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How to Find Cheap Flights to Germany

Sunset over Upper Middle Rhine Valley with barge
Published on: August 25, 2011
Last updated: September 24, 2024

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Kyle Kroeger

Written by Kyle Kroeger

Kyle Kroeger, founder of ViaTravelers.com, is an American immigrant living in Amsterdam. He has personally explored over 15 countries, 30 US states, and over 20 national parks across 4 continents, gaining firsthand experience in diverse global cultures. As a travel photographer, visualizing experiences is paramount to his contributions to ViaTravelers, contributing over 10,000 photos from around the world. Kyle's perspective in immersive cultural experiences stems from his time living in Italy, where he developed a deep appreciation for authentic local interactions.

Both business and recreational travelers flock to Germany, a world leader in science, business, and technology that boasts a stunning natural landscape and abundant tourist attractions. Let’s get into how to find cheap flights to Germany.

German-based airlines, including Lufthansa and Eurowings, offer inexpensive international travel options, so you can easily fly into one of the country’s major cities without breaking the bank. Beyond this, plenty of other low-cost carriers, such as Easyjet and RyanAir, operate out of several airports in Germany.

Flying between German cities can also be a low-cost method of travel, as well as the ever-popular rail and road network. Let’s explore some of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions and, more importantly, how to find the best deals on flights to Germany.

Cheapest Cities to Fly to in Germany

Are you looking for some of the cheapest cities to fly to in Germany? Flight prices are based on demand, so major cities and popular destinations usually offer the cheapest fares.

Here are the most popular flight destinations in Germany.

Berlin

Berlin, Germany is one of Europe's top cities to visit
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

Germany’s capital city has a world-class visual and performing arts scene with museums, art galleries, theatres, and orchestras galore. Plus, the history of this major city is unmatched with attractions and landmarks like the Berlin Wall, Berlin Philharmonic, and the Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin is also one of the world’s leading convention destinations. Tegel and the Berlin Schönefeld Airport serve travelers to the city.

Tegel is the larger and busier of the two and is a hub for Air Berlin, which provides discounted fare offers from different cities worldwide to various German airports. Lufthansa and many other airlines, including British Airways, operate out of Tegel.

Domestic airlines like Eurowings, a no-frills company owned by Lufthansa, and Air Berlin and international airlines like EasyJet operate out of Berlin Schönefeld Airport.

Given the convenient transport links from Berlin’s Schoenefeld and Tegel airports to the city center, it’s worth comparing flight prices and browsing the available last-minute deals on flights to Berlin.

See Related: Best Day to Book Flights

Cologne

City Hall Cologne surrounded by modern buildings in Germany
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

The historic city of Cologne straddles the Rhine River and features stunning medieval and Renaissance architecture, vast bridges, and significant landmarks like the Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne/Bonn International Airport is nestled beside the Wahner Heide nature reserve and is a hub for low-cost Germanwings. Germanwings offers bargain airfare from many international and domestic cities to Cologne and other destinations within Germany.

Domestic airlines like Air Berlin, Lufthansa, and TUI offer round-trip services like EasyJet, as do international carriers.

Dresden

Zwinger Palace and garden in Germany
Olena Zn / Adobe Stock

Known as the Jewel Box for its baroque and rococo architecture, Dresden is famous for its castles and palaces, including the Dresden Castle and the Zwinger Palace, as well as some other amazing things to do.

Modern and postmodern constructions also dot the landscape, one of the greenest in Europe, with many parks and forests. Dresden International is the city’s airport, and a few airlines operate out of it. Air Berlin, Lufthansa, and Eurowings are the top carriers.

Search cheap flights to Dresden now and book your trip to Germany.

Frankfurt

Iron Footbridge frankfurt
travelview / Shutterstock

This city of skyscrapers is Germany’s financial center and is home to the European Central Bank and the German Federal Bank. Believe it or not, Frankfurt Airport is Germany’s most popular flight destination (and potentially Europe).

Frankfurt also contains many cultural attractions within the city center, such as Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral, Alte Oper (or the old opera house), and Saint Paul’s Church.

Frankfurt Airport is one of the world’s busiest and Germany’s largest airports. It is a hub for Lufthansa and Condor Flugdienst, Air Berlin, and many other domestic and international airlines service this airport, including British Airways and United Airlines.

