10 Days in Germany Road Trip Itinerary: Best of Bavaria and Beyond
Schloss Linderhof in Ettal, Germany
Explore the incredible sights of Bavaria, the Rhine Valley, the Romantic Road, and beyond in this incredible 10 day road trip in Germany itinerary.
In just over a week and a walk, you’ll wind your way from Munich to Fussen to the Rhine Valley to Trier. You can also add on a few days in Luxembourg as we did for a 2 country extravaganza.
If you haven't been to this area of the world, you absolutely must put it on your travel list immediately.
This is one of the best European road trips for getting samples of the different cultures that make up this area of the continent.
Along the way, you’ll learn about World War II, Unesco World Heritage Sites, King Ludwig, and the Roman conquest of Europe.
If you’d like to take the whole family, I'm happy to report that this itinerary from Germany to Luxembourg is extremely kid-friendly!
My toddler loved seeing the castles, walking through the cobblestoned streets, tasting the new foods, and hearing the church bells in the small towns.
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Updated 7/2022 | Written 10/2015
Germany 10 Day Itinerary, Day by Day
Day 0: Travel to Munich
My daughter prepares for her first international flight
Today is your travel day from the US to Germany, so prepare for long hours, little sleep and a couple of layovers.
We flew from Charleston to Atlanta, and then changed planes for our final leg between Atlanta to Munich.
Munich is quite a large airport, so it's a great spot to start your German road trip.
We also knew we wanted to concentrate our time in the southern and western portions of Germany.
Using Munich as the starting point made sense as this is the closest international airport in those regions.
Day 1: Arrival in Munich
After a very long flight wherein my toddler decided that she wasn't going to sleep, we arrived in at Flughafen München, which is easily one of the cleanest, nicest airports I've ever seen.
Let’s hope your trans-Atlantic crossing is much easier!
Once you arrive in the airport, you’ll gather your luggage and move towards the entrance to the train station, known as the S-bahn in Germany.
The airport has an S-bahn station underneath it, so getting into central Munich is incredibly easy.
I was traveling with my sister, parents, and toddler daughter, and we all felt comfortable throughout the our time on the train system.
The S-bahn is clean, safe, inexpensive, and well signposted.
We hopped aboard the S-bahn and rode it to the Hauptbahnhof (the main train station). The journey took about 30 minutes.
We then walked to our hotel, the Citadines Arnulfpark, where we unloaded our luggage with the desk clerk.
As a general tip, you are welcome to leave your luggage with the desk at the hotel even if it is too early to check into your room!
Next, head out to do a little sightseeing in the city center.
The tram through Munich
You WILL feel exhausted at this point because the time difference will be catching up with you, but keep pushing through!
Use the blue tram to make your way to the Old Town.
Have your first taste of wurst, brezel, and kraut at a little stand in the Vikualienmarkt, and then listen to the Glockenspiel chime in the New Town Hall in the Marienplatz.
If you wanted to lean into the amazing options at Vikualienmarkt, I’d highly recommend doing a guided tour of the market.
My dad and I sampling some traditional German food at the Viktualienmarkt
Check availability of the Vikualienmarkt by clicking on your preferred date below:
FUN FACT: Munich (Munchen in German) was badly bombed in World War II, and much of the city was destroyed.
After the war was over, the city decided to rebuild in a replication style, so modern day Munich looks much like it did in the 1800s, even though the buildings date from the 1940s!
After your sightseeing, you’ll likely be tired.
Grab some dinner at a local grocery store like we did, or package something up from the Vikualienmarkt for later.
Overnight: Munich
Bedroom at Citadines Arnulfpark
I recommend the hotel we stayed in, Citadines Arnulfpark, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
It’s super convenient to both the train station and Old Town Munich, thanks to the S-bahn track that runs along the Arnulfstraße (the road right outside of the hotel).
To get from the hotel to the Old Town and Marienplatz, simply hop on the S-bahn, go 4 stops, and you’re in the historic district.
