A Germany and Austria itinerary. Gee you are one of the lucky people to be able to take off for one month and where did you choose to go? Germany and Austria! Well good pick, because there is definitely a ton to see in these two beautiful countries. From the wild and mysterious techno clubs in Berlin to the rolling snow capped mountains of Bavaria, and everything in between you are certainly up for an adventure.
Table of Contents
- Map
- Germany and Austria Itinerary
- Day 1 – Fly into Berlin
- Day 2 to 4 – Experience Berlin (and the techno clubs)
- Day 5 – Travel to Hamburg
- Day 6 to 7 – Explore Hamburg
- Day 8 – Travel to Cologne
- Day 9 to 10 – Adventure through Cologne
- Day 11 – Travel to Munich
- Day 12 to 14 – Take in the heart of Bavaria, Munich
- Day 15 – Travel to Innsbruck
- Day 16 to 17 – Hike around Innsbruck
- Day 18 – Travel to Salzburg
- Day 18 to 20 – Explore Salzburg and Konigssee
- Day 21 – Travel to Vienna
- Day 22 to 24 – Stroll around Vienna
- Day 25 – Travel to Prague
- Day 25 to 26 – Discover Prague
- Day 27 – Travel to Dresden
- Day 28 to 30 – Enjoy your last destination, Dresden and Saxon Switzerland
- Day 31 – Travel to Berlin and fly home
- FAQ’s
Map
Germany and Austria Itinerary
Germany and Austria are two countries with rich history and vivid culture. It is certainly hard to narrow down exactly where you will go on your trip no matter how much time you have. There are many ways to travel this route between both countries and many cities to stop and explore on the way. I found 1 month in Germany and Austria was barely enough to scratch the surface. However, if you are restricted on time like I was, consider what you would like your trip to involve. More nature activities or cities and food? Outlined below is an itinerary for 1 month or roughly 30 days.
Day 1 – Fly into Berlin
Welcome to Berlin! This is your day to relax, settle in, and adjust to the time difference if you have one. Check out your accomodation and wander around the city if you have time.
Day 2 to 4 – Experience Berlin (and the techno clubs)
There is never a shortage of things to do in Berlin. This is a city that has had a turbulent history so it is definitely worth checking out the Berlin Wall Memorial, Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and even the German Historical Museum. And of course I’m sure you’ve heard of the techno clubs in Berlin. Grab your edgiest most unique outfit and head on to a club.
Day 5 – Travel to Hamburg
Travel from Berlin to Hamburg can be done by train, bus, or shared ride. The Deutsche Bahn (DB) train is the fastest way to travel all around Germany, but Flixbus is a cheaper alternative although it will take nearly twice as long to get to your destination. Or you can try using Blablacar which is a rideshare app where you hitch a ride with someone local in their car and pay them a small fee. This is all handled online through the Blablacar website and may become your go-to means of transport for this trip. I definitely used it a ton while I was there.
Day 6 to 7 – Explore Hamburg
Hamburg is a quaint city that has a few hidden gems. And by hidden gems I’m referring to Reeperbahn. But Planten un Blomen and the Elbphilharmonie are cool to see too! Although not as busy as Berlin, there are still tons of things to do in Hamburg.
Day 8 – Travel to Cologne
Again, travel can be done in 3 different ways: train, bus or rideshare. Pick whichever is best for you.
Day 9 to 10 – Adventure through Cologne
Now this is a city I have personally not been to, although it was most definitely on my bucketlist. But I have heard from fellow travelers that there is a Lindt Chocolate Museum in the city. That would be the first place my sweet tooth would take me. Surely there’s many more cool things to do in Cologne!
Day 11 – Travel to Munich
Cologne to Munich will be a longer journey than usual. If Cologne or Hamburg doesn’t suit your interests, consider skipping both cities altogether and heading down to Munich from Berlin. Or travel this itinerary in reverse making Munich your last stop.
Day 12 to 14 – Take in the heart of Bavaria, Munich
Munich may have been my favorite city on this trip. And it may have been because I traveled to Munich in September during Oktoberfest. Nonetheless, the city is beautiful and there is loads to do in and around Munich. If you are a nature lover and have extra time, visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen for some great hiking in the Bavarian Alps.
Day 15 – Travel to Innsbruck
Munich to Innsbruck will be a shorter ride that may not even be worth a nap. You’ll be traveling through the Bavarian Alps and the mountain views will be stunning no matter what mode of transportation you choose.
