Germany Tours & Trip Packages

Germany Tours & Trips

1,082 Germany trips. Tours from 134 tour companies. 1,389 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

23 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Neuschwanstein Castle
Premium Munich to Prague
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Alps, Bavaria, Hallstatt, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Wander through the halls of the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Europe's most famous castles.
  • The hills are alive in Salzburg! Follow in the footsteps of Sister Maria and the Von Trapps in the city that was the backdrop to the iconic Sound of Music.
  • Cruise Lake Hallstatt on a boat trip through the waters and look up at the towering Austrian Alps surrounding you.
  • Explore the streets of Vienna and learn about the long history of Austria’s capital city, from the Gothic architecture to the State Opera House, a paragon of world opera.
  • Delve deeper into history in Cesky Krumlov during an Exclusive Experience storytelling session at a secret location, followed by a glass of sparkling wine overlooking the castle.
Show more

Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list

Health Safety +

More
10 Day Bavaria & Alps Experience
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
9 reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They go the extra mile to cater to travelers of all abilities by limiting hotel transfers, choosing accessible tour routes and more.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Alps, Bavaria, Berlin, Frankfurt, Grindelwald, Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Zurich

Highlights

  • Experience Munich and see the highlights of this 850 year old city
  • The day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Travelling the Romantic Road, we first reach Harburg
  • Fully guided experience of the Dachau Concentration Camp
  • Drive through the beautiful upper Bavarian countryside to Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake.

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"I've traveled to Europe several times before but not like this. Thanks to Kelley and her amazing knowledge and patience with all my queries, my famiy and I enjoyed a customized itinerary filled with a food tour in Paris and a cooking lesson in Naples, history and art lessons at the British Museum and Musee D'Orsay, with enough time to travel independently and make new discoveries with less hassle than before. I absolutely recommend the Relaxed Explorer to anyone looking to make memorable trips with their families that will be cherished by all. Thank you so much Kelley!! Would love to make more good travel memories with your help!!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Jewels of Bavaria & Austria
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Innsbruck, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Salzburg

Highlights

  • Begin and end your vacation in the Bavarian capital of Munich, where the beer flows all year long!
  • Explore two of Germany's famous castles built by King Ludwig II: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.
  • Gaze up at Mount Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain, in the alpine town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
  • Cross the German border into Austria and explore two of its historic highlights: Salzburg and Innsbruck!
  • In Berchtesgadener Land, see the famous Konigssee, perhaps Germany’s most photogenic lake.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Berlin & Bavaria highlights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Bavaria, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle

Highlights

  • Tour the mountaintop castle of Neuschwanstein.
  • Wander cobblestone streets in storybook Bavarian towns.
  • Explore the varied architecture and lively art scene in Berlin.
  • Learn about Dresden’s turbulent history and rebirth.
  • Stroll along Munich’s fashionable Maximilianstrasse.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
City Walks: Exploring Munich’s Neighborhoods
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Wheelchair Accessible
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Bavaria, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle

Highlights

  • Embark on an expert-led walk of Munich’s old town, stopping to discover the Marienplatz, St
  • Peter’s Church and Viktualienmarkt
  • Hike along the Ammergau Alps for incredible views of Neuschwanstein Castle, built by King Ludwig II
  • Enjoy a boat ride along Lake Chiemsee to explore Gentlemen’s Island and the Herrenchiemsee New Palace

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Europe's Highlights with London
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Assisi, Florence, Innsbruck, Lake Como, London, Lucerne, Milan, Neuschwanstein Castle, Paris, Pisa, Rome, Venice

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Europe's Highlights
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Assisi, Florence, Innsbruck, Lake Como, Lucerne, Milan, Neuschwanstein Castle, Paris, Pisa, Rome, Venice

