in Kreuzberg, but there are a couple hostels in the area. Grand Hostel Berlin has a bar area with a welcome drink on arrival, it’s close to the U-Bahn, and has clean beds, and friendly staff!

Prenzlauer Berg: This area is also slightly gentrified and home to a lot of hip families. There are a ton of great restaurants, cafes, and shops here, and well as Mauerpark, a must visit for their popular Sunday flea market. You are nearby the touristy areas by metro.

While there aren’t any hostels in the heart of Prenzlauer, Circus Hostel is pretty close. Built in an old brewery, this hostel has a café and bar onsite. The hostel is clean, and close to public transportation!

Neukölln:  This neighborhood is out of the way of the typical tourist things, but it’s an up-and-coming neighborhood with some great cafes, cheap dive bars, and underground clubs. There are not any hostels in the Neukölln area, so I recommend getting an Airbnb instead. Try to book a place near  Weserstrasse,  which has a great bar scene on weekends.

Mitte: This literally means “centre.” It’s a touristy, cosmopolitan area, and central to all. Tiergarten is a huge park you can visit in between museums. Stay in Mitte if you are just trying to see as many famous landmarks and museums as possible. Otherwise, I recommend staying in another area of Berlin. This is also where you’ll find Museum Island, which incorporates several of Berlin’s top museums. You can also go up Fernsehturm TV tower for a great view, but it’s sort of pricey.

There are plenty of hostels in Mitte to choose from, but I recommend Wombat City Hostel . The rooms are spacious and clean. They have a rooftop bar and happy hour, and this hostel is in a central location!

For plenty of accommodation inspiration, check out our post on the 20 Best Hostels in Berlin! 

If you couldn’t tell, I love Berlin and have a lot to say about it. If you want to read more, check out another article I wrote on visiting Berlin .

Backpacking Dresden

Dresden was utterly destroyed by the World War II bombing raids, and what was left of the city center stood in rubble for decades, but Dresden has re-rebuilt their Baroque old city, and it’s totally beautiful! Dresden has some lovely parks, restaurants, and museums to keep you busy for a few days, and it’s a great stop between Berlin and Prague.

As for things to do in Dresden, I recommend exploring the city by bike, and watching the sunset on the Elbe River while overlooking the old city, as pictured below! Dresden is a college town with a fun bar scene in the Neustadt area. I recommend staying at Lollis Homestay because they are located in the Neustadt area and offer free bikes. At night, you’ll see tons of young people chilling on the street curbs with a drink in hand. Who needs bars anyway? If you want to check out a beer garden, I recommend Louisengarten.

If you are hoping to take a day trip and get some fresh air, you can visit the cliffs and nature of Saxon. This is an awesome region for hiking and rock climbing. There are also some nice castles you can visit that are easily reached by public transportation: Schloss Pillnitz, Schloss Moritzburg, and Schloss Weesenstein.

Live like a local and know where the best places to stay in Dresden are!

Need more options for places to stay in Dresden? Check out my awesome post on the 10 best hostels in Dresden!

Backpacking Munich

Munich is Germany’s third largest city, and the most popular German city with tourists, largely due to Oktoberfest, one of the most famous festivals in the world . Munich is absolutely beautiful, and it’s pretty clear there is more money here than Germany’s other cities. Be sure to check out Munich’s Central Park, which is great for riding bikes and picnicking. There are a couple beer gardens here as well.

And speaking of beer gardens… no trip to Munich is complete without visiting a few traditional beer halls for food and beer! The Hofbräuhaus is the most famous beer hall in the world, and open year-round, but for a more authentic beer all with delicious Bavarian food be sure to check out Wirtshaus , which my local friend took me to. It was amazing!

Check out Viktualienmarkt in Munich, a permanent outdoor farmers’ market that dates back to the early 1800s, and has over 140 booths full of delicious regional food, and fresh produce.

If you are looking for an emotional, yet educational activity, you can visit the Dachau Concentration camp 10 miles north-west of Munich. This was one of the first concentration camps of Nazi-Germany and offers guided tours. It goes without saying that this is a very sobering, and thought-provoking place to visit.  If you are looking for another nice experience to stretch your legs, you can visit the Bavarian Alps.

For public transportation, you can use the S-Bahn in Munich, which is linked to the national rail network. It’s pretty simple to use because all 12 lines go to the same 10 stops in the city center, so if you are sticking to the center of Munich, you can probably take any of them.

For where to stay in Munich, check out our guides:  best areas to stay in Munich  and  the top 20 hostels in Munich!

Visiting Germany during Oktoberfest

If you are backpacking Germany in September or October, you have to check out Oktoberfest. This is a three-week beer drinking carnival that’s actually free to visit. All of the big beer companies have their own tents, and some can sit 10,000 people! Everyone, young and old, is merrily drinking and singing, and it’s just such a great time. (Wearing lederhosen and traditional clothes is totally encouraged.)

Tip : 1 Liter beers costed EUR 10 when I was there last. The beer tents open at 10AM, but I recommend lining up at least an hour before to ensure a spot. Once the tents fill-up, they stop letting people in!

If you do plan on visiting Munich during Oktoberfest, I recommend booking a hostel or place  months in advance. Also, while Oktoberfest isn’t that expensive, Munich is very expensive during this time. Accommodation and restaurants triple. Even the street food prices increase!

Backpacking Füssen and the Neuschwanstein Castle

You can visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, just a couple hours outside Munich, and hike around its surrounding area to get some epic views. It’s one of Germany’s most famous castles, and the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty.

To get here, take the hour-long train from München Hbf (Munich’s central station) to Füssen. Trains leave hourly and don’t require a reservation. Once you reach Füssen station, hop on a public bus to the Hohenschwangau / Alpseestraße stop. Check out this post for a full breakdown on how to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. 

If you want to get an epic view overlooking the castle, walk up the mountain for about 39 minutes! There are multiple vantage points of the castle. Check out this post for some epic photos of Neuschwanstein Castle in the winter! 

If you want to stay near the castle and explore a quaint, Bavarian town you can stay in Füssen.

Backpacking the Romantic Road in Bavaria Germany

The Romantic Road is a 261 mile road that strings together some of Germany’s most beautiful and historic cities. It’s a romantic area to visit with family or a loved one.

Along the road you can explore picturesque towns and the foothills of the German Alps, as well as visit medieval monasteries and castles. Most of these towns are quite small, and easily visited on a day trip. Popular towns include, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Würzburg, and Augsburg. There aren’t very many hostels in these towns; you will most likely be staying in bed & breakfasts or smaller hotels and guest houses.

Backpacking the German Alps

With the Bavarian Alps at your doorstep, Germany has some great opportunities to stretch your legs, and get some fresh air. Check out the Deutscher Alpenverein for more information regarding the Bavarian Alps trails and Alpine huts. Berchtesgaden National Park, one of Germany’s National Parks , offers some of the best hiking and mountaineering in Germany. If you’re a serious mountaineer, summit Zugspitze for a four-country view at 2962m.

The Bavarian Alps also offers some nice opportunities to go skiing in winter! If anything, you can visit a couple Bavarian mountain towns as a day trip from Munich. If you want to stay closer to the action,  Ochsenkopf ,  Nebelhorn , and Alpenwelt Karwendel are all nice ski resorts.

There are tons of adventurous opportunities around Nebelhorn and the Allgäu Alps. Canyoneering, rafting, paragliding…the list goes on. Thrill seekers should definitely visit this part of Germany for a shot of adreneline!

Backpacking the Black Forest

Located near the French border, the Black Forest is named so because of its dark green pine forests. The area is also famous for their cuckoo clocks, Black Forest cake, and rich, creamy food like their French neighbors. If you have a chance to visit the Black Forest while backpacking Germany, be sure check out the Black Forest Mile for some fairy-tale views.

The famous German fairy-tale authors, known as the Brothers Grimm, wrote the original (slightly darker) stories we grew up with – Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, and Cinderella, to name a few. They were inspired by their surroundings in Germany, especially the Black Forest, where you can encounter middle-of-nowhere lakes among forests and wooden trails. Just the trick to walk off that rich Black Forest cake!

As for where to stay if you are visiting the Black Forest, there are a few options. Baden Baden is a famous spa town, and nice for a pampering or romantic vacation, but not a backpacker spot.

Calw is a beautiful, traditional German town with a picturesque market town, and many bistros, shops and ice cream parlors that cater to tourists. Neither have a hostel spot. I think Calw would be well worth visiting as a day trip; however, there are a few nice university towns you can stay in that will have more going on at night – Freiburg and Heidelberg. I have sections on these two towns below.

Backpacking Freiburg

Freiburg is a university town, and a good base to explore the southern side of the Black Forest. The local student population has given the town a lively nightlife scene, and there are a few beer gardens along the canal. Freiburg has been named Germany’s warmest city due to the year-round sunshine, so it’s a great place to escape the cold! Hike up through the woods to reach the top of the Schlossberg mountain, where you can enjoy views of the city. That being said, there isn’t a hostel scene here, so check out Airbnb or stay at a cheap hotel. 

Backpacking Heidelberg

Heidelberg is the epitome of German romanticism with a popular castle and gorgeous cityscapes of Gothic and renaissance styles. Home to the country’s oldest  university  there is a vibrant night scene as well! Take a walk through the baroque-style old town and view the old stone bridge by day, and hit the bars at night.

Find out where the best places to stay in Heidelberg are so you can be as close as possible to the attractions (or parties for that matter).

Backpacking Cologne

Located in West Germany, Cologne is famous for its medieval cathedral, and December Christmas markets. Compared to Berlin and Munich, Cologne is a less touristy, and makes for a great stopover if visiting neighboring countries like France or the Netherlands.

Cologne is a university town, and hosts a vibrant bar and club scene as well!

Looking for a fun place to get rowdy? Get to know some the best party hostels in Cologne .

Read up on the best areas to stay in Cologne using our comprehensive guide.

Backpacking Hamburg

Hamburg is a diverse, beautiful city right on the water. Its downtown area reminds me slightly of Amsterdam because of its canals, but the buildings are built from red brick, and the streets are wider.

Hamburg’s nightlife is legendary, and it’s a great city for live music. Hamburg is famous for its Sunday Fischmarkt (Fish market). Locals use the Sunday morning market as an excuse to stay up partying all Saturday night, and grab some food in the early AM. St Pauli’s Reeperbahn (Germany’s Red Light district) is also pretty famous, though I found the bars, sex clubs, and pubs on the main street kind of sleazy, but the area is quite central to all of Hamburg’s many attractions.

Hamburg is also home to many beautiful parks, and since it is on the water, you can visit its port area and beaches (just bring a jacket!).

If you want to go to a couple unique museums, I recommend checking out the Minitur Wunderland . This museum displays the largest miniature train set scenery in the world. I admit I was a bit hesitant about spending money on a miniature museum, but ended up really enjoying it. You can spend hours here analyzing the detail within the epic scenes.

I also enjoyed visiting the interactive exhibitions at  DialogueHaus . You can go through the Dialogue in Darkness exhibit, where you experience the world in complete darkness as a blind person does, or you can also go through the Dialogue in Quietness exhibit, where you experience the world as if you are deaf. I only went through Dialogue in Darkness, but I highly recommend it.

As for day trips from Hamburg, there are a few pretty medieval cities nearby. We visited Bremen, a historical town full of small streets lined with charming 16th century houses. It is reachable from Hamburg by an hour train. A round-trip ticket costs about EUR 20.

If you’re still looking for a place to stay, be sure to check out our in-depth accommodation guide for Hamburg as well.

Getting Off The Beaten Path in Germany

Getting Off The Beaten Path in Germany is surprisingly easy. Although the nation does welcome a good amount of tourists, they do tend to stick to the same places and of course, Germany is a pretty big country with loads of towns & villages to explore.

One top tip we can offer is check out the many alternatives to Munich’s Oktoberfest that happen across the country in autumn. For example, if you want to stick with Bavaria then head to Straubing’s Gäubodenvolkfest or if you want to see another Province of Germany, then go for Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

1. Explore Germany’s medieval towns and monasteries

With too many options to name, you can spend weeks exploring medieval towns and monasteries. The most famous are along the Romantic Road.

2. Go clubbing until the sunrises

In my opinion, Berlin and Hamburg have the best nightlife in Germany!

3. Visit a fairytale castle.

Schloss Neuschwanstein, located outside Munich, is probably the most famous one, and for good reason, but there are tons of other beautiful castles you can visit, like Hohenzollern Castle and Heidelberg Castle. You can even book yourself a stay in some of Germany’s best castles .

4. Drink beer

It goes without saying that Germany is popular for their beer. Make sure to visit a traditional beer hall or garden and drink a liter out of a traditional glass boot!

5. Eat fresh seafood at the Hamburg Fish Market

This is a 300-year-old, open-air market and historic fish auction hall. Even if you don’t eat fish, it’s well-worth visiting this market! Locals make their way to the market in the early morning after a night out at the clubs.

6. Eat traditional German food

These foods include schnitzel, wurst, and pretzels, of course.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

While backpacking Germany, I used a combination of hostels, Airbnb, and couch surfing/staying with friends. Every city has plenty of hostel options, and it can be a great way to meet other travellers. As a travelling couple, we did both and often found that private Airbnb rooms were more affordable than hostels. Moreover, I think staying with locals gives you a more authentic experience.

Most of Berlin’s best hostels  are situated in more of the touristy areas. For the most part, Berliners like to avoid loud, obnoxious tourists on hostel pub crawls, and bouncers won’t let foreigners into the cool clubs (more on that later), so I like staying in Airbnbs and Couch Surfing vs. Hostels.

Check out our other posts for more information on the best hostels in Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, and more!

The Best Places To Stay in Germany

Check out this post on the best hostels in Germany .

In comparison to the US, AUS, or other parts of Western Europe, backpacking Germany is quite affordable but it isn’t as cheap as South East Asia or Central America.

Accommodation:  Munich is probably the most expensive area in Germany.  In general, hostels in Germany cost about $25-30 for a dorm bed, and private rooms at Airbnbs are around $60 in desirable neighborhoods.

Food:  Produce and groceries are especially affordable in Germany, and a great way to save money. Cafés and restaurants are generally affordable by Western standards, but I wouldn’t say they’re cheap. An average meal may cost $6-8. Beers from the grocery stores or  Spatis are about 1.50-2.50 euro for a 1/2 liter.

Transport:  I recommend getting a 7 day pass in Berlin because you’ll definitely use a lot of the public transport. Use the public transport in general! Individual subway tickets are about EUR 1.50.

Activities:  Germany has a lot of great parks and markets, which are free! Museum and historical site costs vary, but they’re pretty in line with other countries in Western Europe. I would expect to pay $8-$15 per entrance fee.

Money in Germany

Germany’s currency is the Euro. The current exchange rate is 1 Euro: 1.17 USD (December 2017).

ATMs are widely available everywhere, but you can expect a withdrawal fee for international bank cards, which is why I travel with a debit card that refunds me for transaction fees. (Americans, I recommend checking out Charles Schwab!)

Always have cash on you when backpacking Germany! Many shops in Germany do not accept foreign credit cards. (This includes Visa, MasterCard, and Amex!).

Travel Tips – Germany on a Budget

Camp: With plenty of gorgeous places to camp, Germany can be a great place to camp in the rural areas. Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking.  Or, if you’re feeling real adventurous and want to save some cash, consider picking up a backpacking hammock.  If you are camping a lot, it could be worth bringing a portable backpacking stove.

Walk or use public transportation: Germany has a great public transportation system and most of their cities and towns are well-connected by buses and trains.

Eat Donor Kabab’s: Ah, Europe’s fast-food. A Donor Kabab shop is on every corner of every city in Europe. Donor Kababs were actually invented in Berlin!

Book your transportation early:  Both plane and train tickets are much cheaper if you purchase them in advance.

Rideshare: Bla Bla Car is popular in Germany, and car pooling is much more affordable than the train! I used this app a lot while backpacking Germany.

Participate with Free Tours: There are so many cool tours to do in the cities. Be sure to hop on some of the walking tours, which are free with an optional donation.

Couchsurf: Germans are awesome, and I am so grateful I was able to explore its cities with local friends. Check out couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see this country from the perspective of locals.

Why You Should Travel to Germany with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

So when is the best time to visit Germany ? Germany is rainy and cold for most of the year, but when the sun comes out, so do the Germans. Everyone just seems more alive. I think May-September is a great time to go backpacking in Germany because you are more likely have good weather and long summer nights. In Berlin, this is when a lot of the beer gardens and open air events start up again. And unlike most of Western Europe, July and August are neither painfully hot nor completely over-ran by tourists.

Winter can also be a great time to visit Germany if you are interested in the Christmas markets, skiing, and enjoying a German holiday season with mulled wine in hand. Just be aware the days are cold and  short. 

It can rain a lot in Germany so if you’re hitching or planning on being outside a lot – it’s worth packing a rain jacket. Bring warm layers when backpacking Germany. Even in the summer, the weather can be unpredictable. Most of the year, Germany can be cold, or brisk at the very least, so have a nice, warm jacket, boots, gloves, and a beanie. I have found that Berliners dress pretty casual, and tend to wear black and casual shoes. People dress up more in Munich.

On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

While Germany is a safe country , one should always have common sense when travelling in a new country. In my opinion, most bad things happen after 2AM, so don’t walk alone late at night, especially if you don’t know the area.

If anything, you should watch out for petty theft/pick-pocketing while visiting touristy areas in Germany. Pick-pocketing is common throughout European cities  (although not as common in Germany as it is Barcelona and Paris). To avoid pick-pocketing, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket. Watch out for strangers coming up to you with petitions and signs; this is usually just a distraction to steal your stuff. Ladies, keep your bags and purses zipped up, especially on metros.

Pick yourself up a  backpacker security belt to keep your cash safe on the road, and check out  Backpacker Safety 101 for tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking Germany. This post for plenty of ideas on ingenious ways to hide your money when travelling .

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in Germany

Parts of Germany can be very conservative, but in general the entire country has a laissez attitude about social drinking. The cities are generally more liberal in regards to drinking, drugs, and “rock ‘n’ roll.” Drugs are used more openly used in Berlin and Hamburg; whereas, Munich is more conservative. I wouldn’t smoke in public in Munich, but you can get away with this in Berlin.

There are plenty of college towns that have a nice bar scene, like Dresden, Düsseldorf,   Cologne, and Frieburg. If you are trying to party, bar hop, and club non-stop while backpacking Germany then I’d definitely spend some time in Germany’s biggest cities – Berlin and Hamburg – where you can find some type of bar or club open 24/7.

Munich does have a club scene with venues open until sunrise, and a grittier, underground scene as well. You just have to look harder. Full disclosure, drugs are prominent in the clubbing scene in Germany, and easy to come across, but as always be careful, and check out Will’s post on drugs on the road.

As I mentioned earlier, Berlin is considered to be the best clubbing city in Europe. The best-known club in the city, where many celebrities venture, is Berghain & Panorma Bar, but their are hundreds of other options for clubs with multiple dance floors and rooms, art exhibitions, open air venues, etc.

While you can find a club for pretty much any genre of music, techno is king in Berlin, and all of the best clubs are centered around electronic music. Berlin is also famous for its sex clubs. They’re exactly what they sound like. I didn’t go to one, but they’re easy to find if you’re interested.

Germany does prosecute for illegal drugs, but from my understanding, if you are caught with small quantities of cannabis or cocaine, German prosecutors have the option of dropping charges against you.

Travel Insurance for Germany

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

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If you’re arriving in Germany by plane, you can fly into Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin’s international airports. In my experience, Germany is one of the cheapest European countries to fly into from North America.

Hamburg, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and other cities have European and domestic connections as well! And if you are flying within Europe, Germany is well-connected by budget airlines, like Ryan Air and Easy Jet.

While backpacking Germany, take advantage of Germany’s extensive rail network that connects Germany to all of its neighboring countries. Many travellers backpacking Europe invest in a EuRail pass and this is well worth investing in if you plan to travel across Europe visiting multiple countries.

Entry requirements for Germany

EU citizens will only need their passport to enter Germany. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, and the US do not need to pre-apply for a visa; their valid passport will be stamped on arrival. Other nationalities will need to apply for a Schengen Visa beforehand to visit all Schengen Area countries.

As a non-European traveller, you can only stay in Germany and other Schengen zone countries for 3 months out of every 6 months. Once 6 months have passed from your original arrival date, the visa resets.

The Schengen visa can be a bit confusing because not all European countries are part of Schengen zone. Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Scandinavian countries, etc are all part of the Schengen zone. A few other countries – namely Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway – are not technically associated with the EU, but they are part of the Schengen zone.

Whereas, the UK, Ireland, and most Eastern European and Baltic countries, are not part of the Schengen zone, even though they are part of the EU. So theoretically, you can visit Germany and its neighboring countries for 3 months, then hop over to a non-Schengen country and jump back to Germany with a fresh 3-month visa.

A lot of long-term travellers plan their travels around the Schengen visa accordingly, and we wrote a full guide to help you do just that! Work your way around it and you’ll be able to travel long-term in Europe .

It only takes 2 minutes!  Book your transport on 12Go now  and guarantee your seat easily.

While backpacking Germany and the rest of Europe, I have found budget airline flights are often cheaper than train tickets, but only if you buy your plane ticket at least one month in advance. Most German cities have their own airports, but they can be a hassle to get to/from.

Airports tend to be outside the city, especially smaller airports where many budget airlines fly into. Whereas, train stations are centrally located in the city. That being said, I have flown into Berlin and Hamburg, and both have an affordable metro that takes you to the center of the city.

Germany also has an extensive rail network, mostly monopolized by Deutsche Bahn, which controls the rail system and metro system in cities. If you plan to use the train to cover a lot of territories, but don’t want to reserve specific dates, you can get around Europe with a  Eurail Pass , or an  Interrail pass  if you’re an EU/UK resident.

Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy point-to-point train tickets in advance rather than get a Eurail or InterRail Pass, but last minute tickets are usually much more expensive. If you want complete flexibility, and you are including other European countries while backpacking Germany, check out the Eurail/InterRail pass options. I wrote an in-depth article on train travel in Europe , and when you should use the pass.

If you’re trying to save some cash, I highly recommend using Bla Bla Car , a ride sharing app that’s popular in Germany. I was able to snag a spot from Berlin to Munich for half the cost of a train ticket; it also takes way less time to drive on the infamous AutoBahn (no speed limit, ha) than take the train, and it’s easy to book a carpool spot last minute.

Still, the train can be pretty scenic! I loved the train ride from Dresden to Prague.

Budget Tip: If you are planning to explore one region of Germany, like Bavaria, look into buying a regional day pass to visit towns outside Munich, versus point-to-point ticket. A regional day pass is usually cheaper than a round trip ticket – a trick my German friend taught me.

The cities and larger towns are connected by such great public transportation that I don’t think it’s worth renting a car  unless you are trying to visit a lot of Germany’s small fairytale and medieval towns, or Germany’s Romantic Road . Germany is also a wonderful country to road trip, as there is so much to see in the countryside. You can rent an economy-size car for about 40-60 euros a day, but automatic rentals are rare.

As for getting around the cities, Uber is illegal, and taxis are expensive. I suggest sticking to public transportation, or walking when you can!

Overall, while backpacking Germany and Europe, I opted to use a train pass, a couple point-to-point tickets and regional passes, the app Bla Bla Car, and budget airline flights. If you’re nifty, you can score surprisingly cheap transportation by using all of these methods of travel!

An alternative to public transportation is hiring a car. Renting a car is a great way to see Germany at your own pace. You can sort your car rental here in just a few minutes. Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you score the lowest price and your choice of vehicle. Often, you can find the best car rental prices when you pick up the rental from the airport.

Make sure you also purchase a RentalCover.com policy to cover your rental vehicle against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

Campervan Hire in Germany

Traveling in Germany by campervan is another great way to experience this awesome country. Renting a campervan in Germany is super easy as you can pick up/drop off in many different cities.

Certainly having your own campervan to work with will open many more doors for you on your Germany backpacking adventure.

I highly recommend hiring a campervan if you can swing it.!

Hitchhiking in Germany

I saw plenty of people hitchhiking in Germany, and it’s quite easy to do. It’s legal to hitchhike in Germany as long as you are not standing directly on the autobahn. Your best bet is to wait at petrol stations off of the aut0bahn instead. Police are going to be more lenient in Berlin than Munich.

You should always have a couple markers/pens to make a sign of where you’re going. Also, check the cars’ licenses plates to see which city or region they are registered in. For example, look for license plates starting with  B  if you’re hitching to Berlin.

For more hitchhiking tips, check out Will’s hitchhiking 101 post.

Motorcycling in Germany  

It is definitely possible to rent a motorcycle, just as you can rent a car. Summertime would be the perfect time to go on a motorcycle road trip, but I wouldn’t recommend it during Germany’s freezing cold winter.

Prices are going to range, but I’d say an accurate estimate for a motorcycle rental in Germany is EUR 50 a day. You could also tackle Germany, or all of Europe, with an RV – check out this post for plenty of inspiration on RVing Europe. 

Onwards travel from Germany

Onwards travel from Germany couldn’t be easier. Like I mentioned earlier, pretty much every city has an airport that connects Germany to other European countries, and the train system will connect you to all of Germany’s neighboring countries.

Germany shares borders with these following countries: Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which makes it easy to include Germany in your Europe itinerary.

Many backpackers continue on from Munich to Northern Italy, Vienna or Prague, or from Berlin to Amsterdam or Prague on a multi-European city tour.

There are also many ferries leaving Germany’s northern ports to parts of Scandinavia. Denmark and Sweden are both very close to Germany and make for easy maritime journeys.

As the economic powerhouse of Europe, Germany is an attractive place for migrant workers from all over the EU and the globe. Offering respectable wages and reasonable living costs , Germany is widely regarded as being amongst the best places to live and work in Western Europe. Why not try out a Germany gap year before fully committing to a move.

If you are hoping to work in Germany, then mastery of the language is a very valuable skill otherwise your options will be limited.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Work Visa’s in Germany

Citizens of the EU and EEA have the absolute right to live and work in Germany. Everybody else will need a work visa. To obtain this, you firstly need to enter Germany on a residency visa and then in order to get the work visa you will need a formal job offer. 

