Itinerary: Two Weeks in Germany

Berlin is a large, spread-out city with many time-consuming museums and lots of 20th-century historical sights. I think two days (jetlagged arrival day doesn't count) is terribly short, but it depends on what you like to do. Berlin is not a particularly beautiful city, so if your major interest is walking around, surrounded by gorgeous historic architecture, you may not need a long stay there. You need to get hold of a guide book and read about all that Berlin has to offer, then decide how much of it appeals to you. Don't forget to allow time to move from one sight to the next.

Forget Cologne... Some places to indulge your interests between Munich and Berlin and along the main train route:

Erfurt

Bamberg
Bamberg breweries

Nuremberg
Nuremberg breweries

I should make it more clear that we are going to do the full three days in Berlin (we won't move to the next location until morning of 4/14).

Thank you for these!

Bamburg looks absolutely beautiful. I think we might have to add that.

Do you really want a 5 to 5,5 hr train ride to Berlin immediately after a possibly long flight?

we will spend the full three days here currently and not move to our next location until the morning of the 14th

I should make it more clear that we are going to do the full three days in Berlin (we won't move to the next location until morning of 4/14).

Mmmm....doesn't look that way to me...

You say your flight arrives on 4/11 (and you will head to Berlin by train upon arrival).
You say you will depart Berlin on the morning of 4/14 (for some unspecified next stop).
So, you have 4/12 and 4/13 in Berlin. That's two full days in Berlin, not three.

What day do you fly home?

Hi. We arrive in Munich extremely early and can get to Berlin by lunch if we decide to go that route. We leave on the 23rd.

Right, I get that.

So you're saying that you fly in (presumably on a long, overnight redeye flight from someplace far away, like North America), you arrive in Munich the morning of 4/11. After clearing all the airport formalities, you're getting on a train, and riding across Germany for something like 5 hours. Then you're going to make your way to your hotel in Berlin, and check in, finally dropping your bags sometime in the afternoon, after traveling for about a day and a half from the other side of the world.

And you're counting that as a "full day" that you have to spend enjoying Berlin.

I don't think that's being honest with yourself or realistic at all. Just my opinion, but if it were me, I'd pretty much write off that day, as you will probably be completely wiped out when you land - and that's before you even drag yourself across half of Germany to arrive Berlin sometime after lunch. I wouldn't call that a full day to spend in Berlin.

Apologies.

Not sure if you considered heading west of Munich but thought I'd add our trip details. Last fall we flew into Munich, rented a car at the airport (which many will say is too expensive) and drove out to Fussen for 2 nights. Beautiful drive into the country and enjoyed touring the Neuschwanstein Castle. We stayed at Hotel Hirsch which had a delightful pub. Town was quaint and a great way for us to start our trip. We drove back to Munich, visited for 2 nights and then flew to Berlin for 4 nights. We loved the Myers Hotel which was in a quiet, residential area and just a couple blocks from the U-Bahn. There was more then enough to see and do in Berlin.

Whatever you decide, wishing you safe travels.

Thank you! Did you find that 2 days in Munich was enough to see everything you wanted to see? Staying in Fussen is on my list of maybes as well!!

I’m not sure what time you will be arriving but the direct train to Berlin leaves from the main train station in Munich. It takes a while to get to the main station from the airport. There is a bus tour that leaves from Munich to Rothenburg. I would spend time In Salzburg as an overnight trip. After a long flight overnight I would spend time in Munich first and after a couple of nights travel to a Berlin. Also check into exploring the Garmich area of Bavaria. Beautiful

If I had it to do it over, I would have planned a longer stay in Munich. On our way back to Munich and before returning our car at the airport, we visited Dachua. It was a moving experience and glad we took the time to visit. However, as a result, we had even less time to see Munich. Our plan is to go back next fall and take more time in Munich as well as Salzburg and Vienna. One thing that did work for us is taking the car right from the airport. Neither my husband or I do very well with jet lag and upon arrival that first morning it felt good to just get out and enjoy the countryside. While in Munich, we stayed at the Hilton at the airport which was very unusual for us. Typically, we enjoy being in the city and close to the action. Being at the airport helped with our plans to fly in and out of the city but it definitely had its drawbacks by not being right in the city.

See if this might be a better plan.
When you land in Munich, stay there for 2 days and then go to Berlin. Spend at least 5 days in Berlin, add in Potsdam for a day or two, possibly Dresden on your way back to Munich. Return to Munich and do your day trips from there to Salzburg, perhaps Regensburg.
While in Berlin, visit Saschsenhausen Concentration Camp, rather than Dachau near Munich. Personally, I found the exhibits there to be better done and more meaningful. Alternative is Ravensbruck which was for women.

You do NOT want to go sit on a train for another 5-6 hours after a long flight. This way, you can buy your bargain ICE tickets and not risk losing them if your flight is delayed. You will be fresher and able to enjoy your visit to Germany, rather than dragging yourself across the country your first day and be so exhausted the 2nd day, that you couldn't enjoy that either. You say you don't want to be super rushed, but that is exactly what you are planning on doing.

Berlin is the by far most extraordinary place for foodies of all cuisines. I do not talk about Currywurst or Döner, I am talking about other places of street food, e.g. on week markets or in old market halls. Also KaDeWe 6th floor or eat in complete darkness restaurants to fully concentrate on your taste. Or try Zip restaurant which serves everything in glas. Get real German food at places like Tiergartenquelle. Try special food stores such as Butter Lindner, Stulle mit Brot or manufactum Brot & Butter. Try the famous Baumkuchen from Konditorei Buchwald ... and so on. Look up also https://www.visitberlin.de/en/restaurants-berlin

You will get also all famous sorts of German beer: Pils, the Bavarian ones, Kölsch and also do not forget Berliner Weisse if you liked Belgium's sweet beers. House of 100 beers in not only a promise. Or try freshly brewed ones at Lemke, Georgenbräu or BRLO. Or try the harder drinks from Grützmacher.

I honestly recommend to stay longer in Berlin.

If you ask me your route through Germany shall be:
+ Munich
+ Bamberg (1 day): old town and smoked beer.
+ Berlin (4 days): as described and really enough to see and do.
+ Hamburg (1-2 days) for fish market and lobscouse.
+ night bus back to Munich.
+ Munich with rest program

Hi,

In 2014 I did something similar to what you have in mind on the landing day. It can be done...easily. The difference was that I Ianded in Frankfurt in the morning from SFO on a non-stop flight, ca 11hrs. Within a few hours, ie, after a leisurely hot lunch at Frankfurt Hbf, I was on the ICE train from Frankfurt Hbf to Berlin since I wanted to arrive at the reserved Pension prior to 1930 hrs. I had planned on taking a taxi to Savignlyplatz but upon arrival dropped that option , took public transport, the S-Bahn 4 stops from Hbf, instead.

Of course, Frankfurt to Berlin is not as long as Munich to Berlin but if you take a direct connection on the iCE and time it, no real difference.

Bottom line, you land in Munich in the morning, even if you dilly-dally you can be in Berlin by 7pm...no problem