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We've taken over 10 group tours using Cosmos and Gate1. This trip last month, 9000 was not very good. -During booking, incorrect information was given about airport-hotel transfers -The whispers (listening devices) didn't work from the get-go, so no whispers were used during the 13 day trip. - Porters are no longer hired to bring your luggage to and from your room. (Very elderly had to handle their own luggage. Our friends had to help many of them.) -A few days into the trip one couple left. At the end of the trip we found out they had covid. Cosmos did not let us know; a few people weren't feeling well and two of our friends then tested positive. -One hotel was awful and not even up to "budget" standards -Many of the stops had castles, churches... but were not included, so be sure to count that in when pricing.  don't plan to use Cosmos ever again. Gate1 is the best in my opinion. When my husband's passport was stolen, they assigned someone to go with him to the embassy, translate, etc...It was above and beyond what we expected  "

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Family Europe: Amsterdam to Rome in 14 Days Tour
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Colosseum, Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Tuscany, Vatican City, Venice

Highlights

  • Visit the Van Gogh Museum
  • Visit Amsterdam and see the world's greatest collections of paintings, including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer
  • Explore Venice and Experience the amazing history of this unique, maze-like city of canals, walkways, and slowly sinking palaces
  • Visit a local mask-making workshop to learn about the tradition of Venetian masks
  • Visit the16th century Gardens of Bomarzo, filled with larger-than-life sculptures and monstrous statues

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
23 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Neuschwanstein Castle
...

1

2

...

Germany Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,389  Reviews
See all Germany tour reviews
Excellent
1,162
Great
473
Average
71
Disappointing
61
Terrible
15
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

The title of the trip was appropriate.

The organisation worked well. Trip notes and maps together made route finding easy. The route was varied and interesting; opportunities for eating and drinking wer...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Beautiful scenery, safe cycling

The vast majority of this trip is in cycle paths separated from road traffic with some lightly trafficked roads and only very occasional roads with significant tra...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Excellent trip

This is an easy ride; and the route is varied and very attractive. Virtually none of the cycling is along roads with motor traffic; and I appreciated how the sign-...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Very beautiful and easy

A wonderful trip on perfectly manicured cycle path and very very flat, short hops each day and its an ideal beginners trip, a couple of bike ferry crossings which ...

A

Anonymous

Nov 2017

Provided byExodus Travels

A relaxing diversion, with interesting things to see on the way

My wife has been keen on a trip through vienna for a while. We chose the passau to vienna trip as other reviewers rated it higher than the similar vienna to Budape...

Write a Review

Germany Tour Selection Trips

  • Focus on just one or two regions of Germany on your trip. It's a large country and you can't expect to see everything the first time.
  • Consider the time of year you’re visiting Germany and whether you like to be warm or cold. If you’d like to ski, of course, winter is great, but those who want to tour castles, museums, the Moselle Valley and the Black Forest may prefer the pleasant temperatures of summer.
  • Pay attention to whether your Germany tour includes attractions views or visits. If there are particular sights that are of importance to you - the Brandenburg Gate or Neuschwanstein Castle - look for those on your itinerary and ask how long you’ll be stopping there.
  • Trains are a cost and time-efficient way to get from city to city.
  • Think about how many people you want to travel with. Small-group tours of Germany may have an easier time getting from place to place and allow for more local and up-close experiences when sightseeing and dining.
  • To see a lot of Germany in one trip, consider a river cruise - you’ll unpack only once and your “floating hotel” will stop at the major cities along the river, as well as the quaint storybook villages that line the banks. You’ll be able to hop off your Germany river cruise vessel to explore with your guide or on your own.
  • Figure out how long you have to stay in Germany and choose your tour operator accordingly. You can get a great feel for German culture and see a beautiful city or two and explore the Alps in as little as three or four days, or stay up to three weeks and add in all the major cities, the Mosel Valley, the Black Forest and more.

Additional details

Do’s and Don’ts for Traveling in Germany

When preparing for your trip to Germany, consider these do’s and don’ts to help make your stay more enjoyable. First, a few things to keep in mind not to do, or to be aware of.