Teaching English in Germany

German’s take learning English very seriously and as such, good English teachers are always welcome. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a free for all we’re any native speaker is eagerly welcomed. Nope, teachers will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree and, at a minimum, a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Certification.

Average pay ranges from $2500 to $4500 per month which can go pretty far outside of Berlin.

Au Pair in Germany

What better way to explore a new country than by pretending to be part of a local family. Au pairing in Germany is a great way to semi-immerse yourself in the culture if you’ve got a knack for understanding children and want to be paid for it to fund your future travels.

Volunteering in Germany

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst giving something back. There are loads of different volunteer projects in Germany ranging from teaching, to animal care, to agriculture to pretty much everything!

As a wealthy western nation, Germany doesn’t need the same support from backpacker volunteers as less-developed countries. That being said, there are opportunities for travelers to offer up some time and skills. Gardening, farming, and decorating are the most common areas where travelers can volunteer, but you can also find opportunities in hospitality and social work. 

If you want to find volunteering opportunities in Germany, then we recommend that you Signup for Worldpackers –  a volunteer platform that connects local hosts directly with traveling volunteers. As a Broke Backpacker reader, you’ll also get a special discount of $10 when you sign up. Just use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering, do stay vigilant especially when working with animals or children.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

When most people think of German food, they probably picture traditional Bavarian food: heavy meat and potato entrees, sausages, schnitzel, pretzels, and a liter of heavy beer. While yes, a lot of traditional food does center around meat and potatoes, don’t miss out on all the other awesome food!

In general, I found that Germans value local, seasonal produce, and there was a lot of creative street food. And even though Germany is famous for its meat, a lot of my German friends are vegetarian, and I got a taste of that scene while backpacking Berlin and Munich.

Traditional Bavarian Food

A traditional Bavarian meal includes the following:

Schnitzel – breaded pork or veal

Sausage – Sausages vary regionally, and there are many different kinds. Blutwurst is blood sausage. Knackwurst has garlic, and Bavarian’s classic breakfast sausage is a white sausage called Weisswurst (though honestly it didn’t look very appetizing!)

Käsespätzle – German mac & cheese, made with egg noodles and doused in different cheeses and onions. My favorite!

Sauerkraut – Pickled Cabbage

Kartoffel – Potato oriented foods, like potato salad, pancakes, soups, and dumplings.

Bretzel  (Pretzel) – No one does pretzels like Germany. You’ll see more pretzel shops than bagels, so consider it your morning treat! Traditionally German pretzels are doughy, salty, and freshly baked, often served in beer halls/gardens. There are a ton of modern “twists” on the pretzel too. Cool bakeries, like Zeit fur Brot in Berlin, make  laugencroissants  (pretzel/croissant hybrid) along with other amazing treats.

Berlin Food

Berlin does everything opposite of Munich, including food. Bavaria traditionally has heavy beers. Berliners like lighter lagers. Munich is famous for the traditional Bavarian beer halls that serve the food I mentioned above. Berlin is famous for an evolving food scene influenced by completely different cultures.

Street Food –  Like everywhere in the world, street food and food trucks are popping up everywhere. You can get stuff like gourmet burgers, ramen, tacos, etc. There seemed to be some type of food market every day of the week.

Currywurst – Curried sausage. The best restaurant is Currywurst in Kreuzberg.

Vietnamese – Back when Berlin was separated by the wall, East Berlin invited thousands of Vietnamese people to assimilate into their communist culture. Now-a-days, there is a ton of authentic Vietnamese food.

Turkish – Berlin has the biggest Turkish population outside of Turkey. It’s actually where the Doner Kebab was invented, which is a doner pita wrap with salad and garlic and yoghurt sauce on lamb or chicken. There are endless Doner Kebab shops all over Europe, but the best ones are in Berlin.

Burgers – Speaking of burgers, I found that burgers are  huge in Germany in general, but especially Berlin and Hamburg. There are so many good gourmet burger places, and some pretty affordable places as well.

Stuttgart and the Black Forest

This region of Germany makes rich, creamy foods, like…

Black forest gateau (cake) –  Originating in the Black Forest, this is a multilayered chocolate sponge cake. Say no more.

Zwiebelkuchen – a deep-filled onion tart with cream, egg, bacon, and onions.

Zwiebelrostbraten – roast beef with onions and gravy

Check out this epic write up on the best hostels in Stuttgart.

Hamburg and the North

Influenced by Scandinavia, this area has more of a seafood influence, with a lot of herring, though it also has a few meat and potato dishes. The Hamburg fish market is huge and a must-see! And as one of Germany’s biggest cities, you can expect an ever-changing food scene here too, with plenty of trendy cafes and restaurants.

Guide to German Beer

Few cultures love beer more than Germany, and that’s saying something. It’s legal to drink on the streets and with a  Spati on every corner (convenient store that sells dozens of types of beers), it’s pretty common to grab one for the road in the big cities.

Germans even have a word for a beer for the road:  Wegbier.  Germany is also known for its Reinheitsgebot (purity law) that demands breweries only use the classic four ingredients: malt, yeast, hops, and water. While no longer a legal requirement, many German brewers still pride themselves on pure ingredients.

Bock and Helles beers – These are the most popular, especially in Bavaria. They are both heavy lagers with higher alcohol percentages.

Pilsner – Originally from the Czech Republic, this is a bottom-fermented bear with a creamy head and lighter alcohol content.

Weissbier – My personal favorite type of German beer is the Weissbier made by top fermentation, with a creamy finish, and often with hints of spices banana (weird, I know).

Kolsch – Famous from Cologne, this is a light stout.

Craft Beer – like everywhere in the world, there is a large craft beer movement, especially in the major cities. In Berlin, check out Hops & Barley, and Hopfenreich.

Radlers – Tasty, light, and refreshing, this is like a beer and lemonade or soda put together without tasting too sugary.

While it’s hard to stereotype an entire country, Germans are sort of known for being punctual, a bit reserved, and serious. I have befriended pretty much every German I’ve met, and in my experience, Germans love to travel (and escape the cold!), and are super friendly and welcoming, but yes they do tend to be punctual!

I have found that Germans are not “proud” to be German. (Coming from the US, this is pretty apparent, as we are very nationalistic.) There have actually been studies that Germans identify more with their European identity than German identity.

It’s no secret that the 20th century is filled with a lot of oppressive, dark history, and for that, I think Germans feel really uncomfortable with nationalism, following the Nazi legacy. It wasn’t until the 2014 World Cup win that Germans started to sport their flag “proudly” again, though even then, showing off their flag seems sort of strange.

In terms of strange or funny quirks, I noticed a lot of Germans like fizzy drinks. I don’t know if it’s just the people I visited, but everyone seemed to own a fizzy mineral water maker, and I’ve never seen so many alcohol-free beers before. Sometimes people just want a beer without the buzz.

Germany is also quite green, adamant on recycling, and value ecology. Their government puts quite a bit of money into their waste management system and has one of the best Recology systems in the world. Organic produce is generally affordable and easy to find.

In general, Bavaria and Munich are more traditional and conservative. Munich is also a richer city than the other major German metropolis. The city council isn’t big on a huge “warehouse” club scene, street art, etc. and it’s actually hard for business owners to start up a bar or club here. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a party scene, but you have to look a bit harder for it.

Berlin is on the opposite side of the spectrum. I think once the Berlin Wall came down, the pendulum swung, and Berlin fought oppression with progression and acceptance. For that, Berlin has painted their Communist style concrete block buildings with bright colors, and a lot of cool street art. There are edgy bars and clubs  everywhere .

They have one of the biggest LBGTQ movements in the world. I mean this is where Pride Parade was founded. Hamburg and Berlin are both somewhat of arch-nemeses. Each city competes for the title of best nightlife, best parks, most creative scene, etc.

Useful Travel Phrases For Germany

I have listed a few help phrases to use while backpacking Germany:

Keine Plastiktüte – No plastic bag

Kein Strohhalm bitte – No straw please

Kein Plastikbesteck bitte – No plastic cutlery please

Bitte schön –  You’re welcome

Sprechen Sie Englisch?  – Do you speak English?

Ich verstehe nicht –  I don’t understand.

Ich brauche Hilfe –  I need some help.

Bier – Beer

Hallo! –  Hello!

Guten Morgen! –  Good Morning!

Ich heiße –  My name is…

Wie heißen Sie?  –  What is your name?  

Wie geht’s? –  How are you?  

ja  – yes

nein  – no

bitte  – please

danke – thank you

As a native English speaker, I find the German language fascinating. The German language has way more words than English. I’ve listed a few German words that do not have a direct English translation.

Weltschmerz –  The feeling of having the weight of the world on your shoulders, or a deep inability to do anything about a large problem (like the state of our planet, world hunger, etc.).

Sprachgefühl   – An instinctive or intuitive grasp of a language.

Treppenwitz  –  What you should have said in a conversation, but only occur to you when it is too late.

Wegbier – Beer for the road (as it’s legal to drink in public in Germany).

Fernweh  – This word describes the feeling of wanting to be somewhere else, like reverse homesickness.

Schadenfreude – means finding joy in someone else’s misfortune.

Books to read while traveling in Germany

Berlin Noir  (Philip Kerr, 1993): A mystery series set in 1930s/40s Berlin about an ex-policeman turned detective. who struggles with secrets and crime.

Peeling the Onion  (Günter Grass, 2007): The Nobel Prize winning author’s memoir recounts his childhood in Danzig and his experiences as a soldier in the Nazi Waffen SS.

The Innocent  (Ian McEwan): A spy and romance novel about a man working with Western intelligence organizations to build a tunnel from West to East Berlin. During his mission he falls in love with a woman.

Lonely Planet Germany Travel Guide : Relevant, up-to-date advice and tips for backpacking Germany.

A Brief History of Germany

Brief is going to be the key word here, as there is so much German history. I’ll focus on Germany’s 20th century history, mostly because that is what you are going to come across most while backpacking Germany.

The Prussians unified Germany in 1871. During this time, their leader Otto Von Bismarck laid the foundation for Germany as a military nation. In 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated and triggered a series of decisions that led to World War I (1914-1919), and then German empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic in 1918 after the first war, and found itself in total economic ruin.

I think you can attest Hitler’s rise of power to much of the humiliation and bitterness caused by the WWI Treaty of Versailles (Peace Treaty). After WWI, the Treaty of Versailles held Germany responsible for the war’s reparation payments. Coupled with the US stock market crash of 1929, millions of Germans were jobless and their economy plundered. Hitler wasn’t popular at first; the National Socialist German Worker’s’ Party (Nazis) only gained 18% of national votes in 1932, but faced with failed economic reforms, Germany’s President, Hindenburg, appointed Hitler chancellor. Hitler quickly began to consolidate power, and when Hindenburg died one year later, Hitler merged the offices of president and chancellor to become Führer of the Third Reich in 1933.

From there everything happened quickly: other political parties were disintegrated, political opponents and intellectuals were detained without trial, and the Nazis quickly began to terrorize Jews and set them up as a scapegoat for Germany’s economic situation. Hitler pumped large sums of money into employment programs to win support of the suffering lower class.

Hitler invaded Poland in 1939 and triggered the second world war with plans to follow through with his  Endlösung  (Final Solution): a systematic, and bureaucratic annihilation of European Jews, political opponents, priests, gays, and gypsies.

If you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust, I recommend visiting the Jewish Museum in Berlin, or visiting a concentration camp with a guided tours.

Many historians agree that Hitler met the same downfall as Napoleon by breaking the USSR/Germany treaty and trying to attack the USSR (Russia). This operation failed once winter came, and the Germans were forced to retreat. Soon after Germany lost two key battles: when the Allied troops invaded Normandy in June 1944, and Soviet soldiers invaded from the east in mid-April 1945. In May 7, 1945 Germany surrendered.

Following Germany’s defeat in the war, the country became occupied by British, French, US, and Soviet rule. This eventually led to the formation of two separate states: The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the German Federal Republic (West Germany). East Germany’s constructed the Berlin Wall, which completely cut off its citizens from West Berlin. For decades Berlin remained divided, and family members on either side could only visit each other in life emergencies (if at all).

On the 9 th  of November 1989, the Wall was demolished, a significant moment in modern history. After 45 years of division, Germany was reunified with Berlin being made the Capital City.

Germany is famous for its beer, and for good reason, so go to to a beerhall, get drunk at Oktoberfest, and drink in a few parks (it’s legal!). Just don’t be a drunk jerk.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Go to Oktoberfest!

This is Munich’s famous beer festival, a traditional three week carnival with beer tents, lederhosen, and lot’s of singing and drinking! It’s definitely a bucket-list worthy festival in Germany to check off your list.

Walk around Germany’s legendary Christmas Markets

Many of Germany’s cities and towns have beautiful Christmas Markets throughout December. Order some mulled wine to keep you warm!

Final Thoughts on Backpacking Germany

Have a case of wanderlust? All the more reason to visit Germany. (The Germans did coin the word,  Wandern,  after-all.)

If you are interested in military and medieval history, or enjoy cultural cities with a fun nightlife scene, backpacking Germany should be at the top of your list! Germany is a surprisingly affordable country, especially when compared to the rest of Western Europe, and there is no shortage of culture, beautiful cities, history, and nature here. It’s a great addition to a Europe backpacking trip itinerary as well as a trip on its own. There is so much to see and do in Germany!

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Ana Pereira

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10 Comments

Thanks for the post, a lot of useful information, I’ll go get ready for the trip.

Great content, Thank you! Just one small correction: I’m guessing that you wanted to say “no (drinking) straw please”, which in german is “kein Strohhalm bitte”. Otherwise you are saying that you don’t want any hay.

Haha! Well, we don’t want any hay either, but we’ll update for your correction. Thanks for the help!

Today, I read this article and it‘s really amazing to see how other backpackers are describe our country. I think the most of Germans are “proud” to be open hearted and glad to to help wherever they can. Ok, of course, the most time we look seriously and want to be punctually, but a tip for any backpackers … give us a friendly smile and you’ll get it back anytime 🙂 . thanks for this nice description and you’re welcome. Last but not least: If you take more time to hike or visit small villages, there are beautiful places around cologne (Köln), like the (Bergisches Land). Old, small traditional farmer Houses, chapels, the best Waffles in Germany (traditionally with hot cherry’s and cream), or the Bergische Kaffeetafel (A menu with Coffee out of a special can), and close to cologne one of the worlds popular wine Region Rhine and Mosel. Many greetings from Rösrath

I am glad to see your post ANA, Which helped us to plan our Germany trip in next month. Simple & brief explanation about which places to see, where to stay, what to do and eat, its just amazing .Thanks for sharing ANA

Thanks Ana for sharing your indepth travel experience in Germany, it will be of great help for people looking forward to explore Germany.

Wow this is just amazing guide for my family vacation to Germany this year. Just perfect family places. Thanks for sharing.

Glad you liked it! Have a great time!

Thank you for creating this post and letting us know about this beautiful place Germany. Pictures are very beautiful now this place is on my bucket list.

THank you Will for presenting Germany for us. I live in Europe but still didn’t have a chance to travel there but I hope I will soon.

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Backpacking Germany Guide: Highlights, Travel Tips + More!

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I asked some of my fellow travel bloggers about their experience and recommendations when backpacking around Germany – here’s what they say!

Best places to visit when backpacking Germany

In the following, you’ll find the best and most exciting places for your backpacking trip around Germany as recommended by fellow travel bloggers!

When most people think of Bavaria, they immediately start dreaming of Oktoberfest, or the picture perfect”Cinderella Castle,” Neuschwanstein.  But, the reality is that there is SO much more to see, do and explore in the rolling hills and strong German culture of Bavaria.

One of those places is Nürnberg (Nuremberg). This ancient, but also thriving city is absolutely drenched in history and things to do, making it perfect for both wanderers and historians alike. Nothing beats a stroll down the main streets, lined in cobbled stones. Beautiful churches dot just about every corner, each one a necessity to pop in, even for just a brief moment. Of course, the towering castle gives commanding views over the city and offers picture perfect Frankonian images as you stroll the grounds. And if you are lucky enough to be around during Advent, you simply can’t miss Germany’s largest Christkindlesmarkt, complete with delectable treats and adorable trinkets.

Across town is the more sinister, but arguably just as important Nazi Rally Grounds, where one of the BEST World War II/ Nazi documentation centers I have been to can be visited in addition to some of the most important Nazi-planned facilities.  The Germans have done an impeccable job of remembering and learning from the past, as they continue to look towards the future and this arena and area is a perfect example. Whether just making a quick stop off the train or making it a weekend, Nuremberg is a must while backpacking Germany.

– LeAnna from Wander in Germany

Passau’s Old Town has a wonderful medieval vibe with its jumble of cobbled lanes, archways, and underpasses leading off the main streets. Known as the “City of Three Rivers”, it sits at the confluence of the Inn, the Danube, and the Ilz Rivers. It’s one of Bavaria’s oldest cities and it’s where the German-Austrian border begins.

You’ll want to explore Passau’s colorful old-world streets on foot. You can shop for traditional sweet Bavarian mustard and marmalades on the Rindermarkt, check out the largest bohemian glass collection in the world at the Glass Museum, or take in an organ concert at St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

One of my favorite things to do in Passau, though, is to just sit and enjoy the city’s outdoor café culture. It seems like there’s a charming sidewalk café around every corner serving coffee, schnapps, and hot Aperol punsch.  These cafés are open year-round, regardless of how cold it gets outside. When I was there last November it was a very chilly 28º F. Cold? Yes. But not cold enough to close down the outdoor cafés. Instead, people cozy up to patio heaters on sheepskin-lined chairs, drape blankets over their laps, sip steaming mugs of warm gluhwein, and watch the world go by. And if you happen to be in Passau in the winter, you should too.

– Laura from The Culinary Travel Guide

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is one of Germany’s best places to visit when backpacking around the country. It is one of our most memorable big-city stays in Europe.  Modern and traditional, Munich is known for being fun, sophisticated, and the cultural capital of Germany. It is famous for the annual Oktoberfest celebration, but there is a vibe in the city that makes it feel like there is always something to celebrate.

The beautiful green English Garden is the largest city park in Europe and bustling with locals and tourists.  Watch surfers taking on the waves in the river, ride a bike, or grab a beer and sit amongst the cheer in one of the park’s beer gardens. The Marienplatz is the incredible main square (since 1158) in a pedestrian-only area! See the new and old Town Halls and the famous glockenspiel, with its fun show. There is a multitude of fascinating museums, an elegant palace, and historical churches to visit.

The Hofbräuhaus (since 1589!) is a world-famous beer hall and a must for any tourist and backpacker.  After having a beer in the lively place, check out another one of the many beer gardens in Munich.  The Viktualienmarkt is an open-air market full of gourmet food and great for a quick bite to eat. There is so much to do in beautiful Munich and I look forward to going back.

– Whitney from Go Fam Travel

Celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich

One of the best places to visit in Germany is Munich but you don’t just want to go to Munich any time of the year, you want to go to Munich during Oktoberfest of course! The celebration takes place for almost 3 weeks, starting around mid-September until the beginning of October and is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Oktoberfest is held at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds, off the U4 or U5 metro stop.   The event is geared towards all ages, they have carnival rides, local food to eat and of course giant beer tents. Oktoberfest dates back to 1810 when the King at the time was getting married and they held the festivities on the fields of the city gates to celebrate the event. They decided to keep the beer drinking celebration alive year after year and now over 6 million visitors come to enjoy the live bands playing classic German tunes and of course the cold beer that never seems to stop flowing.

Having been multiple times,  this survival guide  will help you to plan your trip and know what to expect. The most important thing that you do to prepare for Oktoberfest in Munich is to book your accommodations at least six months in advance.

– Gina from Jetset and Forget

Linderhof Palace in Bavaria

Linderhof Palace in Bavaria is often overlooked by tourists going to Neuschwanstein Castle. However, this miniature Versailles in its magnificent park setting is just as worthy of a visit as Neuschwanstein.

Linderhof is the only one of “mad” King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles or palaces which he lived to see completed. In fact, he loved to spend time here, living as a recluse in his “French” hideaway. He originally set out to recreate Versailles before this project was relocated to Herrenwörth in the Chiemsee where the Herrenchiemsee New Palace took shape. However, Linderhof Palace and its gardens are still very Versailles-like in character.

Ludwig II’s bed in gold and royal blue, the hall of mirrors, and a dining table that can be lowered through the floor with a crank mechanism are some of the highlights of the guided tour through Linderhof Palace. The tour is the only way to enter the palace and included in the ticket price.

While the palace interior is certainly impressive, the gardens and park buildings of Linderhof Palace deserve more time exploring. Ludwig II’s love of art and to be reminded of exotic destinations is evident in the Venus Grotto, an artificial version of the Blue Grotto on Capri, the oriental Moorish Kiosk and the Moroccan House. The latter two are both products of the Paris World Fair.

Apart from its proximity to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace is close to three more must-visit places in Bavaria. They are the Ettal Abbey, the town of Oberammergau and the UNESCO World Heritage Wieskirche. The best time to visit Linderhof Palace is from April to October when the gardens are at their prettiest. Unfortunately, many of the garden attractions are closed during winter.

– Linda from Travel Tyrol

The Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof, located in quintessential Bavaria, is definitely one of the best places to visit when backpacking Germany. And that is because of a number of different reasons.

Regensburg is believed to be the northernmost city of the illustrious Roman Empire. Situated on the banks of River Danube, it was a thriving trade and cultural center in the medieval ages. The most iconic attraction here is the 12 th century Old Stone Bridge that was the only pathway for merchants and artists of that era. Standing on the bridge, you can imagine life from more than thousand years ago.

You can also admire impressive buildings in ancient Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic architectural styles. These buildings form the heart of the old city center. St. Peter’s Cathedral, an old town hall, and a historical corn market are some of the notable ones. Old Town of Regensburg was accorded the World Heritage status in 2006 by UNESCO. And today it is the only intact historic city in Germany.

Apart from all of this, Regensburg also has some historical food on offer. It is home to a Historic Sausage Kitchen that has been serving fried sausages to customers for the past 900 years! Additionally, there is a large BMW plant a few miles away that can give you a paid tour of the premises.

Regensburg has a bit of everything – history, culture, and modernity. Come here if you wish to feel the real Germany.

– Soumya from Stories by Soumya

Würzburg 

A charming city nestled on the banks of the River Main, Würzburg is Bavaria to a T. If you want to experience the real, traditional Germany, you’re in the right place. The city is free from the hipster influences of Berlin and Hamburg but what it does offer is far more charming: colourful timber-framed buildings, churches dating back hundreds of years, and plenty of traditional German eateries.

One of the best things to do in Würzburg is climb the Marienberg Fortress. This may leave you a little breathless but it will be worth it for the views out over the picturesque city and rolling countryside. Once you’re down, reward yourself with a ‘Hugo’ (a cocktail made with wine and elderflower) while listening to live music on the bridge. If you’re not blessed with good weather, learn about the lives of the ancient royals at the Wurzburg Residence. This place is a UNESCO Heritage Site with some gorgeous gardens to wander.

Würzburg can be visited as an easy day trip from Nuremberg or Frankfurt. While you’re there, you should tuck into some hearty German cuisine like schnitzel or bratwurst. If you’re trying to look after the pennies, grab a fresh, tasty picnic from Bäckerei Hanselmann and eat it on the banks of the river, overlooking the perfect Bavarian architecture. Bliss!

– Rose from Where Goes Rose

Bad Reichenhall and Berchtesgaden

Every single town in the Upper Bavaria is very unique. However, there are two that stand out a lot: Bad Reichenhall and Berchtesgaden, located some 20 km away from each other. Both of the towns are great locations for staying for 5-7 days and exploring the Upper Bavaria properly. If you book in advance, you can book some really affordable properties.

Berchtesgaden has the most scenic views over the mountains and is overall a very beautiful town. There are plenty of restaurants to visit and to try the traditional Schweinebraten (roasted pork). Berchtesgaden also has a lovely local brewery and plenty of hiking trails nearby. Bad Reichenhall is a slightly bigger town and it’s famous for its numerous health resorts. Moreover, it has a great thermal spa (not expensive) with a huge sauna zone (be aware of the fact that you have to go there naked – bikinis and swimsuits are prohibited) and a huge outdoor pool with the view over the mountains (there you don’t have to be naked). There are plenty of activities you can do in both towns including visiting salt mines, Eagle’s nest and even Salzburg in Austria that is only half an hour away and it’s totally possible to reach it by bus for less than €5.

All the towns are actually connected by buses and rail, so you don’t even have to hire a car to explore this region. It’s certainly a highlight when backpacking Germany!

– Liza from Tripsget

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

One of the most charming villages in all of Germany, Rothenburg has it all. As you walk through the stone gates that surround the Old Town, you just can feel the ambience seeping in. The Tudor-style half-timbered houses line the street, with flowers decorating every window. The cobbled streets lead you down to the center where you can gawk at the old Town Hall, climb the towers and end up winding your way through parts of buildings you didn’t know were connected. Plus the view is spectacular.

While visiting, don’t miss the Medieval Torture Museum or the Kathe Wolfhart Christmas Store. Eat a local specialty, a snowball. It’s a ball of baked dough, covered with all kinds of delectable toppings like chocolate and sprinkles. Make sure to wander through the small streets, around the walls, visiting shops and cafes! It’s all so charmingly German, and you’ll always remember it!

– Corinne from Reflections Enroute

Oberpfalz Region

The Oberpfalz region of northeastern Bavaria allows visitors to see the smaller-town side of German life, outside the hustle and bustle of the more tourist-laden destinations. Although more rural, the region is a wonderful stopover site between major German cities and attractions, such as between Dresden or Berlin and Munich, or Nuremberg and Prague in Czech Republic.

Dating back well over eight centuries, Amberg is a well-preserved medieval town that’s worth walking around to see its architecture and explore its long history, especially the original fortified wall that still remains intact. There are plenty of cafés at which to relax and watch pedestrians stroll by, and festivals are often held in town, especially around Oktoberfest and Christmas time.