Inside the hotel is modern and clean. We opted for an apartment with a kitchen, bedroom, and fold out couch.
It’s remarkably difficult to find European hotels that accommodate families beyond a small room with double beds, and this hotel is a gem among the ones we’ve stayed in abroad.
>> Book your stay at Citadines Arnulfpark in Munich. <<
Day 2: Munich
This will be your one full day in Munich before heading elsewhere on the road trip.
I'd highly recommend taking a walking tour when in Munich to help you learn more about the history, architecture, and layout of the historic city center.
There are some great guided tours, but you can easily get by with a self-guided one, too.
We opted for a self-guided one from our Rick Steves Germany guide book, so we could stop and start as necessary with my toddler.
Me (with my handy dandy guide book), my dad, my mom, and my daughter at the Sendlinger Tor, one of the remaining medieval gates in the city
Your Munich stops absolutely should include:
the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz,
the Sendlinger Tor,
the Viktualienmarkt,
St. Peter's Church,
St. Michael's Church, and the
Residenz.
Given its historical status, I’d also recommend stopping by the Hofbrauhaus am Platzl on this day as well.
Founded in the late 1500s as the brewery to the Munich royal family, the property eventually opened its doors to everyone.
Today, you can listen to some authentic oompah music, dine on Bavarian food, and, of course, have a few beers.
Hop onto a Munich food and culture tour if you’d like your Hofbrauhaus visit to be accompanied by a tour guide!
Overnight: Munich
We stayed again in the Citadeines Arnulfpark for our second night in Munich.
It was the perfect location for our early start on day 3 when we had to pack up and get our rental car just down the road.
>> Book your stay at Citadines Arnulfpark in Munich. <<
Day 3: Munich to German Alps
The road trip in Germany begins in earnest today!
We sadly said goodbye to Munich on Saturday morning, took the S-bahn to the train station one more time, and got our rental car from the Hauptbahnhof.
The Ford C-Max we rented easily held all four adults, a child seat, and our luggage.
As you’re planning your own German road trip, I would encourage you to find a rental car that is as small as is comfortable for your party.
You’ll be able to fit everywhere as the roads in the smaller towns can be cobblestoned and tight.
My dad was the only one in our party who knew how to drive a manual, so he took the wheel.
In just a few minutes after heading south out of Munich, we were into the German Alps!
Heading out of Munich into the Alps!
Ettal, Germany
Make your first stop at the incredible Ettal Abbey in Ettal, Germany.
There, you can admire the gorgeous Rococo decorations on the interior of the church.
Then, head over to the onsite brewery to see how the Ettal monks have been producing their own beer for centuries, a practice that continues to today.
Linderhof Palace
Our second stop of the day was just down the road at Linderhof Palace. This was the smallest of King Ludwig II's homes, but it was the one that he loved the most.
Ludwig is best known for his other palace, Schloss Neuschwanstein, which you’ll see later on this trip.
End the day by heading into nearby Fussen.
Room at Hotel Sonne
Note: you’ll briefly dip into Switzerland on the way from Ettal to Fussen!
Since both Germany and Switzerland are in the Schengen zone, you won’t need to stop for a passport check.
We had dinner in Fussen and checked into the Hotel Sonne for the first of two nights.
Hotel Sonne was right in the middle of town in a beautiful old building.
We loved the Bavarian-themed decor which incorporated fashion and famous figures from Bavaria’s history.
Read my full review of the hotel here.
Overnight: Fussen
Day 4: Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau
Hohenschwangau Castle as seen from Neuschwanstein Castle
Just a five minutes' drive from downtown Fussen are these two stunning castles.
Remember King Ludwig from yesterday’s Schloss Linderhof?
It’s time to dive even further into his history.
Hohenschwangau was Ludwig II's childhood home, while Neuschwanstein was his unfulfilled dream in later life.
According to official records, Ludwig drowned in a lake before he could finish it, but some scholars say that it was suicide or even murder from a rival.
