Germany Trip Plan:
Germany on a Budget

Braunfels (near market place)
[ source: Flickr]

This 7-day package shows that a vacation to Germany doesn't have to be expensive. By staying in a comfortable and reasonably-priced vacation apartment instead of an expensive hotel, preparing your own meals in your home away from home, and planning several local trips and sightseeing excursions, you can save lots of money and experience Germany in a more personal way than is sometimes possible on a structured tour. Hike in Hesse's beautiful forests, stroll through Wetzlar's historic old town, and explore nearby castles and local attractions—all for much less money than a comprehensive vacation package.

Note: This is a trip plan (self-driving, stay in a vacation apartment, explore on your own)
Duration: 7 days
Recommended Destination Airport: Frankfurt Airport

Trip Plan Details:

This 7-day package shows that a vacation to Germany doesn't have to be expensive. By staying in a comfortable and reasonably-priced vacation apartment instead of an expensive hotel, preparing your own meals in your home away from home, and planning several local trips and sightseeing excursions, you can save lots of money and experience Germany in a more personal way than is sometimes possible on a structured tour. Hike in Hesse's beautiful forests, stroll through Wetzlar's historic old town, and explore nearby castles and local attractions—all for much less money than a comprehensive vacation package.

Cost Estimate:

We compiled some starting prices and rough estimates to help you better with your Germany trip planning.

Travel Itinerary

[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 1: Arrival in Germany

• Arrive in Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)
• Pick up rental car (pls. coordinate with your favorite car rental provider)
• Drive to vacation rental apartment in Waldgirmes or Wetzlar. For each apartment we have maps and driving directions available.
• Arrive at your home away from home and get settled in the apartment
• Possibly buy some groceries (see grocery list for Wetzlar / Waldgirmes), and explore the local surroundings.
• Have a nice dinner (see a list of great restaurant choices in Wetzlar or Waldgirmes.)

Old Lahn Bridge
[ source: Flickr]

Day 2: Visit Wetzlar's historic Old Town

• Visit Wetzlar's historic old town
• Depending on your interest you may want to schedule a local tour guide (they speak English) to provide you with a guided tour (see travel guide for details.)
• Have lunch or dinner in one of the great restaurant choices available in Wetzlar's historic old town.
• Stroll through the charming streets of Wetzlar, sit in one of the beer gardens or bistros around Wetzlar's famous Dom (cathedral.)
• Have an Italian ice cream in one of the recommended ice cafes.

[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 3: Explore the Braunfels and the Braunfels Castle

• Visit Braunfels and the famous Braunfels castle
• Depending on your interest you may want to schedule a local tour guide (they speak English) to provide you with a guided tour (see travel guide for details.)
• Have a great dinner near the Braunfels castle (see list of restaurant choices.)

Castle Weilburg
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 4: Hiking in the Meadows and Forest

• This day will be a hiking day in one of the nearby beautiful forests (e.g., Waldgirmes, Wetzlar Stoppelberg.)
• Quick fact: Hesse is known to be the state in Germany with the most forests!
• Have some good breakfast in the morning, pack your bag for a picnic, and start hiking. We can help you with hiking maps and trails if needed.
• In the evening prepare your own meal in your apartment. Have a cool beer and relax after that long hike!

[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 5: Visit Limburg and the Limburg Castle

• Visit Limburg and the Limburg Castle
• Limburg's historic downtown also provides more sightseeing opportunities

Roman Castle Saalburg
[ source: Wikipedia]

Day 6: Visit the Greifenstein Castle

• Visit the Greifenstein Castle and the German Bell Museum. Use the opportunity for hiking in the nearby beautiful forests. Afterwards have lunch or dinner in an authentic German restaurant (see travel guide for details.)
• OR: As an alternative visit the Roman Fort Saalburg, and have a nice dinner in Usingen's historic old town afterwards.

Frankfurt am Main
[ source: Flickr]

Day 7: Spend a day in Frankfurt am Main

Spend a day in Frankfurt am Main, visit its historic sites and museums (e.g., the Senckenberg museum.)

Where to Stay?

We feature nice vacation rentals and holiday apartments in destinations that are part of this trip plan. Click on a picture of the destination below where you would like to stay, then browse the vacation apartments, pick one you like, and fill out the Check Availability form with your desired travel dates. If you would like to stay in different locations please submit multiple inquiries, specifying the desired travel dates for each vacation apartment where you would like to stay. We will back to you with a free quote quickly (typically within 1-2 business days.)

Braunfels

Even just a simple walk past Braunfels' market place and into the outer rings of the castle walls will amaze you since it takes you back to medieval times.

Related: Braunfels travel guide

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the largest city in the state of Hesse, known for its futuristic skyline and international airport. A number of family outings make this an efficient, and unforgettable, vacation experience: Treat yourself to a spa-treatment at the nearby…

Related: Frankfurt travel guide

Greifenstein

Greifenstein is a community in the Lahn-Dill-Kreis in Hesse, Germany. Its administrative seat is Beilstein. Greifenstein covers 67.43 km² on the eastern slope of the Westerwald range. Its name comes from the castle of the same name in the constituent…

Related: Greifenstein travel guide

Limburg an der Lahn

Limburg an der Lahn (officially: Limburg a. d. Lahn) is the district seat of Limburg-Weilburg in Hesse, Germany.

Related: Limburg an der Lahn travel guide

Usingen

Usingen is a small town in the Hochtaunuskreis in Hesse, Germany. Until 1972, this residential and school town was the seat of the former district of Usingen.

Related: Usingen travel guide

Waldgirmes

Waldgirmes is a small, charming village near Frankfurt in the midst of lush meadows and beautiful forests. It is located in central Hesse, from where all kinds of activities are possible: watch the castles go by on a Rhine river cruise, paddle on a canoe…

Related: Waldgirmes travel guide

Weilburg

Weilburg is, with just under 14,000 inhabitants, the third biggest town in Limburg-Weilburg district in Hesse, Germany, after Limburg an der Lahn and Bad Camberg.

Related: Weilburg travel guide

Wetzlar

Wetzlar, in central Hesse, features an amazingly well-preserved and restored Old Town (Altstadt), with historic plazas, a 13th century Cathedral (Dom) and scores of half-timbered houses. Choose one of several vacation homes in the Old Town itself!

Related: Wetzlar travel guide

How to maximize your savings and spend less during your Germany vacation?

You can cut down your vacation costs significantly by following these simple rules:

• Instead of eating out in restaurants most of the time your vacation rental apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen. By preparing your breakfast and dinner yourself you can save lots of money, but you can also live a more authentic Germany vacation by trying out local foods and recipes. (see some German recipe suggestions.)
• Use public transportation instead of a rental car. We provide you with links and details on how to get around using public transportation. Check out the corresponding Live Like a German travel guide for more details.