Weiden in der Oberpfalz is a beautiful place to bike or hike many miles of trails and try out delicious cafes (Edelweiss) and restaurants (Gaststätte Brau Wirt). In springtime, look toward the roof of the Old Town Hall to spot White Storks, the symbol for the region, nesting right in the middle of town.

The Oberpfalz is also home to Zoigl beer, a special blend of hops and malt made only in this region for generations. There are now only a handful of places that produce and sell their local brew, such as Gaststätte Brau Wirt, and no Zoigl beer tastes the same. Look for the 6-pointed Zoigl star outside of eateries and beer houses, or even do some of the 115 km Zoigl Radweg, or biking trail.

There are 1000 year old hotel-castles (Burg Falkenberg), extinct volcanoes turned into a (now) fortress ruin (Parkstein), castles hosting the greatest Christmas Market in Bavaria (Schloss Guteneck), and so much more in the Oberpfalz region. Flixbus and Deutsche Bahn trains visit many of these towns from major German cities on a daily basis – don’t miss out on experiencing this stunning and charming part of Germany when backpacking the country!

– Christa from Expedition Wildlife

Traveling along the romantic road

No trip to Germany is complete without a trip along the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße). This 400km stretch of road runs from Wurzburg to Füssen and takes you through the quintessential storybook towns of Bravaria.  Along the way, you will get to see beautifully preserved Medieval architecture, sample authentic German cuisine and immerse yourself into its magnificent history.

While there are more than 25 different cities and towns along the Romantic Road, there are five places you will want to spend the bulk of your time.

Beginning in Wurzburg, you can easily spend the better part of a day touring the Residenz palace & Marienberg-Fortress. The Baroque palace is one of many UNESCO sites in Germany.

Quite possibly the best storybook towns on the Romantic Road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber was one of the few places to be spared from bombing during WWII and thus has remained as it once was.  You will want to be sure to park and walk the cobblestone streets, checking out its storefronts and unique charm.

With 16 fortified towers, Dinkelsbühl is one of the only remaining walled medieval towns in Germany! Its colorful architecture and quaint shops, it is a great place grab an authentic German meal while sitting outside enjoying the city.

As you approach the foothills of the alps in Steingaden, you will find a white church sitting along a field. This church, named Wieskirche is actually a UNESCO world heritage site. While it may look unassuming on the exterior, the interior is amazing with colorful paintings, golden ironwork, and elaborate wood carvings.

As the Romantic Road comes to an end, you will find one of the most famous German landmarks, Neuschwanstein Castle. This castle was built for Mad King Ludwig (who only lived in it briefly) and the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle.

– Kristi from Day Trip Tips

Rüdesheim / The Rhine Gorge

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley (or Rhine Gorge as it’s otherwise known) is a stunning place to visit. The 65km section is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks in part to its dramatic, steep-sided banks and the historic castles that perch on the valley sides.

During summer, cruise ships of varying shapes and sizes, glide up and down the river, full of people admiring the spectacular scenery. The river banks are also full of walking trails. As well as the fascinating castles, many of the villages that sit beside the river are extremely attractive.

One of the most famous towns on the river is Rüdesheim. The cobbled streets are lined with little shops, bars and half-timbered houses covered in geraniums. The town is also a particularly good place to stay if you like wine; it’s famous for its wine production. The banks for the Rhine have been used as vineyards for centuries and Rüdesheim is a real hub of Reisling expertise.

One of our favourite things to do in Rüdesheim is get the cable car from the town, over vineyards, to the huge Niederwald Monument. This was erected to commemorate the unification of Germany after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871. Up close you realise quite how enormous it is and also get superb views back over the vineyards and town to the river Rhine.

– Claire from Epic Road Rides

The University town of Rostock, and its seaside resort Warnamunde, make for charming destinations when you’re backpacking Germany. Located on the Baltic Coast in northern Germany, Rostock is a Hanseatic town known for its architecture.

In Rostock, start at Neuer Markt, the pretty square in the center of town. Then do a self-guided walking tour of the main sights. You will see churches from medieval times, pretty gabled houses, remnants of the old walls of the city, two of the old city gates, and one of the oldest university buildings in Europe. When touring St. Mary’s Church, right off Neuer Markt, don’t forget to view the old astronomical clock that still keeps time. Many of Rostock’s historical buildings suffered bomb damage during the second World War, but most of them have since been restored.

In Warnamunde, the pretty harbor is a big draw, with its many shops and restaurants. But the streets and squares of the town are worth exploring as well. Walk to the beach if the weather is nice, and to Warnamunde’s famous lighthouse.

Rostock and Warnamunde can be toured as a day trip from Berlin or Hamburg, or you can choose to spend a night or two in these pretty towns. To get to Rostock from Berlin or Hamburg, a high speed train is your best bet. From Rostock, you can take the local train to Warnamunde and be there in 20 minutes. In season, you can take the more leisurely ferry as well.

– Dhara from It’s Not About the Miles

Cologne (Köln) is a city with a quirky culture all of its own. The Colognians’ have an enthusiastic outlook on life and enjoy a vibrant music and arts scene which really comes to life during Carnival in November each year. There are plenty of free things to do in Cologne if your backpackingon a budget, like visiting the old harbour district called the Rheinauhafen with its young vibrant cafe culture and some funky architecture or wander the old city with its history that goes back to Roman times. Discover the history of Perfume (Eau de Cologne) or enjoy one of its many other Museums and Art Galleries. Of course you can’t go to Cologne and not see its Cathedral (Kölner Dom), which dominates the skyline. Millions go ever year to see this UNESCO listed site. Its pretty spectacular. Did you know that Cologne has its own beer? Its called the Kölsch and is available all over Cologne in one of the many Pubs (Brauhaus) around the Old Town or Student District. It comes in a variety of flavours and is a unique part of this cities culture.

If your are there in December you must head out to the Christmas Markets. The best is located right in front of the Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) and is a hive of excitement and twinkle lights. Here you can really get into the Christmas spirit, share a Gluewein or two and try some traditional German food like the Potato Pancakes that come with interesting sauces! But to really get into the fabric and discover the uniqueness of this city, do a walking tour. The Guides are locals that know the best and cheapest places in and around this amazing city. Cologne is a must when backpacking Germany!

– Rosina from Find the Map

Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main is German’s largest air transportation hub in one of the largest cities in the country. Frankfurt is a very interesting and unique European city, having both old, historical structures along with new, tall modern skyscrapers. There is so much to do in Frankfurt!

For visitors who only include Frankfurt as a quick layover, a popular itinerary is the Old Town Altstadt. The majority of the old structures here are actually reconstructed from the Second World War. As in many major German cities, Frankfurt’s medieval city center was completely destroyed during the Allied bombing raids from 1939-1945. The city did a great job restoring the historical structures. As a result, the charm and old-town ambience of Altstadt remains a big draw for Frankfurt.

If you opt to see more modern architecture, head to the Eurotower. Frankfurt is the headquarters of the European Central Bank, and this 40-story glass and metal skyscraper is an icon of modern Europe and Germany. You can visit the famous Euro Monument right outside in the courtyard – one of Germany’s iconic landmarks!

Or just walk around and get lost along the Main River. Sometimes, this is the best way to discover something that you like, such as checking out the many love locks on iron bridge or having a shawarma lunch from the floating gyro boat – the Meral Imbiss!

Especially due to the large airport, Frankfurt might be the perfect spot to start and / or finish your backpacking Germany adventure!

– Halef and Michael from The Round The World Guys

When talking about the best places to visit when backpacking in Germany, Berlin certainly has to be on that list. Not only is it the capital and historical center of Germany, but also home to various attractions. In my opinion, every kind of traveler can find an activity that is interesting for him or her.

Probably the most interesting part about Berlin is its history, as it is home to several amazing museums, such as the Pergamon Museum, Topography of Terror or the DDR Museum. This was just a tiny selection of museums I liked in Berlin – I personally visited over 10 already and there are literally dozens of good options to choose from. If it’s your first visit in Berlin, I highly recommend visiting the “Museum Island”, which is home to some of the best museums in Berlin.

Besides the interesting museums, it is still possible to visit a small part of the original Berlin Wall – which doesn’t look as fancy as the East Side Gallery – but is well worth a visit.

If you are traveling / backpacking on a budget in Germany, Berlin is also a valid option – especially compared to other Central European or Scandinavian cities. There is a great food scene and the prices are (except for accommodation if you don’t stay in a hostel) very reasonable. For people interested in photography, there are also some amazing photo spots in Berlin that you should check out. You can also read more about what to do for two days in Berlin !

– Michael Gerber from mscgerber

With canals, pretty houses, historical architecture, red light district, interesting street art and an amazing party scene – Hamburg offers something for every kind of a traveler. Believe it or not – this city has more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined. Hamburg also has Europe’s biggest red light district – Reeperbahn. Reeperbahn is in St. Pauli and it is the same place where the Beatles played in their early music career before they became famous all over the world. Hamburg also has the longest underwater river tunnel that goes under the river Elb. The best part – Hamburg’s buses have bookshelves and you can borrow the books for free!

Hamburg is a highlight when backpacking Germany and a city that you shouldn’t skip on your trip!

– Sonal & Sandro from  Drifter Planet

Düsseldorf is often bypassed by travelers for some of the bigger named German cities, but it is one of the best places to visit when backpacking Germany.  There is a plethora of things to do, with something for everyone.

Düsseldorf began as a toll point along the Rhine, where the Holy Roman Emperor Barbarossa built his royal castle, the Kaiserpfalz in the 12th century.  The ruins can now be freely explored in the suburb of Kaiserwerth. Subsequent city rulers have also left behind stunning baroque and rococo palaces, Schloss Benrath and Schloss Jägerhof, which can be toured.

Today, Düsseldorf is renowned as the center of fashion and culture in Germany.  Fashion is centered around the beautiful Königsallee, where upscale shoppers can find all the elite brands they hope for.  Culture abounds in several ways. Art and architecture also abound. Art lovers have a number of venues, including the K21 where they can become a part of the art, or the Kiefernstrasse neighborhood, a highlight of the prevalent street art scene. As for architecture, the city is sprinkled with award winning ultra-modern buildings, with the showcase being at Neuer Zollhof.

The city is filled with excellent food options.  A Michelin starred meal can be found in Kaiserwerth, while authentic Japanese can be found throughout the Japantown area along Immerstrasse. Locals enjoy the Turkish restaurants and Carlsplatz market, where vendors offer gourmet street food.

The Rhine River is the centerpiece of Düsseldorf, and a walk along the Rheinuferpromenade is a must. Along the way, the Rheinturm offers a stunning views, while further down leads to the Altstadt, which is said to be the longest bar in the world, with over 260 restaurants and pubs in a half-mile radius. There are 2 specialty drinks to try, Altbier, or old town beer, and Killepitsch, a krauterlikor. Both pack a punch, just like the city itself!

– Roxanna from Gypsy with a day job

Karlsruhe and The Black Forest

Karlsruhe is the second largest city in Baden-Württemberg near the French-German border along the Rhine river. Hosting the German Federal Constitutional Court and the highest Court of Appeals in civil and criminal cases, and the city where the bicycle was invented.

Considering Germany being mostly a flat land, one of the must do in this region is walking in the mountain range of the Black Forest, and for this there are several trekking routes with different intensity levels. Karlsruhe is a great point to set up a base to explore the Black Forest, or Schwarzwälder Schinken in German.

Perfect for organizing day trips to explore the area walking in nature and experiencing the calm life of the region finishing your hike with a glass of wine or a slice the delicious Black Forest cake, that will taste here way better than you ever tried overseas.

This region located on the East side of the border with France and the Rhine river is one of the most beautiful places to visit during the whole year. The Black Forest is one of the most visited areas in Germany for good reasons, known not only for its beautiful mountains with dense forests and panoramic views, but also traditional villages making you feel you are walking into a fairy-tale town.

The Black Forest is worldwide famous for producing the famous cuckoo clocks since the 1700s. You can not only find walking and cycling paths, but also vineyards and several spas around the Baden- Württemberg region.

– Gloria from Nomadic Chica

Baden-Baden

Located in the spectacular Black Forest in southwestern Germany resides a little city called Baden-Baden.  It is a short easy drive, about an hour and half, from the Frankfurt airport.  As you exit the tunnel you soon enter the old part of the city.

The word Baden translates in English to Bath and Baden-Baden is famous for their healing baths. In fact, Baden-Baden is known internationally for their spas.  Surrounding the city is the Lichtenaler Allee, a park that is tree filled with paths to walk along the Oos River.  There are walking bridges that you can cross to enjoy both sides of the park.

The streets in Baden-Baden Old town are mostly cobblestone as you stroll through the shopping district. There is a wonderful selection of shops, from designer to local artisans.  A wide variety of restaurants and cafes with seating outside to enjoy the lovely days and beautiful views. The world re-known Royal Casino is a must visit even if you just take a peek inside at its opulence. There are plenty of museums and theatres to enjoy too, including a privately-owned Fabergé Museum with a remarkable display.

– Sherrie from Travel by a Sherrie Affair

Koblenz and Bacharach

Koblenz is a picturesque city, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers join. Set on the cliff overlooking the river, you can take in the panoramic views while visiting the Prussian fortress “Festung Ehrenbreitstein.” We also enjoyed wandering through the Baroque Old Town, with its hidden courtyards, romantic narrow streets, and postcard worthy architecture. Walking around the city, you will see views of the city walls that have survived centuries, with 3 (out of the 4) 14th Century gates. If you have a chance, hike up to the upper part of the Old Town to the Skagerrak-Brucke (bridge) for stunning views of the town.

There are plenty of buses heading down the Rhine that stop in Bacharach, which is 45 minutes south of Koblenz. Bacharach is another lovely historic town, with steep-roofed houses and meandering, hilly lanes. While exploring the city, don’t miss the fairy-taleish Altes Haus: built in 1368 of timber, and decorated with turrets and gables, it is the oldest building in Bacharach. If you have a night to spend in Bacharach, there is a Youth Hostel in Burg Stahleck! Guests can wander the 12th-century castle, that looks over the vineyards and river. Our room was in a tower overlooking the Lorelei Valley.

While these places aren’t as well known for tourists compared to Berlin and Munich, you should certainly visit them when backpacking Germany – you won’t regret it!

– Becky from Kid World Citizen

Located around a 40-minute drive southwest of Stuttgart is the small little town of Tübingen.With a medieval castle atop one of the many hills of Tübingen that dates back to 1078 and the founding of Eberhard Karls University in 1477, making it one of Central Europe’s oldest, Tübingen has a wealth of history. Luckily during the Second World War, Tübingen was left relatively unscathed and many of the medieval buildings still remain intact. If you willing to take the small hike up a hill to Hohentubingen Castle (Schloss), the reward is spectacular views of the river and surrounding town. While it now houses part of Tubingen University, it is the original castle of the dukes of Tubingen. The Marktplatz or marketplace is a small square with numerous cobbled streets weaving off it and is home to a busy market during the weekends as well as outdoor cinema screenings and other events throughout the year. The Swabian alps sit around Tübingen and many locals speak with the Swabian dialect (which is slower than standard German) and the food has swabian influences with hearty and tradiational dishes such as stews that are worth a try.

Tübingen remains a heavily student-populated town, with almost every third person of the city being a student! This creates a rather liberal and young energy to this city, almost in contradiction to its medieval beginnings. There is a bustling nightlife, with many bars open late and lots of events open to the public through the universities – perfect for backpackers! The Neckar river remains an important feature of the town and in the summer is the scene of many busy beer gardens and if you fancy your chances a punt down the river in a Stocherkahn. Standing on the bridge there are some brightly coloured picturesque houses that sit along the river bank and has become a picture postcard synonymous with Tübingen.

– Claire from Jeffers Adventure

Backpacking Germany – How to get around?

Train travel in germany.

Train travel in Germany can get very expensive, very quickly.  In particular, travelers who want flexibility in their itineraries and the ability to book onward journeys a few days in advance are often hit with sky-high last minute ticket prices, even for second-class travel on German trains.

However, smart travelers know that there is a secret to scoring cheap tickets on German trains: the official German Rail Pass offered by Deutsch Bahn. Offering travelers a choice between two, three, four, five, seven, ten or fifteen days of travel, either consecutively or anywhere within a one-month period, this prepaid rail pass can offer huge savings to visitors looking to explore Germany by rail.

To check the value of the German Rail Pass , I priced out a rail trip that would take travelers on a loop around the entire country, starting and ending in Frankfurt.  I tried to find direct routings, balanced weekday and weekend journeys, and always looked for the cheapest second-class fare possible (typically these are the inflexible fares that must be booked months in advance and can’t be changed without incurring a huge extra cost). With stops in Frankfurt, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin , Munich, Salzburg (Austria) and Baden-Baden, the most inexpensive round-trip routing I could find cost €365.  With a seven-day German Rail pass, this route could be booked for €280 in high season, or €220 during promotional periods (often the entire spring and autumn!). Plus, with the German Rail Pass there is no need to book tickets in advance, so you can adjust your itinerary as you go.

Anyone whose permanent residence is outside of Europe, Turkey or Russia can purchase a German Rail Pass online. They are sent by post to your home address, so purchase your pass well before your planned departure date.

– Carly from Fearless Female Travels

Alternatives to train travel when backpacking Germany

As you’ve seen above, backpacking Germany by train can easily get pretty expensive. To be honest, us Germans are not a big fan of the “Deutsche Bahn” (the German railway) – the tickets are (especially when booked last minute) absolutely crazy expensive and on top of that, trains are notoriously late and unreliable – there’s always something which gives them a reason to be delayed or get cancelled completely. Therefore, I personally avoid using trains when traveling Germany completely.

Here are the transport alternatives for your backpacking Germany trip:

When checking flights, you will soon realize that you can actually get some good deals here. While Germany is not a huge country, you won’t want to take a flight for every leg of your trip (this might even take more time for some routes if you include the waiting times at the airport). However, if you need to cover a big distance (e.g. getting from a place in southern Germany such as Munich or Stuttgart to a place up in the north such as Hamburg or Berlin), a cheap flight might be the best choice – and it will certainly be cheaper than taking the train.

Germany has a wide network of long-distance buses, mostly owned by the company Flixbus . Tickets are very cheap, and busses do have a good quality (they even include free wifi). As a downside, backpacking Germany by busses will take more time than taking the train. While I don’t mind sitting in the bus for a few hours, I certainly don’t want to spend a full day in it either. I’d recommend using the long-distance busses for shorter journeys (up to a few hours) and if you’re on a low budget – however, I’d certainly avoid a trip from let’s say Munich to Hamburg in a bus…

Another good and cheap alternative to trains and busses is carsharing. Like this, people can post their trips and offer free seats for passengers. The price is normally cheap, it takes less time than the bus and it’s a nice way to get to know other people. However, you’d need to have a certain flexibility since most offers only get posted a few days in advance and you’re dependent on your driver when it comes to the times.

Some more travel tips when backpacking Germany

These are my most important travel tips when backpacking around Germany. Additionally, I recommend you these useful facts about Germany  and this article about the perfect Germany itinerary !

Don’t only rely on credit cards and get some cash

Let’s be honest – many Germans are not as keen on innovation and technological progress as other nationalitities. Therefore, using credit cards is still not as common as it is in other countries. While you can use your card at most places, don’t expect to be able to pay paperless everywhere. Especially smaller stores or restaurants sometimes only take cash (and some places hav a purchase minimum in order to pay with a card). It’s pretty difficult for me to understand why Germany is still so far behind compared to neighboring countries, but many people still have the mentaility that electronic payment is dangerous or uncontrollable – or even worse, that the government tries to take them their paper money away. Therefore, don’t rely only on cards when backpacking Germany and always have some extra cash ready – you will need it.

The (mobile) internet situation will disappoint you

When it comes to digitalization, Germany is a developing country and far behind most (European) countries. Mobile connection is patchy and limited across many parts of the country and mobile internet is very expensive – forget those umlimited data packages you’ll get for little money in the Scandinavian or Balkan countries. If you’re on a bigger backpacking Europe journey, I recommend getting your sim card with mobile data in another country and just keep using it in Germany, which is possible due to the new EU laws.

Everything is closed on Sundays

This will be weird for many nationalities as well. Sunday is a “quiet day” in Germany – therefore, all businesses and stores will be closed, with no exception. You will find some cafés and restaurants to be open, but you certainly won’t be able to do any grocery shopping on a Sunday. Therefore, try to plan a bit ahead.

Germans might appear cold and rude (but most luckily aren’t!)

As a German, I’m not particularly happy about this stereotype – but unfortunately, it’s true. Germans are generally not as outgoing as people from other countries. For example, Germans are just not very good and keen on smalltalk – something which will be weird especially for visitors from North America. No one will start a random conversation with you in a supermarket or in the bus, and if you’d do so, people might find it weird that someone who doesn’t know them is asking how they are doing or what they think about the weather. That being said, tourists are still very welcome to approach locals if they have a question or if they need help, and I like to believe that (most) Germans will be happy to help.

There’s also a good side effect to the whole “no smalltalk” mentality – if Germans say something, they mean it. When I travelled around North America, I found people to be very friendly, but also highly superficial and unreliable. If someone asks you in Germany how you’re doing, they are really interested in you and expect a detailed and honest answer. If someone in America asks you how you’re doing, they mostly don’t really care and anything besides the usual “good and you?” would be considered to be weird. Germans might be a bit cold on the surface, but you can keep their words for granted. If someone will offer to meet up for coffee next week or to help you sorting some stuff out, they 100% mean it.

It’s just those small cultural differences you need to keep in mind.

Water is never free in Germany – and peeing neither

While tap water is a curtesey in restaurants in other countries, in Germany the concept of free tap water for your meal doesn’t exist. If you order water, you’ll need to pay for it. Additionally, drinks are also not super cheap.

However, keep in mind that food is generally very affordable (and there’s also no such thing as tax added afterwards and a mandatory tip). Therefore, most restaurants and cafés make the majoritiy of their profit by drinks.

By the way – tap water is completely safe and good to drink. I’d recommend carrying a plastic bottle with you to fill up.

Oh, another note – expect to pay a small fee to use public restrooms, especially at train stations and public places. You can use the restroom for free in restaurants, cafés and malls.

Most Germans speak English well

English is mandatory to learn in high school for every German, therefore, most people should speak at least some basic English. Some older folks might not be as good in it anymore, but generally it shouldn’t be difficult for you to backpack Germany when speaking (only) English.

Food and grocery are super cheap in Germany

While German trains are overpriced, and water is never free, here are finally some good news for your budget! Food is in fact very cheap in Germany and much cheaper than in most other countries that I’ve visited – especially in supermarkets. If you’re on a low budgt, get some snacks in bakerys, at street stalls and in supermarkets and you’ll be able to get good value for little money.

German punctuality is real

This one is a big stereotype, but it’s true. Germans value punctuality a lot (this is why they hate always delayed trains). If you’re supposed to meet up with a German, better be there 5 minutes earlier than 5 minutes later. While obviously not all Germans are extremely punctual, we generally really appreciate being on time and if you’ll show up 20 minutes too late for a meeting or an appointment, you should have a good explanation for it.

I hope I was able to give you some information about backpacking Germany! As you seen, there are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Germany and if you keep a few things in mind, a backpacking trip around Germany will be fun, affordable and uncomplicated!

Have you already been backpacking in Germany? How was your experience? Please let me know in the comments!

This post includes affiliate links marked with (*). If you buy a product through these links, I earn a small commission. There is no extra cost for you and your purchase helps me running this website. Thanks for your support!

Patrick Muntzinger - German Backpacker

Patrick is the founder of the bilingual travel blog "German Backpacker" and writes on this website about his adventures and experiences exploring every part of the world!

Backpacking  Germany

Hello to all seasoned and aspiring backpackers! Germany is one of the biggest travel destinations for both package tourists and backpackers from Europe. In fact, tourism in Germany is constantly growing, and the country is also becoming more and more popular with international visitors. On the one hand, this is due to its central location in Western Europe, but is also because of its diversity. With over 80 million inhabitants, there are of course many large cities that are a magnet for travellers. The top cities for city trips are of course Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. With around 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, countless museums, and a wide range of events and festivals throughout the year, Germany has established itself as a destination for those interested in culture, not only in the big cities but also in regions that are often overlooked. Especially in the Allgäu and on the border to France, there are many communities that deliberately focus on cultural events to attract guests. However, one should never overlook the diversity of nature! You have the foothills of the Alps in the south, the sea in the north and east, and hilly wine-growing areas on the French border. More than a third of the country's total area is under nature protection. The possibilities for hiking are endless and there is something for every level. Lake Constance is perfect for trying out various water sports and right in the middle of Munich you can even make your first attempts at surfing the river waves. We of course have to mention the German cuisine as well. You might think you already know everything, but you will soon notice how different the dishes are in the different regions. In Bavaria you can try white sausages and bread dumplings, in Alsace the regional wine, in Hamburg the fish fresh from the North Sea. Germany’s food scene is not a one trick pony, but a culinary journey through the country. So, you can already see that Germany is anything but boring as a travel destination. Furthermore, Germany's public transport connections are reliable and take you quickly from one place to the next. What is more, compared to other countries in Western Europe like France and England, Germany is a bit cheaper. Enough reasons? Then let’s dive a little deeper into this beautiful country. See below for the perfect Germany itinerary for an unforgettable journey:

Important Basics

Federal Parliamentary Republic

Highest temperature by day: 3 to 24 degrees Celsius

Highest temperature at night: -2 to 13 degrees Celsius

Summer: June to September, winter: November to February

Breaking out of jail is not a punishable offense in Germany!

Our suggested route starts in Heidelberg, but depending on where you’re coming from, you can of course start your trip at any point. The city is best known for its 14th century university, which attracts many local and international students. Many influential thinkers have studied, lived, and worked here. Nowhere else in Germany are as many smart heads in one pile as there.

Above the city is Heidelberg Castle. The adjoining castle garden and the rest of the city center exude a romantic flair and invite you to stroll and marvel at the architecture. The choice of restaurants in the city is enormous, so be sure to take some time (and money) to at least spoil yourself in a chic restaurant. The scenery makes everything even nicer.