Frankfurt Airport has many things to do, so check the airport website for more information. If you’re looking for a cheap flight to Frankfurt, you’ll have plenty of options as this airport is a major hub for nearly all of Europe.

See Related: How to Use Momondo to Find Cheap Flights

Hamburg

Beautiful view of famous Hamburger Landungsbruecken with harbor and traditional paddle steamer on Elbe river
canadastock / Shutterstock

This popular tourist town offers a pleasing landscape that features waterways with over 2,300 bridges, gardens, and architecture spanning several styles.

The city also hosts festivals and fairs throughout the year, such as Hamburger Dom, a three-times-a-year funfair. Many domestic and international airlines serve Hamburg Airport, including Air Berlin, Lufthansa, EasyJet, and British Airways.

See Related: Top Day Trips from Hamburg

Munich

Altes Rathaus and Marienplatz, Munich: Historic architecture and vibrant city life
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

The capital of Bavaria is a popular destination for tourists, especially around September and early October, when they arrive to help celebrate Oktoberfest.

Besides the abundance of local beer and the city’s culinary delights, Munich is also a cultural center for art, literature, great museums, and music.

The second-largest German airport is Munich Franz Josef Strauss International Airport, a hub for Lufthansa. Domestic airlines, including Air Berlin, Condor Flugdienst, and TUIfly, and international carriers like EasyJet and United Airlines also offer service.

Munich Airport offers many amenities for travelers, including restaurants, shops, and a children’s play area. If you’re looking for a cheap flight to Munich, be sure to check out the airport website for the latest deals.

See Related: Germany Currency: Everything You Need to Know

Düsseldorf

Ferris Wheel at Dusseldorf Christmas Market
Kyle Kroeger / ViaTravelers

Dusseldorf is another popular destination in Germany and is a great option for finding cheap flights. Given its proximity, you can easily take a train to France and other cities in Germany.

This destination city boasts ancient breweries and traditional German architecture. Here, you will find delicious and frothy hops, picture-perfect locales, and a variety of stops for delicious food and drink.

The Düsseldorf International Airport is located at the city’s northern edge and is considered one of the cheapest entry points to Germany. The average flight ticket price on this route from the United States is around $900 for a round trip.

Depending on the season, you can find round-trip flight deals in the $400 to $600 range. Check Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) or ensure you are signed up for their cheap flight alerts for last-minute flights or sales on flights to Germany.

What is the Cheapest Month to Buy Flights to Germany?

Mother and Daughter in an Airport Terminal
Gorodenkoff / Adobe Stock

When looking for cheap flights to Germany, you also have to consider the time of the year you choose to fly. The cheapest flights to fly to Germany are actually in February. In order to book the cheapest flight, we recommend using Skyscanner, which is completely free to use, and they don’t charge extra fees on top of your plane ticket cost.

When you go online to find flight deals and the cheapest prices, enter the airport you prefer to depart from and your travel dates and see how many great flight deals to Germany and low-cost airline tickets you can unlock during that time.

In addition to airfare being around its lowest point during this time, you will also find that hotel rooms and lodging are also at their lowest point because February is the peak of the winter low season.

Germany’s weather can be unpredictable this time of year, so it’s no surprise that flight tickets are at their lowest. You can expect rainy and possibly snowy weather during January and February in Germany.

See Related: How to Book an Around-the-World Ticket

How to Get Around in Germany

Red tram going on Hallmarkt square in front of Marktkirche church in old town
bbsferrari / Adobe Stock

Many of Germany’s cities, such as Berlin, have multiple airports. Beyond this, Germany has several large cities with several millions of people, so there is no shortage of options to find the cheapest flights to Germany, depending on where you are coming from.

The most popular airports for flights to Germany are Berlin Tegel Airport, Munich Schonfeld Airport, and Frankfurt Airport. All of these airports offer efficient bus and train transport to the major cities in Germany as well as other possibilities.

When flying to Germany, customers will receive a free rail ticket from Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne-Bonn, Leipzig-Halle, and Munich airports to all major airport destinations.

Public transportation is very efficient in Germany, so you likely won’t need a car rental. However, if you need great car rental deals, use RentalCars.com to search for the lowest rental car prices.

