Germany

Germany is Europe's largest economy and a major aviation hub connecting Western Europe to the rest of the world. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is Europe's fourth busiest and serves as the primary hub for Lufthansa and Star Alliance connections.

The country has a well-developed airport network with major international gateways in Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Berlin. Germany's central European location makes it ideal for connections across the continent.

With efficient public transport, most German airports offer excellent rail connections directly into their terminals, making ground transport straightforward.

International Gateways

Airport	City	Role	Major Airlines
FRA	Frankfurt	Lufthansa hub, Star Alliance	Lufthansa, Singapore, ANA
MUC	Munich	Lufthansa hub #2	Lufthansa, Star Alliance
DUS	Düsseldorf	Third busiest	Eurowings, various
BER	Berlin	Capital city	easyJet, Eurowings, Ryanair
HAM	Hamburg	Northern Germany	Eurowings, various

Frankfurt (FRA)

Germany's largest airport and Europe's major hub:

• Terminals: Two main terminals connected by SkyLine train
• Terminal 1: Lufthansa long-haul, Star Alliance partners
• Terminal 2: Condor, other airlines
• Direct rail: ICE trains to major German cities from airport station
• Minimum connection: 45 min same terminal, 60 min between terminals

Munich (MUC)

Lufthansa's second hub, known for excellent quality:

• Terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 (Lufthansa/Star Alliance exclusive)
• Terminal 2 Satellite: Connected by underground train
• Direct rail: S-Bahn to city center (40 min)
• Notable: Consistently rated among Europe's best airports

Berlin (BER)

The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (opened 2020):

• Replaces: Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF)
• Location: Southeast of Berlin
• Rail: Direct train to city center (30 min)
• Airlines: Mix of legacy and low-cost carriers

Flag Carrier

Lufthansa (LH) is Germany's flag carrier and Europe's largest airline by passengers:

• Member of Star Alliance (founding member)
• Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC)
• Extensive long-haul network to Americas, Asia, Africa
• Premium economy and business class on long-haul
• Miles & More frequent flyer program

Lufthansa Group Airlines

• Eurowings — Low-cost subsidiary, European routes
• Swiss — Swiss operations
• Austrian — Vienna hub
• Brussels Airlines — Belgian operations

Low-Cost Carriers

• Ryanair — Major presence at secondary airports
• easyJet — Berlin focus
• Wizz Air — Eastern European connections
• Vueling — Spanish routes

Schengen Area

Germany is part of the Schengen Area, meaning:

• EU/EEA citizens: Free movement, ID card sufficient
• Schengen visa holders: Valid for Germany
• 90-day rule: Non-EU visitors can stay 90 days in any 180-day period

ETIAS (Coming 2025)

Non-EU citizens from visa-exempt countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) will need ETIAS authorization:

• Online application, €7 fee
• Valid for 3 years
• Pre-travel authorization (like US ESTA)

Visa Required

Citizens of most other countries need a Schengen visa:

• Apply at German embassy/consulate
• Fee: €80 (short-stay)
• Processing: 15 calendar days typical

Official information: auswaertiges-amt.de

Domestic Flights

Germany has frequent domestic flights, though high-speed rail often competes:

Route	Flight Time	Train Time	Recommendation
Frankfurt ↔ Berlin	1h 10m	4h	Train competitive
Frankfurt ↔ Munich	1h	3h 20m	Flight if connecting
Munich ↔ Hamburg	1h 20m	5h 30m	Fly

Trains (Deutsche Bahn)

Germany's rail network is excellent:

• ICE: High-speed trains, 300 km/h
• IC/EC: Intercity, international connections
• S-Bahn: Suburban rail, airport connections

Key routes from Frankfurt Airport:

• Cologne: 1h 10m
• Munich: 3h 20m
• Berlin: 4h
• Stuttgart: 1h 20m

Booking: bahn.de (English available)

Car Rental

Available at all airports. Notes:

• Autobahn has recommended speed limit (130 km/h), some sections unlimited
• Right-hand traffic
• International license accepted

Peak Season (June-August)

Summer travel, highest prices, best weather. Major events:

• Oktoberfest (late September-early October)
• Christmas markets (late November-December)

Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October)

Best overall value. Pleasant weather, fewer crowds. Ideal for:

• City breaks
• Rhine Valley
• Bavarian Alps

Off-Season (November-March)

Lowest fares except Christmas period. Good for:

• Ski resorts (Alps)
• Christmas markets (December)
• Cultural city visits

Regional Weather

Region	Best Months	Notes
Bavaria (Munich)	May-Oct	Alps accessible Jun-Sep
Rhine Valley	Apr-Oct	Wine harvest Sep-Oct
Berlin	May-Sep	Cold winters
North (Hamburg)	Jun-Aug	Maritime climate

Major Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Berlin	BER	History, nightlife, culture
Munich	MUC	Beer, Oktoberfest, Alps access
Frankfurt	FRA	Finance, museums, gateway
Hamburg	HAM	Port, architecture, Beatles history
Cologne	CGN	Cathedral, carnival, beer
Düsseldorf	DUS	Fashion, Rhine, Japan quarter

Regions

• Bavaria: Alps, castles (Neuschwanstein), Munich
• Rhine Valley: Wine, castles, scenic cruises
• Black Forest: Nature, hiking, cuckoo clocks
• Baltic Coast: Beaches, historic towns

Day Trips from Major Airports

• From FRA: Heidelberg (1h), Rhine Valley (30 min)
• From MUC: Neuschwanstein (2h), Salzburg (2h)
• From BER: Potsdam (30 min), Dresden (2h)

Money

• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Cards: Widely accepted, but cash still common
• ATMs: Widespread, look for "Geldautomat"
• Tipping: 5-10% at restaurants, round up for service

Important: Many smaller shops, restaurants, and bakeries are cash-only.

Connectivity

• Mobile: Major carriers Telekom, Vodafone, O2
• eSIM: All carriers support eSIM
• WiFi: Good at airports, hotels; variable at cafes
• EU roaming: Free for EU mobile plans

Language

• German is official; English widely spoken in tourism/business
• Basic German appreciated: "Danke" (thanks), "Bitte" (please)

Safety

Very safe for tourists. Standard precautions:

• Watch for pickpockets at tourist spots
• Be aware of bicycle lanes (cyclists have right of way)

Electrical

• Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
• Plug type: Type C/F (Europlug, Schuko)
• UK/US plugs need adapter

• Tourism: Germany Travel
• Visa: German Foreign Office
• Rail: Deutsche Bahn
• Lufthansa: lufthansa.com
• Frankfurt Airport: frankfurt-airport.com
• Munich Airport: munich-airport.com