Germany is a delightful place to backpack, one of the most modern countries in the world, with an excellent public transportation system, and low crime rate. You can travel throughout Germany with ease and it’s especially a good place to travel if the only language you speak is English. Germany is expensive though so you’re best off planning in advance of your trip so you don’t end up paying a lot extra because your plans are all last minute. You might not be able to find the cheapest hostel or best train ticket by waiting, considering Germany is one of world’s biggest tourist destinations.
Visa Requirements
If you’re a citizen of the United States or EU you won’t need anything more than a tourist visa to enter Germany. EU citizens for member states can stay in Germany as long as they wish and Americans can stay up to 3 months. US citizens should remember though that the 3 month tourist visa includes all of the time you stay in Germany and other EU member states. Keep that in mind if you’ll be traveling around the other EU nations, for example backpacking in the Czech Republic, that time is included in the 3 months.
Hostels and Places To Stay
There are numerous places to stay all across Germany in all but the tiniest towns (but you can probably CouchSurf even in those). If you are moving around Germany you should probably fly into one of the major hubs. If you’re already in Europe, hop a RyanAir flight to Lubeck (right outside of Hamburg), Dusseldorf, or Munich. The flights don’t go to the main airports in those cities but the smaller ones right outside of town. It’s a bit further out but you can usually fly in and around if you book early enough for under 20 Euros.
Those of you headed into Germany from overseas can easily fly into many cities in Germany which are major airline hubs. We’d strongly recommend coming into a southern (i.e. Munich, Frankfurt) or northern (i.e. Hamburg) city and make your way from top to bottom. If you plan your trip right you won’t have to backtrack and can fly in and out of two different cities while getting to see most of the country. German culture, sights, and life vary quite a bit from the Bavarian south and the more metropolitan northern regions and it’s a nice backpacking tour. From there you can also hop to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Warsaw if you’re interested in seeing some other European nations.
Getting Around Germany
Getting around each city is easy in Germany as all have well maintained bus systems and the major cities have extensive subways. Buses in Germany can be expensive so if you’re in one of the larger cities, consider buying a week pass on the U-Bahn, Germany’s metro system. Some of the largest cities are still walkable but you’ll save time and money by researching the variety of passes in these cities.
The buses in the smaller cities are expensive, costing a about 3 Euros to get across most towns. That can add up and you can save money by walking. Most smaller cities and towns are at most an hour walk from end to end and if you want to stay on a budget you should get used to traveling on your feet. It’s important to carry a backpack that’s easy on your back and light on your shoulders so you aren’t completely exhausted and sore after a day of sightseeing. he Kelty Coyote 4750 backpack is is lightweight and versatile enough to meet most travelers’ needs.
Climate and Weather
The weather in Germany is comparable to that of the Czech Republic. The winters are cold and often with precipitation, more so the further south you go since the weather is not tempered by the North Sea. The southern portions of Germany are also at higher elevations so you should dress warmly if you’re coming during the winter months.
You should really visit Germany in the summer though. It’s large country by European standards and with all that ground to cover there are plenty of opportunities for travel delays. It’s easier to get around, you won’t have to pack as much (in terms of heavy jackets or otherwise) and you’ll certainly meet more people.
Things To Do
The wonderful thing about backpacking in Germany is that at all times of the year there are a number of seasonal festivals and events to attend in addition to the sights that are around all year round.
Christmas Markets
There are the traditional German Christmas markets that you must visit if you do happen to be in Germany around December. The markets open up at the end of November and are open right up until a few days before December 25th. There are large Christmas markets in Munich, Hamburg, Lubeck, Frankfurt, and Cologne.
Beer, Beer, and Beer
- Germany is well known for its variety of beers, both home brewed and others that are famous across the world. Probably the most popular way to experience Germany’s wide selection of beers is to attend Oktoberfest in Munich, which actually takes place mostly in September.
The Love Parade
- The world’s largest outdoor dance festival it was canceled in 2009 because the crowds were too big for the city to accommodate. It’s a pretty wild party with drinks, dancing, and everything else that goes.
Recommended Gear
The Kelty Coyote 4750 makes and excellent pack for walking and taking the train around Germany. This pack is also good at moderating heat and insulating against cold and will keep you comfortable for most of the German climate. The Kelty isn’t too big to be a hassle as you walk and explore and has a nice daypack feel to it.
Backpacking The Region
If you’re considering a regional backpacking trip try combing Germany with:
| Ireland | Czech Republic | England |
No related posts.
Comments on this entry are closed.