Okay, it's official. I booked the flights.
Germany has been on my list for a long time — embarrassingly
long, honestly. But between life doing what life does and never quite finding
the right moment, it kept getting pushed. Not anymore. Flights booked, dates in
the calendar, mild panic beginning to set in.
And with that panic comes the part of travel I
actually love: the preparing. The researching. The deep-diving into "what
do I actually need to know before I get on that plane?"
I've been collecting notes, tips, tabs, and recommendations for weeks now, and I thought — why keep all of this to myself? So here's an honest look at how I'm preparing for a trip to Germany, from the practical to the slightly obsessive.
First:
Understanding What Germany Is Actually Like to Travel
I think a lot of people (myself included, until
recently) have a vague idea of Germany as one thing: efficient, a bit serious,
maybe some castles, definitely excellent bread. And sure, parts of that are
true. But Germany is also wildly varied.
Berlin is one of the most creative, chaotic, exciting
cities in Europe — nothing like the quiet stereotype. Munich feels completely
different: more traditional, more polished, very proud of its food and beer
culture. The Rhine Valley is all vineyards and medieval towns. The Black Forest
is exactly as magical as it sounds. Bavaria looks like a fairy tale.
The point is: where you go matters a lot. And it's
worth spending some time figuring out what kind of trip you actually want
before you start booking things.
For my trip, I'm mixing cities and countryside — a few
days in Berlin, a few in Munich, and some time in between exploring by train.
Germany's rail network is genuinely excellent, which brings me to the next
point.
Getting Around:
Trains Are Your Best Friend
Germany has one of the best train networks in Europe.
The Deutsche Bahn (DB) connects pretty much everywhere, and for shorter trips
within cities, the combination of U-Bahn (underground), S-Bahn (suburban rail),
trams, and buses is comprehensive and usually very reliable.
A few things I've learned while researching:
Book train tickets in advance. Long-distance trains (ICE trains especially) can be
significantly cheaper if you book early. The DB Navigator app is worth
downloading — it works well for planning journeys and buying tickets.
Get a day pass for city transport. Most German cities sell day tickets for unlimited
public transport within zones. Much easier than buying individual tickets every
time.
Validate your ticket. On some systems, you need to stamp/validate your
ticket before boarding. This catches out a lot of tourists. If you're unsure,
look for the validation machines on the platform or at the entrance.
Cash is still king in many places. Germany is more cash-focused than many other European
countries. Not everywhere takes card — including some restaurants and smaller shops
— so having euros in your wallet is genuinely important.
Where to Stay
I've been going back and forth on accommodation style
— hotels vs. apartments vs. hostels — and honestly it depends on the city and
what you're there to do.
For Berlin, I'm leaning towards a neighborhood
apartment rather than a central hotel. Berlin is a city of neighborhoods
(Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte, Kreuzberg, Neukölln — all very different vibes), and
staying in one gives you a much better sense of the place than a hotel near the
main tourist spots.
For Munich, I'll probably do a hotel closer to the
centre since I'm only there for a few days and want easy access to everything.
A few things worth knowing about German accommodation:
Kurtaxe (tourist tax) is charged in many German towns and cities, often a
few euros per person per night. It's usually added at check-in, so don't be
surprised.
Breakfast culture is real. German hotel breakfasts are often spectacular — cold
cuts, cheese, fresh bread, eggs, the works. Worth factoring into your
accommodation choice.
Check the neighborhood. Especially in Berlin, "central" doesn't
always mean convenient or interesting. Do a bit of research on which areas suit
your travel style.
What to Pack
Germany in spring or autumn: pack layers. The weather
is genuinely unpredictable and can go from sunny to grey and rainy within the
same afternoon. A light waterproof jacket is non-negotiable.
Some other things I'm making sure to bring:
Comfortable walking shoes. German cities are very walkable and you will cover
serious distance. Don't underestimate this.
A reusable bag. Plastic bags
aren't free at checkouts, and you'll end up in a supermarket or market at some
point.
Adaptor plug. Germany uses
Type F plugs (two round pins). If you're coming from the UK or US, you'll need
an adaptor.
Small amount of cash. Already mentioned this, but worth repeating. Even if
you're card-heavy at home, have euros with you in Germany.