  • Don’t jaywalk unless you want to be scolded by a nearby German who will quickly call out any rule breakers. 
  • Don’t forget the pfand, a deposit on all glasses and bottles in Germany. If you keep the mug as a souvenir, you’ve likely already paid that deposit, otherwise, get your money back by turning your glass back in to the bartender after leaving a beer garden.
  • Please don’t break out the selfie sticks at concentration camps and Jewish memorial sites - honor the memorial with the respect and soberness it deserves. 
  • Don’t plan to shop or visit many of the country’s museums on a Sunday as they’ll likely be closed. 
  • Don’t test your inner race-car driver on the Autobahn - those not comfortable driving at high speeds shouldn’t try it for the first time here.
  • Don’t be late for a reservation - punctuality is of utmost importance in Germany.

Now, as you plan for your trip to Germany, a few Do’s to remember:

  • Learn a few words in Germany, but rest assured that most people speak English (Guten Appetit, Prost, Guten Tag, etc.)
  • Place your order fairly quickly in restaurants - unlike in the US, the waitstaff will not keep coming back to your table if you’re taking your sweet time. 
  • Get familiar with the train timetables - this is the quickest, easiest way to travel around Germany to all of its  most popular sightseeing spots.
  • If your guided tour of Germany takes you into a local resident’s home, remove your shoes and bring a small hostess gift.
  • Travel with cash - not all restaurants accept credit cards.

Ask your Germany tour guide for additional tips and tricks while visiting Germany so that you feel comfortable and don’t immediately stand out as a foreign tourist.

How Long Are Most Germany Tours?

A Germany trip may range anywhere from 3 days to three weeks, depending on your mode of travel, what you want to see and any individual interests (hiking, river cruising, cycling, castles, etc.).

If you have just three days, consider touring Munich and the Bavarian Alps. A week in Germany might also include the Rhine Valley (perhaps on a short river cruise) and Rothenburg. Stay two weeks and tack on Berlin, the Mosel Valley (another great opportunity for Germany river cruising) and Nurnberg.

And if you have upwards of three weeks, add in the Black Forest, Trier and Baden-Baden. To see the majority of the country’s top attractions and regions, the popular tours range from 12 to 15 days. 

Who Will Enjoy Germany Tours?

With so many things to do in Germany, the country serves as the perfect starting point for a grand European tour or as a stand-alone destination full of beauty, culture, history and cuisine. It sits in the very heart of Europe and is touched by nine country’s borders.

Those who enjoy city life can visit modern, yet historic Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Berlin, Munich and Rothenburg. Those seeking wineries and pastoral cycling routes can take a river cruise along the Rhine or Mosel, stopping in storybook villages in lush, green valleys for guided tours and meeting local residents.

German history tours satisfy those with an interest in the ancient side of Europe - visit castle after castle, including the Disney-inspiring Neuschwanstein Castle - and more than 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Beer and brat lovers are in for a treat with Germany’s traditional food culture. Festival fans can find an event to attend practically any month of the year - some of the most popular festivities include Oktoberfest in Munich, pumpkin festivals and Christmas markets.

Germany Weather 

When to travel to Germany is almost entirely dependent on your personal weather preference and resilience. Visitors arrive at this popular European country year-round despite its chilly winters and hot, often rainy summers. The weather in Germany is ever-changing, but if you’re well prepared (layers!) and flexible, you’ll still make the most of your visit. 

Germany’s high seasons are the summer months and then again around the winter holidays - thanks in large part to the popular German Christmas markets.

Fall can be a particularly lovely time to visit Germany, if mainly for its many wine-related and harvest festivals, as well as Oktoberfest in late September-early October. Wine tours in Germany will also run in late spring into early summer, taking advantage of the warming temperatures for wine festivals and tastings.

The best weather months in Germany are May through September and the country’s driest months are typically July and September, also a perfect time to visit the magnificent Neuschwanstein Castle. 

Germany in Winter

Pack a heavy coat and hat and you’re ready to travel to Germany for winter - and with good reason! Beyond the Christmas markets (more on those in a moment), there is a winter wonderland air throughout the country during these colder months.

Consider a cold-weather tour of the Black Forest, where snow activities include everything from skiing and snowboarding to ice-skating and snowshoeing. Look for tours that follow the Black Forest Panoramic Route - and ask if you can stop for the renowned wine and cake in Sasbachwalden. Snow-draped castles and jaw-dropping lights displays add to the allure of Germany in the winter. 

