There are many ways to explore Germany, depending on your itinerary and budget. Find out how you can best travel around the country from renting a car and driving down the Autobahn (one of the densest and best maintained highway networks on earth), to enjoying a relaxing train ride. All modes of transportation are up to a high modern standard.
By Train: One of the best ways to discover Germany (and Europe at large) is by train. Deutsche Bahn or `DB`, the German railway system, is very well developed and reliable, and if you book tickets in advance (180 days before departure at the earliest) it can be surprisingly affordable. You can reach almost every city in Germany by train; not to mention that watching the German landscape stream by your window is a very relaxing and comfortable way to travel.
Regional trains are now run by a variety of private operators as well as Deutsche Bahn subsidiaries, but they can all be booked through bahn.com. Long distance trains on the other hand are almost all run by Deutsche Bahn. Those few that aren`t have to be booked through the operating company.
By Car:
Germany has a world-famous network of excellent roads and Autobahn (motorway) with no toll or fees for cars. Although public transport in Germany is excellent, those who choose to drive will find the road network fast and efficient as well. Like most of Europe, Germany drives on the right-hand side.
Check in advance on whether your non-German driving licence is valid in Germany. Otherwise, you may risk a heavy fine or up to one year in jail. For longer stays most foreign licenses are not valid no matter what your residence status is. If you plan on driving on a longer stay (several months or years) try getting a European drivers license that is usually valid throughout the European Union.
Germany offers many scenic drives that will lead you past picturesque villages, medieval castles, and unspoiled countryside. From the Romantic Road to the Castle Road, from the Fairy Tale Road to the German Wine Route, are some of the roads best traveled in Germany.
For more information about driving in Germany, consult our guide by clicking here Driving in Germany.