In any case, these castles are a worthy memorial to this eccentric, fascinating man.
Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein are perched on the sides of two facing mountains, and are everything that you'd want from a German castle experience.
Allot an entire day to visit the two castles. There’s so much to see here that you don’t want to feel rushed.
When you purchase your tickets, you'll be given specific entry times for each. If you miss the entry times, you can't get in the castles, so make sure to be at each entrance early!
Make sure to consider the transportation time to each castle as well.
You cannot drive up to either palace, so be prepared to walk from the parking lot, take a bus, or hop on the horse and buggy carriages.
I wrote a full post about our day in Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
Read through that for much more detail on what to see, what to expect, and how to make the most of your day at these amazing castles.
Overnight: Fussen
Day 5: Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If the weather is nice on this day, head to the Tegelberg cable car which offers amazing views of the German alps on a clear day.
Then, hop back in your rental car and head towards Rothenburg ob der Tauber via the Romantic Road.
The Romantic Road (or Romantische Straße) winds its way through some beautiful towns, including Fussen, the walled Landsburg am Leche, and the tiny Hohenfurch.
We weren't able to travel the entire length of the Road due to time constraints, but a road trip in Germany just through this area would be so much fun!
The interior of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies
Along the way, make astop at the Pilgrimage Church of Wies to learn more about the controversial (and supposedly bleeding) statute of Jesus.
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a great place to learn about traditional religious pilgrimage, Rococo architecture, and more!
You’ll end today’s leg of the tour in Rothenburg ob der Tauber late that afternoon.
Grab dinner here, and window shop around this beautiful medieval walled town.
You MUST try a schneeballen, the town’s signature snack.
Window display of different types of schneeballen
A schneeballen is a gigantic lump of shortbread and filling that's then dipped in chocolate, coconut, or some other sugary substance.
Overnight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
We stayed just outside of the walled town in the Gasthaus Tauberstube, which was one of the few places in town that had a big enough room for 4 adults and my toddler.
While basic, the accommodations were clean and comfortable, and they included a free breakfast.
I appreciated the extra space that the family room gave us.
Day 6: Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Bacharach
Since you didn’t have much time to explore Rothenburg ob der Tauber yesterday, head back into the gorgeous walled city to explore more.
We again did a self-guided tour from our Rick Steves Germany guide book since my two-year-old loves to stop and touch things more than a regular guided tour would allow.
I highly recommend this approach if you have small kids or if you want the flexibility to start and stop the tour at will.
When you visit Rothenburg, give yourself plenty of time to just wander the town.
It's been nearly unchanged since the 1300s, and you can easily forget that you live in the 21st century!
Take pictures, get a little lost, and soak up the atmosphere.
If you’d prefer a bit more structure to your sightseeing, I recommend booking a private tour, where your party of up to 6 can direct the focus of your tour.
This would be great when traveling with multiple generations as you could request items that would intrigue each member of the family!
Check availability of the private tour of Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
If you’re interested in medieval history or true crime, you’ll want to make a stop at the Kriminalmuseum.
It focuses on the laws and punishments in this area of Germany in the Middle Ages.
As someone who's deeply enthralled with both the medieval period and gruesome laws, I thought that the museum was well worth a few hours of my time.
>> Read more about our time in Rothenburg ob der Tauber here. <<
Hotel am Markt in Bacharach, Germany
After lunch, do any last minute shopping or picture taking in Rothenberg ob der Tauber, and head towards the Loreley Valley along the Rhine.
Spend the evening exploring the charming and tiny town of Bacharach before settling into your hotel.
>> Read more about our time in and around Bacharach. <<
Overnight: Bacharach
We stayed in the heart of Bacharach in the Hotel Am Markt, which I highly recommend.
The hotel had a huge family apartment above the onsite restaurant with its own entrance.
With a kitchen, large bathroom, sitting room, and 2 big bedrooms, this room was the most spacious we had the entire trip.
