One of the best ways to explore a country and discover its hidden treasures is by going on a road trip, and Germany is the perfect country for it! Germans take pride in their 11,000 km collection of autobahns (highways) where drivers can enjoy the lack of speed limits.
There are several famous road trips in Germany that are great for discovering this beautiful country, its rich history, famous landmarks, stunning palaces and castles, and traditional German food.
In this Germany road trip planner, you’ll find tips on car rentals, the best time of the year to go on a road trip in Germany, and some beautiful destinations to visit on a South Germany road trip. Continue reading below
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First step: Rent a car
Rent your car (if you’re not taking your own) in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high season. Prices around that time are much more expensive, but if you make the reservation some weeks prior to your arrival in Germany, you can take advantage of early deals.
Car rental costs
It’s helpful to compare prices among various rental car companies, to save money, time, and make sure you’ll get the most out of your road trip.
While you look for a suitable car, make sure you have a look at the mileage conditions, since some companies limit the number of kilometers on the offer. This may look cheaper at first glance, but it will end up being more costly since every additional kilometer will be charged after you return your car.
Pick-up and drop-off locations
Let’s say that your road trip itinerary in Southern Germany starts in Frankfurt and ends in Munich, we suggest you communicate to the rental car company that you are returning the car in a different location from where you’ve picked it up.
Even if it comes with a small additional cost, it can be worth it as it will save you a day of driving back. The airport is usually a great location to pick up the car since it is easy to reach, outside the busy areas of the city centre, and a little more affordable.
The best time to go on a German road trip
You can actually visit Germany for a road trip at any time of the year, but it really depends on what you want. If you have a narrow budget, you may want to avoid summer, which is the most expensive season, and choose spring or autumn instead.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind the budget and are looking for warm weather as well as the most alive season in Germany, you should definitely do your road trip during summer.
When it comes to winter (October - March), temperatures can be very low, even below zero, but it has its charm. Germany has the best Christmas Markets in Europe and they are a big tourist attraction even for locals. However, driving may be a challenge for some as it can be slippery, snow sometimes makes it hard to see clearly, and winter tires may be needed.
The ultimate Germany road trip itinerary
For this ultimate road trip itinerary in Germany, we’ve chosen Southern Germany, as it includes some of the most beautiful sights that Germany has to offer.
You can either start in Frankfurt or Munich, but Frankfurt is generally better connected to major airports around the world and for more affordable prices.
Day 1-2: Explore the city of Frankfurt am Main
If you booked a roundtrip to and from Frankfurt airport, you can either start or end your road trip there. In any case, 1 or 2 days is perfect for crossing off the major sights in this city.
Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany, as many banks and financial companies are headquartered here. It has some of the highest buildings in the country, like the Commerzbank Tower and the Main Tower, which you can see from the Eiserner Steg bridge. From there, you can enjoy an amazing view of the several skyscrapers this city has.
However, Frankfurt is not just about finances, the Old Town centre also adorns it with half-timbered houses at Römerberg Square. Other nice attractions are the River Main and the traditional pubs in the Alt-Sachsenhausen neighborhood.
Day 3: Frankfurt to Würzburg
Just an hour and a half drive from Frankfurt, lies the town of Würzburg. This village is home to the Würzburg Residence, a stunning baroque palace designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Würzburg is also an excellent location for wine tasting since it is one of the wine regions in Germany. Make sure you visit one of its many vineyards and drink a glass of the delicious local wine.
Some additional highlights are the Marienberg Fortress where you can take one of the guided tours and discover the Treasury and the Prince's Hall, as well as the Old Main Bridge.
Some tips to stay the night are Hotel Würzburger Hof, which offers beautifully decorated rooms close to the centre of town, or The Franziskaner, well reviewed for its clean and modern rooms.
Day 4-5: Blaubeuren and Munich
After exploring Würzburg, take the highway A7 South in the direction of Ulm and make a stop in Blaubeuren. The drive is about an hour and a half.