With so much romance you could think of a couples’ holiday, but it doesn't have to be like that at all. In Lotte-The Backpacker right in the old town, you can easily meet other backpackers. For a bed in the dorm you’ll pay €24

The journey continues to Freiburg in the Black Forest. The journey takes about 2 hours by car and the city at the French border can also be reached very easily by bus.

The old town of Freiburg is similarly picturesque as Heidelberg with its charming narrow streets and the half-timbered houses. This architectural style is typical for the area on the border to France. Especially in spring and summer the city with its many green spaces can be enjoyed in all its facets. In winter, Christmas markets are held in various squares. When the old town is slightly sugared by the snow, it looks even more romantic, and the mulled wine tastes even better!

The most famous buildings are the Freiburg Cathedral, which rises between all the other buildings, the Kanonenplatz, and the Schlossberg, from which you will have a great view over the whole city.

The region around the Black Forest has a very pleasant climate, so there are also some wineries around. During a hike, you should definitely stop in and reward yourself with a glass of wine.

A popular hostel is the Black Forest Hostel. A bed in a dorm is available for €28 per night.

Your journey now takes you even further south to Lake Constance and the beautiful city of Constance. The picturesque town has always been a magnet for tourists because of its unique location. As the largest city on Lake Constance, it is a hub for business and tourism, yet you are always close to nature.

What would a visit to Constance be without a boat trip across the lake? If you would like to be a little active, you can rent a bike, ride it for a while and then take a boat to get back in comfort. In summer, the water temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius: the perfect cooling off after a short bike ride.

The city also has a lot to offer culturally. The theatre stage in Constance is the longest in the country. The first plays were performed here in 1607. In the spring and summer months, there are concerts and events almost daily, often open air.

In the Aqua Hostel you can not only get a relatively cheap bed in a dorm (25€ per night), but you can also get information about all upcoming events.

Füssen still lies in the south, but a little further east towards the Austrian border. Füssen is located in the Allgäu on the border to Tyrol, so now you will be able to know the typical Bavarian culture.

Füssen connects mountains, lakes, and castles like no other city in Germany. The world-famous castle Neuschwanstein from the 19th century is located outside the city and is a real fairy tale castle. You should definitely take enough time for an excursion there, because it is a sight that you do not want to miss. Not far away you will find Hohenschwangau Castle, which is hard to miss with its bright yellow facade.

With so much exploring, you will no doubt get a little hot. How convenient that Füssen is directly located on the Forggensee so you can refresh yourself royally after visiting the castles or going on a hike.

The Old Kings Hostel is located in the middle of the charming old town. A bed in a dorm will cost you 25€.

So far, the journey has been through charming little towns, so it's time for a big city: Munich is calling! With public transport it takes about 2 hours to the city centre.

With 1.5 million inhabitants, Munich is by far the largest city in Bavaria. It combines Bavarian lifestyle with nature and still has a very international flair, as it is also the commercial centre in the south of the country.

Probably the most famous event in the region is the Oktoberfest, where millions of visitors flock to the city every year to drink a glass or two of beer in more or less traditional costumes. But to drink beer and feel a little Bavarian, you don't necessarily have to come at the most stressful time of the year. In the countless beer houses in the city, you can taste the hearty cuisine and delicious beer all year round.

In the old-town one repeatedly finds some hidden alleyways and green areas away from the usual tourist streams. Although it is a big city, one gets quickly out of the city and finds oneself in untouched nature.

As an international city, the nightlife is of course lively and welcoming to anyone who wishes to dance the night away.

As cheap accommodation, we recommend wombat's city Hostel. A bed in a dorm is available for €27 a night.

The next section includes the longest journey so far. It goes from Munich to Dresden. The capital of Saxony has experienced a real boom in recent years and has become a popular place to live for young people. Dresden shines above all with its baroque buildings, especially the Frauenkirche in the city centre. The church was lovingly rebuilt after the Second World War in order to do justice to the original from 1743.

The Zwinger, a palace in Renaissance style similar to the Palace of Versailles in France, is the symbol of the city. Also dating from the 18th century, it now houses galleries and studios.

The Elbe is the lifeline of the city. On the riverbank there are many cafes, where you can relax and enjoy the evening, especially in the summer months. The Loschwitz Bridge, which connects the two districts of Loschwitz and Blasewitz, is the pride of the city and is affectionately called "The Blue Wonder".

In the city centre you will find the Hostel Lollis. Here it’s €16 for a bed in a dorm.

Would a trip to Germany even be possible without a visit to the capital? Exactly. That's why we're going to Berlin next. It's only about 3 hours by bus.

If you have never been to Berlin before, you should definitely reserve a few days for visiting it, as there is a lot to do. First of all, there are all the top sights you can't miss, like the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building, the Berlin Cathedral and Checkpoint Charlie. In order not to get lost, it is recommended to book a walking tour. These always offer the best routes to see as much as possible and you also get an incredible amount of insider information.

But what also makes Berlin special is the colourful mix of cultures and the many exciting people who have made the city their home. The hippest districts are Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg. Here you'll find cosy cafes, cool bars, second-hand shops and international restaurants. With so much multiculturalism, you feel like you're a long way from home. The nightlife of Berlin is of course legendary as well. So maybe you should plan a hangover day.

There are plenty of hostels in Berlin. Our favourite is the St. Christopher's Inn. There's a lot going on here, but it's not a typical party hostel, so for €12 per night you'll definitely get your well-deserved sleep.

Your journey takes you from the actual capital city to the capital city of the north, Hamburg. For the trip you need only about 2 hours by bus.

The Pearl of the North is located on the Alster and is crossed by hundreds of canals. This is how the famous Speicherstadt was built, consisting of brick houses that still serve as storage rooms for the goods delivered by ships. The city's newest landmark is the Elbe Philharmonic Hall, whose completion was delayed until 2016. Now the people of Hamburg are very proud of it. Fans of musicals should definitely dedicate an evening to seeing a performance. Just the crossing by boat is an experience itself.

The city centre of Hamburg has even more treasures in store for you, such as the St. Michaelis Church, whose tower will give you a great view over the city and the Alster Valley. From the Landungsbrücken you can take boat trips or just watch the hustle and bustle at the landing stages while having a fish sandwich.

If you like to party, you will find everything your heart desires in the St. Pauli district and definitely like-minded people.

Accommodation in Hamburg is often not that cheap. At Generator Hamburg you can get a bed in a dorm for €23 per night.

Last but not least, the trip takes us to the metropolis on the Rhine: Cologne. Depending on whether you travel by bus or train, the journey takes about 5 hours.

You will soon notice: Cologne is something very special and the locals are never tired of emphasizing this. It starts with the fact that you will probably have difficulties to understand the language. But that doesn't matter, because in Cologne they are relaxed and open-minded.

To find your way through the city, it is best to always orientate yourself by the tops of the Cologne Cathedral, because you can see them from almost everywhere.

And what would Cologne be without carnival? If you would call yourself a carnival fan, a visit at this time is ideal for you. On the other hand, even many locals find carnival too much and prefer to leave the city. Let's see if you dare.

To end your trip properly, there is only one thing left: a Kölsch.

The Hostel: shared flat is a cosy accommodation in the city centre. For one night in a dorm you pay €28.

Germany  Route Map

Du möchtest 

Deine  eigene, reise erstellen , du möchtest deine, eigene  reise erstellen , dos and don ’ ts , food & drinks, costs..

Bread & Coffee:  the typical German has breakfast with rolls or buns (depending on the region, this may have a different name).

Flädle soup:  for this, slices of dough are cut and cooked, usually accompanied by meat or just vegetables.

Pumpkin soup:  In autumn, this is the absolute go-to for most Germans. There’s never a wrong time for this creamy pumpkin soup.

Bavarian semolina dumpling soup:  the semolina dumplings are cut into small pieces and cooked with beef or potatoes in the soup stock.

Main Courses

Onion tart:  this dish originates from the Rhine area and is often enjoyed with a glass of wine.

Königsberger Klopse:  the dumplings come from Prussia and are filled with meat and anchovies. They are served with a creamy cream sauce.

Pfannfisch:  a classic of the north. Here the fish is fried and served with a mustard sauce. Simply delicious!

Sauerbraten:  this meat dish is served with dumplings and cabbage and is a real feast.

Käsespatzen:  the German Käsespatzen are world-famous and taste really unique. With lots of cheese and onions, you will surely find this dish delicious.

Drinks & Snacks

Schwarzwälder Kirsch Torte:  a classic of the Germans and this delicious cake simply always goes.

Beer:  the German beer has a good reputation and especially in Bavaria you can test a lot.

Franconian wine:  the wine from Franconia has a good reputation, and many wine connoisseurs love the region for its good wine. Why not see for yourself!

Cost of Living

• Lunch at a restaurant in the business district: €19.8
• Menu at a fast-food restaurant: €8
• Average dinner for two in a local restaurant: €20
• Cappuccino in a tourist area: €2.75
• 2 movie tickets: €24
• 0.5 litre of local beer in the supermarket: €0.83
• Marlboro Cigarettes (20 pack): €6.40
• 1 glass of beer in a local bar: €3.50

Personal Hygiene

• Normal haircut for men in tourist area: €17.5
• Shampoo: €2.69
• Deodorant: €2.45

Waiting for green: do you often cross the street when the light is red? No way! In Germany you have to wait until the traffic light changes, only then you are really safe.

Separating garbage: separating garbage is of utmost importance. There are certain systems for this which you have to follow.

Always look in the eyes when you toast: whether together with friends, at dinner or at a party. When you toast in Germany, you look deep into each other's eyes

Unpunctuality: Unpunctuality is definitely a no-go for Germans! It is better to arrive too early than even one minute late.

Spontaneous visits: unannounced visits? It is better to announce it first and check whether it is approved.

Parking on the bike path: this is also a no-go and in Germany even punishable by law. The cyclists themselves will also make it clear that this is against conventions as well.

Visa , Visa, Passport & Vaccinations

Temporary passport

National id, temporary national id, child’s pass.

(Not necessary)

Robert Koch Instituts

Additional Remarks .

The team of Backpacker Trail wishes you lots of fun and an unforgettable trip!

The team at Backpacker Trail wishes you lots of fun and an unforgettable trip!

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Backpacking Germany Travel Tips

“Guten Tag, Deutschland!

Backpacking Germany is a something that is many people’s bucket list. Here you will find a bountiful amount of traveling to Germany tips and tricks in your back pocket, you’ll be traveling to Germany in no time.

No matter how much time I spend backpacking across Germany , I never get tired of the food, culture, and sights.

TRAVELING TO GERMANY TIPS

Why Go Backpacking in Germany?

Ah yes, backpacking Germany . The wonderful land full of lederhosen and cool beer, and epic festivities like, Oktoberfest . Germany ‘s perfect for romantic road trips , budget backpackers, and solo travelers.

Yet, the charm of backpacking Germany does not end there! When you are traveling to Germany , you find a country holds thousands of activities, places, monuments and events waiting to be discovered and explored! Germany has some of the best places in Europe to visit if not the entire world.

The question is where to begin when backpacking Germany ? I am here to help you learn everything you need to know and fill your head with every travel Germany tip I can.

So, if backpacking Germany is a dream. Get ready because backpacking Germany is an experience filled with adventures. So, let’s get into the tips for going to Germany you need to know.

WHEN TO GO BACKPACKING IN GERMANY

Peak Season- As with most places, summer, tends to be the main time for tourists to flock in. If you want to skip peak season, then avoid traveling there in June, July, and August.

Weather- Germany is beautiful throughout the year. The seasons decorate the countryside brilliantly. It does tend to rain during any of the four seasons, so be prepared.

Summer Temperatures- average temperatures tend to range from 68 to 86ºF (20-30°C)

Winter Temperatures- average temperatures can fall to as low as 23ºF (-5°C), but hopefully heat up to about 40ºF (4.44°C) or so.*

*However, if you don’t mind the cold, winter may be the perfect time to visit. What with the combined low costs for airfare and fewer crowds, the cold may just be worth it.

Germany Itinerary

That depends on your goals for your trip . Do you want a beautiful old town , nightclubs, drink beer in Bavaria , a beautiful hike , or an informative walking tour ? And where are you heading next, the Czech Republic , interlaken , saxon Switzerland ?

All these will effect your Germany Itinerary and are important things to keep in mind.

Major cities to visit in Germany are.

COST OF BACKPACKING GERMANY

The million dollar question (no pun intended): How much is this going to cost to go backpacking Germany ?

Traveling in Europe can be a bit pricey, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. With some insider backpacker tips, hopefully, your wallet will be thanking you when it’s time to depart.

Follow these suggestions and the most priceless thing you’ll be leaving after backpacking Germany with are new memories.

HOW MUCH TO BUDGET FOR BACKPACKING GERMANY

One of the important traveling to Germany tips that we need to talk about is a budget. How much does it cost to travel to Germany ?

Monthly Budget for Germany – If you plan on spending a good amount of traveling in Germany , then expect to pay around $1500-$2000. Of course, this all depends on how you plan out your trip and if you honor your budget you should be able to meet it. Following these traveling to Germany tips will help you save money.

Daily Budget for Germany – Plan to spend from $50 anywhere near to $75-accommodations included.

Let us not forget the important detail of purchasing a plane ticket. Thankfully, finding a discounted ticket isn’t too difficult if you know how to find an insanely cheap flights . You can also use budget airlines to save some money!

Personally, train travel is the top choice for me. A train ticket is easy to buy (you can buy them before hand or get it at a train station ) , and take a little bit longer than planes.

TRAVEL INSURANCE WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Travel insurance is something I get asked about a lot, and is a subject that I harp on about because I have seen what can happen if you travel without insurance.

Travel insurance has saved me money a few times on the road. Not having travel insurance has also cost me a pretty penny when I have lost electronics, and had to go to the hospital because I was feeling ill.

When traveling it is always best to expect the unexpected, especially when it comes to traveling in a different country .

It is better to spend money on travel insurance and not use it then not to buy it and need it!

One traveling to Germany tip I always recommend it to get travel insurance and here is why.

Here are the top reasons why travel insurance is important and something you might consider investing in before leaving home.

1- Protection! Breaking a leg or falling ill in a foreign country can rack up costly hospital bills. With travel insurance , you’ll have less of a headache and more money in your pocket.

2- Last Minute Cancellations Sometimes things happen and you have to cancel a part of your trip at the last minute. Life likes to get in the way, but with travel insurance you may be able to get reimbursed for the money you’ve already spent planning your trip !

3- Lost essentials. We live in the digital age. Nowadays most people backpacking Germany are carrying expensive laptops, I-pads, and laptops. Airports have a habit when it comes to misplacing luggage. Add that to the new iPhone you accidentally left behind in that restaurant back in Munich …Insurance can cover any lost or damaged materials.

We are only human after all, and since we do tend to make mistakes, it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

For travel insurance I recommend Roamright both have four-star rating when it comes to providing travel insurance .

WHERE TO STAY WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Picking the right places to stay is one of the most important stages when planning a trip .

You need a place to rest your head after the exciting day of exploring, and you want to meet cool people to hang out with. The best options when it comes to accommodations when you’re on a budget can be found in a couple of well-known websites:

Hostelworld- Backpacker hostels are my go. Germany has some of the best hostels in Eastern Europe . Another great website to find a great place to stay is Hostel World, here you are find all the backpacker hostels . It’s a great way to meet other backpackers and exchange stories. This website doesn’t limit itself to hostels alone, though.

If you would prefer a bed and breakfast or are even okay with spending a few extra Euros on a hotel, they have that too.

Airbnb – Airbnb are budget apartment rentals. You won’t meet as many people traveling through Germany as you would staying in hostels. But the apartments are much cheaper than hotels, and you have more space. ( Sign Up Using This Link and Save 25$ OFF Your First Stay !)

EATING IN GERMANY

One of the most exciting parts of traveling is the food. New cuisine and untasted dishes just waiting to be savored. This can also be the most expensive part of a trip . Unless you know where to look.When it comes to new places, sometimes the restaurants listed in tour guides aren’t the places to go.

Try heading where the locals are going instead. Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten has come from mom and pop stores or hole in the wall eateries. They’re diamonds in the rough, and when it comes to food they know how to cook it!

Here are some traveling to Germany tips for finding cheap, but delicious food.

Use an app- There are so many apps now, similar to Yelp, which are great when it comes to finding some popular joints. With the ability to filter out budget and location, some may even provide customer reviews, so you have some insight into what you’re getting yourself into. You have the internet at your fingertips; sometimes that phone can be a useful tool!

The Locals- A rule of thumb anywhere in the world for finding the best food is ask the locals. They are here all the time; they have favorite places just like you do back at home.

Don’t be shy and ask a few strangers what they would suggest for a place to dine. But don’t forget to give them a firm handshake and introduce yourself, Germans love a good handshake.

Food trucks- A culinary trend that has picked up in the past few years. Food trucks are becoming fancier in the way they produce their menu items.

So even though you may be eating off a paper plate that Euro you just spent was well worth the gourmet Steckerlfisch (fish) you just got served.

Markets- Grocery markets may not seem like the go to, but picking up a few essential items can go a long way. A loaf of bread, some brie and slices of Kassler (smoked ham) will be able to hold you over if you get stuck on a train for too long.

WAYS TO GET AROUND WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Plan to become accustomed to these forms of transportation when you’re traveling about.

Eurail Pass -Trains will definitely become your constant companion when backpacking Europe . Which is why I would suggest in picking up a Rail Europe Pass. With over 50 different train companies spanning across Europe , this will definitely come in handy. It beats getting a train ticket every time. And lets you go on a lot of day trip to nearby city .

Busabout – Busabout is a bus company that caters to backpackers of all ages. They work on a hop on, hop off systems and have loops that span all of Europe .

There are many cheap ways to get around Europe if you do your research.

GERMANY TOURS

If you are looking for a more organized Germany tour, there are two popular companies that run Germany Tours. Check out the Intrepid Travel Review and of course there’s also G Adventures .

G Adventures – Runs some fantastic tours. They always have Current Promotions and Specials

Intrepid Travel – Focuses on small group tours experiencing a lot of local culture. Save Up to 25% Off Intrepid Tours

Related Post: G Adventures Review / Intrepid Travel Review

TOP CITIES TO VISIT WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Things to see backpacking in munich.

Marienplatz- This is the heart of Munich , which is also known as Marien Square. If you arrive by 11 am or noon, you’ll be able to view a special treat that is over a 100 years old. Housed in one of the New Town Hall towers a Glockenspiel chime can be heard, and 32 life-sized figurines will come into view.

Frauenkirche- Even if you aren’t religious, climbing the steps up the towers of the Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady will take your breath away. Yes, the trek upwards may be a bit high but I’m referring to the view. Munich ‘s cityscape paired with the Bavarian Alps will be a memory burned into your mind to cherish forever.

The English Garden- Hidden inside this garden are amazing sights and delicious restaurants. There’s even a local tradition here during the summer. If you happen to be around and see a bunch of people with surfboards,

I suggest you follow them. They’ll most likely lead you to Eisbach river, where you can then watch them surf along the currents. Oh and did I mention beer? Yep, beer gardens. Thank you, Germany .

THINGS TO DO BACKPACKING MUNICH

Celebrate Oktoberfest – Have you ever celebrated Oktoberfest in your hometown? Well, it is nothing compared to where it actually originated in Munich , Germany !

The first celebration was held back in October in 1810, and it was so popular that it is still celebrated to this day! They even extend the festivities into September.

Traveling to Germany tips- Don’t overdo Oktoberfest . I spent five days partying at Oktoberfest and was wrecked for the next week.

Drink up at Hofbräuhaus- Grab yourself a liter stein at the world’s most famous beer hall. You will quickly find yourself enveloped in Munich ‘s rich culture. The oompah bands will make you want to dance along, and heavenly smell of Bavarian food will overwhelm your senses.

Picnic by Starnberg Lake- Take a trip to the countryside. It probably won’t be as packed with tourists, since it’s a favorite for the locals. It’s just 16 miles south of Munich , but with the gorgeous Alps draped in the background it is definitely a relaxing spot to enjoy.

Related Post: Oktoberfest Guide

The capital and biggest city in Germany is a prime spot for an array of activities. With over 3.4 million inhabitants, it is no wonder that Berlin has excellent nightlife you will love when backpacking Germany . And there are a lot of free things to do in Berlin .

If you aren’t into clubbing or bar jumping, no worries! Berlin has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a more educational route, a variety of museums and galleries are just around the corner. Berlin is a great stop of anyone backpacking through Germany .

THINGS TO SEE BACKPACKING BERLIN

The Brandenburg Gate- A truly iconic monument that has been seen in countless movies. This historical and beautiful landmark symbolizes the new Germany that stood proudly after the Berlin wall fell so the East and West could reunite. It is simply breath-taking, and an absolute must see while in Berlin .

East Side Gallery- Have a love for art? Then the mesmerizing paintings decorating the East side of what is left of the Berlin Wall is definitely worth a visit. It is considered to be the world’s largest open-air gallery. Although it has fallen to some erosion and graffiti in certain areas, the paintings will soon be given the star treatment by being restored and preserved.

Tiergarten- Just as Central Park is captivating to New Yorkers, so is Tiergarten to the people of Berlin . Escaping the hustle and the bustle of the city is easy when you’re surrounded by over 600 acres of luscious nature. Travel down quaint paths that may lead you to open-air cafés or creeks to enjoy.

THINGS TO DO WHEN BACKPACKING BERLIN

Stroll by the Spree- This is mainly geared towards when the weather is nice, but Berliners love to come out and showcase their musical talent. Even when it gets dark, DJs tend to come out and play. If you happen to come in the winter, on the other hand, you’ll notice that the area is redesigned into an indoor complex.

Explore Grunewald forest- Getting lost like Hansel and Gretel is easy in these neck of the woods, but trust me it’s also less terrifying. The tranquil scenery is a stark contrast to the busy city that surrounds it. You can go for a swim or even travel by horse along the winding paths.

Take a bike ride- Feeling up for a bit of exercise? Then travel in style! Central Berlin has a massive supply of stations where you can rent a quick ride. The best part is that the route even covers a quick tour of some of the greatest sights. From the Holocaust Memorial to the Topography of Terror, you’ll be pedaling faster to see more.

Traveling To Germany tips for Berlin : My favorite hostel to stay at in Berlin is

3 – FRANKFURT

Things to see backpacking frankfurt.

The Goethe House- The home to one of Germany ‘s most influential writers, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The home was technically destroyed during World War II. However, you can now take a tour of the inside and see the fully restored furniture, paintings and books that were actually owned by the Goethe family.

Museumsufer- Translated this word means “Museum embankment.” Which is befitting considering the fact that it runs along the river Main and is lined with what are considered to be some of the best museums in the country . Another interesting fact is if you come on a Saturday you may be able to scavenge yourself a souvenir at the largest flea market in Frankfurt .

The Römerberg- This historic square has been frequented for centuries. The half-timbered homes seem to be taken straight from the pages of a storybook. The heart of Frankfurt , Römerberg, needs to be visited to feel the thrum of the city and its locals.

THINGS TO DO BACKPACKING FRANKFURT

Frankfurt in Eastern Germany is one of the biggest cities in Germany . It also has one of the biggest airports. Which means lots of budget airlines .

Visit the zoo- The Frankfurt Zoo may be like most zoos, but the highlight here is the Grzimek-House. It is a night attraction that you have to visit to catch a peek at some creatures of the night.

Scope out the Messe Frankfurt – This place is home to the exhibition grounds and they typically always have something going on. It’s a great place to catch the latest event, such as concerts, marathons, or live shows.

Travel back in time to Bornheim- World War II was extremely chaotic and destroyed many things in its wake. However, a few medieval-style homes managed to survive the bombings and are a great flashback to what Frankfurt looked like before World War II began.

OTHER CITIES TO VISIT WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Can’t get enough of Germany and what some other places to explore? Listed below are a few more top cities located throughout the country :

Hamburg – Characterized for its maritime atmosphere, Hamburg is Germany ‘s second-largest city . Another notable perk is that it is home to the Reeperbahn, Hamburg ‘s Red Light District.

Cologne – One of the oldest cities in Germany . This city contains gorgeously designed historic architecture, such as the third largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral of Cologne . Even with its deep connections to the past, Cologne is also known for its more contemporary art scene.

Dresden – Over 80% of this city ‘s historic center was destroyed during the onslaught of World War II. However, it has been rebuilt to its original grandeur. It resides along the banks of the Elbe river and is a gorgeous city to take in the East of Germany . Its worth a stop on any backpacking trip to Germany .

OTHER POPULAR THINGS TO DO AND SEE WHEN BACKPACKING GERMANY

Eat Spaghetti- Treat yourself to a German specialty that has been all the rage since the 1960’s. This brilliant sundae concoction resembles the Italian noodle dish. Yet, it is simply vanilla ice cream pressed through a potato ricer to get the iconic shape of noodles.

Visit the Saalfelder Ostereierbaum- Celebrating Easter is something Germans take to a whole other level and the ultimate example of an Ostereierbaum, or Easter tree, can be viewed in Saalfeld. It has over 9,000 beautifully painted Easter eggs adorning it, and over 8,000 people come to gaze in amazement each year.

Visit Film Locations- A fan of Wes Anderson? Well, The Grand Budapest Hotel was a British- German co-production, and many, of the scenic shots were taken in cities such as Berlin and Dresden .

Indoor Pool Müller’scheVolksbad- Indoor pools are one thing, but if you want to relax like the Romans used to then this is the place to go. It is one of the most opulent indoor swimming pools in Germany , and the ceilings are amazing. There is even a sauna to soak in, and the best part is it is available all year round.

I hope you enjoyed all the travel advice for Germany . These tips for visiting Germany will help you travel cheaper, and smarter. I know you will enjoy touring Germany and let me know how you trip went and if these backpacking Germany travel tips helped in the comments below.

Other things to do in Germany .

Hiking – There are a lot of stunning hiking trails across the country , like in the Bavarian Alps .

Plan a Day Trip – Get out of the big cities, and go to smaller villages. And they can be reached by public transport .

Enjoy the nature – From the rhine river , to off the beaten path villages. There is a lot of nature focused places for a traveler to enjoy.

Questions About Backpacking Germany ?

Backpacking germany how to get around.

