Western Europe - Travel To Germany

 

Germany Air Travel

For a country with so many natural attractions and so well linked from the UK (there are more than 20 flights to Germany per day from the London airports alone) it is a surprisingly under-visited place.

Germany boasts exciting cities, charming old towns (hosting those world-famous Christmas markets), fairytale castles, snow-capped mountains, seaside resorts, national parks and nature reserves. The roll call of notable Germans is impressive; the country's art galleries are world class.

The old towns of its cities, though damaged during the Second World war have been restored meticulously. The German reputation for innovation and technical expertise extends to its beer too. There are more than 1,200 breweries and a Purity Law, dating from the 1500s, that ensures the very highest standards. Munich holds the world's best beer festival each autumn: the Oktoberfest.

Berlin is capital, one of the coolest European cities, with a multicultural population and a thriving arts and entertainment scene.

Frankfurt is the centre of Germany's banking industry, but also the city that spends more on the arts than any other European city.

Hamburg, the ancient port city, is Northern Germany's commercial center, capital of sports and home to the famous red-light district, the Reeperbahn.

Germany Climate

Germany has a temperate climate, and the inland areas see distinct seasonal changes. Winters are cold and wet and the temperatures vary from west to east; western temperatures are near freezing and eastern temperatures drop well below freezing. The fruit trees and flowers are in full bloom by April and May. The summers are typically warm, with occasional cloudy and rainy days. Summer temperatures range from the high 60s (Fahrenheit) to mid-80s. Indian summers are not uncommon and the fall foliage is beautiful.

Best Time to Fly to Germany

Peak Season:
The busiest season for flights to Germany is May to late October. The weather is at its best, there are lots of tourist events and folk festivals, and prices are at their highest. In the more popular areas, such as Heidelberg, Germany flights and hotel reservations need to be made in advance, and reservations for Frankfurt’s September auto show and October book fair are booked years in advance.

Although winter generally brings fewer visitors, it is becoming a popular time, especially for the ski areas in the Bavarian Alps. Christmas and New Year are typically busy, and Berlin’s Green Week in January is a big draw.

Off Season:
Spring and fall are pleasant times to fly to Germany. Cheap flights to Germany and discounted resort packages are easily found during the off season.

Germany Travel Tips

Germany’s cultural centre is Berlin, with its museums, opera, dance, and theatre. The galleries, studios, shops, and bookstores make shopping irresistible. Berlin is also an architectural treasure trove: restored historic buildings, the Corbusier House apartment building on stilts, and the Hansaviertel rebuilt with designs from 50 world-renowned architects. The nightlife abounds with cabarets, bars, parties, and quiet cafes.

Hamburg is a multi-faceted city. Its lake, Alster, is surrounded by stately hotels, stores, cafes, and mansions, and its infamous Reeperbahn red-light district parties all night. For the arts, stroll the Art Mile or take in the ballet and opera. Nearly destroyed by fire and then by WWII bombings, Hamburg is now a cosmopolitan, cultural city and the greenest city in Europe.

Frankfurt provides more support to the arts than any other European city, ensuring you’ll see excellent exhibits and performances. Even the nightlife features jazz musicians from all over the world. The city also hosts festivals, music events, and fairs. WWII bombings destroyed nearly half the city, and Frankfurt rebuilt itself with skyscrapers and has Germany’s most spectacular skyline.

One of the cities not flattened during WWII, Heidelberg’s Middle Ages and early Renaissance buildings are still standing. A university town since 1386, Heidelberg has produced poets, writers, composers, and philosophers. The markets have glass, crystal, and handcrafted goods, and the nightlife reverberates with student enthusiasm.

Surrounded by forests and Germany's largest wine-growing region, Stuttgart is nearly two-thirds parks, gardens, and woodlands. Although historic landmarks and buildings did not survive the WWII bombings, Stuttgart is now a major industrial centre, home to corporations such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Stuttgart’s cultural attractions include the famous Stuttgart Ballet, opera, symphony, and an abundance of theatres, festivals, and museums.

Major airports in Germany include:

Bremen (BRE)
Nürnberg (NUE)
Berlin Brandenburg (SXF)
Berlin International (TXL)
Cologne Bonn (CGN)
Dresden (DRS)
Düsseldorf International (DUS)
Erfurt (ERF)
Frankfurt (FRA)
Hamburg (HAM)
Hannover (HAJ)
Leipzig/Halle (LEJ)
Munich International (MUC)
Munster Osnabruck International (FMO)
Saarbrücken (SCN)
Stuttgart (STR)