Day 16 to 17 – Hike around Innsbruck
Innsbruck is a picturesque town with beautiful snow-capped mountains on one side of the Inn River and a quaint little town on the other. This is a hiker’s, skier’s, and outdoor adventurer’s paradise. One thing you certainly cannot miss is taking the Nordkette cable car to the top of Innsbruck for a stunning view of the whole city and some great hiking trails.
Day 18 – Travel to Salzburg
Travel from Innsbruck to Salzburg is quick, beautiful and stressfree. Hop on a train for a quick 2 hour ride, or grab a Blablacar which will only take 30 minutes more for nearly half the price. Whatever you do, just get to Salzburg!
Day 18 to 20 – Explore Salzburg and Konigssee
The birthplace of Mozart and the filming of Sound of Music, Salzburg is a stunning city. I fell in love with this city almost as soon as I arrived. From the lush green landscapes to the historic castles surrounding the area, there is so much beauty to see. Consider taking a day trip to Berchtesgaden National Park to immerse yourself in nature. There are so many things to do in Salzburg, you’ll wish you had an extra week to stay here.
Day 21 – Travel to Vienna
Salzburg to Vienna is about a 3 hour drive, shorter train ride or longer bus ride. Take your pick! Train can be taken using the Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) and be sure to book in advance for cheaper tickets.
Day 22 to 24 – Stroll around Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and like most capital cities, there are a bunch of historical buildings. This time there are several palaces too! Also consider taking a day trip to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, which isn’t too far away from Vienna. Vienna is a gem with plenty of things to see.
Day 25 – Travel to Prague
From Vienna, travel up to Prague in Czech Republic. The cheapest way to do this is by bus, but it can also be done by train. Both modes of transport take roughly the same amount of time.
Day 25 to 26 – Discover Prague
Prague has a quirky charm mixed with old time aesthetic. From trying to read the oldest astronomical clock (good luck with that!) to attempting to dodging selfie sticks in the Old Town Square, there’s never a dull moment. There’s an array of unforgettable things to do in Prague for every traveler.
Day 27 – Travel to Dresden
Head back into Germany and settle into the less visited city of Dresden. Either take the DB train or a bus from Prague to Dresden.
Day 28 to 30 – Enjoy your last destination, Dresden and Saxon Switzerland
Flying under most tourist’s radar, Dresden has a small city vibe with stunning architecture. Wander along the Elbe River near Innere Altstadt and find yourself admiring the historical buildings. Make a day trip to Saxon Switzerland, or even better, stay a few nights to enjoy all the hiking and nature the area has to offer. There is never a shortage of things to do in Dresden.
Day 31 – Travel to Berlin and fly home
Take the train or bus back to Berlin. You may be able to take the train or bus directly to the airport, saving you tons of time. You’ve just spent a full month explore not just Germany and Austria, but also Czech Republic! It’s been a hectic month full of adventure but it’s the memories that count.
FAQ’s
How do I get cell service in Germany, Austria and Prague?
During my stay in Europe I used an eSIM that I bought through Airalo. I bought the eSIM through the Airalo app for $20 for 5GB of data for 30 days. I thought it would be easiest to buy the regional Europe eSIM since I knew I was going to be traveling between Germany and Austria quite a few times. Installing the eSIM on my phone was very simple since Airalo provided all the step-by-step instructions. I had no issues whatsoever with connectivity during my travels and would highly recommend Airalo.
Alternatively, there are country specific SIM cards that you can buy in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. I did not go this route so I am not too familiar with this but I found this blog incredibly helpful.
What is the weather like in September?
Weather in Germany and Austria in September is wet and cool. It rained a couple times during my stay in Berlin and Hamburg. When I went south to Innsbruck and Salzburg, it was snowing in the mountains so I didn’t do the hikes that I had planned to do. By late September, it was definitely much cooler and I definitely needed a sweater or a light jacket.
How and where can I get euros?
I was able to withdraw euros from any ATM with my Charles Schwab debit card. I highly recommend getting this card before your travel, especially because Charles Schwab will refund the ATM fees at the end of every month. There are also no foreign transaction fees or any annual fees. I just use my card in any ATM, withdraw cash in the local currency, and get refunded the ATM fees at the end of the month. Cannot recommend this card enough.
How do I get around Europe?
Trains, buses, or rideshares. For trains, I found the Eurail pass not worth it as I could find buses and Blablacars for much cheaper. Of course, traveling by train is more convenient and easier but if you are looking to travel cheaply, I’d recommend but individual tickets for each leg of your trip. For trains in Germany, I had the DB app downloaded on my phone which made it very easy to check ticket prices and times. For the most part, the buses seemed to be the cheapest mode of transport and occasionally Blablacar was also cheaper. I used Flixbus every time I took the bus and it proved to be a decent ride.
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