In this town, you will find the very famous Blautopf, an incredible blue pond that is an absolute natural wonder and a must-see during your road trip. Right next door is the Blaubeuren Abbey where you can discover its very unusual wall decorations and also get to know how traditional monks lived centuries ago.
After Blaubeuren, your next stop will be the glamorous Munich (München in German). It is a two-hour drive from Blaubeuren, and after spending the night here, you’ll explore Munich for a full day.
Note that Munich is the largest city in Southern Germany and the perfect place to try the traditional Bavarian food, which you shouldn't miss out on. One of the best restaurants is the historic Hofbräuhaus where you can find delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner, and of course, a lot of beer.
Some of the city’s main attractions are the central square Marienplatz, the Nymphenburg Palace, the town hall, and the English Garden. Since Munich is such a gorgeous city, it is very pleasant to just walk and get lost in its stunning streets, but if you want to learn while you walk, doing a free walking tour is definitely recommended.
Day 6: Neuschwanstein Castle
On your sixth day, make sure you wake up early and drive towards Hohenschwangau, a little town in the Alps that hosts the impressive Neuschwanstein Castle. This medieval town is approximately two hours drive from Munich.
Apart from the Neuschwanstein Castle, for which you should book tickets way in advance, you can also visit the Marienbrücke and the Hohenschwangau Castle, the other two remarkable highlights in this town, so it’s nice to spend the night.
Day 7: Lake Schrecksee in the Bavarian Alps
Today, you’re heading for the Bavarian Alps where you can go hiking in the highest alpine lake of Germany, the Schrecksee. If you want to go hiking, you first need to go to Hinterstein where you can park your car and start walking towards the Lake which will take around three or four hours depending on your pace.
If you are not a hiker, there are other alternatives for sightseeing in this region, such as the lovely town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen located by the border with Austria, or the Linderhof Palace.
Day 8-9: Lake Constance & the Black Forest
On your tour to Lake Constance, make sure you make a few stops and enjoy the views and unique landscapes that surround this place.
Lake Constance is the biggest lake in Germany. It is shared with Switzerland and Austria. The prehistoric pile dwellings of the lake are a UNESCO World Heritage Site so make sure you visit this breathtaking place, as well as the museum.
On your ninth day, don't forget to take a few hours to explore the Black Forest and its several cute villages, every one of them worth visiting. Be ready to hop out of the car many times during this day. Some of the best villages to see are Haslach and Wolfach where you can enjoy gorgeous views and local food.
Day 10: Back to Frankfurt (or Munich)
On your last day of your Germany itinerary, you’ll drive back to Frankfurt or Munich, while making some relaxing stops along the way. You can for example stretch your legs at Nagold where you can walk up to the castle, or visit Calw, a very well-preserved old town.
Make sure to factor in the time from driving back and dropping off the card before you go.
Other great road trips in Germany
Of course, Germany is a big country, and there is much more to see! Some other amazing German road trips include:
Documents needed to travel to Germany
Most visitors from the EU or Schengen area can visit Germany visa-free. However, other travelers might need a German Schengen Visa.
Some of the required documents to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Germany are:
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Copy of a valid passport
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Proof of your trip itinerary
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Proof of funds to support your stay in Germany
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Travel health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation costs in case of an emergency
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Two passport photos (if you don’t have one, use iVisa’s passport photo service)
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Completed and signed application form
When applying with iVisa, the process is very simple and straightforward. We will send you the list of documents that you need to collect and submit to apply, as well as how to prepare for your interview.
Costs and processing time of the German Schengen Visa
iVisa offers the following processing option for the German Schengen visa:
- Standard processing: Takes up to 30 business days and costs USD $199.99
This is the processing cost for iVisa. There are no government visa fees.
Where can I learn more?
The team at iVisa is here to assist you if you have questions about the German Schengen visa or the application process. Our dedicated team of customer service agents are available 24/7 via online chat or you can email them at help@iVisa.
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