Whatever you destination in Germany its easy to get around by public transport . Keep in my Germany is in the Schengen Zone . The Schengen Zone is a group of EU countries that don’t have borders. This means you have a limited amount of time to stay in the EU.

More Travel Tips: Backpacking France Travel Tips / Backpacking Italy Travel Tips / Backpacking Croatia Travel Tips / Europe Travel Tips / Airbnb Coupon Code

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Great guide. That pretzel is making me hungry!

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I think to visit the big cities is great, but in the smaller ones it is also nice. Most of the towns with an University have a nice setting with good Restaurants and bars. For example Münster, Göttingen, Bamberg, Freiburg or Tübingen.

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A backpacker’s guide to germany, backpacking europe » city guides.

Posted by Stoke Media Team 6 years ago | January 11, 2018

Ja, das ist gut! Germany, big, historically bad, now very good Germany. The powerhouse of Europe and the most populous member-state of the European Union, two-time world-title runners-up, Germany is a heavy hitter in world politics. But we don’t come to Germany for the politics, we’re here for the forests and villages, the mountains and the autobahns. We come to Germany for the nightlife and the very hearty food, for the German sense of humour (weird!) and the beer, of course, always for the beer.

Germany is a country that’s often under-explored by backpackers. Sure, the Oktoberfest is on everybody’s bucketlist, and rightfully so, but what about Springfest ? What about the Bavarian countryside outside Munich, or the thriving Berlin art scene and squat houses, techno parties and cheap kebabs? Is a trip to Germany complete without a sunny afternoon spent in a park in Cologne, or Hamburg, drinking beer, taking ecstasy and joining the Germans while they cook on portable BBQs and play frisbee? Probably, but in any case, there’s so much to see and do in Germany beyond the famous beerfest.

Facts About Germany

Germany’s Population: 82.67 million

Tourists to Germany in a year: 79.7 million

Germany’s biggest cities: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Nuremberg, Dresden

Languages spoken in Germany: German, believe it or not, but German is a dialect-rich language, so maybe someone from Munich will be somewhat incomprehensible to someone from Frankfurt. There is also a very large Turkish immigrant community in Germany, so in the cities Turkish is widely spoken.

Average wage in Germany: €2155 a month

Price of things in Germany: litre of beer €10, pretzel €4, pornographic magazine €6, pack of cigarettes €6, kebab €2

Times things happen in Germany: breakfast is in the morning, lunch goes down between 12-2 and dinner between 6-7. Clubs are dead before around 2am, so there’s that too.

Average summer high temperature in Germany: Berlin 24 ° C, Hamburg 22 ° C, Munich 23 ° C, Frankfurt 25 ° C, Cologne 24 ° C, Nuremberg 24 ° C, Dresden 24 ° C Average winter low temperature in Germany: Berlin -2 ° C, Hamburg -1 ° C, Munich -4 ° C, Frankfurt -1 ° C, Cologne -1 ° C, Nuremberg -3 ° C, Dresden -2 ° C

Festivals In Germany

You can’t go past the beerfests , those celebrations of the amber ale that involve huge drinking tents, people dancing on tables, giant hunks of meat, lederhosen and dirndls , with carnival rides making Munich’s Oktoberfest basically Disneyland for adults. But if you can’t make it for Oktoberfest, which actually mostly takes place in September, then why not give Springfest a swing, basically the same festival as it’s famous Autumn sibling, just with a fraction of the attendees (like a million, as opposed to millions), and held in warmer, spring weather.

Transportation In Germany

Car rental in Germany: if you’re going to hire a car anywhere, Germany is the place. You ever heard of the autobahn ? Well if you haven’t, the autobahn is Germany’s highway network and it links all the cities, regions, smaller towns, but the thing that’s fantastic about the autobahn is that many stretches of road have no speed limit. Yep, for vast swathes of the German road system you can drive as fast as you damn well please. So make sure you’re prepared to hire a car when you’re here.

Flying in Germany : there are plenty of airports in Germany, and due to their love for heading south for the sun, also a lot of budget airlines operating. In addition to Ryanair and Easyjet, Germany also has homegrown budget carriers like Germanwings, TUIfly, Air Berlin and Condor. While the autobahn is great and fun, sometimes your best option is to fly .

Train travel in Germany: the train system in Germany is just as efficient as you’d expect it to be and competitively fast alongside the autobahn. In Germany you’ll be riding on the Bahn’s rails, and you can also use their website to plan your Eurail travels across the continent, if you plan on getting a pass .

Campervan hire Germany: this is the place to hire a campervan in Europe, because Germans are absolutely mad for this type of travel. Sure, you won’t go as fast on the autobahn, but most German cities and towns have designated areas to park, or campsites to stay in with showers, etc. Indie Campers and Wicked Campers are both great companies for backpackers, if you decide that hiring a camping car makes sense for your trip to Germany .

Bus travel in Germany: Ewww, but if you’ve got to do it, it’s fine to do it. The bus is cheaper than the train, and the buses take advantage of the autobahn, so they don’t exactly drag along. Popular bus companies include Flixbus, Deinbus, Eurolines and Postbus. To compare fares of the different bus companies, as well as with train and airline options, use an aggregating website like GoEuro .

Ridesharing in Germany: now this is a great way for you to travel between cities in fast cars, with locals, seeing the cities whizz by you at ground level, without you having to be behind the wheel. German drivers are much better at driving 200kms/h than we are, and also by using the ridesharing system you’ll be splitting the cost between a bunch of people, so it’s super cheap! Check out services like BlaBlaCar and Carpoolworld .

Accommodation In Germany

Couchsurfing in Germany: Germany is probably the best place to couchsurf, as it just seems like such a German thing. There’s plenty of space in Germany and outside of Berlin pretty much everyone has their own flats, plus they’re big travel nerds so they’d be very happy to house foreigners and show them around. Only problem is that they might be pretty weird, but that’s ok, it’s a cultural thing, get into it.

Sleeping in your car in Germany: definitely doable in almost all places, but like always you run the risk of being bothered by the police if you stay in the big cities. Just make sure that you park your car legally and don’t make a scene with rubbish and getting changed in the street, etc.  

Camping in Germany: the Germans love a good campground, even in the big cities. The campgrounds are big, with great amenities, linked to tourist attractions and the city centre by public transport and often have bars and restaurants on site. If you’ve got camping gear, there are websites that will link you up with campsites no matter where you are.

Hostels in Germany: there’s a great selection of hostels in Germany and they’re reasonably priced too, except for in Munich during Oktoberfest. Some hostels might cater for workers or students, so make sure you do your research and make sure the hostel is right for you . Check the reviews and get the best price on websites like hostelworld.com .

Hotels in Germany: plenty of hotels in Germany and they are reasonably priced outside the busiest times. This could be a great place to treat yourself, but if you’re planning on going to clubs make sure you don’t have to check out the next day — German clubs go all night and some of the next day. Best to party until check in time and then spend maximum time in your hotel recovering. You don’t want to come down from a German techno party in a shared dorm, or sleeping in your car. Check the booking websites when you’re planning on a rager.  

Airbnb in Germany: they’re cracking down in Berlin due to tourists and hipsters flooding inner city areas and forcing rents up for the locals. Airbnb remains a good option elsewhere, particularly if you’re in the market for a castle.

Food And Drink In Germany

Food in Germany Ooh she’s a hearty cuisine. While not renowned for it, Germany has some great comfort food, lots of meat and bread, potatoes, plenty of sausages and cabbage all delivered in huge servings. It sometimes seems like German food was invented to accompany beer, big servings of dense and rich food intended to sit in your belly and absorb all the beer you’ll doubtlessly be inhaling. It’s often said that being at Oktoberfest makes you feel like an ancient barbarian chief, drinking huge goblets of beer while ripping into meat served on the bone, whole chickens, pretzels as big as your head and the occasional radish to get your daily vegetable count up. Sure there are healthy options in Germany, but if you’re only here for a short time don’t waste stomach space on them. Go big, go meaty, go heart attack.

Famous German foods: ok here we go. When you are in Germany you absolutely have to try and authentic local schnitzel , in chicken or veal, and some bratwurst , or currywurst , or liverwurst , or any of the wursts , which are sausages and are most definitely not the worst. Then there are the stews, known as eintopf , or one pot, which is where meat and vegetables are introduced to sauce and flame and left to get delicious together, or the various noodle dishes that are anything with spaetzle in the name, and often served as an accompaniment to the meat dishes. Other sides are the sauerkrauts , pickled cabbages, and knoedel , or potato dumplings. At the Oktoberfest no drinking session is complete without ripping through a schweinshaxe , or big fat pork knuckle with the most amazing gravy dripping off it, or a hendl , which is just a roast chicken, but it’s how they do it, oh boy it’s tasty, or this full list of Oktoberfest treats .

Breakfast in Germany: the Germans enjoy a full frühstück of bread, jams, and a selection of cheeses and meats, sliced and sausages. It’s a fuller, heavier breakfast than elsewhere in Europe, so if a hotel or hostel offers a free breakfast take it, because you know it’ll keep you going for a while.

Lunch in Germany: by the time mittagessen rolls around the Germans are ready for what is traditionally the most important meal in their day. Modern Germans are pretty work oriented and so they will save the big, extravagant lunches for weekends and special occasions. When they do go for it, however, Germans will eat meat with lunch, usually pork or chicken, but often deer or boar, or even trout, accompanied by potatoes cooked any number of ways, because they love potatoes, pickled cabbage and probably finished with a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte , or Black Forest cake.

Dinner in Germany: traditionally a smaller meal than lunch, the abendbrot generally consists of bread with a great selection of sliced meats, sausages, pickles and mustard, washed down with a beer. Basically, the Germans like to finish the day’s eating how they started it, beer included in some cases. Vegetarian eating in Germany: seems pretty meat heavy, huh? But there are plenty of vegetables available in Germany, and lentil soup is popular all over, just make sure that it wasn’t flavoured with pork bones. The cheese and pasta dishes will work too, so long as the cheese wasn’t prepared with rennet, if you’re a strict vegetarian. Then there are always the rostis , potato pancake hash brown things that are good when you’re all sauerkraut and cheese’d out.

Drinks in Germany: well they do kaffee and fruchtsaft and mineralwasser and milch , but you really didn’t come to Germany to sample their coffee, fruit juice, mineral water or milk, now did you?

Beers in Germany: this is the good stuff. So German beers are some of the best in the world with the tradition dating back at least 500 years BC, and really picking up steam with the 12th century monks who became experts at brewing and consuming amber ale. In 1516 the reinheitsgebot was signed, which basically forbids anything be put in beer but water, barley, hops and yeast. This law is still obeyed today, with some exceptions made for brewers who want to add malt, which goes to show just how serious Germans are about their beer. When you’re in Germany you’ll find great beers everywhere that adhere to the purity laws and come with a big kick, but if you’re going to try anything you have to try one of the Oktoberfest beers, either Paulaner , Augustiner-Brau , Lowenbrau , Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu , Spatenbräu and Hoffbrau. These are the only beers you can drink at the Oktoberfest and they will brew special batches just for the festival. German beer types include, pilsner and helles for the lagers, and the darker, hoppier bocks .  

Wine in Germany: not really renowned for its wines, particularly given the fame the beers enjoy, but most people have heard of, if not sipped on, a reisling , which come from the Rhine region in west Germany. There are other regions that produce wine around Germany, but really this is riesling land.

Stronger drinks in Germany: the Germans haven’t shied away from the stronger stuff, making various types of schnaps either obstler , which are the fruit schnapps, or krauterlikor which are herbal schnapps often used by maniac Germans for health reasons and include the world (in)famous Jagermeister .

General Advice For Germany

Scams and dangers in Germany: there is less petty crime and scamming in Germany than there are in other parts of Europe, but that’s not to say that you don’t have to be vigilant in the bigger cities and around tourist sites. Like always, do everything you can to avoid being robbed .

There is sometimes violence around football matches and a rise of the far right in certain areas that has resulted in anti-immigrant protests and counter-protests. If you see large groups of thickset men getting agitated, get out of there. German police are no joke and will break up troubles with force, even if you are in the way.

There were reports of assaults against women in crowded places, that were overemphasised by individuals with anti-immigrant political agendas. Germany is very safe, including for women travelling alone. Like always, keep your wits about you and steer clear of dangerous areas, where possible.

Terrorism in Germany: is on the increase in recent years. There have been random attacks, sometimes attributed to refugees and sometimes not, that don’t seem to be very organised or sophisticated. Like all terrorism it’s random and unavoidable and we don’t recommend that you change any travel plans because of it. Europe is overwhelmingly a safe continent and Germany has to be one of its safest countries.

Driving in Germany: well this is the land that spawned BMW, Mercedes and Audi, so you can imagine that driving here is a treat. The autobahn , while not entirely speed limit free, does have vast areas where you can drive as fast as you please. When driving in Germany you have to strictly observe the “stay right unless you’re overtaking” rule, because there is always someone faster than you on the autobahn. It is not uncommon to be driving at 150kms/h and have someone fly past you, going at least 200kms/h, only to see someone whizz past them going heck knows how fast. Also, ausfahrt isn’t a hilarious place name, but means exit in German. If you’re planning on driving in Germany, and you should, make sure you   plan for it .

Best way to access and use money in Germany: using the ATM is the way to access your cash, but make sure you use the major banks, not the smaller, private machines in train stations or convenience stores, as they will hit you with extra fees. the best way is to pull out money from ATMs as you need it. Check with your home bank for the best way to use your money abroad, as you bank may have agreements with German banks to make witthdrawals even cheaper. Other than that just follow your Europe-wide best practices for using Money .

Mobile plans in Germany: if Germany is your first stop in Europe you can pick up a SIM card there and use it all over Europe, now that the EU has scrapped roaming charges. You will need a passport to buy a prepaid SIM. Keep an eye out for Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone and O2, as they’re the biggest carriers with the most coverage. As always, take care to find the best mobile deal for you .

Places to visit in Germany

There’s so much more to Germany than Oktoberfest and the big cities, but they are great places to start your adventures in Deutschland.

When you’re in Bavaria you should start with Munich, especially during Oktoberfest or Springfest , but don’t worry if you’re there at a different time of year as all the Oktoberfest beer brewers have beer houses open all year, where you can get the food and the huge beers and the festive experience. Outside of Munich you will find gorgeous villages, the Neuschwanstein castle, the inspiration for Walt Disney’s castle, and the beginnings of the Alps.

Berlin is the capital and centre of Germany’s artist and hipster scenes, featuring all-weekend techno clubs, the Berlin Wall, plenty of kebab shops, squat houses converted into art collectives, extremely cheap beers, Cold War history, the chance to spot Angela Merkel in her natural habitat and plenty of street art.

Dresden  is the coolest city in the former East, a gorgeous city completely reconstructed after one of the most horrific bombing raids of the Second World War. Modern Dresden is an edgy city full of punks, goths, metalheads, skinheads and rockers. Good fun, if not a little scary.

Cologne  home to th famous cathedral, plenty of parks, and an amazing carnival celebratio, Cologne is an oft overlooked city in Germany’s milder south west and worthy of an addition to any teutonic itinerary.

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Backpacking Germany: Top experiences

• Hiking in the Alps
• Exploring castles in Nuremberg, Dresden, and the area around Munich
• Dancing till the sun comes up at an electronica club
• Learning about Germany’s tragic history at the Dachau Memorial Site
• Hanging out at a festival with some live music and a beer

Jump to the list of posts from Germany , or read on for my  comprehensive Germany travel guide.

Germany itinerary ideas

The typical Germany itinerary focuses on the major cities, with some time built in for trips out to the mountains and national parks. Two weeks is enough time to cover the top places to see in Germany.

Start in Berlin, the hippest city in the country, and spend a few days exploring its museums and music culture. Then, train it to Dresden, where you’ll find some of the country’s most charming architecture. Continue on to Nuremberg — which looks like it was pulled straight out of a fairy tale — before a longer stop in Munich. Three days is enough to see the main highlights, but stay an extra day to do a hike in the nearby Alps. Finally, head to Cologne, with a possible stop in Heidelberg to see the castle.

If you have more time, you can squeeze in a visit to the Black Forest. After Munich, pass through Stuttgart on your way to the mountains. Frankfurt makes a convenient stop on your way north after you’ve finished exploring the great outdoors near the Swiss border.

Germany weather and when to visit Germany

Germany’s climate is similar to the rest of north-central Europe. Summers are warm — not outrageously hot, winters are cold and wet, and spring and autumn are pleasant.

Germany’s high season is June-August. Expect lots of crowds in the main cities, lines at some popular attractions, and accommodation to be booked up well in advance. Additionally, you may get some rainy days.

A second high season occurs around the Christmas holiday. Germany’s Christmas markets are famous all over the world, and travelers flock here in December to see them. Otherwise, winter is generally a very quiet time to go backpacking Germany — many museums even reduce their opening hours.

Shoulder season — spring and autumn — may be the best time to visit Germany. The temperature is perfect for both urban exploration and outdoor adventures. It’s not as crowded as summertime, and you’ll get lots of long, sunny days. There really isn’t a downside.

Language in Germany

The main language spoken in Germany is, of course, German. You can easily learn some of the basic travel phrases in advance using a language app like Duolingo .

Most people you encounter backpacking Germany will speak English pretty well. Urban Germans start learning English from an early age and young people often speak better English than native speakers!

The one place where you may need some German is if you venture way off the beaten path into rural Bavaria. The villages in this region are very traditional, and the older folks who operate many of the businesses speak no English. (Most of the younger folks have moved to more urbanized areas.)

Even if you don’t speak very well, a little effort to communicate in German first goes along way toward making local friends.

Budget for backpacking Germany

Let’s get this out of the way: Germany is not an easy country for backpackers. Everything is quite expensive, from food to transportation to lodging. However, if you’re careful, you can survive backpacking Germany on as little as €40 a day staying in hostels — or half that if you’re willing to CouchSurf.

The good news is, many of Germany’s best attractions are totally free. And if you travel in the countryside, you can often camp — which is far cheaper than hostel stays. Additionally, self-catering and street food are pretty affordable.

Transportation costs add up fast, as does alcohol. To save money, narrow your trip to just one region and only go out drinking and dancing once or twice rather than every night.

Sample Costs

Dorm bed in a hostel: €20

Pretzel or sausages from a market or street vendor: €3

Coffee at a cafe: €1.50

Liter of beer: €4

Museum or historical site admission: Free-€20

Train ticket from Frankfurt to Berlin: As low as €20

Hiking in the Alps: Free!

Germany visa requirements

Germany is part of the Schengen Zone , a set of European countries that have eliminated border formalities among themselves. Essentially as a traveler, you should treat the entire area as one country — if you’re from a Schengen country, you don’t need a passport to travel to others. If you’re not from a Schengen country, one passport stamp/visa applies to the entire zone.

United States and Canadian citizens and folks from Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to enter the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. You can leave and re-enter as many times as you want, provided the total number of days doesn’t exceed 90.

German passport control is pretty strict. If you’ll be leaving the Schengen Zone through Germany, expect the customs official to add up every Schengen stamp in your passport to ensure you haven’t overstayed.

Accommodation in Germany

Germany has the full range of accommodation you’d expect in any Western European country. You can stay in five-star luxury hotels, remote mountain villas, small locally operated guesthouses, backpacker hostels, campgrounds, and everything in between.

If you’re backpacking Germany on a very tight budget, consider CouchSurfing . I CouchSurfed the entire time I was in Germany and had nothing but good experiences — including finding emergency hosts at the last minute. Munich in particular has an active CouchSurfing community, with a massive meetup every Tuesday.

Hostels are another good option when traveling in Germany on a budget. In most cities you can find a clean and safe place to stay for as low as €15. Trendier hostels in Germany will usually run you about €20. Bavaria is more expensive than the rest of the country.

Above the hostel price point, cheap rooms are hard to find. Cheap hotels in Germany start around €50 for a basic room, but you’ll often pay closer to €80. A nicer mid-range hotel can easily cost over €100.

Food in Germany

Germany is traditionally meat, potatoes and sauerkraut country. To some extent, that tradition continues today — you can find endless varieties of sausages, potatoes cooked every which way, and a food culture that is extremely picky about its pickled cabbage. However, German cuisine is also constantly branching out, with a long-time focus on local and seasonal produce.

One of the essentials of eating in Germany is good bread. Rye and pumpernickel bread are the most popular. They’re ubiquitously served with butter and eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

German food may not seem vegetarian-friendly at first glance. But vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are growing in popularity, and vegetarians will have no problem finding suitable meals while backpacking Germany. Most cafes have at least one veggie option, and even many of the donor kebab street stalls now offer falafel as well.

Restaurants can be expensive — although tipping in Germany is not common. And living off of street food isn’t very healthy. So when you’re traveling through the country, consider self-catering and shopping at the local farmer’s markets. You’ll find every variety of locally produced vegetables, cheese, and other specialty products. It’s all very affordable and the quality is higher than what you’ll find in supermarkets.

Germans definitely have a sweet tooth. The most famous incarnation of this is Black Forest Cake, a chocolate, cherry and cream concoction that you won’t be able to stop eating. Spice also features prominently in German sweets — from spice cakes to gingerbreads.

Drinks in Germany

If there’s one thing people know before they start backpacking Germany, it’s that this country has great beer. After all, Munich is the original home of Oktoberfest. And this is one of the few places in the world where most beer is still produced without chemicals and additives.

Most German beers are ales, although you’ll find many regional varieties. Local preferences trend toward lighter beers — you won’t find many stouts here.  Bock has the highest alcohol content of the common varieties, while  Helles  and  Pils are much weaker.

Germans often drink their beers in large quantities at once. It’s common to order at least a half-liter at a time at a German beer garden, and in Bavaria, a liter at a time is the norm. (Tell the bartender you want a “ mass hell “.) Your beer will inevitably be warm by the time you finish it.

Despite its reputation as a beer country, Germany also produces some excellent wines. White wines from the Rhine regions are the most common. You will still encounter some very sweet wines, but it’s not hard to find something drier.

Unlike many of its neighbors, Germany is not known for its coffee culture. You can get an okay coffee at most cafes, but outside of major cities, you won’t find anything that knocks your socks off.

Activities you can do while backpacking Germany

Germany offers a huge variety of activities. You can get out into nature, explore cities, and everything in between while backpacking Germany.

Most cities have at least a couple of world-class museums. Berlin’s are especially noteworthy. You can see everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern art. Others focus on the darker side of German history — you can visit the former concentration camp of Dachau and learn about what happened there at its extensive museum, or see where the Nuremberg trials were held.

Festivals are huge in Germany, especially during the summer. These are great places to go for a drink, listen to live music, or dance. Once the festival shuts down for the day, head to a club to see some of Europe’s best bands or dance until the sun comes up to a DJ set.

When it comes to the outdoors, Germany has an abundance of riches. The Black Forest. Saxon Switzerland. The Alps. All of it is accessible by train or bus. Hiking is the main activity — trails are well-maintained and well-marked. You can usually find a cafe, tavern or beer garden along the way, even in the most remote of mountain areas!

Transportation in Germany

When you’re backpacking Germany, you have a choice to make: Do you want the more comfortable, faster form of travel? Or are you willing to deal with delays and discomfort to save money?

If money were no object, trains would be easily the best way to travel around Germany. The extremely extensive rail network is fast and runs like clockwork. Trains are comfortable. They’re easy to use. You can book tickets online .

Unfortunately, trains also run the gamut from slightly-pricey to outrageously expensive. You could easily blow €80 on a fast train from Frankfurt to Berlin, for example.

If you decide to travel by train, research the route in advance. Learn the different train types and classes, and find out if you need a reservation (usually for an extra fee) or not. If you book in advance, you can sometimes even get a promotional fare.

The alternative to trains are coach buses. These cover most major cities, usually on nonstop routes. Unfortunately, traffic makes them quite a bit slower than trains. The good news is, they’re also quite a bit cheaper — you’ll rarely pay more than €15 for a ticket. Search for bus companies covering your route online in advance, as most buses depart from the company’s office, often way outside the city center.

Safety when backpacking Germany

As a whole, backpacking Germany is extremely safe — it’s one of the safest countries for travelers in the world. The usual big-city street smarts apply: don’t walk alone in dark areas late at night, be careful about accepting drinks from strangers, and watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas.

Germany travel advice for women alone

Solo female travelers backpacking Germany will find it one of the easiest countries in the world to travel in. German men are generally extremely respectful, even when they’ve been drinking and are dancing at a club. You’ll see German women go to bars and restaurants alone and walk around alone after dark without blinking.

Many hostels have women-only dorms — this can be convenient for avoiding obnoxious drunk dorm-mates who may be less respectful than most locals.

Ready to get started?  Check out the posts from Germany .

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Germany Travel Guide

Best known for it’s dominating cities, germany offers much more when you dig a little deeper.

Germany has numerous attractions ranging from fairytale castles to picturesque towns, impressive culture and an endless list of activities to keep your travelling spirit inspired. Those seeking sightseeing and art experiences are spoilt for choice in the cities and small towns and those seeking activity holidays are not shunned either as the Bavarian Alps, Black Forest and Mosel valley offer dynamic opportunities for exciting thrills.

The vibrant city of Berlin is hard to ignore when visiting Germany. It is home to amazing architecture, art galleries, museums, fashion and design. Unmissable places include Brandenburg Gate, UNESCO World Heritage site Museum Island, the Jewish Museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall Trail. Visit the Black Forest bordering the Rhine and form a tight bond with nature as you witness the marvellous sights of snow capped peaks, valleys, vineyards and nature reserves. Travel back in time in the Upper Middle Rhine valley dotted with remarkable castles, palaces and vineyards. The Upper Middle Rhine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can only see its beauty to understand why it is deserves the title. If you are seeking adventure, Lake Constance offers you more than just adventure with fantastic views of the Alps from the shoreline.

Germany is a fulfilling travel destination with a lot to offer but can dig a chunk out of your budget if you get carried away in the cities. Take your travelling spirit off the beaten path and your budget will take you much further so you can truly experience what this intriguing nation has to offer.

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Ultimate Minimalist Packing List For Travel to Germany & Europe (2-Week Packing List)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my  disclaimer policy.

