Germany blends medieval castles, fairy-tale villages, and vibrant cities with world-class museums, beer gardens, and Christmas markets. From the Black Forest to Berlin's contemporary art scene, experience rich history, excellent public transport, and hearty cuisine in the heart of Europe.
- Public
- Germany has one of Europe's finest public transport networks. U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban rail), tram, and bus systems cover every major city with integrated ticketing. Deutsche Bahn ICE high-speed trains connect cities at up to 300km/h.
- Taxi
- Regulated metered taxis available in all cities via stands, phone, or apps. Free Now (mytaxi) is Germany's most-used taxi app. Uber also operates in major cities. Reliable and safe.
- Rental
- Car rental widely available from international operators at airports and stations. Germany's Autobahn network is excellent. Essential for Black Forest, Romantic Road, and rural areas not well served by trains.
- Walking
- City centers are generally very walkable with pedestrian zones. Berlin requires public transport between neighborhoods. Munich's Altstadt is compact. Hamburg's HafenCity and Speicherstadt are excellent on foot.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- S-Bahn S8/S9 trains to city center - 15 min, $5
- Shuttle
- Lufthansa Express Bus to main station - 20 min, $9
- Bus
- Taxi to city center - 25 min, $35-45
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Comprehensive bus networks complement rail systems in all cities
Alternatives
metro, tram, taxi, rideshare, bike, car
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $3.50-4.50
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Cost: Berlin-Munich from $20-40, much cheaper than trains
- Operators
- FlixBus (dominant), BlaBlaBus, RegioJet
- Speed
- Slower than trains - Berlin-Munich 8-9 hours vs 4 by train
- Booking
- FlixBus app or website, tickets from $5 on short routes
- Notes
- WiFi and power outlets on board. Good budget option. Stations often near train stations. Less comfortable than trains.
Flights
Routes: Limited value due to excellent trains. Berlin-Munich 1 hour flight vs 4 hour train
Cost: $80-200 depending on route and booking time
- Airlines
- Lufthansa, Eurowings
- Notes
- Add airport transit time - often no faster than ICE trains. Environmental concerns make trains preferred. Useful for Hamburg-Munich or east-west routes.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Frankfurt Airport
From centre: 12 km southwest of Frankfurt
Options: S-Bahn S8/S9 trains to city center - 15 min, $5; Lufthansa Express Bus to main station - 20 min, $9; Taxi to city center - 25 min, $35-45; ICE high-speed train to other cities direct from airport
Munich Airport
From centre: 28 km northeast of Munich
Options: S-Bahn S1/S8 to Hauptbahnhof - 45 min, $12.80; Lufthansa Airport Bus - 45 min, $11.50; Taxi to city center - 40 min, $70-90; Private shuttle services available
Berlin Brandenburg Airport
From centre: 24 km southeast of Berlin
Options: Airport Express train to Hauptbahnhof - 30 min, $4; S-Bahn S9/S45 to city - 45 min, $4; Express bus X7/X71 - 40 min, $4; Taxi to Mitte - 35 min, $50-65
Düsseldorf Airport
From centre: 8 km north of Düsseldorf
Options: S-Bahn S11 to Hauptbahnhof - 12 min, $3.20; SkyTrain to train station + regional trains; Taxi to city center - 15 min, $25-35; Bus 721 to city - 20 min, $3
Hamburg Airport
From centre: 8 km north of Hamburg
Options: S-Bahn S1 to Hauptbahnhof - 25 min, $3.80; Airport Express Bus 110 - 25 min, $3.80; Taxi to city center - 20 min, $30-40; Uber/Bolt rideshare available
Cologne Bonn Airport
From centre: 15 km southeast of Cologne
Options: S-Bahn S13 to Cologne Hbf - 15 min, $3.50; RE regional trains - 12 min, $3.50; SB60 bus to Bonn - 30 min, $8.50; Taxi to Cologne - 20 min, $35-45
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
DB Navigator
Deutsche Bahn's official app for all German train and public transport including real-time schedules, mobile tickets, and seat reservations
Free Now (mytaxi)
Germany's leading taxi app covering all major cities - more reliable than Uber in many regions with fixed-rate options
BVG FahrInfo Berlin
Berlin public transport authority's app with real-time arrivals, disruption alerts, and A-B journey planning for all Berlin transit
MVV Companion Munich
Munich transport network's comprehensive app for U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and bus with tickets and real-time information
FlixBus
Book intercity buses across Germany - significantly cheaper than trains, especially useful for Hamburg-Berlin or Munich-Frankfurt routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy the Deutschland-Ticket (€49/month) for unlimited travel on all regional and local public transport in Germany - extraordinary value covering S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and regional trains
Book Deutsche Bahn ICE tickets early (Sparpreis) for 50-70% discounts - Berlin to Munich can be €29 instead of €140 with advance booking on bahn.de
Validate your ticket before boarding German trains and U-Bahn (stamp at yellow machines) - undercover ticket inspectors issue on-the-spot €60 fines
The DB Navigator app is essential for public transport navigation - real-time schedules, platform information, and mobile tickets for all of Germany
In Berlin the ABC zone day ticket covers all transport including Potsdam - the best value for day trippers
Cycling is taken very seriously in Germany - stay in cycle lanes (Radweg) and follow traffic rules strictly