Germany flights and travel guide

From the port city of Hamburg and the quiet beaches of the Baltic Coast down through the capital Berlin and financial capital Frankfurt to Bavaria in the lush south, travellers booking airline tickets to Germany will be spoiled for places to visit.

Its exciting cities with world-famous museums and galleries have charming, and meticulously restored, old towns where they host the centuries-old Christmas markets. Its fairytale castles shine a light onto the time when an emperor and princes ruled. Germany's snow-covered mountains, seaside resorts, nature reserves and national parks provide plenty of opportunities for recreation.

Germany's different regions and shared borders with countries such as Switzerland, Poland, France and Austria informs its cuisine. In general, the fare is hearty and simple. Favourite snacks during Oktoberfest are sausage, chicken, käsespätzle, sauerkraut, and beer of course.

The German passion for perfection filters down to its favourite drink. It even has a Purity Law, that dates back to the 1500s, ensuring the very highest standards when it comes to the amber nectar.

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Germany climate

Germany’s seasons have distinct characteristics. It’s cold and wet during the winter and temperatures drop from near freezing to well below freezing the farther east you travel. If you make it to April and May, you can see all the fruit trees and flowers bloom. Summertime is warm, although you will encounter the occasional cloudy, rainy day. It doesn’t get too hot though. Temperatures range between 20 C and 30 C. A visit in the fall will allow you to see the beautiful fall foliage.

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When to fly to Germany

Peak Season:
May to late October is the busiest season. This is when the weather is best and when folk festivals and tourist events are in full swing. The peak season takes in such popular events as the auto show in Frankfurt (September), the Frankfurt Book Fair (October) and Oktoberfest in Munich (September/October). Although winter is generally a less attractive time for tourists to book cheap flights to Germany, skiers flock to the skiing areas of the Bavarian Alps. Christmas and New Year are busy times too especially with Christmas markets in several cities. In January, International Green Week Berlin, an exhibition for the food industry, agriculture and horticulture, is a big draw. 

Shoulder Season:
March to May and October/November (with the exception of Oktoberfest in Munich of course) are cheaper times to visit Germany. The weather is generally mild. 

Off Season:
November to March is considered off season, except in ski areas where the snowy winter months are peak season.

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Germany insider information

• The German love affair with the car endures. Enthusiasts will know that BMW's "four cylinder" HQ and bowl-shaped museum are landmarks in Munich. Stuttgart is where it all began with Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach. The Mercedes-Benz Museum tells the story, from horse carriage to sleek uber car. Somewhere with perhaps a bit more family appeal is Volkswagen's theme park in Wolfsburg. Not only can you pick up a new car here, but you can design a car and there are bus tours through a vast car factory. Porsche's museum is also in Stuttgart and has an almost complete collection of early cars including the very first Porsche sports car, dating from 1948. 
• A World War II bunker - designed by Albert Speer - in Berlin is now a contemporary art museum. Christian Boros, an advertising entrepreneur, spent five years converting the bomb shelter into an exhibition centre for his contemporary art collection ... and a family home. The museum, with thick concrete walls and heavy metal doors exhibits works by Wolfgang Tilmans, Damien Hirst, Elizabeth Payton, Anselm Reyle and Olafur Eliasson. There are tours on Saturday and Sunday, which must be reserved in advance via the website. (www.sammlung-boros.de)
• The origin of zoos in Munich dates back to the Bavarian dukes and electors. In 1770 elector Maximilian III established an enclosure for exotic animals in Nymphenburg park. In 1860 or so, the first public zoo was opened at Königinstraße close to the English Garden. Munich Zoo, as we know it, opened in 1911. It was the first Geo-zoo in the world. Animals are shown according to their geographical distribution in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia. 
• While in Munich, the Olympic Park is worth a trip. From the Olympic Tower (at a height of 291.28 metres) there are great views of Munich. Another way to see the sights is to scale the heights. An expedition to the roof of the Olympic Stadium takes two hours and costs €35 for adults and €25 for children (10-15 years). Heidelberg boasts many medieval and Renaissance-era buildings. 
• Literary travellers on cheap flights to Germany will know Heidelberg as the centre of Romanticism ("Romantik") in Germany. Its famous circle of poets includes Joseph von Eichendorff, Joseph von Görres, Arnim, and Clemens Brentano. It attracts about four million tourists each year to its many events such as the Heidelberg Castle Festival, the Heidelberg Festival of Chamber Music, Old Town Autumn Festival and the Heidelberg Christmas Market.

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Germany airports

Major Airports in Germany Include:

Berlin-Tegel Airport (TXL) (website: www.berlin-airport.de) The airport is situated 8km north west of the centre of Berlin.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) (website: www.airportcity-frankfurt.com) The airport is situated 13km south west of the centre of Frankfurt.

Hamburg Airport (HAM) (website: www.ham.airport.de) The airport is situated 8km from Hamburg.

Munich International Airport (MUC) (website: www.munich-airport.de) The airport is situated 29km north east of the centre of Munich.

Dusseldorf International Airport (DUS) (website: www.duesseldorf-international.de) The airport is situated 10km north of Dusseldorf.

Cologne-Bonn Airport (CGN) (website: www.koeln-bonn-airport.de) The airport is located 12km southeast of Cologne and 10 miles (16km) north of Bonn.

Stuttgart International Airport (STR) (website: www.flughafen-stuttgart.de) The airport is located 13km south of Stuttgart city centre.

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Passport/Visa

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Entry requirements

Canadian citizens need a passport to visit Germany, but no visas are required as long as the stay lasts no longer than 90 days.

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