Day 7: Loreley Valley and Trier
After a breakfast at the Hotel am Markt, it’s time to go from Bacharach to Trier, all the way on the western border of Germany and Luxembourg.
Trier is a bustling town filled with some incredible historic ruins.
My toddler, parents, and me in front of the Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany
Make sure to visit the Porta Nigra, the Throne Room, and the Trier Cathedral during your visit!
All three date back to the 300 AD when Trier was a major Roman outpost.
>> Read about our entire day in Trier, Germany. <<
Overnight: Trier
We stayed just outside of Trier at the hillside Burghotel Kockelsberg.
Thanks to the hotel’s turrets and incredible views of Trier below, the property had a bit of a fairytale feel to it.
We loved the free breakfast in the morning, free parking, and the onsite playground. Because the hotel is perched on a hillside above Trier, the entire place is quiet all day.
There are also hiking trails onsite if you’d like to get out and explore more.
Day 8: Luxembourg City
We woke up early, packed the car, and started our last major leg of the road trip into Luxembourg City.
My daughter and me in the Place Guillaume II
Luxembourg is a small European county that’s within easy driving distance of Trier, Germany, making it a perfect second country to add onto your 10 day Germany road trip.
When you first arrive in the Luxembourg city center, head to the tourist information booth to get a guidebook.
This will allow you to led yourselves around the easily walkable city center.
All of the major points of interest, including the Grand Ducal Palace, Place Guillaume II, and the Notre Dame Cathedral are within a 5 minute walk.
The casements are also close to these sites, so you’ll have plenty of time at the sites rather than traveling between them.
For dinner, we grabbed some dinner on the Place d'Arms before heading back to your hotel.
>> Read more on how to spend two days in Luxembourg. <<
Overnight: Luxembourg City
We stayed at the Ibis near the airport in order to be as close as possible for our very early flight on the morning of day 10.
In theory, we could’ve walked from the Ibis to the airport, but we didn’t feel comfortable hauling our luggage and a toddler down the road at 4 in the morning.
It did make for a VERY short taxi ride to the airport, however.
The Ibis is clean and modern, but the rooms are small. We had to split our party into 2 room since we weren’t able to fit into 1 small double room.
Day 9: Luxembourg American Cemetery and Vianden Castle
Your last day on this trip will be incredible.
My daughter at my great-uncle’s grave in the Luxembourg American Cemetery
In the morning, we visited the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial where over 5,000 soldiers were buried after they fell during the Battle of the Bulge.
One of those people is my great-uncle Ernest, who died in March 1945.
My great-grandfather didn't want to bring his body home, so my great-uncle was buried here.
My mom, dad, sister, daughter, and I were the first family members to ever visit his grave, and our experience there was incredibly touching.
Even if you don’t have family ties to this place, it is worth visiting.
The caretaker of the cemetery is happy to walk you around and explain the history of the place, and there are multiple areas around the property to learn more about World War II and the Battle of the Bulge.
On your final afternoon in Europe, head to the beautiful hillside town of Vianden, about 45 minutes outside of Luxembourg City.
Vianden Castle is at the heart of the town and has a history that can be traced back to the Roman conquest of Europe.
The detailed tour is well worth the entrance fee, and you can easily spend a few hours exploring the property.
>> Learn more about why Vianden Castle is the best day trip from Luxembourg! <<
As you head back into Luxembourg City, you’ll need to drop off your rental car at the airport if you have an early flight.
Overnight: Luxembourg City
Day 10: Travel home
Time to head home! We got up at 3:00 AM in order to be at the airport by 4:30.
Can you believe that you’ve covered so much ground on your Germany road trip itinerary?
By the end of the trip, you’ll have visited 2 countries (plus a tiny bit of a 3rd), an UNESCO World Heritage Site, 4 castles, Roman ruins, a medieval walled town, and the German Alps.
I promise, it will be one of the best European road trips you’ll ever go on!
Which of the stops on this 10 day Germany road trip itinerary would you be the most interested in visiting?