Wondering if carry-on only packing is for you? Not sure how much is too much to take on your trip to Germany? Here are some tips and tricks on how to pack light for your next trip.

As you’re planning your first or next vacation to Germany or different countries around Europe, you’ve probably already thought: what should I pack? How much luggage should I bring? Carry-on or checked luggage? Suitcase or backpack?

It’s easy to get carried away and list aaaaaaall of the clothes you just have to bring or all the “just in case” back-up items you’re convinced you’ll need, whether on a 10-day vacation or during long-term travel of weeks or even months.

But how much do you really need to bring?

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The short answer? Much less than you think!

We’re here to present an alternative travel style with tons of benefits in the long run: minimalist packing.

After completely overpacking (and quickly regretting it) when I was first traveling around Germany and Europe in my teens, I quickly converted to being a minimalist packer.

Aaron is too, and so in the 25+ years that he and I have been traveling together, we nearly always travel carry-on only. On some trips we’ve added a small carry-on sized suitcase so we can check liquids or bring specific items home in but we even try to avoid that, if possible! You might already be familiar with the minimalist packing approach with the rise in popularity of digital nomads traveling the world who often travel with just a backpack or a carry-on sized suitcase, but it’s something that any type of traveler or vacationer can achieve – and benefit from.

The first step in becoming a minimalist traveler is all about learning and understanding the mindset behind the approach — and all the advantages. We’ll get to that in just a bit.

Then comes the fun part of deciding what bag to bring, what items go on your packing list, and to leave behind.

While it seems like a lot of preparation goes into minimalist packing, it pays off 10-fold once your trip starts. And if you think of it like a puzzle, it’s actually a fun process!

(For inspiration, check out our Germany packing guide , where I show you in more detail the gear and specific items we take on our trips around the world (we don’t always take everything on that list on every trip). And we include a packing list in our Germany Trip Planner that you can use. )

From what kind of bag will suit you most to putting together your ultimate minimalist travel packing list, this article will show you everything you need to know about minimalist packing!

• 1 What is Minimalist Packing for Travel?
• 2 Why Take a Minimalist Approach For Vacation Travel?
• 3 Minimalist Packing: Suitcase or a Backpack?
• 4 What to Pack In Your Main Bag For 2 Weeks
• 5 Winter & Summer Packing
• 6 What About Toiletries?
• 7 What Kind of Day Bag to Use
• 8 What to Pack In Your Day Bag
• 9 What to Leave at Home
• 10 Minimalist Packing Tips

What is Minimalist Packing for Travel?

Minimalism has taken the world by storm over the past few years. Many people are seeing the value of owning less and realizing how excessive consumption can actually bring unnecessary stress into your life. Trends like extreme decluttering and even moving to tiny homes have been adopted by all sorts of people looking for a lifestyle change.

Minimalism has made its way to travel too. When it comes to traveling, the minimalist approach is all about packing thoughtfully and efficiently.

Just to be clear we’re not talking about ultralight travel and bringing less stuff just to leave a lot of space in your suitcase. Minimalist packing is more about being intentional with the things you pack. It’s about making sure that every item you bring has purpose and brings value to your trip.

And YOU are the one who decides what minimalist packing looks like for you.

Minimalist packing has the end goal of making travel less stressful. If you learn how to pack light you can spend less time worrying about baggage fees, lugging heavy suitcases over cobblestone streets, dragging heavy bags up and down stairs, and worrying about losing your items — which makes it easier to actually enjoy your vacation!

Why Take a Minimalist Approach For Vacation Travel?

There are so many reasons to adopt the habits of a minimalist packer.

To start off, when checking in for your flight, going through airport security, and then boarding your flight, you won’t have to worry about exceeding the baggage weight or size limit. We all know how those extra luggage fees can add up, especially if you’re traveling with multiple suitcases or multiple family members.

Years ago we used to be able to check a bag a little (or a lot) over the weight limit with minimal concern but things have gotten much stricter and much more expensive if you do go over. And having big, heavy bags can also mean having a hard time finding overhead space on the plane, adding unnecessary stress to your long flights.

If you pack minimally and go carry-on only, going through check-in and TSA is a breeze since you’re less likely to experience any delays or long lines waiting to check your bags.

The same will be true while moving around cities after arriving in Germany. You’ll be able to walk longer distances with more ease and less discomfort (like from the train station to your hotel) and hop on any type of public transportation without scrambling for all of your belongings or mowing people down when you board a bus.

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Being able to maneuver easily with your luggage is one of the best things you can do as a traveler, especially in touristy destinations. Moving around with bulky bags can make it harder for you to keep track of all your items and it’s uncomfortable for you and annoying for locals. It can also draw unwanted attention to pickpockets and thieves who target unaware tourists.

Keep in mind that if you’re visiting multiple cities in Germany or are traveling elsewhere in Europe, you’ll likely take a lot of public transportation. And it’s you who will be carrying your luggage everywhere you go, not anyone else!

Even if you rent a car and only need to carry your luggage from the car to your hotel and back, if you bring too much luggage, you might not be able to fit it all in the rental car!

Picture yourself boarding trains, getting on a bus, climbing up stairs or escalators at a metro station, making your way through cobblestone streets, and then up a couple flights of stairs to your hotel or AirBnB. Do you want to be doing all of that with a heavy backpack or multiple big suitcases? I’m sure the answer is no!

Besides the benefit of ease of movement, packing light ensures that you bring only what you actually need and will wear. You won’t wasted valuable time each day digging around your backpack or suitcase full of clothes (many of which you never end up wearing) just to find that one thing you swore you packed.

By taking a more minimal approach, you’ll have a clear inventory of everything you’ve brought so you can dress quickly each morning, stay organized, and avoid misplacing and losing things along your trip.

Doesn’t this all sound great? Well, then keep reading to get started on the minimalist approach to packing for travel to Germany!

Minimalist Packing: Suitcase or a Backpack?

One of the first things to consider is what kind of travel bag will be a good fit for your personal preferences and travel destinations. There are many kinds of carry-on bags to choose from but we recommend considering a carry-on size suitcase or a travel backpack.

Suitcase : Pros & Cons

Most people immediately assume they’ll bring a suitcase. If that’s you, we highly recommend a carry-on sized spinner type 4-wheeled suitcase. You can’t really go wrong with this classic choice, especially if you’ll be staying in hotels with elevators or just a few flights of stairs.

A spinner suitcase is a good option if you won’t need to do a huge amount of walking with your suitcase outside of the airport. If you plan to take mostly taxis to and from the airport or between the train station and your hotel, a rolling suitcase can be a great choice.

The downside to suitcases is that they can be difficult to maneuver over cobblestoned streets and up and down stairs in metro stations and hotels. They also require that one hand be occupied at all times and the bigger and heavier they are, the more uncomfortable (or even painful) they can be to drag behind you.

We have a carry-on spinner suitcase (see photos above) — and we love it! I use it more than Aaron does, most often in the US when I’m just pulling it through the airport to a car. That said, I have used it on 2 recent trips to Germany — one where we rented a car and one where I spent 2 weeks in just 2 cities and only took 1 train with the suitcase. So I didn’t need to pull it over blocks of cobblestoned streets or carry it up and down many flights of stairs or on and off a bunch of trains.

Travel Backpacks : Pros & Cons

We also each have a carry-on size travel backpack that we use frequently on trips abroad. Backpacks are ideal if you like to have your hands free and just like being more nimble. They’re also great for any trips in nature, where sidewalks or paved roads may not be as ubiquitous since it’ll be hard to lug a wheeled suitcase around in that situation.

Even if you’re traveling around cities, backpacks are great because they give you more ease of movement. One of the best travel backpacks I’ve ever had is from the brand Eagle Creek. They are highly-praised for their comfort and quality. I STILL use my nearly 15-year old Eagle Creek backpack! Osprey also makes excellent travel backpacks.

When I get a new travel backpack I’ll most likely get an Osprey because I like how well they integrate the removable day pack using a zipper and compression straps. We’ve been looking at them a lot lately and I’ve heard so many excellent reviews from friends about their packs.

While I love using my travel backpack, there are a few downsides to consider. One is that you always have to carry it, and if you end up standing for long periods of time (like waiting to go through airport security or for a train or bus) it can be uncomfortable wearing a pack the whole time.

Likewise, when it’s hot outside, wearing a backpack will make your back very sweaty and uncomfortable. And, if you don’t pack it well, it can be uncomfortable to wear. For us, however, the benefits outweigh the downsides (most of the time).

What to Pack In Your Main Bag For 2 Weeks

Before you get carried away and pack clothes for each day of your trip, we suggest putting together a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is essentially a small collection of pieces of clothing that you can mix and match with one another to create lots of different outfits. 

There isn’t really a set number or style of clothing items that should be part of your capsule wardrobe. But remember the point of having a minimalist travel wardrobe is that you’ll only bring clothing that you love wearing and that are versatile enough for different occasions. 

In general, think 4-6 casual t-shirts, 1-2 formal shirts or blouses, 2-4 pairs of pants, skirts or dresses that can be easily dressed up or down, and outerwear depending on your destination’s climate.

Don’t forget the essentials like a set of pajamas, 6-7 pairs of underwear, and 6-7 pairs of socks (or 2-3 if not for everyday wear). You can pack more or less depending on how much time you’ll be traveling and how often you’ll be able to (or want to) do laundry – but don’t overpack! We typically pack the same amount of clothing for a 1 week trip as for a 6+ weeks.

For footwear, stick to bringing 2 pairs of shoes at most. One pair should be for walking and everyday wear, like comfortable sneakers. The other can be something dressier like flats, loafers or sandals.  

Winter & Summer Packing

If you’re going to Germany during the winter, then your capsule wardrobe might look different. For example, a high-quality jacket or coat and boots are a must. Other accessories like tights or a pair of leggings, scarf, gloves, and beanies are also something you’ll probably want to add.

On the other hand if you’re traveling during summer, then lighter clothes like tank tops, shorts, a pair of flip flops, a sun hat, and a bathing suit are must-haves. 

As you can see, you can customize your capsule wardrobe as much as you want. To help you put together a list, keep in mind different factors like your personal style, your favorite colors to wear, the climate at your destination, the activities you’ll be doing on your trip, what packs, wears and washes well, and what can be layered and easily mixed and matched.

What About Toiletries?

For toiletries, we recommend limiting them to only essential items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, a hairbrush, basic make-up, etc. As much as possible, bring miniatures or travel sized toiletries that can fit in one TSA-approved pouch for easy organization. Remember, if you need more, you can always buy what you need in Germany.

What Kind of Day Bag to Use

In addition to your main bag, we recommend also having a small bag as your personal item for the plane and that you can use as a day bag while in Germany. This could be a small backpack, a cross-body bag, or travel purse .

Aaron typically uses a small backpack and I use either a small backpack, a cross-body bag or purse. Whatever you choose, try it out before you leave so you’re sure it’s comfortable to carry with you all day!

What to Pack In Your Day Bag

Whether you use a backpack, cross-body bag or purse, it’s crucial that you find one that’s the perfect size for your needs and that you love wearing. After all, you’ll be carrying this with you everywhere you go every day of your trip! If you’re in search for the perfect travel purse, check out my article here reviewing some of the best ones in the market.

After finding your day bag comes the question of what to pack. Your day bag is for travel essentials that you need to keep secure while having easy access to while out and about. Keeping in line with minimalist packing, we recommend sticking with a smaller bag to avoid overpacking and carting around items you never actually end up using (been there, done that).

Here’s a list of some travel essentials you should keep in your day bag:

• Passport and other travel documents
• Small wallet with credit card/debit card 
• Spare cash in local currency
• Phone (with local sim card if not using your home cell service)  
• Power bank and/or chargers
• Other optional electronics (earphones, electronic reader, tablet, camera, etc.)
• Medications and other health-related items
• Water bottle
• Seasonal accessories (sunglasses, sweater, hat, gloves, etc.)
• Small pouch with make-up or toiletries (sunscreen, lip balm, etc.)
• Pocket journal and pen 

Since you’ll be carrying your day bag at all times, it’ll give you more of a reason to pack light! There’s nothing more annoying than carrying a bulky purse or having it constantly slide down your shoulders as you’re out and about exploring the city. Pro tip: pack your day bag a few weeks before you leave and wear it while you run errands.

What to Leave at Home

Now that we’ve covered what to bring, let’s talk about what to leave at home. 

We’re all a little bit guilty of overthinking while packing. We start imagining all kinds of unlikely scenarios and end up bringing unnecessary items that we might need “just in case” — but never end up using.

For example, if you know you won’t really have time to exercise, then skip the workout gear. The same goes for unrealistic plans. As much as you might want to go hiking, if it’s not 100% part of your itinerary, don’t bring hiking boots. Always remember that if you change your mind, you can probably borrow gear for any spontaneous activities.

Another thing to limit yourself on is toiletries. Save yourself space and time at security checks by leaving excessive products like creams, gels, or perfumes at home. Stick to your essentials and take advantage of the free items you can get at your hotel or buy what you need once in Germany. 

If you’re used to a long and complicated hair or skin care routine at home, consider a month or two before you leave how you can pare it down for travel.

The same goes for makeup. Don’t take your entire makeup bag with you. Instead, bring only products you use on a daily basis like powder, concealer, and one or two lip colors. You can also look into travel-size palettes that have multi-use products.

When it comes to electronics, leave behind hair styling tools like a curling iron, straightener, or hair dryer if at all possible. Not only do they take up so much space in your luggage, but you also have to make sure they’re compatible with the local outlets and voltage. If not, you have to then bring an adaptor and sometimes even a converter. Also, most hotel rooms already come with a hair dryer or even other styling tools upon request.

Minimalist Packing Tips

Here are some more minimalist packing tips:

1. Pack Less & Do Laundry

If you’re traveling for more than a week, built a couple hours once a week or so into your itinerary to do laundry so you’ll have clean clothes. You can use your hotel’s laundry services or do it yourself if you’re staying in accommodations with a washing machine.

In Germany, it’ll also be fairly easy to find a laundromat. Setting aside a couple of hours to do your laundry can even be a good way to have some downtime in between all the sightseeing. Us that time to edit your photos, write in your travel journal or just relax.

When all else fails, you can always buy a tube of “REI in der Tube” at the local grocery store in Germany and do laundry by hand in your sink.

2. Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are the ultimate minimalist travel gear. They let you organize your clothing in the most efficient way since you can separate items in different packings cube. This way you can easily see and everything you have. It also makes packing and unpacking faster, and staying organized so much easier.

3. Wear Layers

The weather is important factor to keep in mind when choosing what clothes to bring. Layers are a must. Having an assortment of short and long sleeved shirts, light jackets, cardigans, fleece or sweaters, and leggings and skirts in your capsule wardrobe will give you tons of possibilities for layering depending on the weather.

It’s also a good idea to look into buying tops made of merino wool. Merino wool is great for traveling because of how versatile it is –the fabric will keep you warm on cold days and cool on warm days and it doesn’t absorb odors!  

4. Wear Neutral Colors

Another tip for when you’re putting together your capsule wardrobe: stick to mostly neutral colors! Colors like black, white, gray, navy blue, brown, and beige are colors that go with everything and are great for all seasons. 

Having a capsule wardrobe full of neutrals with one or two other colors or patterns makes it easier to mix and match pieces. It ensures that all your tops will coordinate with all of your bottoms, since the colors go together and won’t clash with one another. 

Stick to solid colors and simple patterns like stripes, instead of loud, busy patterns or statement pieces. While there’s nothing wrong with having one or two statement pieces, make sure to consider if you’ll be able to wear it more than once.

5. Pack Multi-purpose Products

As we mentioned, the goal of minimalist packing is to ensure that every item in your suitcase serves a purpose. But it’s even better if they serve multiple purposes at once! 

This is especially true for clothing. For example, you can wear a plain white t-shirt or tank top  on its own while you’re out on tours. But then you can also use it as a layering piece under a dressier blouse or cardigan for nights out. A long-sleeved button down can be used for when it gets chilly at night but can also serve as a light cover-up during day time or at the beach.

There’s also a lot of toiletries and cosmetics that have multiple functions. Try to look for products like moisturizers that already come with SPF. This way you can protect yourself from UV rays while also keeping your skin hydrated. If you wear makeup, you can take it even further and buy tinted moisturizer with SPF, which provides light coverage to hide any blemishes.

Cate has been traveling to Germany for 30+ years. She has lived in Germany, taught college German, and has a PhD in German Applied Linguistics. She loves helping travelers plan their dream trips to Germany!

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Here’s how we can help you plan your perfect trip in 2024.

GERMANY TRAVEL PLANNER:  Just getting started? Have questions about Germany’s confusing train tickets or how to find the best guided tours? Not sure which parts of Germany should be in your itinerary (and what to leave out)? Our  Germany Travel Planner  answers those questions and more via how-to videos, our interactive Germany Planning Map, City Cheatsheets, and MUCH more. Click here to unlock the best of Germany the easy way!

GERMANY TRAVEL CONSULT:  Feeling overwhelmed? Itinerary just not coming together? Wonder if a few tweaks would take your trip to the next level? Book a Mini or Full consult with Cate! She’ll help you create or tweak your itinerary, recommend train tickets/passes, hotels, things to do, guided tours, show you how to buy train tickets, orient you to specific cities, help you plan out day trips, and answer your Germany travel questions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  We recommend using  Booking.com  since they have widest range of accommodations available from hostels, boutique hotels, luxury chains, aparthotels, at the best prices. Check out our  accommodation guides  for specific recommended hotels.

WHAT TO PACK: If you’re bringing your phone, be sure to bring this plug adapter , this power bank , and this wrist strap . They’ve been lifesavers for us! You can see our other packing essentials here and here .

TICKETS & TOURS:  For guided tours, day trips, private tours, and skip-the-line tickets,  Get Your Guide  is our go-to!

TRAINS & BUSES:  To research train schedules and buy tickets or a Germany Rail Pass, we recommend the official  Deutsche Bahn (German Rail System)  website (and download their DB Navigator app). For buses, look at  FlixBus  , which offers tickets for routes within Germany and to other European countries. FlixBus is often cheaper than trains but can take longer.

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Backpacking Germany Travel Guide

Backpacking Germany isn’t the first thing travelers think about when it comes to visiting Europe. There are just too many touristy destinations such as Paris, London , and Rome that in some way outshadow German pretzels, majestic palaces, medieval castles, and fairy-tale forests. And the few people who decide to visit Germany mostly stick solely to the main cities, such as vibrant Berlin as well as beautiful Munich with its century-old markets and tall churches. Many still believe that Germany is over-priced and offers little in the way of thrills. In this backpacking Germany travel guide , I say to hell with these misconceptions!

You come to Germany for the nightlife, the cutting-edge architecture, for the hearty and delicious food, and for its people are some of the most interesting that you’ll meet.

Backpacking Germany can be just as enjoyable as backpacking Greece or Spain as long as travelers know where to go and look. So to truly unlock Germany, one just needs a little guidance.

Choosing to go backpacking in Germany is an awesome idea as there is so much to do and see.

Admire the impressive skyscrapers in Frankfurt Am Main from the ground or from the heavens. Explore the thriving art scene in Berlin and get lost in Germany’s Black Forest . Check out the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig. All this and more is possible when you travel to Germany.

With this backpacking Germany travel guide , you’ll have everything that you could possibly need to start your journey .

In this backpacking Germany travel guide, I’ll cover topics ranging from “best places to visit in Germany” to “best things to do in Germany on a budget.” Everything and then some is covered here; with it, you’ll be more than prepared to go backpacking in Germany. So, let’s get to it!

Backpacking Germany Two-Week Travel Itinerary: Where to Go in Germany

Let’s face it, with only 14 days one can’t visit all the sights and see all the things Germany has to offer. I had to make sacrifices on this two-week itinerary and leave out some pretty castles and lakes. I also didn’t include my favorite Rügen island in this itinerary but going there is certainly an option if you can allocate two more days.

Looking for a Germany backpacking route? Below you’ll find my favorite itinerary that travelers can easily customize making it shorter or longer depending on their preferences. This flexible route forms a circle and will help you make the most of your time in Germany since you can start anywhere.

Backpacking Frankfurt – 1 Day

Frankfurt is one of our biggest cities in Germany and one of the cheapest places in Germany to fly to. It’s the only city in the country that boasts an impressive skyline and has more in common with New York. However, since you have only 2 weeks, I would suggest you spend a day in Frankfurt before hopping over to Munich.

If you want to learn more about Frankfurt, spend 2 days strolling through the city’s old town square, Römerberg and checking out the City Hall and Frankfurt Cathedral.

Backpacking Munich – 3 Days

Munich is an iconic and arguably the most interesting city in Germany. Obviously, no trip to Munich is complete without tasting pork knuckles and sausage with sauerkraut at the Hofbräuhaus. The most famous beer hall in the world serves its brewery’s own beer, brought to you by girls dressed in traditional German attire.

The city of Munich is filled with history, stunning architecture, and Bavarian culture. There are countless centuries-old buildings peppered around Marienplatz, but the true gem here is St. Peter’s Church. This Gothic masterpiece offers some of the best panoramic views of the city. It’s high enough to see the best of Munich, particularly if you visit early in the morning.

If you are looking for a day trip, you can visit the Dachau Concentration camp, the infamous Nazi-Germany killing factory. Nestled some 10 miles north-west of Munich. The place is massive in scale and offers quite eye-opening experience. If you’re not a history buff and looking for another nice experience, you can visit Neuschwanstein Castle or Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest mountain.

Backpacking Nuremberg – 2 Days

Nuremberg is located in the southern part of Germany, almost near the Czech Republic, and on your way to Dresden. Hop on a bus from Munich to see this thriving city with plenty of lovely streets to stroll and amazing historic buildings to visit.

Unfortunately, the city of Nuremberg was largely destroyed in WW2. But each house was carefully restored so you can admire the old charm of the city. Weissgerbergasse is my favorite street in Nuremberg that boasts some of the best half-timbered houses in Germany.

If you want to see Nuremberg from a bit different perspective, there is an extensive labyrinth of subterranean passageways and cellar vaults just under the surface of the Old Town. These rock-cut cellars are steeped in history and date back as far as the 14th century. Citizens have been using cellars for storing red beer, as well as the shelter during the air raids of World War II. Nowadays, it is possible to visit the rock-cut cellars and the guided tour takes about one hour. It’s free with the Nuremberg card, and there is a beer tasting included in the end.

Backpacking Dresden – 2 Days

I love my hometown of Dresden. It’s the coolest city in the former GDR that was completely reconstructed after one of the most devastating bombing campaigns of WW2. The capital of Saxony was featured in Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Now it’s a vibrant city that is home to magnificent Baroque masterpieces, lovely parks, restaurants, and museums. Florence on the Elbe will keep you busy for a few days. It’s a great stop on your way to Leipzig and Berlin.

Backpacking Leipzig – 2 Days

The smaller version of Berlin in terms of culture, Leipzig is the hidden gem that usually goes under the radar for most tourists visiting eastern Germany. This beautiful city features lush green vegetation and many offers unique experiences for backpackers who seek to get away from the common tourist traps and enjoy Germany’s rich cultural and musical heritage.

Pro Tip: Backpacking Leipzig is fun. The city is very manageable by foot or bike and you definitely can explore the Old Town in two days. Leipzig is smaller and friendlier to travelers than Berlin, but it’s big enough to keep you busy for a weekend.

You’ll find a thriving art scene and a lovely city center, which is dominated by arcades, courtyards, and trade fair palaces. Leipzig has long been known as a center for trade, culture, and learning. As a result, there are a number of passageways, such as the famous Mädler Passage or the impressive Speckhof. These arcades determined the appearance of the city. There are currently around 30 arcades. Old trading places and courtyards from the Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau allow a smooth blend between the old and the new.

Berlin – 4 Days

There is a staggering amount of attractions and things to do in Berlin! This city is saturated with action and culture; a culture that would make most cities look juvenile in comparison. Best of all: you have so many ways of seeing everything. There’s something for everybody in Berlin, be it a relaxing vacation or a thrilling hunt for hipster neighborhoods and arty enclaves. It makes sense, now, as to why so many people fall in love with this city.

Berlin has something for everyone and it’s, obviously, one of the best places to visit when backpacking in Germany . I recommend spending at least four days in Berlin because it’s a sprawling city. However, if you can allocate 7 days, be sure to do so. Pretty much all neighborhoods in Berlin have a park or two, not to mention Berlin’s infamous and brilliant beer gardens.

Probably the most enthralling part about Berlin is its history. There are just too many historical sites and amazing museums to visit in Berlin when you have only 4 days. Be sure to pick a few within a topic that interests you, like the Pergamon Museum, Topography of Terror, or the DDR Museum. If you’re a first-timer in Berlin, I recommend visiting the “Museum Island”. Among the seemingly endless variety of museums in the city, the “Museum Island” stands out as a distinct group of some of the best museums in Berlin.

When to go Backpacking in Germany

To help you find the perfect time to visit Germany during your backpacking adventure, check out my in-depth article on when to go backpacking in Germany. Give it a quick look!

Backpacker Accommodation in Germany

Since Germany is the birthplace of hostels, the Germans know a thing or two about hospitality. There are plenty of affordable hostels all over the country, so I always take this opportunity to meet other travelers and exchange stories. As a solo traveler, I used a combination of hostels and Airbnb and found that Airbnb apartments were often more affordable than hostels. However, I think staying with locals gives you a more authentic experience.

Airbnb is big in Germany, and you can find stylish and comfortable apartments for affordable prices. Follow this link for $35 free credit.

The extensive network of youth hostels in Germany (Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk) means cheap accommodation for every member of the German Youth Hostel Association. The most attractive feature is that hostels usually located in medieval castles, beautiful mansions or any other historic buildings. Domestic tourists over the age of 26 can obtain the “27 plus” membership card, while foreign travelers who are not members of an association can purchase the “International Guest Card” or a “Welcome Stamp” for every night staying at the hostel.

Camping is another great way to save on accommodation in Germany. The German campgrounds are very well maintained and the vibes here can be incredible. At the height of the tourist season, when most of the hostels are full, a lot of Germans take to these campgrounds and the camaraderie between the campers reaches its highest levels. I love camping in Germany, and so do my wallet. With more than 2800 campgrounds around the country, staying in a campsite will set you back €10-23 a person.

