Germany Tours & Trip Packages

Germany Tours & Trips

1,145 Germany trips. Tours from 134 tour companies. 1,481 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

1145 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Castles and Cathedrals of Germany
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4.4/5 Great
64 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Basel, Koblenz, Strasbourg

Themes

Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"they are taking too long to refund our cancelled holiday from May 2020. cannot get any info from them when it will be refunded back to us."

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Bavarian Highlights With Oberammergau - Faith-based Travel
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4.6/5 Excellent
57 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Hello , first there is no airport transfer at all as they mentioned in the trip program , no one waited us at the airport as they mentioned that we should provide them with the flight schedule but unfortunately they neglected this service for arrivals and for departures as well , the level of the hotel in Lyon is under expected maybe 2 stars , the hotels are somewhat away from the city center which makes the transportation for the clients cost more and waste of time , the guide was very quick in her steps without even looking at the families and children and not being able to follow her . Rather , she was even quick to finish the designated program , such as presenting a program that was supposed to be for tomorrow and presenting it without justification , making one day crowded with her program and the second day on the contrary i.e there may be only one visit as it happened in changing visiting Eifel tower although it was late afternoon and the line was so crowded that took around 2 hours waited in line in order to gets tickets for the whole group while it was supposed to be on the 2nd day with scène river cruise , the stoppage in some cities as Geneva needs more than only 2 hours time while stoppage in between the cities in the rural area needs less than that time gave it to us .no flexibility in changing the program after booking even for a more advanced and valued trips ( changing not cancelling ) , it must be a meeting prepared for the group in a lobby of the hotel the night before or even if 1 hour before getting into the buses as a type of acquaintance and introduction between the members of the group ."

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Danube Delights River Cruise
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4.8/5 Excellent
24 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Budapest, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Hungarian National Gallery, Matthias Church, Nuremberg, sobering Holocaust Memorial, St. Martin's Cathedral, Vienne, Wachau

Highlights

  • Enjoy the Cruise along the Danube River by Emerald Star-Ships
  • Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral
  • Visit to Hofburg Imperial Palace
  • Discover Budapest

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We booked an Emerald Waterways river cruise a year ago and paid in full to get a discount. A river cruise was on our bucket list and our travel agent raved on and on about Emerald Waterways. Fast forward to 2020 and the pandemic hit the world hard. We fully expected the cruise to be cancelled and just yesterday it was. I knew that per the terms and conditions that if Emerald cancelled the cruise we were to be offered an alternate sailing date or a FULL refund. BUT, the letter I received said they were "suspending" (not cancelling) all sailings and if I didn't want the future cruise credit I could cancel under their standard terms and conditions. If I cancelled then I would lose a $1,000 deposit! This is a bad faith offer in my opinion. I am so upset with the way this was handled. I understand we are all suffering from the pandemic but Emerald Waterways needs to step up and do the right thing. Rest assured I will not be a future customer of Emerald Waterways."

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The Classic Moselle
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5/5 Excellent
4 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Koblenz

Highlights

  • Take a guided tour of the enchanting Ahr Valley
  • Admire Bernkastel's medieval market square
  • Experience historical Koblenz and the breath-taking Rhine Gorge
  • Spend time in Alken and discover its valleys and vineyards
  • Sample wonderful Moselle wines

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"Just returned from Miramar hotel in Bellaria great holiday , lovely Room but are at the back of hotel ,so if you want to see the great view of the Adriatic you need to upgrade before you go as there is no chance of this when you are there ,hotel was full ,food was good lots of choices but on one cake or fruit for sweets most hotels we have been in Italy they have ice-cream for deserts ��, they give you beach towels which we used and went on the great beach opposite hotel 15 euros for two beds and brolly �� we had a great time"

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Munich - Salzburg - Innsbruck - Zurich by Train
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3.3/5 Average
11 reviews
Vacation / Holiday Package
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Innsbruck, Munich, Salzburg, Zurich

