My daughter and son-in-law, 6yo granddaughter, and myself are in the early stages of planning a trip to Germany in September 2025. We are hoping to stay around two weeks. The parameters are:

1) Must fly in and out of Frankfurt for financial and logistical reasons.
2) Must be in Berlin for at least September 20th to September 22nd.
3) Would really, really like a few days in Munich/Salzburg.
4) We would like to spend at least 2-3 nights at each stop, perhaps using it as a hub to doodle around.

We are open to traveling by train or by renting a car. Even though we are flying into Frankfurt we don't have a burning desire to spend time there. Does anyone have any insights on a route that would make sense? Or to a website that would help?

I've looked at a map but just don't feel familiar enough with the logistics We would love to stop in some of the smaller towns and villages. We like art, history, good food and beer/wine. My granddaughter likes princesses, fairy tales, castles, and The Sound of Music.

Thanks in advance!

I rstrongly ecommend spending some time with good guide books, like the Michelin Green and/or Rough Guide.

If you are flying out of Frankfurt, you would do well to plan on spending at least the night before your flight there. And although I'm no expert, I admit that once you consider the costs (in time, money, opportunities) of backtracking to Munich, I'd think there would be a good case to be made for flying into Frankfurt and out of Berlin (or vice versa).

With your time frame and constraints, I'd urge relying on trains rather than renting a car. You can use Rome2Rio to explore your travel options, but be sure to click through to the underlying links as the top level can be misleading. Please note that you should not drive for at least 36 hours after crossing multiple time zones, so if crossing the Atlantic (for example) you would either want to stay in Frankfurt for a few days or take a train to somewhere ASAP after landing.

The usual rule of thumb is that 2 nights in a place gives you one full day. Depending on your itinerary, that could be closer to 1.5 days, but you really do need to plan on losing time to transportation. Berlin and Munich both have a LOT to offer; 3 nights would barely let you scratch the surface. if the Sound of Music is a priority, you'll probably want at least 3 nights in Salzburg. So if you're thinking 2 weeks, you've already covered about 10 days at a rapid pace.

Hope that helps!

Just quick. I agree that R-T in out of FRA might not be the most economical option. Don't look at two one-ways - open jaw (multi-city) would save you having to return to FRA the day before flying home. Worth checking anyway

I agree. With needing to return to Frankfurt, you need to figure your hotel cost and transit cost to return into your plans. Often, any savings you saved on that RT end up being a wash.

Any reason specifically for wanting this to be a road-trip? Remember that when you're in cities, having a car is useless and you will be paying for the car to sit in a parking lot - sometimes with parking fees, too. Everyone has their reasons, of course, but German and Austrian transit is so efficient and affordable. What you could do, depending on your ultimate plans, you could perhaps rent the car for a portion of the trip for any time you (might) have in the countryside. That is if you have time for it.

I agree with kja spending time with some guidebooks would be invaluable. As far as castles, Germany has an abundance of them (as does much of Europe). Neuschwanstein is near Munich and is what "inspired" the Disneyland castle. It is very popular so would be something you have to plan for. It would be a day trip, especially if you include other castles or sites in the area nearby (there are quite a few). Salzburg has a fortress that is worth going to as well.

One thing about historical women, princesses included, history does not always mention them. So, it is something to keep in mind when visiting castles that you may see more reference to a king, prince, or occasional queen rather than their daughters/wives/sisters. Though the wedding of Princess Therese did inspire the festival that became Oktoberfest (held in September- October), so there's that. 😉

What about this:

1 arrive Frankfurt, take rest of day to get bearings / sleep it off
2 train to Berlin, night in Berlin
3 night in Berlin
4 night in Berlin
5 train to Leipzig; night in Leipzig
6 train to Munich; night in Munich
7 night in Munich
8 night in Munich
9 night in Munich
10 train to Salzburg; night in Salzburg
11 night in Salzburg
12 night in Salzburg
13 train to Frankfurt (long day)
14 final night in Frankfurt

This is somewhere to start. I have given you a night in Leipzig because it is between Berlin and Munich just to break up the journey a bit, but it is an interesting city in its own right. You could vary this a little by doing the middle Rhine gorge from Frankfurt (an easy day trip). If you don't like Frankfurt, you could stay in Mainz instead (just next door, in the Rhein-Main district). Or get yourself an extra day at the end by flying from Salzburg back to Frankfurt. Feel free to ratchet days up and down. Or Dresden instead of Leipzig. Easy!

Lavandula

The main reason for flying into and out of Frankfurt is that it is the only direct flight from our home cities. I don’t love connecting flights, but DD and SiL simply refuse especially when traveling with the little one.

I was hoping that 2 weeks would give us enough time to spend a couple nights on the road seeing things between the Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich triangle, but it sounds like not. We would do better to train directly from Frankfurt to Berlin, spend that weekend, then train to Munich and concentrate most of our time there and in Salzburg, then train back to Frankfurt the night before we leave.

