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Fancy a holiday on the road in the home country of the famous Autobahn? How about a road trip in Germany? In this article, I share three exciting routes for a great road trip during a German summer or to see the best Christmas markets in December.
Even if you only have a week, there is much to do and see along the way. I am also giving you tried and tested tips to set your road trip budget and for choosing the best hire car.
The best time for a German road trip
The most popular time to travel in Germany is from May to July when temperatures soar and the sun is out. However, December is also a favourite as the whole country is in a festive mood and the Christmas markets open their doors.
If you’re planning a road trip through Germany, you shouldn’t wait too long to book a hotel during these months. The best ones book up quickly, especially during holidays and on weekends. You also shouldn’t wait too long to book your flight and hire car.
Speaking of holidays: Before you set off, you should take a look at when the school holidays start. German schoolchildren get six weeks off in the summer and the period varies slightly in the different states. This way you can start your trip a few days earlier or later and avoid traffic jams on the motorways. Keep this in mind when driving on the weekends too, as roads get very crowded on Friday and Sunday afternoons.
The recommendations provided here are based on travellers’ searches on KAYAK, and on the average temperatures provided by weatherbase.com.
Average budget for a road trip in Germany
Before you set off, you might want to know how much a road trip in Germany will cost. We have compared hundreds of providers on your behalf and compiled average prices:
- Average price for a double room in Berlin: £122 per night
- Average price of a bed in a hostel in Berlin: £59 per night
- Average price of a car hire in Berlin: £60 per day
- Price for a litre of fuel in Berlin: £1.55*
*As of March 2024
For a seven-day road trip in Germany, during which you will cover approx. 560 miles, you should expect a total budget of approximately £730 per person based on two travellers sharing. This includes general costs but not your flights. Also, there are no road tolls in Germany for regular cars so you don’t have to worry about these extras.
You can save on accommodation if you look for a hotel that is not directly in the city centre (this is also usually better for parking).
How to get to Germany from the UK
Depending on which road trip itinerary you want to follow you may want to pick a flight that takes you to the starting point of the route. Most airports have hire car counters so you can start your Germany road trip as soon as you land.
There are plenty of flights from the UK to Germany. Berlin is the capital and you can find roundtrip flights from London for an average of £153. However, there may also be direct flights to Frankfurt or Munich, depending on your departure airport at home.
If you are doing the northern route that starts in Hamburg, you might have to book a connecting flight.
The best hire cars for a road trip in Germany
The type of hire car you choose for a road trip in Germany depends primarily on how much space you need. An economical car is particularly useful for longer trips. You should calculate beforehand whether unlimited mileage will pay off for your route.
Comprehensive insurance is always important and you may want to register a second driver so that you can take turns behind the wheel. If you are planning to visit a few cities, you shouldn’t take the biggest car available. Roads can be narrow and driving with an SUV will make it even harder to find parking.
In Germany, your car needs winter tires if the conditions require it. If you are planning to drive between October and March when the weather can bring snow or ice, you should check with your car hire company if your vehicle is equipped with the correct tires.
Germany road trip itinerary — From the North Sea to the Baltic Sea
Pack your bathing suit, because this route takes you to the most beautiful beaches and places by the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Day 1: Hamburg
Your road trip along the coast begins with a visit to the Hanseatic City of Hamburg. If the weather is nice, you can put your feet in the sand on the beach by the river Elbe and count the containers in the harbour. Visit the Elbphilharmonie for a concert or a tour of its famous plaza.
Where to stay in Hamburg: 25hours Hotel Hafencity, a cool city hotel with Nordic flair
Day 2: Sankt Peter-Ording
Distance from Hamburg: 87 mi — just under 2 hours
Enjoy the ocean breeze during a long walk on the beach in Sankt Peter-Ording. You can also jump on a board as windsurfing is the thing to do here. Alternatively, take a stroll along the pier and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the restaurants that are set up in iconic stilt houses.
Where to stay in Sankt Peter-Ording: Seaside 43, a beautiful wellness hotel by the sea
Day 3: Sylt
Distance from Sankt Peter-Ording: 80 mi — 2.5 hours including the journey by car train
Sylt is the destination for a seaside holiday and the Wadden Sea National Park awaits. It is best explored on a guided tour. Afterwards, you can admire the dunes and the Red Cliff, and enjoy a fish sandwich at the northernmost fish shack in Germany.