If you’re really trying to travel around Germany on a budget, then Couchsurfing will be one of your best options. This is a great way to meet some of the locals and experience a more intimate side of Germany too. If you’re backpacking Germany alone, you may even find a travel buddy or someone to backpack around the world with.

Where to Stay in Germany

Below are a few of my favourite hostels and budget accommodation options when backpacking Germany:

Pfefferbett Hostel Berlin Cologne downtown Hostel, Cologne Hostel Lollis Homestay Dresden MEININGER Hotel Muenchen City Center wombat´s CITY Hostel – Berlin Hostel Multitude, Leipzig Backpackers St. Pauli, Hamburg Five Elements Hostel, Frankfurt am Main Generator Berlin Mitte, Berlin Euro Youth Hotel, Munich

Cost of Backpacking Germany

In comparison to the United States, Australia , and the UK, backpacking Germany is quite affordable but it isn’t as cheap as Thailand or Eastern Europe. Traveling in Germany doesn’t have to be expensive. With some insider backpacker tips, hopefully, you won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

This backpacking Germany travel guide also outlines some wallet-friendly budget accommodation options and other money-saving tips to help you keep your travel costs down.

Monthly Budget for Germany – If you plan on spending a good amount of backpacking Germany, then expect to pay around €1350-€1700. Of course, this all depends on how you plan out your trip and if you honor your budget you should be able to meet it. Following these tips to backpacking Germany will help you reduce your travel costs.

Daily Budget for Germany – Plan to spend from €45 anywhere near to €70 with accommodation.

Let me not forget the important detail of booking a flight. Thankfully, finding cheap airfare isn’t too difficult if you know how to find insanely cheap airline tickets.

The big question that’s on everyone’s mind is: How much is this going to cost to go backpacking Germany?

Accommodation: Munich is probably one of Germany’s most expensive cities. On average, hostels in Germany cost about €24-29 for a dorm bed. Private Airbnb apartments are around €55 in trendy neighborhoods.

Food: Groceries are especially affordable in Germany, and a great way to save money . Cafés and restaurants are generally affordable by Western standards, but I wouldn’t say they’re really cheap. An average meal may cost €8-11. Beers from the grocery stores or Späti are about €3 for 500 ml.

Transport: I recommend getting a 7 day pass in Berlin because you’ll definitely use a lot of public transport. Use public transport in general! Individual one-way tickets are about €2.80.

Activities: There are countless markets and great parks in Germany that come for free! Museum and historical site costs vary, but they’re pretty in line with other countries in Western Europe. I would expect to pay €4-€10 per entrance fee.

Germany Travel Guide to Getting Around

While backpacking Germany , I have found budget airline flights are often cheaper than train tickets. But the downside is that you have to book well in advance. This is less convenient for backpackers who want flexibility in their itineraries. Airports tend to be outside the cities, especially smaller ones where many budget airlines fly into. These can be a hassle to get to/from.

On the contrary, big cities like Berlin and Hamburg have subway systems that will take you to the center of the city.

If you’re entering Germany by plane, chances are you will fly into Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin’s international airports. Travelers from North America should appreciate the fact that Germany is one of the cheapest European destinations to fly into.

Hamburg, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and other cities have European and domestic connections as well! And if you are flying within Europe, Germany is well-connected by budget airlines, like Germanwings, Condor, and EasyJet.

Germany isn’t the biggest country in Europe. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to take a flight for every leg of your trip. But when it comes to covering a big distance (e.g. getting from a place in northern Germany such as Hamburg or Hannover to a city in the south such as Munich or Stuttgart), a cheap flight might be the best choice and it will definitely be cheaper than taking the train.

However, if you plan to travel across Europe and visit multiple countries, you may want to take advantage of Germany’s extensive rail network. It connects Germany to all of its neighboring countries. Many folks who are backpacking Europe invest in a EuRail or an Interrail pass (for EU/UK residents) to save some money on train travel.

How to Travel in Germany

Backpacking Germany is super easy since you can take advantage of wide network of long-distance buses. Flixbus offers cheap tickets and their buses have connections in 28 European countries and over 1900 destinations. Traveling by bus is the best option when it comes to getting from one city to another on a budget. To compare fares of the different bus companies, as well as with train and airline options, use an aggregating websites like Omio .

As a downside, traveling by bus in Germany generally takes more time than taking the train. While I don’t mind going by bus and watching through window in a bus for a few hours, I certainly don’t want to spend an entire day in it either. I’d recommend using the long-distance busses for journeys up to a few hours.

Ridesharing in Germany

Another cheap alternative to trains and buses in Germany is ridesharing. Like this, people can post their trips and travel between cities with locals. When using the ridesharing system you’ll be splitting the cost between a bunch of people. It usually takes less time than the bus and it’s a nice way to get to meet like-minded backpackers.

However, you’d need to have certain flexibility since most offers only get posted a few days in advance and you’re dependent on your driver when it comes to the times. Check out services like BlaBlaCar and Carpoolworld .

Train travel in Germany

As I already mentioned backpacking Germany by train can easily get pretty expensive. However, it doesn’t mean you should completely discard this mode of transport.

If you want to score cheap tickets on German trains there is an official German Rail Pass offered by Deutsch Bahn. This prepaid rail pass offers backpackers a choice between two, three, four, five, seven, ten or fifteen days of travel in a row, either consecutively or anywhere within a one-month period. German Rail Pass can offer huge savings to travelers looking to explore Germany by rail.

The thing I love most about German Rail Pass is that there is no need to book tickets in advance, so you can adjust your itinerary as you go. Non-EU nationals can purchase a German Rail Pass online. They will send it to you by post to your home address. It makes sense to purchase your pass well before your planned departure date though.

Food in Germany

While not innovative or complex, German food is delicious and hearty. Remember, a lot of dishes are quite heavy on the meat, specifically pork, and it will be difficult to eat traditional meals as a vegetarian/vegan. That said, most restaurants and eateries have options for meatless meals and other international cuisines. If you still want to try German food, consider some of the sides, soups, and rostis.

Let’s get to know some of Germany’s tastiest foods!

One may think that German dishes were invented to accompany the beer. Heavy meat and potato entrees, sausages, schnitzel, pretzels, and a liter of heavy beer. While yes, a lot of traditional food does center around meat and potatoes, one thing’s for sure, though, is there are lots of delicious dishes to try!

No trip to Germany is complete without trying authentic local schnitzel, in chicken or veal, and some bratwurst, or currywurst, or liverwurst, or any of the wursts, which are sausages and are most definitely not the worst.

Don’t miss out and come try hearty stews, known as eintopf, or one pot. This is where meat and vegetables are introduced to sauce and flame and left to get delicious together. Also, try various noodle dishes that are anything with spaetzle in the name, and often served as an accompaniment to the meat dishes. Other sides are the sauerkrauts, pickled cabbages, and knoedel, or potato dumplings.

At the Oktoberfest, there is no better base for drinking German beer than savory Schweinshaxe. A big fat pork knuckle with the most amazing gravy dripping off it, you’ll love it!

Be Aware of Cultural Differences When Eating Out in Germany

In many ways, the way people eat out in Germany is similar to that in most parts of the globe. However, when traveling to Germany from the USA , many travelers have been surprised, or have surprised a German waiter or waitress by failing to fully understand the German way of dining out.

For some strange reason, when folks from the United States planning a trip to Germany, many of them expect a complimentary glass of water to appear at their table in a restaurant by default. Water is never free in Germany and the concept of free tap water for your meal doesn’t actually exist. If you want to order water, you’ll have to pay for it.

While tap water ( “Leistungswasser” ) is completely safe and good to drink in Germany, locals usually prefer to leave more room in their stomachs for wine or beer. If you want still water make sure to specify “Stilles Wasser” , as bottled “Mineralwasser” (sparkling mineral water) is normally standard in Germany. It is worth asking at the beginning of a meal if card payments are possible. Often they aren’t, but more and more eating establishments (particularly fancy restaurants) accept card payments .

How To Visit Germany on a Budget

Book your transportation early.

It goes without saying that budget airline flights, as well as train tickets, are much cheaper if you purchase them in advance. If you do plan on taking trains in Germany, I recommend booking your ticket at least two months in advance.

Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy point-to-point train tickets in advance rather than get a Eurail or InterRail Pass. Keep in mind that last-minute tickets are usually more expensive and some tickets and fares may have limited availability.

Take my advice: If you are planning to travel through a particular region, like Saxony, consider purchasing a regional day pass to visit towns outside Dresden, versus point-to-point ticket. Remember, a regional day pass is usually cheaper than a round trip ticket.

Attend Free Walking Tours

From Hamburg to Munich – pretty much all big cities in Germany have free walking tours. Explore the diversity, cultural and historical heritage of Germany on a walking tour. These tours offer a great chance to learn more about the place you’re visiting without spending a fortune. Take mind-blowing photos, hear many thrilling stories and tip your guide what you think is fair.

Refill Your Bottle

Once your bottle is empty, refill it with tap water. I figure I save a minimum of €15 every trip and even more when I visit tropical destinations. But when I saw a graphic showing that one month of bottled water can cost €110 versus just €5 for one month of tap water, I thought I might be saving even more.

Multiply that cost by the number of trips you take throughout a year, and it’s clear that refilling a water bottle is one of the easiest ways to save money, whether you visit places in your own country or head off on a solo backpacking trip.

Enjoy Freebies

Everyone wants freebies, especially in Germany. There are many free museums in Germany, while some others offer free admission on certain days. One of my favorite places in Berlin is the rooftop terrace of the Reichstag Dome with a stunning panoramic view. You just have to register online in advance for a set time. Munich and Dusseldorf provide free museum admission for kids and teenagers under 18 years old, while adults should pay just a few Euros more.

There are plenty of national parks, gardens, and hiking trails in Germany that won’t require spending money. The Tiergarten is a great park to escape the hustle and bustle of Berlin. Once an airport, now a popular public park, Tempelhofer Feld has everything for cycling, skating and jogging. In summer, the former airport is a lovely picnic spot for anyone on a budget.

Most Germans are welcoming and hospitable folks and staying with them can be a rewarding experience. Check out Couchsurfing to see this amazing European country from the perspective of locals. I recommend Couchsurfing as much as you possibly can. The more you Couchsurf, the more money you can spend on beer, doner kebabs, and activities like Berliner Unterwelten or Claerchen’s Ballhaus. Pure and simple.

Best Places to Visit in Germany

The berlin wall.

The Wall was built in 1961 and divided Berlin into the eastern and western sides. All attempts to cross the concrete Wall, moving from East to West Berlin, were brutally suppressed. In 1990, after the destruction of the Wall, only a small part of it remained as a reminder.

When you reach the symbol of the Cold War, it’s easy to understand the feelings of thousands of people who wanted to flee the communist East Germany. With the popular museum located nearby, it has an informative exhibition telling ordinary people’s stories and revealing the way the Wall had influenced people from both sides of the Iron Curtain.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Despite the fact that King Ludwig’s aspirations were not fully realized, today the Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous landmarks in Bavaria. It has never been used for defensive purposes as the castle was primarily built as an illustration or theatrical scene for Richard Wagner’s operas.

Situated in the southwest of Bavaria near the Austrian border and the Hohenschwangau castle, it embodied king Ludwig’s ideas and fantasies about the German Middle Ages and elevated this romantic image. Neuschwanstein castle is one of my favorite places in Europe . Be sure to get there as early as possible to avoid crowds .

The Romantic Road

One of the most famous tourist routes in Germany. It stretches from Wurzburg to Fussen and passes through numerous picturesque villages and towns, allowing you to discover valleys, fairytale castles, and hidden gems of Bavaria. While passing the medieval churches, rural hotels, and half-timbered houses, you’ll feel immersed in an ancient German culture. A great route to take as a couple or family.

When going up or down the Romantic Road you just can’t miss Augsburg. This city was founded by the Romans and named after Emperor Augustus. With so many historic sites all around like St. Anne’s Church where Martin Luther was hiding and the Town Hall of Augsburg with its Goldener Saal, Augsburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany and amazing urban destination.

A lot less touristy city than Munich or Berlin, Cologne is big but not overwhelming. With a convenient U-Bahn system, it is quite easy to discover its hidden gems. Head to the Cologne Old City (Altstadt) to experience its vibrant nightlife.

Don’t miss out on visiting bars and clubs in the Belgian Quarter, Ehrenfeld and around Rudolfplatz and, of course, the Old Cathedral. Being Germany’s fourth-largest city, travelers usually stick to the Altstadt, while skipping unconventional places with street art and tasty cheap food. Cologne is a diverse city that certainly worth a visit.

Lake Constance

The Bodensee (Lake Constance) is the right place to connect with nature. Located in the country’s southwest, the largest lake in Germany has much to offer for travelers. The area around the lake has a rich culture, villages steeped in history and great opportunities to sail along the border with Switzerland and Austria.

This is an important region for fruit production. Foodies and wine enthusiasts won’t want to miss Lake Constance. Aside from a broad range of wines, the island of Reichenau is famous for vegetable farms and Benedictine abbey, while the island of Mainau is home to a butterfly house and a botanical garden with exotic plants.

Schwarzwald (The Black Forest)

Legend has it Brothers Grimm were inspired by Germany’s Black Forest to write their fairy tales. Today the Black Forest inspires everyone who hikes its numerous hiking trails. Schwarzwald got its name due to the thick canopy of evergreens that are so dense the sun can’t penetrate them.

The Black Forest brings quirky myths and legends back to life. It’s famous for cuckoo clocks and delicious Schwarzwald Torte (cake) while the entire region is especially beautiful in the fall. Located in Baden-Wurttemberg, the area around the Black Forest has many cultural traditions, historical sites, and distinctive towns.

Oktoberfest

The most famous beer festival in Germany is also one of the top cultural events in Europe. The festival takes place in Munich, in mid-September and lasts more than two weeks. Here you can enjoy German beer from giant stein, forget good behavior for a day, and get carried away by the songs, the atmosphere, and the collective hangover.

If you find yourself there, make sure to grab the delicious Bavarian sausages, sauerkrauts, pickled cabbages, and Schweinshaxe. With so many people attending Oktoberfest, capacious beer tents are built to accommodate everyone. Each tent has its own personality with unique beers from oak barrels and chefs offering snacks. Every time I visit Oktoberfest I really enjoy it and I’m already planning my next trip.

The Bastei Bridge

The mighty Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland is a truly unique tourist attraction that dates back to the early 19th century. The Bastei Bridge, only a short day trip from Dresden, is a great weekend getaway in Saxony. It’s only 50 km (31 mi) from Dresden and serves no purpose, other than letting tourists admire the scenic views of Saxon Switzerland.

The Bastei Bridge hovers at an altitude of 200 meters among the sandstone cliffs. The first wooden bridge was built here in 1826 and was replaced with a more durable one built with sandstone in 1851.

The Bastei Bridge consists of seven arches that span an impressive 40m deep ravine. From the very beginning, the bridge attracted travelers, hikers, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Having several hiking trails, it also has an observation deck with the stunning views of the surroundings. There is also a Konigstein Fortress – the biggest castle in Saxon Switzerland – with a military and history open-air museum.

Checkpoint Charlie

Following the construction of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie became the main demarcation point between Western-occupied West Berlin and Soviet-occupied East Berlin. Located at the junction of Friedrichstraße with Zimmerstraße, this checkpoint was still one of the few places where people permitted to cross between the former American and Soviet sectors of the city could do so. Although the site of Checkpoint Charlie, with fast-food eateries in close proximity, no longer feels nearly as impressive as it did back then, this checkpoint is still a silent reminder of Berlin’s horrible past.

By the end of the Cold War, the original wooden shack was replaced with a replica and a few sandbags near it. While taking photos with cheesy dressed up guards may be overpriced, the Checkpoint Charlie Museum (Mauer Museum) has fascinating insights into the Cold War. If you have a Berlin Pass, you can get free admission to Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

The Dresden Zwinger Palace is to this day one of the most incredible baroque buildings in Saxony. The palace impresses with its size and splendor. It’s that type of architectural masterpiece that will leave you saying ‘WOW’, make mouths open and jaws drop. The Zwinger was built for Augustus II the Strong. After returning from a grand tour through France and Italy in 1687, he had explored King Louis XIV new court of Versaille and was eager to create a similar elaborate palace for his ever-expanding art, armor and porcelain collection.

Due to the fact that Sandstone was one of the most widely used stone materials in Saxony, Zwinger’s architecture is full of distinctive details. It is free admission to the inner courtyard gardens and exterior pavilion premises which is a very nice gesture from the Government towards international travelers. Zwinger is a great place for those exploring Germany on a budget.

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Germany Travel Blog

Germany is a beautiful country located in Central Europe. In fact, Germany is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It has something for everyone – backpackers, couples, solo travelers, luxury travelers, digital nomads, etc.

Germany offers several experiences – from medieval history to modern cities, from gorgeous nature to epic outdoor activities, from beer festivals to delicious food culture, from breathtaking hikes to relaxing holidays – you should find something that suits your needs and interests.

If you’re planning your first trip to Germany, this guide should answer any questions you may have. We’ll talk about travel facts, the best destinations, travel costs, travel essentials and how to prepare for your trip.

Top Destinations in Germany

Germany Travel Tips & Costs

In this section, you’ll find general information on costs and how to prepare for your trip. Finally, you will find a table that will provide an overview of cost and options depending on your travel budget.

Accommodation

In Germany, you’ll find several options when it comes to accommodation. Whether you’re a budget traveler or not, you will be able to find options. You can find dorms starting at $12 per night.

When it comes to food, you should try the famous bratwurst. If you’re on a budget, make sure to book accommodation with a kitchen, so you can cook your own food. Otherwise, you should be able to find a meal starting at EUR 5. In a local beer hall, a meal and a beer will cost you around 15 EUR.

Some activities such as hiking or wandering around are free. Although, if you’re planning on visiting museums, experiencing Octoberfest, going skiing or attending a street food tour, you will have to pay for it. You can browse activities in Germany here to have an idea of the costs.

Transportation

In general, it’s really easy to get around Germany. You can either take a bus or a train, or rent a car to reach your destinations.

To book your transport between destinations, you can book via RailEurope or  Busbud .

Safety In Germany

Overall, traveling around Germany is pretty safe. Of course, you should always lock your valuables especially if you’re staying in a hostel .

What to Pack for Europe

Apart from the travel essentials, here are the things you should absolutely bring along with you in Europe. Click on the images to shop on Amazon.

Universal adapter

Quick-dry towel

Selfie stick

Sleeping Mask

Visa for europe.

Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a visa. Otherwise, you should know that Germany is in the Schengen zone, so you can have a free entry up to 90 days every 180 days.

You can verify your visa requirements here .

Preparing Your Trip to Europe

Browse flights on Skyscanner to find deals.

Go To Skyscanner

Book your travel insurance for as little as $42/month.

Go To SafetyWing

Booking.com

Find accommodation anywhere in the world.

Go To Booking.com

Check the visa requirements and apply for a visa if needed.

Go To iVisa

Worldpackers

Volunteer abroad in exchange for free accommodation.

Go To Worldpackers

Book transfers, tours, and activities in advance.

Go To Viator

Germany eSIM Plans

It’s hard to find a good data plan when you’re traveling. You have to research the best deals, go to a store, and hope they have a prepaid SIM card for travelers and tourists.

And if they don’t? You could be without service for the rest of your trip. Not only is that frustrating, but it can also be time-consuming.

eSIMs are the solution to your travel woes. With an eSIM plan, you can stay connected no matter where you go. Plus, there are no contracts or cancellation fees, so you can change your plan whenever you want.

If you’re looking for an eSIM plan while in Germany, then be sure to check out the providers below. They all offer great plans that will keep you connected while you’re there.

$3 OFF with promo code: MELISS2943

190+ countries and regions

Read Review

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130+ countries and regions

100+ countries and regions

Germany Blog Posts

Is Cologne Worth Visiting?

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15 Best German Backpack Brands Perfect for Travel and Work

15 Best German Backpack Brands Perfect for Travel and Work. Are you looking for the best rucksack and backpack for travel but don’t know which brand to choose? To help you decide and find a stylish and practical German backpack, we did diligent research to round-up up this list of 15+ best German backpacks that are great not only for travel and work but for all casual activities.

Backpacks don’t only belong to hiking paths and school yards anymore. It is a stylish, fashionable, yet practical, and functional accessory that will easily fit into any look. And when it comes to the best backpacks, German brands are usually beyond comparison.

It may be because Germans are widely known as practical and outdoorsy people, and a backpack is a perfect accessory for any occasion . Or maybe it is because we all know that “nothing beats German engineering,” and a backpack is precisely the kind of accessory that requires thorough planning, thought-through construction, and choice of materials.

Any way you look at it, German brands are widely known as the best choice when buying a new backpack. In this article, we shall talk about 15 German brands that produce some of the best backpacks money can buy today. Some of them are worldwide famous, and others may not sound familiar, but they definitely deserve your attention.

We will also try to cover all sorts of backpacks, from sporty and hiking types to everyday urban and even fashionable models, so everyone can find what they are looking for among these 15 best German backpack brands.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links which means we might receive a commission if you decide to buy something at no extra cost to you.

When it comes to German brands, the famous “Brand with the three stripes” might be the first one that comes to mind, no matter how versed you are in fashion.

Mainly known for its sports apparel, Adidas managed to conquer the “athleisure” niche and even high-fashion runways collaborating with the trendiest influencers, celebrities, and designers worldwide.

Adidas backpacks are sporty yet elegant due to their eloquent minimalistic design with recognizable branding. These backpacks are perfect for any occasion, from going to the gym, traveling , and hiking to using them as a school bag.

They have multiple pockets that allow you to sort everything and never lose your ear pods, socks, or keys again. Adidas backpacks are made of high-quality, durable waterproof materials, and you can be sure that all your belongings are safe and sound in these stylish, functional bags .

Puma is another brand everyone will name talking about backpacks created by German designers. Puma is known as Adidas’ main competitor, and the two brands are famous for mocking each other in their marketing campaigns.

But not everyone knows that originally those two companies belonged to two brothers and were born under the common roof of their Gebrüder Dassler brand founded back in 1919. However, in the late 1940s, the Dassler brothers had a huge fight and decided to separate their paths and their brands. And this is how one of the biggest competitors in the fashion industry began.

Puma is a brand that bets on innovative materials and constant research that allow it to synthesize and produce fabrics with some advanced features.

For example, their evoKNIT material is extremely robust yet lightweight and breathable. So, you will not feel any discomfort or have sweat stains on your back, even if you have to carry a Puma backpack all day under the scorching sun.

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It is probably one of the world’s oldest brands of hiking and traveling gear and accessories. So, you can be sure they had a lot of time to perfect their backpack designs.

Indeed, Deuter backpacks are among the most popular German backpack brands both among experienced hikers and those who are looking for a perfect bag to use as a piece of carry-on luggage or take to school. The main feature of those backpacks is that despite being robust and waterproof, they are extremely lightweight and comfortable to carry.

Deuter also makes their backpacks in all possible colors and designs, from minimalistic monochrome styles to more playful urban models, so anyone can find the perfect backpack for them.

4. Hugo Boss

As mentioned, backpacks are not associated only with sports and outdoor activities anymore. They can be stylish and even fashionable accessories for almost any occasion.

Hugo Boss is an example of a luxury fashion brand that has some stunning backpacks in its collection. Here you will find a high-quality backpack made out of textured nylon, which will be perfect when you are running your everyday errands or going on a business trip .

For those who look for fashionable staple pieces, the German luxury brand has backpacks made from high-quality Italian leather, sleek and texturized. Elegant design and exquisite craftsmanship make these backpacks a perfect stylish element if you want to add some sporty zest to your outfit.

This German brand combines expertise in sports apparel with high-fashion designs and innovative materials. Founded back in 1930, Bogner is mainly known for their luxury ski gear. However, here you can find various backpack designs, not only meant for the regulars of fashionable Alpine resorts.

Today Bogner offers sporty backpacks made from waterproof materials with added padding for durability and comfort. If you are looking for something more urban and chick, Bogner has more eloquent minimalistic models perfect for everyday wear.

6. Jack Wolfskin

Are you looking for a comfortable, functional backpack for a hike, trekking, or running marathon, or do you need a great roomy gym bag? Looks like this German outdoor gear and apparel brand has everything you may wish for.

Jack Wolfskin is a brand famous for its environmental claims and policies aimed at reducing carbon footprint and developing more sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing lines and materials. So, if you are concerned about the Planet, these German backpacks are made just for you!

7. Engelbert Strauss

Unlike many other modern brands, Engelbert Strauss was originally all about workwear. And although today, they produce everyday clothes and accessories rather than work overalls and uniforms, durability and comfort are still the brand`s #1 priority.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality backpack made out of robust materials that will serve you for many years, Engelbert Strauss would probably be the best choice for you. Timeless designs, as well as versatile color schemes and high-quality materials, make Engelbert Strauss one of the most famous German backpack brands in the world.

Are you looking for a backpack that will perform equally well in the city, on a long hike, or in case of a zombie apocalypse? Brandit is a German brand that creates versatile military-style clothes for everyday use and all sorts of outdoor activities.

Their backpacks are the perfect example of the “German engineering” we have been talking about before. They are spacious yet compact when not full. These German backpacks will allow you to carry a lot of stuff, but due to their lightweight materials and thought-through designs won`t add any weight o your back. And, of course, there is a special pocket, compartment, and holder for everything, so you will always be perfectly organized and never lose anything in your bad ever again.

9. Bundeswehr

These German backpacks come directly from the designers and engineers of the gear, apparel, and equipment for the German army. Not only are they perfectly functional and though-through, but they are really meant to last.

Bundeswehr backpacks are particularly popular among hunters, experienced hikers orienting sport, and all other outdoor activities enthusiasts.

Their camouflage color schemes make you invisible in the forest terrain, which is perfect if you are into wildlife photography. The backpacks are made of advanced waterproof materials and have special waterproof locks that keep all your belongings and equipment safe and sound, even if the bag falls in water or you get caught in the rain.