This is why seeking advice from you all who have actual knowledge of the ground game is so valuable. I’ll also grt my hands on copies of the suggested guide books. Thank you!

Thanks for laying it out like this, Lavandula! So helpful.

I think you have a few days to visit somewhere other than your anchoring cities -- you just need to do some research to decide what best suits your interests within your constraints. I don't know Leipzig, but would encourage you to investigate lavandula's suggestion. I'm sure you have other options, too -- including other options that wouldn't require a car.

Is Octoberfest a draw or a problem for you? You're going to be in Munich during it. I'd be booking hotels already if not yesterday.

Personally unless you want to visit Octoberfest I might skip Munich.

You will find the German train system does not just go city to city but town to town and some of those towns are small (especially along scenic rivers where local tourists go "a wandering".

You've been guided along a route which sort of follows the od border and south of Leipzig are a bunch of little places along rivers, with little country inns but these sort of places are all over. Even Berlin has some beautiful lakes to its north with no indication you are in a city.

Grab the Rough Guide and have a look at a map of recommended places along Lavadula's route (or make your own) then either dig out a German rail map or use R2R to see your options. Taxis also exist and are worth using for little journeys.

I agree with the advice about relying on trains. Please read ManinSeat61 for train travel in Germany - you can save substantially by commiting to a specific journey and reserving in advance. Use the Deutsche Bahn site for schedules.

We were in Germany this September, and you need to carefully plan around Oktoberfest dates (Munich) and Berlin marathon dates (Berlin), where accomodation can be hard to find and turn very expensive. I believe the Berlin marathon is on 21 September, and possibly explains your specific dates?

@ Traveler_Nick: I'm curious about this recommendation! It's been a while since I've visited Munich, and I can't imagine being there for Octoberfest, but I found it a city with many delights -- a very pleasant walkable city with quite a diversity of options. It holds some wonderful art museums and lots of history (both things on the OP's list of interests), in addition to the English Garden, an awesome science museum, and some impressive architecture. Easy day trips include Neuschwanstein (as Travel_Nerd noted), Schloss Nymphenburg, and Ülm, not to mention Dachau (which might appeal to some of the adults, even if they have to split up if they deem it inappropriate for the young lady). So I wonder: What makes you think Munich is a place to be skipped? (No need to answer, of course, but I am curious.)

No I think Octoberfest needs to be a goal if you go during Octoberfest.

People likely started booking 2025 before Octoberfest 2024 ended. I glanced at prices even now hotels are starting at something like €300 per person. Not high end luxury hotels either. We're talking almost ten months out.

It would be different if they went before or after but it's like any other major event. They'll get all the downsides so they better have an interests in the upsides. AKA the event.

Anuj, actually we are doing this trip because my SiL’s sister is running the Berlin Marathon. Oktoberfest is a draw, but we don’t need to stay more than a day or to, and perhaps can concentrate on Salzburg and the surrounding area.

https://tripstouncover.com/self-guid...tour-salzburg/

Personally, if you are going to be in Berlin, I would try to go to Hamburg.

Driving into Austria will require a "vignette" beforehand:
https://www.asfinag.at/en/toll/

Most German cities have low emission zones:
https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/co...emission-zones
I have an EU registered car, you would have to ask the car rental company for more info.


Getting the cheap trainfares requires planning the trip to the minute months in advance.

Thing is about Oktoberfest, I wouldn't want to have a 6 yo in tow at it. Not saying it isn't safe for kids - there are carnival rides. But there are also a lot of, ahem, inebriated adults on said carnival rides. Just something to think about and maybe consider having a plan B in mind if its too much for your GD.

It is crowded and busy event, less so if you go during the day on a weekday if you can manage that in your plans.

Expect lodging to be at a premium, that night or two might be a higher cost than other areas of your trip. Transit WILL be busy, too especially as folks come from Salzburg area to take part as well.

Kudos to Nick for paying better attention to dates. I somehow overlooked your hard dates and missed the detail.

It is crowded and busy event...

Not to mention expensive.

The beer price for Oktoberfest 2024 was between 13.60 euros and 15.30 euros for a liter.

Berliin is of easy reach from everywhere in Germany.
So, you must not focus on towns between FRA and Berlin, although there are some charming small cities like Weimar, Muehlhausen, Quedlinburg, Eisenach, Erfurt, Gotha.........
What about the Rhine and Mosel Valleys (Mainz to Koblenz and Koblenz to Trier, with regular hop on hop off ferry traffic, tons of castles, vineyards and small historic river cities?
Dresden is a gem too with it's historic buildings and the white ferry fleet plying the Elbe river up to the Czech border.
Or would you prefer a cog wheel railway ride to Zugspitze, the highest mountain of Germany, a bit south of Munich?

I believe Octoberfest begins on Sept. 20. Perhaps it would be possible to visit Munich before then?

Mosel is my prefered area but down south of Dresden is pretty good too