Where to stay on Sylt: Hotel Stadt Hamburg, a chic hotel in the middle of Westerland
Day 4: Fehmarn
Distance from Sylt: 155 mi — just under 4 hours including the journey by car train
Fehmarn is a great island for a family getaway. Beach volleyball, kiting, or splashing around in the waves — there is a beach for every taste on this Baltic island. Children and teenagers can get to know the area with geocaching and if it rains, you can play or relax in the indoor wave pool.
Where to stay on Fehmarn: Strandhotel Bene, beautiful accommodation with a sea view
Day 5: Lübeck
Distance from Fehmarn: 55 mi — just over 1 hour
Start by saying hello to the Holsten Gate and Lübeck’s old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why not nibble on some famous Lübeck marzipan while you stroll around? Literature fans can visit the Buddenbrookhaus, where you can learn all about the life of Germany’s best-known author Thomas Mann.
Where to stay in Lübeck: Fisher’s Loft, a cool city hotel in the centre
Day 6: Fischland Darß Zingst
Distance from Lübeck: 120 mi — 2.5 hours
Which is the most beautiful beach in Germany? For many, it is without question the western beach in Darß, which resembles a Caribbean beach. There is also the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park, which delights nature lovers thanks to its lagoons, forests, and steep cliffs.
Where to stay in Darß: Domizil am Ostseewald, a spacious holiday rental near the beach
Day 7: Rügen
Distance from Zingst: 45 mi — just over 1 hour
In addition to beautiful beaches and one of the most famous piers in the Baltic Sea, Rügen is particularly famous for the Jasmund National Park. Hike to the Königsstuhl and admire the chalk cliffs. A special highlight is the treetop walk with a slide and a great view over the beech forest, a natural heritage site.
Where to stay on Rügen: Der Wilde Schwan, a pretty hotel with sauna
From Rügen, you will either drive back to Hamburg to catch your flight home or to Berlin if you want to add a trip to the German capital. Both cities are approximately 3 hours away by car.
Round trip Germany from Munich — Mountains, lakes & castles
Fancy feeling like a princess or even a queen? This road trip through Germany will take you to the most beautiful castles in Bavaria.
Day 1: München
Your fairytale road trip begins in Munich, home to Nymphenburg Palace. Admire the former summer residence of the Bavarian electors and stroll through the fantastic park of the palace. They offer special themed tours for families.
Don’t forget to try a Bavarian veal sausage in a traditional beer garden — but hurry, because they are only served until midday!
Where to stay in Munich: Augustin Hotel, a modern family hotel in Schwanthalerhöhe
Day 2: Füssen
Distance from Munich: 80 mi — just under 2 hours
Germany’s most famous castle is located very close to Füssen: welcome to Neuschwanstein! King Ludwig II’s home is a real fairytale castle and is charming any time of the year. To visit, you must take part in a guided tour with tickets available online.
Where to stay in Schwangau: Hotel Christine, only 15 minutes away from Neuschwanstein
Day 3: Ettal
Distance from Füssen: 32 mi — just under 1 hour
The next castle is very close: Linderhof Castle, which was Ludwig II’s pleasure palace that he visited during hunting trips. You also have to book a guided tour and they offer themed tours for children and adults. The castle park is particularly beautiful with the famous Venus Grotto and other interesting building projects the king started.
Where to stay in Ettal: Mammhofer Suite, a charming guesthouse in the heart of Oberammergau
Day 4: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Distance from Ettal: 9 mi — 20 minutes
Even without a castle, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a great stopover on your road trip through Bavaria. From here, you can take the cog railroad up to the Zugspitze. At the top, you can enjoy a view over four countries and with a bit of luck and clear skies count a total of 400 mountain peaks.
Where to stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Hotel Zugspitze, a wellness hotel in the middle of the Alps
Day 5: Prien am Chiemsee
Distance from Garmisch-Partenkirchen: 80 mi — just under 2 hours
Ludwig II’s third palace was built on the island of Herrenchiemsee and modeled after Versailles. Even though it was never completed, its hall of mirrors is actually longer than the original’s. You can reach the island by boat from Prien and get tickets for a guided tour at the pier.