A good travel document folder. Passport, insurance details, booking confirmations.
Germans tend to appreciate having paperwork in order and being asked for
confirmation is common.
The Food: What
to Expect and Look For
German food gets underestimated. It's hearty,
seasonal, regional, and often absolutely delicious — but it's not always what
tourists expect when they walk into the first restaurant they see near the main
square.
A few tips for eating well:
Go where the locals go. Tourist-area restaurants in major cities are fine,
but wandering a few streets away will usually get you better food for less
money.
Try the bread. German bread
culture is genuinely extraordinary — there are hundreds of varieties and the
quality at any normal bakery is far above what you'd find elsewhere. Have
breakfast at a local bakery at least once.
Look for regional specialties. Food in Bavaria is completely different from food in
Berlin or the Rhine region. Schnitzel and pretzels in Munich. Currywurst in
Berlin. Grüne Soße (a herb sauce) in Frankfurt. Seek out what's local wherever
you are.
Know the meal times. Lunch (Mittagessen) is often the main meal of the day, and many
traditional restaurants have a daily lunch special (Tagesmenü) that's excellent
value. Dinner tends to be lighter and earlier than in southern European
countries.
Ordering and paying. It's normal in Germany to order at the table and ask for the bill
separately at the end — the server won't bring it automatically. And it's
completely normal to pay separately in a group (splitting the bill, or getrennt
zahlen, is standard).
The Culture: A
Few Things Worth Knowing
Every country has its unwritten rules. Germany has a
few that are worth being aware of so you're not accidentally rude without
realizing it.
Punctuality matters. Being on time is genuinely valued. If you're meeting someone or joining a
tour, don't be late.
Greet people properly. In shops, restaurants, and especially more formal
situations, a clear Guten Morgen or Guten Tag goes a long way.
Wandering in and starting to speak English without a greeting can feel abrupt.
Quiet on Sundays. Sunday is genuinely quiet in Germany. Many shops are closed, noise
regulations are taken seriously, and it's a day people really do rest. Plan
accordingly.
Recycling is serious. Germany has an excellent recycling system and people
take it seriously. Pay attention to the different bins — there are usually
separate ones for paper, glass, packaging, and general waste.
Tipping. Tipping in
Germany is appreciated but not mandatory in the way it is in the US. Rounding
up the bill or adding 10% for good service is typical. You tell the server the
total you want to pay when handing over cash, rather than leaving money on the
table.
The Language
Piece
I've saved this for last because it's the part I've
thought about most.
My German is essentially nonexistent. I can count to
ten and say Danke. That's about it.
For a while I was planning to just rely on English —
Germany has very high English proficiency, especially in cities and tourist areas,
and you can absolutely get through a trip without speaking any German at all.
But the more I've read about travel in Germany, the more I've come to feel like
that approach misses something.
Locals genuinely appreciate when visitors make an
effort with the language. Not perfection — just effort. A Guten Morgen
when you walk into a bakery, a Bitte when you ask for something, a Danke
schön when you receive it. These small things change the dynamic of
interactions in a way that's hard to describe until you experience it.
So I've been working through a phrasebook — English-German
Phrasebook for Travel and Everyday Situations by Sophie Redmond — and it's
been exactly what I needed. It's organized by real travel situations (airports,
hotels, restaurants, transport, emergencies), every phrase comes with a clear
phonetic pronunciation guide, and the whole thing is built to be used on the go
rather than memorized in advance.
I'm not going to be having conversations in German.
But I'm going to be able to greet people properly, order food without pointing
at the menu in silence, ask for help when I need it, and handle the unexpected
moments that always come up when you travel. That feels like enough — and more
than I would have had otherwise.
You can find it on Amazon, Payhip, and Etsy.
Still To Do
Before I Leave
- Figure out which museums require advance booking (many do — the
Pergamon Museum in Berlin, for example, has timed entry slots)
- Download offline maps
- Sort out travel insurance
- Practice saying Entschuldigung until it sounds natural
- Try not to over-plan and leave room for the unexpected
That last one is always the hardest.
Have you been to Germany? I'd love recommendations —
especially for hidden gems and things that aren't in the guidebooks. Drop them
in the comments! 💬
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