Highlights

  • Flight intoMunichand out ofZurich
  • Hotel for 2 nights inMunich
  • TrainMunich-Salzburg
  • Hotel for 2 nights inSalzburg
  • TrainSalzburg-Innsbruck
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Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"We booked in February via TripMasters for a trip to Italy in June. Everything was confirmed in February, after our payment. However, in May, right before our trip, we were told that our hotel in Venice had become unavailable. This is from the email sent by TripMasters : "We were just informed that Sant`Antonin Hotel will not be able to honor our reservation that is why our vendor is offering the following alternative properties that is a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel: 1st Option: Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana - Upgrade to 4**** Via Alfredo Ceccherini 21, Mestre, VE, 30174, ITA Room type: Family Room, 1 Double Bed with Sofa bed Bedding type: 1 Double Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed 2nd Option: Hotel Mercure Venezia Marghera - Upgrade to 4**** Via Malamocco 14, Mestre, VE, 30175, ITA Room type: Starndar, Multiple Beds 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed Note that these rooms are not booked yet. We need your approval. Please let us know if you accept, or if you need further information do not hesitate to contact us." Neither hotel has the traditional style we were looking for, so we declined and scrambled to find among the much more limited inventory than when we booked our trip in February an acceptable alternative. It's only until we finished our trip and got to know the area better did we realize how far away the two alternative options TripMasters are from Venice (>1 hour each way to Venice via public transportation) and how much cheaper they are compared with our original choice (right in the center of Venice and has stellar reviews). We just felt lucky that we didn't take the bait and fell into their trap. Otherwise, our trip would have been ruined. It's quite blatant when they had the gut to mention this in their email: "a free upgrade to 4 stars Hotel" without disclosing the much different location of the two alternatives. We dislike being treated so dishonestly and will never use them again."

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Jewels of the Rhine
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4.8/5 Excellent
24 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Heidelberg, Zurich

Highlights

  • Explore 8 different cities, towns and villages with a guide during our included tours and shore excursions
  • Visit the Black Forest region and visit the open air Vogtsbauernhof Museum which showcases life in medieval times
  • Visit Mannheim one of Germany's oldest cities largely destroyed during WWII
  • Explore the medieval town of Rüdesheim and take a cable car to the Germania Monument
  • Cruise the majestic Rhine Gorge including the Lorelei Statue and 21 medieval castles
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We booked an Emerald Waterways river cruise a year ago and paid in full to get a discount. A river cruise was on our bucket list and our travel agent raved on and on about Emerald Waterways. Fast forward to 2020 and the pandemic hit the world hard. We fully expected the cruise to be cancelled and just yesterday it was. I knew that per the terms and conditions that if Emerald cancelled the cruise we were to be offered an alternate sailing date or a FULL refund. BUT, the letter I received said they were "suspending" (not cancelling) all sailings and if I didn't want the future cruise credit I could cancel under their standard terms and conditions. If I cancelled then I would lose a $1,000 deposit! This is a bad faith offer in my opinion. I am so upset with the way this was handled. I understand we are all suffering from the pandemic but Emerald Waterways needs to step up and do the right thing. Rest assured I will not be a future customer of Emerald Waterways."

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Bavarian Castles Tour
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5/5 Excellent
13 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Munich, Neuschwanstein Castle

Highlights

  • Explore Bavarian Castles
  • Explore Neuschwanstein Castle Germany's most famous castle
  • Visit the masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, Wieskirche,a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Visit Innsbruck on the Inn River
  • You will drive to Renaissance Castles and palace located in the hills above the city
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Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"Totally beyond excellent ! This is the tour company you want to go with. Have been on 2 trips with them, beyond perfect. Richard Ludeke"

Trip dates & details
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Legendary Rhine Cruise (Amsterdam - Mainz), MS Crucevita
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5/5 Excellent
6 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Koblenz, Rudesheim, Strasbourg

Highlights

  • 3 countries visited
  • no need to pack/unpack on every stop
  • stops in the hearts of the cities

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"I recommend this tour to everyone without exception. I am an experienced traveler, made sea cruises on huge liners, as well as river cruises around the world. A cruise along the Danube stands out from the crowd with the extraordinary beauty of landscapes, tranquility and grandeur. Days spent on board were filled with care and comfort. Food and service were excellent! All dietary requirements are met, lactose free food is provided upon request - very important for my family. The weak point of the cruise is the limited time in some ports - would be great to spend at least 5-6h. The ship itself is clean and comfortable, the cabin is being cleaned 2 times a day - morning and evening. What I personally liked is the possibility to join city tours as it was our first time on the Danube and we wanted to learn as much as we could. It is better to choose tours you'd like to join before the cruise - to secure a place within a group. It was a wonderful experience for my family. You are sure to enjoy this route for your vacation."

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Germany Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,481  Reviews
See all Germany tour reviews
Excellent
1,162
Great
473
Average
71
Disappointing
61
Terrible
15
T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

European Whirl

There is only one thing. when someone gets sick on the bus please stop the seat rotation .. because I got very sick as along with everyone else . And maybe hav...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

European Whirl

It is called the European Whirl for a reason! It was very busy and you got to see a lot of territory in a short amount of time. Our travel director, Kyle, was outsta...

V

Vicki Johnston

May 2024

Written on

European Whirl

It's called European "Whirl" for a reason. It is a "whirl" through 9 countries in 13 days, thus you don't stay in one place for very long. It is very well organize...

P

Paula Brooks

May 2024

Written on

European Whirl

This was our first experience travelling to Europe. The European Whirl did not disappoint. Yes, it is fast paced but we saw so much more during the time period wit...

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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

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On Travelstride you can find 1145 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.

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