Where to stay in Prien: Hotel Zur Sonne, not far from the lake
From Prien, it will take a good hour to get to Munich Airport for your return flight. Make sure to leave enough time to drop off your car hire.
7 days to the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany
December means Christmas market season in Germany. This one-week road trip takes you from Frankfurt to Berlin to see some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
Day 1: Frankfurt am Main
The first Christmas lights are being lit in Frankfurt by the end of November. There are Christmas markets in many parts of the city, but none are as beautiful as the market in the historic old town. My tip: In addition to traditional mulled wine, many local winemakers have stalls in the area. Perfect if you don’t like warm wine but prefer Riesling instead.
Where to stay in Frankfurt: Motel One Frankfurt-Römer, a modern hotel near the old town
Day 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Distance from Frankfurt: 112 mi — 2 hours
Admittedly, the Christmas market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is not the biggest, but the town likes to call itself a Christmas fairytale. It is most beautiful when it snows, but the Christmas lights provide a charming backdrop in any weather. Yummy mulled white wine and the so-called Rothenburg snowballs will warm you up in no time.
Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Burghotel, a medieval hotel on the edge of the old town
Day 3: Nürnberg
Distance from Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 50 mi — just over 1 hour
The Nürnberg Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe. Nibble on traditional gingerbread and sausages while you shop for handicrafts. A highlight are the adventure trails, which allow you to discover completely new parts of the market.
Where to stay in Nürnberg: Hotel Drei Raben, a central accommodation not far from the market
Day 4: Erfurt
Distance from Nürnberg: 143 mi — 2.5 hours
One of the most beautiful medieval Christmas markets in Germany opens its doors every year in front of the cathedral in Erfurt. In addition to local delicacies and crafts, it is particularly famous for its life-sized nativity scene. If it gets too busy you can relax in the enchanted Christmas forest at the edge of the market.
Where to stay in Erfurt: Hotel Domizil, a lovely accommodation close to the cathedral
Day 5: Leipzig
Distance from Erfurt: 93 mi — just under 2 hours
Leipzig is one of my absolute favorite cities in Germany and it shines especially bright in the weeks before Christmas. The Christmas market in front of the old town hall dates back to the 15th century. It gets particularly festive when the famous Thomanerchor opens the market with Christmas carols.
Where to stay in Leipzig: Radisson Blu Hotel, with a great view of the Augustusplatz
Day 6: Dresden
Distance from Leipzig: 137 mi — 2.5 hours
Dresden’s Striezelmarkt has the official title of being the oldest recorded Christmas market. During a stroll, you can buy delicious Dresden Christmas Stollen, a famous fruit bread with its very own festival. You can also admire beautiful pyramids and candle arches all over the market. And yes, you can buy some to take home too!
Where to stay overnight in Dresden: Townhouse Dresden, a luxury hotel right next to the Frauenkirche
Day 7: Berlin
Distance from Dresden: 125 mi — just over 2 hours
Berlin is one of the coolest destinations in winter and of course, there is not just one Christmas market in our capital. From traditional to just a little bit different, Berlin’s Christmas markets have it all. The historic Christmas market at RAW and the Winterworld at Potsdamer Platz, where you can go sledding too, are particularly beautiful.
Where to stay in Berlin: Wild Aparthotels, cool studios right by Checkpoint Charlie
After your Christmas Market trip, you should be able to fly direct to your home airport in the UK from Berlin’s BER Airport. Alternatively, you might be able to book a multi-city flight with arrival in Frankfurt and departure from Berlin.
If you fancy a truly epic road trip through Germany, you can also combine the three suggested routes and drive across the whole country.
General tips for your road trip in Germany
UK citizens can use their UK driviving license to drive in Germany for a stay of up to six months. If you plan on staying longer you will need to get a German license as well.
You need to be at least 18 years old to legally drive a car in Germany. Most car hire companies have a minimum and a maximum age requirement for the driver. Sometimes you also have to prove that you have had your license for a certain number of years.
Remember that Germans use the metric system. Distances are shown in kilometers (km) and speed in kilometers per hour (kph).
While the German Autobahn is world-renowned for not having a speed limit, don’t get too excited — there are only very few stretches where you can drive to your heart’s content. And of course, you need to be mindful of the traffic around you as well as your driving skills.
Here are some more tips for driving in Germany.
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