As for those holiday markets … even the Grinchiest among us can’t resist the traditional, olden-style costumes, soul-warming gluhwein and scent of roasting chestnuts (on an open fire, no less) emanating from Christmas markets in large cities and tiny villages all over Germany between late November and Christmas Eve.

A few favorite Christmas markets to add to your list as you research your winter vacation in Germany:

  • Frankfurt’s Old Town - come for the picture-perfect, half-timbered houses of St. Paul’s Square; stay for the pealing of the bells on Christmas Eve
  • Aachen - famous for its incredible gingerbread-like cookies, the Aachener Printen, a perfect complement to your mulled wine
  • Nuremberg - visit in time for the opening ceremony to see the Christkind address the crowd with a traditional Christmas speech in Main Market Square (and be sure to pick up Nuremberg bratwurst, a favorite German delicacy and only available in this Bavarian city)
  • Cologne - more than 150 stalls of traditional German food and crafts, holiday performers and the largest tree in the Rhineland
  • Düsseldorf’s Old Town - step back in time on the century-old carousel, visit the life-size carved nativity scene and learn about the city’s history by way of the woodworkers, glassblowers and other artisans who set up shop in Renaissance-esque stalls 
  • Munich, on the Marienplatz - shop for holiday ornaments and nutcrackers to take home as your Germany souvenir at this, Munich’s biggest and oldest holiday market

Germany in Summer

Germany tours in the summer allow for ample outdoor activities, whether you’re strolling through the leafy Black Forest or cycling along the banks of the mighty Rhine River. Tour operators offering summer trips to Germany may include some of these favorite warm-weather activities:

  • Visiting Spreewald, a UNESCO biosphere reserve just an hour by train from Berlin, and ideal for leisurely walks and canoeing
  • Soaking up the university feel of Freiburg in the Black Forest - dip your toes in one of the Bächle water channels that run along the sides of the street (the locals do!) and while away a few hours at a bustling beer garden
  • Explore the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), one of the prettiest regions of Germany and famed for its storybook villages, cuckoo clocks, hiking, biking and more 
  • Check several German water castles off your must-see list in North Rhine Westphalia - they’re surrounded by moats and the high-ceilinged rooms inside are naturally air-conditioned, a nice respite from the summer heat
  • Take a river cruise on the Mosel from Trier to Koblenz - ask if your Germany tour includes a port stop in Beilstein, a cute little town with a Carmelite monastery and castle ruins 
  • Speaking of rivers, consider a summertime river cruise in Germany, making a point of exploring Passau, the “City of Three Rivers,” where the Danube, the Inn and Ilz all meet
  • Take advantage of the sunny days of summer and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Potsdam, capital of Brandenburg - many of the historic buildings here are more than a thousand years old and there are enough castles to keep you busy for at least a couple of days
  • Stay in the warmest region of Bavaria, in Regensburg, often called the “Northernmost Italian City” for its Italian eateries and gelato shops nestled along cobblestone alleyways and medieval architecture (it’s also one of Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage Towns)
  • Hike in Saxon Switzerland, a national park southeast of Dresden and a favorite area for summer hikes in Germany - make sure to snap a photo of the famous Bastei bridge, a natural rock formation over the Elbe River valley
  • Spend hours at a Cologne beer garden, enjoying a local Kolsch - many day river cruises embark from Cologne, so don’t miss the opportunity to sail along the mighty Rhine 
  • Leave a piece of your heart in the university town of Heidelberg, a charming summer destination in Germany for its Summer Festival, lush Philosophenweg walk, Neckar River views and Königstuhl above its beautiful castle
  • Join the student community of Karlsruhe in the Black Forest for countless warm-weather outdoor activities
  • Hike, boat, fish, raft, attend countless local festivals and visit Eagle’s Nest and the Salt Mines in Koenigssee (also known as Berchtesgaden) in southern Germany - a favorite German location for summer outdoor recreation

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 1082 trips to Germany and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!