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Albrecht von Dewitz, a mountain hiking enthusiast, created the brand Vaude back in 1974. Today it is one of the most famous German manufacturers of hiking and outdoor clothing and accessories , including some of the most comfortable backpacks in the world.

Made with comfort and safety in mind, these German backpacks are minimalistic yet functional, don`t have any excessive design elements but allow you to contain and sort all your belongings perfectly, have fast and easy access to all compartments, and distribute the weight to forget about back pains after a hike forever.

11. Hessnatur

If you prefer acknowledged sustainable brands that stand behind their environmental claims and promote ethical manufacturing and trade principles, check out Hessnatur. It is a sustainable German brand that offers apparel and accessories made from ethically sourced sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, rayon, etc.

Their outdoor gear collection has a perfect backpack design made of organic cotton, which will be equally perfect for outdoor activities, school, and running everyday errands in the city. Its 5-liter volume and rectangular shape is perfect for a laptop, tablet, books or snacks, hiking gear, blankets, etc. A minimalist, clean design and a wide range of colors make it a perfect accessory for any style an occasion.

Bleed is a German zero-waste brand that creates everyday clothing, outdoor gear, and apparel from repurposed and recycled materials.

Their 20-liter backpack is made from SYMPATEX®, a patented recycled fabric. It is lightweight and functional, perfect for short day hikes. This backpack also has a laptop compartment, making it a popular choice for those who like to work literally from anywhere or look for a nice versatile backpack for any lifestyle and occasion.

Who said high-quality German backpacks aren’t affordable? MELA is an ethical, sustainable vegan brand particularly famous for its backpacks. In fact, MELA created the first backpack in the world that became both Fairtrade Cotton & GOTS certified. Made from 100% organic and Fairtrade Cotton, these backpacks are comfortable to carry and, at the same time, sturdy.

They can be expanded to hold some large format books, a laptop, groceries, or anything you will have to carry running your everyday errands in the city. Made with roll-up elements and faux-leather details, MELA backpacks would be a great choice for a light outdoor hike, a picnic in the bark or a day on the beach.

14. Tom Tailor

Established in the early 1960s, today Tom Tailor is a brand that creates casual and fashionable clothing for men, women, and children today. Just the same, their backpacks are perfect for any occasion. Here you will find elegant, timeless models acceptable for a classic office style, containing all your important documents, laptop, and other gadgets safely and perfectly organized.

Tom Tailor also offers more casual backpacks made out of robust waterproof materials for your romantic picnics and walks in the park or a fun day at the zoo with kids.

This German sportswear brand may be less famous than Adidas and Puma, but Erima is widely known among professional athletes worldwide.

Erima offers sports apparel and accessories including lots of backpack models made from nylon and cotton. They are mainly known and valued for a perfect quality-price balance. Here you will find big spacious backpacks perfect for everyday big city life, school, or carry-on baggage on a weekend getaway and business trip.

Need a functional gym bag? This German brand offers backpacks with removable compartments and isolated cases that make it so easy to carry a wet bathing suit or used socks without being afraid that they will mix up with clean clothes.

Erima backpacks come in various bright colors, which make them a perfect choice for adults and kids.

German brands are famous for their outdoor apparel and accessories, advanced materials, and high-end craftsmanship. Their timeless designs, elegant yet fashionable styles, and various color patterns make it so easy to shop for versatile, long-lasting, and stylish backpacks and other accessories.

Final words

Whether you seek sustainable brands that prioritize eco-friendly policies and ethical materials, luxury items from famous fashion brands, or classic sporty backpacks equally appropriate in the gym and everyday life, there is a German backpack brand just for you!

So, have you chosen a German backpack from this list already, or are you still confused? Whatever you decide, make sure to share this page on social media to come back again when you need to have a second look. Perhaps ask your friends’ opinion on picking a travel backpack from the above suggestions. Shopping together is more fun; therefore, don’t hold this list just for yourself. Let others know too how great German backpacks are!

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The Backpacker Network

The Best Backpacks for Europe – Top Picks for Travellers!

Choosing the best travel backpack for Europe isn’t as simple as going to the supermarket and picking up the first bag you see. The continent’s ancient cities with cobbled walkways and tight, winding streets offer a unique challenge. And that’s without considering how you’ll travel between them!

Planes in Europe have different hand luggage allowances to those elsewhere and trains and buses tend to have storage compartments for big bags away from the seats. Cycling is also a popular way to travel locally.

We’ve regretted carrying travel bags on long-distance hikes, hated ourselves while trying to drag suitcases along tight cobbled streets and realised that comfortable trekking backpacks aren’t always ideal for city breaks in Europe! 

Through our mistakes, we’ve learnt what makes a good backpack for Europe and after testing a bunch of different setups, we’ve got plenty of wisdom to share.

Related : (links open in a new tab)

• How Much Does Backpacking Europe Cost?
• Season-by-Season Guide to Europe
• Europe Backpacking Routes (4 Epic Itineraries)

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We always write our articles before checking if affiliate links are available.

The Best Backpacks for Europe – Quick Answers!

• Available in male (Farpoint) and female (Fairview) models
• Carry on compliant
• Comes with Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee

• Made from recycled materials
• Suitcase style opening

Backpacks for Europe – Top Picks!

Osprey farpoint 40.

• Price Range: $
• Best Feature: Clamshell opening and carry-on compliant
• Feature To Improve: Not the most versatile Osprey backpack
• Read: Reviews of the Farpoint and Fairview (old models)
• New Model — Osprey released the new Farpoint and Fairview backpacks in 2022. They took an already great travel bag and used customer feedback to make it even better. The new models feature an improved AirScape back panel, as well as foam wings similar to the Osprey Porter . These offer more protection and better compression than the previous straps and wings. As well as this, Osprey corrected the biggest problem with the Farpoint and Fairview – the laptop sleeve placement. It now rests against your back as you carry the bag!
• Farpoint vs Fairview — As with most Osprey backpacks, this bag is available in male and female models. The Farpoint is built for men, while the Fairview is for women. In real terms, this means the Fairview straps are cut differently and the suspension system is made for a smaller frame.
• Comfort — The Osprey Farpoint and Fairview have always been comfortable backpacks. The padded shoulder straps, AirScape back panel, hip belt and LightWire Frame distribute the weight of your gear across your body, reducing the strain on your back and shoulders.
• Sizes — We always recommend the 40-litre version of these bags. They’re carry-on complaint, lightweight and don’t feel unwieldy when full. Plus, they hold plenty of gear for an extended backpacking trip. If you want a bit more space, the 55-litre models are an excellent choice. With the daypack removed, they usually fit into carry-on specs but you’ll need to double-check with your airline to be sure. Osprey also produce 70-litre versions of both the Farpoint and Fairview . These giant bags are too big for most travellers but the detachable daypack and extra space will be appealing for some.
• Clamshell opening
• Carry-on compliant
• Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee
• Not the most versatile Osprey backpack

TropicFeel Shell

• Price Range: $$
• Best Feature: Versatile and easy to pack
• Feature To Improve: Getting the right fit is challenging
• Read: Tropicfeel Shell review
• Travel Brand — Tropicfeel are an all-inclusive travel brand. They produce everything from travel shoes and apparel to backpacks and accessories. They know what they’re doing when it comes to producing excellent travel gear !
• Expandable — The Shell from Tropicfeel is 40 litres in its largest guise. However, if you don’t need that much space, the bag can be compressed down to 30 and even 22 litres! This versatility means the same bag can be used as your main travel backpack as well as a daypack! To achieve this, Tropicfeel rely on a series of straps, pouches and attachments.
• Conscious — The Shell is made from 100% recycled nylon and 60% recycled polyester. Tropicfeel work with Bluesign to ensure their materials come from ethical suppliers who treat their staff and the environment with respect. They’re also Climate Neutral Certified and provide transparent information about their entire supply chain thanks to Retraced .
• Accessories — Tropicfeel make a big song and dance about the accessories that work in conjunction with The Shell. The Tech Pouch and Toiletry Pouch both attach to the outside of the pack using the FidLock Mounting system (those little plastic nipple-looking things). You can only attach one at a time, so if you choose to use both, the other will need to be stored in the pack. The Camera Cube is an excellent piece of kit that fits perfectly into the bag but the Wardrobe system is overrated. It’s hard to use and the bag performs better without it. There’s also a padded laptop sleeve and a couple of hidden pockets for keeping valuables secure.
• Torso length is hard to get right
• Accessories are oversold

Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45

• Best Feature: Anti-theft features
• Feature To Improve: Security features make the bag very heavy
• ECONYL — The Venturesafe by Pacsafe is made from ECONYL. Created from discarded fishing nets and other waste plastics, this regenerated nylon removes the need for virgin plastics and reduces the environmental impact of the bag!
• Anti-Theft Technology — As with all Pacsafe bags, the Venturesafe keeps your gear safe. Using a combination of zip locking systems, eXomesh slashguard layers, a useful locking cable and puncture-resistant zips, you can rest assured your stuff is as protected as it can be while you travel around Europe!
• Ethics — Pacsafe have clear environmental and ethical policies . They donate 1% of website sales to grassroots projects through the Pacsafe Turtle Fund and arrange beach cleans across the world.
• Easy To Pack — As well as keeping your gear safe and helping to make the world a better place, the Venturesafe is a great backpack! The suitcase-style opening and huge main compartment make packing and organising your gear a breeze. The padded laptop sleeve can accommodate a 15-inch computer and there are a few smaller pockets dotted about the bag, so there’s always somewhere to store loose items!
• Comfort — Let’s not beat around the bush, Pacsafe’s Venturesafe is a heavy bag. Yet, it’s comfortable to carry. The internal frame distributes the weight well and the shoulder straps are padded enough to avoid them cutting in as you carry the bag. The waist strap directs a good portion of the bag’s weight to your legs, reducing strain on your back and shoulders.
• Anti-theft features
• Made with recycled materials
• Right on the limit for carry-on

Tortuga Travel Backpack

• Price Range: $$$
• Best Feature: Maximised space for carry-on
• Feature To Improve: Too much webbing on the hip belt (especially if you're slim)
• Carry-On Spec — Available in two sizes (30-litre and 40-litre), the Tortuga Travel Backpack is perfect for carry-on-only travellers. The 30-litre version is essentially guaranteed to be carry-on size for any airline. The 40-litre version can be touch and go for some international airlines but is well within US carry-on limits.
• Shape — While the bag’s square shape isn’t the most visually appealing, it maximises all the usable space within the bag – there are no awkward corners or parts of the bag that can only fit a pair of socks! It makes packing and organising your gear super simple. Plus, the bag opens like a suitcase so once unzipped, you have full, unfettered access to everything!
• Suspension System — The Travel Backpack is fully adjustable. The straps, back panel and hip belt can all be sized to fit you exactly. The straps are well padded, comfortable and spread the weight of your gear across your whole body. Load lifters ensure the bag doesn’t feel unwieldy when full and the moisture-wicking back panel keeps you cool and comfortable!
• Materials — The Tortuga Travel Backpacker is made from high-quality fabric and hardware. The bulk of the pack is created from durable Sailcloth. This material, first created for boat sails, is lightweight, uber-tough and waterproof. The buckles are rugged and the zips are waterproof and hardwearing.
• Makes the most of carry-on space
• Ultra-comfy
• Fully adjustable
• Not the best-looking bag

Osprey Farpoint Trek

• Best Feature: The hybrid nature of the bag
• Feature To Improve: A laptop sleeve would be a welcome addition
• Read: Osprey Farpoint Trek review
• Sizes — The Osprey Farpoint Trek is available in 55 and 75-litre models. The female version of the bag, the Fairview Trek, is available in 50 and 70-litre variants. We recommend the 50/55-litre models for travelling in Europe. They’re big enough to hold a ton of gear while being small enough to carry with relative ease. However, neither model is carry-on size, so you’ll need to check the bag on planes!
• Hybrid — Taking inspiration from Osprey’s extensive range of hiking and travel backpacks, the Farpoint/Fairview Trek is suitable for long-term travel and hardcore hiking trips. It features a clamshell design which offers easy access to your travel gear. Compression straps keep the bag as streamlined as possible and the amazing suspension system is super comfy, even after a long day of hiking!
• Comfort — The AirSpeed trampoline suspension keeps the pack off your back. This increases airflow and prevents bulky items pummelling your spine. It distributes the weight of your gear across your body and down to your hips. The hip belt features thick padding and can hold up to 80% of the bag’s weight, saving you from sore shoulders!
• Organisation — The Trek has one huge main compartment and a myriad of smaller pockets for arranging and organising your stuff. The main compartment can be sectioned off, so you can store a sleeping bag in the bottom part if required. You can also access this area through an extra zipper on the bottom section, so you don’t need to empty everything to get at your sleeping bag!
• Super comfy suspension system
• Separate entry points
• Rain cover is quite fiddly
• No laptop compartment
• Not carry-on size

Cotopaxi Allpa Del Dia

• Best Feature: Large internal compartments and suitcase-style opening
• Feature To Improve: Not the most comfortable back panel
• Del Dia — The Cotopaxi Allpa is available in a regular and Del Dia version. We recommend the Del Dia model because it’s made with (Re)Purpose fabrics. These offcuts from other backpack manufacturers mean Cotopaxi reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of their bags. Each Del Dia bag is unique with different coloured panels and stitching! You can choose from a range of Del Dia designs or use the ‘surprise me’ function to get a random colour combo!
• Size — The Allpa is available in 28, 35 and 42-litre models. The 35-litre model is the best for travelling in Europe because it’s carry-on compliant and can still hold plenty of gear. The 28-litre model makes an excellent daypack but only true minimalist travellers will be able to use it as their main pack. The 42-litre model is a little too large to always be carry-on compliant, although some airlines may allow you to take it as hand luggage.
• Suitcase Opening — The Allpa opens up like a suitcase. Once opened, it has one large main compartment and a series of smaller ones. Each has its own zipper and they’re all separated by lightweight mesh to ensure your gear remains organised. There’s a laptop sleeve in the back of the bag. This is accessed through an external zip. All the external zips have webbing tabs which you can pull the zipper through. These help prevent opportunistic thieves from getting into your bag.
• Carry — The Allpa carries well but the back panel lacks some padding compared to other backpacks on this list. The straps are less padded too which saves weight but means they’re not as comfortable as they could be. The straps can be hidden away when checking the bag for flights.
• Rain cover included
• Hard wearing
• No exterior pockets
• Anti-theft zips are more annoying than effective

Peak Design Travel Backpack

• Best Feature: Versatility 
• Feature To Improve: The weight and price
• Built for Photographers – As with all Peak Design products, the Travel Backpack is built for photographers. Thick foam padding around the bag means the gear inside the well protected and the bag holds its shape no matter how full or empty it is. There are a bunch of access points on the front, sides and back of the back, so you can easily get to exactly what you need. The bag integrates into the Peak Design ecosystem meaning their camera cubes, tech pouches and packing cubes all fit seamlessly into the backpack. 
• Expandable – Going from 30 litres up to 45, the Peak Design Travel Backpack is a true one-bag travel option. Fill it to the brim when on the move, then compress it down to use as a sturdy daypack when you leave the bulk of your gear at your accommodation. When used in 30 or 35-litre modes, this bag is within carry-on specs for most airlines but in the 45-litre iteration, it’s too big.
• Comfort – At a smidge over 2kg, the Travel Backpack is one of the heavier bags on our list. But even so, it remains one of the most comfortable. The thick foam padding which acts as protection also means the pack holds its shape well against your body, distributing the weight of your gear evenly across your shoulders, back and hips. The shoulder straps attach to the bag using a unique axial mounting system, which offers more adjustability than with a standard backpack, ensuring full comfort and versatility for a range of body types!
• Manoeuvrable – Almost every surface on the Travel Backpack has some kind of handle. This makes it easy to get the bag in and out of lockers, overhead compartments and other hidey holes. The shoulder straps and hip belt are stowable, allowing you to streamline this bag if you need to check it on a flight or just store it away.
• Expandable 
• Protects your gear
• Overkill for most travellers

Osprey Atmos/Aura

• Best Feature: Anti-Gravity suspension system 
• Feature To Improve: The weight
• Atmos vs Aura – As with many Osprey packs, this bag comes in specific gendered models. The Atmos is made for men, while the Aura is built for women. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule. Some women may find the Atmos more comfortable just as some men may prefer the Aura. Try both in-store to see which offers the best fit for you!
• Hiking Bag – The Atmos/Aura backpacks are true hiking bags. They offer a range of features to make your trail days easier: huge water bottle pockets that can be accessed while wearing the bag, a fantastic Anti-Gravity suspension system that is one of the most comfortable we’ve ever tested, a front shove-it pocket for gear you’ll need in a hurry and excellent hip belt pockets are just some of the top-rated features within his bag! 
• Robust – The Atmos/Aura bags handle heavy loads well and can be used as real gear haulers if you’re tackling a long trail. At the same time, they work well enough as travel bags thanks to the vast storage space and rugged exterior. They lack some of the organisation of more dedicated travel bags but that’s to be expected!
• Adjustability – To ensure you get the best fit possible when choosing your backpack, consult the Osprey size guide. When your bag arrives, you may need to adjust the torso length, which is quick and easy to do. The fit on the fly hip strap also offers maximum adjustability so you can fine-tune the bag to you!
• Comfortable
• Carries weight well
• Loads of usable storage space
• Not always within carry-on size
• Heavy for a hiking bag

Osprey Farpoint Wheels

• Best Feature: The wheels 
• Feature To Improve: Backpack carry comfort
• Sizes – The Farpoint Wheels comes in two sizes: a 36-litre model and a 65-litre version. The smaller model is well within hand luggage sizes, even on budget European airlines. It’s very similar in size to most rolling hand luggage bags. The 65-litre bag will always be checked luggage as it’s much too large to take in the cabin. 
• Wheels – Unlike most wheeled luggage, the oversized 90mm casters on the Farpoint Wheels can handle relatively uneven terrain – you won’t get stuck between paving slabs or while walking along cracked old sidewalks. The single-stem handle reduces the overall weight of the bag but means it’s less manoeuvrable than it would be with a twin-stem handle. 
• Backpack Mode – When you inevitably hit some ancient European streets with uneven cobblestones or kerbs you need a stepladder to summit, the Farpoint Wheels has a trick up its sleeve. Un-stowing the shoulder straps and activating backpack mode only takes a minute, allowing you to swing the bag onto your back and walk free without needing to drag it behind you! When in backpack mode, the Farpoint Wheels is relatively comfortable compared to other wheeled backpacks thanks to the brilliant AirSpeed mesh back panel. However, it’s still nowhere near as comfortable as a regular Osprey backpack!
• Storage Space – Both the 36 and 65-litre models offer an astounding amount of usable space. They open like a suitcase and are essentially just a huge compartment for your stuff. There are very few organisational options within them, giving you ultimate freedom in how to pack your gear. Although this does mean packing cubes are important!
• Part of the Farpoint family
• Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee
• Heavy when carried
• Not the most comfortable backpack
• Single stem handle can make the bag hard to manoeuvre

What to Consider When Choosing a Backpack for Europe

Type of trip = type of backpack .

The kind of trip you’re on will directly affect the type of backpack you need. There’s no point taking a rugged hiking bag for a short city break and a standard travel backpack just doesn’t have the features you’ll need on a multi-day trek. Make sure the bag you choose matches your holiday! 

Travel Backpacks 

Unsurprisingly, travel backpacks are built for travel. They should be comfortable to carry for reasonable distances but certainly aren’t designed for all-day comfort. They may have lots of organisational compartments, or may just be a big open pocket, depending on what you desire. The weight of these bags varies but most have frames to help spread the load. Hip belts aren’t mandatory on travel backpacks but they’re relatively common. 

Hiking Backpacks 

If you’re heading off on a hiking trip to Europe, don’t put yourself through the pain of carrying anything that’s not a specific hiking bag. Trust me when I say, it’s not worth the suffering! 

Unless you’re going ultra-light, you can expect hiking-specific backpacks to have plush shoulder straps and a good solid hip belt. The back panel should be breathable and not rub or chafe – remember this is a bag that you should be able to wear all day! More technical hiking packs are likely to have extra features such as gear loops, external attachment points and easily accessible exterior pockets or storage compartments! 

Backpacks With Wheels

As the name suggests, these are backpacks with wheels, although they’re often used more as suitcases with backpack straps. If the majority of your trip will be short hops from airports to hotels, especially if you don’t have to stray too far from smooth roads and pavements, a wheeled backpack is a good choice! Just don’t expect them to be as light or as comfortable as a dedicated backpack! 

Hybrid Backpacks 

Much like backpacks with wheels, hybrid backpacks straddle two worlds. Our favourite hybrid backpack for Europe is the Osprey Farpoint Trek. It has great features for both travel and hiking and is surprisingly comfortable to carry for long distances! 

Other hybrid backpacks may include duffel bags with backpack straps or expandable travel bags that can act as a main bag and daypack depending on your needs!

When choosing a backpack for Europe, one of the most important things to consider is how much stuff you’re going to take. You don’t want to realise that you’ve not got enough room for all your gear the night before you travel. Likewise, dragging a massive bag around unnecessarily is a chore and you’ll end up carrying way more than you need– not great for your back!

If you travel light(ish), a 40-litre backpack should be enough. However, if you want a few more home comforts, you’ll need to opt for a larger bag. For most travellers, a 60-litre bag will be the most you’ll need.

Having a backpack that’s the right size for your stuff is all good and well but if it’s not comfortable, it’s a waste of time. Look out for bags with quality back support, padded straps, a good hip belt and a sturdy sternum strap. These features all make a backpack much more comfortable to carry.

Most travel backpacks today feature an internal frame that helps balance the bag, distribute the weight of your gear and help the bag keep its shape. Whether you need a framed bag often doesn’t matter, you’re likely to end up with one anyway! 

Backpacks that are badly built, or made from shoddy materials, will fall apart and need to be replaced. It’s bad for your wallet and the planet. A long-lasting backpack costs a little more initially but will last for years of travel!

👉 Check out this post if you’re looking for the most sustainable backpack choices ! 

Remember, you’ve got to carry it! A backpack that weighs too much will be uncomfortable and in rare cases, cause injury. It can also take your luggage over the weight limit for airlines which means paying more!

Organisational Features

Do you like a bag to be full of pockets and hidey holes, or do you prefer a bag with one big main pocket that you can stuff all your belongings into? It all comes down to personal preference.

Backpacks with a lot of pockets make it much easier to organise and find your gear. However, the extra features impact the bag’s usable space and add to the overall weight. Bags with just one large compartment can store slightly more (if packed correctly) but you’ll probably find yourself digging through all your gear to find small items that inevitably fall to the bottom.

If you opt for a backpack with few organisational options, packing cubes can help keep your stuff in order!

Security Features

Europe is home to some of the safest countries in the world. But as with everywhere, there are common scams and crimes to be aware of. Pickpocketing is rife in some of the continent’s popular tourist destinations. To protect yourself from thieves, consider a bag with added security features. 

Lockable zips and hidden pockets are the bare minimum and are common in most travel bags . Other features to look out for in anti-theft backpacks are slash-proof materials and uncuttable straps.

Weather Resistance 

Wouldn’t you know, it sometimes rains in Europe – even if you visit in the height of summer! Having a bag that can protect your belongings in case of a downpour means you have one less thing to worry about! 

Packing List for Europe

Getting your bag for Europe sorted is one thing but now it’s time to fill it! What you’ll need to pack for Europe depends on where you’re going and what activities you plan to do but this European packing list has all the essentials you need for a great visit! 

Packing Tips for Europe

Before packing for Europe consider:

• The time of year you’ll be visiting
• Where you’re going
• What activities you’ll be doing
• How many days of clothes you need (laundrettes are common in Europe)
• Whether your clothes have multiple uses

The Best Backpacks for Europe FAQs

What’s the best size backpack for travelling europe.

There’s no one right-size backpack for travelling in Europe. Light packers are unlikely to need a backpack more than 40-50 litres. Bags on the smaller end of this range can usually be taken as carry-on for international airlines too, so you won’t need to check a bag! For travellers wanting a few more luxuries, a 60-65-litre bag should be enough. Any bigger and the bag starts to become unwieldy – especially when navigating tight city streets or public transport!

Is it safe to travel with a backpack in Europe?

Yes, it’s safe to travel with a backpack in Europe. However, some cities in Europe have a bad reputation for pickpocketing. Keep your wits about you and don’t leave your bag unattended. When on public transport, store your bag at your feet rather than on your back – especially if you’re travelling at rush hour. Travelling with a backpack in Europe is just as safe, if not safer, than travelling with a suitcase.

Backpack vs suitcase for travelling in Europe?

Europe is full of ancient cities, narrow streets, cobblestones and extensive public transport systems. A backpack is much more suited to this environment than a suitcase. Having all your gear on your back means you can zip over uneven ground, down into metro systems and through crowds without having to drag everything behind you.

Is a 40-litre backpack enough for travelling in Europe?

For most travellers, a 40-litre backpack is enough for travelling in Europe. While some might want a bit more space from their bag, the pros of travelling with a smaller bag far outweigh the cons. Being able to fly carry-on only and keep all your stuff with you on planes and trains more than makes up for having to leave an outfit or two at home. Plus, a smaller bag is easier to carry when you’re exploring or moving between cities!

Can I bring a backpack full of clothes on a plane?

Yes, you can bring a backpack full of clothes on a plane. As long as there is nothing in there that you’re not allowed, and your bag fits within the airline’s limits, you can take what you like on a plane. Plenty of carry-on-only travellers take everything they need for months as hand luggage!  

Round Up of the Best Backpacks for Travelling in Europe

When choosing a backpack for Europe, size, comfort and durability are the most important factors to consider. Our favourite bag for travelling on the continent is the Osprey Farpoint / Fairview . These excellent all-rounders are the perfect travel companion for almost any trip.

We also love the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 . It’s an excellent backpack but the environmental and charitable work done by Cotopaxi makes it stand out as the eco-friendly choice. This is also true of the Tropicfeel Shell which has fewer organisational features but is still an environmentally friendly option. The best anti-theft backpack for travelling in Europe is the Pacsafe Venturesafe.

Tim Ashdown | Writer and Gear Specialist

After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book,  From Paralysis to Santiago,  chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.

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