See Related: Cheapest Places to Fly Around the World

From Berlin Tegel Airport:

Airport Berlin Tegel
Framalicious / Adobe Stock

The quickest way to get from the airport to the city center is by using the TXL bus. It runs every few minutes between the airport and downtown Berlin. The trip takes about 40 minutes and costs 2.70€.

Alternatively, an S-Bahn (commuter train) goes from the airport to the city center. It runs every 10 minutes and takes about 25 minutes. The fare is 1.70€.

From Munich Schonfeld Airport:

Munich Airport near Freising at Night, Bavaria, Germany
Michael Thaler / Shutterstock

Theachau Bahnhof, the nearest train station to the airport, is about a 10-minute walk away. Regional trains go from Dachau Bahnhof to Munich Hauptbahnhof (the main train station in Munich). The trip takes about a half-hour and costs 3.60€. For train bookings in advance, use Trainline to find the best possible price and book online.

Alternatively, there is the Autobahn, which is the nearest highway to the airport. Some buses go from the airport to Munich Hauptbahnhof. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs 10€.

Getting Around in Germany

City bus in Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Sina Ettmer Photography / Shutterstock

Once you’re in Germany, you can get around a few different ways. The most common way is riding the Deutsche Reichsbahn (the German National Railway). You can purchase tickets for single or multiple journeys; different fares depend on the distance traveled.

Alternatively, you can use the Autobahn (highway). There are no tolls to pay when traveling on the Autobahn, but you must purchase a vignette.

Downtown Berlin is also great for exploring on foot. There are plenty of things to see and do, and most of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Domestic Flights in Germany

Young Traveler Looking at the Flight Information Board
Ekaterina Pokrovsky / Shutterstock

What if you are looking for cheap domestic flights in Germany? Domestic flights, or internal flights, occur within the same country. This means you will depart from one German airport and arrive at another.

Flying is one of the fastest ways to get from one end of Germany to another. So, while there, you may want to consider the cost of domestic flights from point A to point B during your trip.

Some of the best German domestic routes to consider are:

Are There Nonstop Flights to Germany from the United States?

Delta Air Lines Homepage
Delta Air Lines / Delta Air Lines

There are about 21 nonstop flights from the US to Germany. Some airlines offering these direct flights include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

Nonstop flights are often faster and more convenient since you don’t have to change planes during your trip or stop at any connecting airports.

Due to the time change and the long flight (6-12+ hours), you’ll be on an overnight flight to Germany from the United States. When you return, you’ll likely fly out in the morning or the afternoon.

However, these direct flights can also be more expensive, depending on your location. If you live in a city with daily direct flights to Germany, you’ll likely be in a good position to find cheap German flights every so often.

We suggest signing up for Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to receive flight deals directly in your email.

Which airlines fly to Germany?

Tegel airport building and skyline
MaciejBledowski / Adobe Stock

Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Berlin are large, important German airports. Depart from Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s fourth busiest facility for the most convenient departure times.

Several well-known, reputable airlines fly to Germany, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, British Airways, and Emirates, among the top-rated airlines operating out of Frankfurt Airport.

With American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, you can purchase a round-trip ticket to Frankfurt Airport for under $650, depending on your travel dates.

What are the best times to visit Germany?

Berlin skyline panorama with TV tower and Spree river at sunset, Germany
JFL Photography / Adobe Stock

Summer is the peak tourist season in Germany, with July and August being the busiest months. If you’re looking for cheaper flights or fewer crowds, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October).

What are some popular tourist destinations in Germany?

Munich Sunset
Travel Faery / Adobe Stock

Some of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations are Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, and Cologne.

How Do You Find the Best Deals on Flights to Germany?

Skyscanner Landing Page
Skyscanner / Skyscanner

Whether you are going on a round trip to Germany or are extending your travels further, you want to do what you can to find the best flight prices for international flights.

To do this, start your research early and find the right destination you want to visit. When looking for the best deals on flights to Germany, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best price.

First, compare prices between different airlines. You can do this by visiting websites like Skyscanner, which allows you to compare flight costs and durations.

Many international airlines release flight seats up to 11 months in advance. When you know which German airport you want to fly to, search for low-priced flight tickets. You can also sign up for email alerts to help you find good deals.

Don’t stop at just one website when looking for cheap flights to Germany, either. Make sure you are searching multiple websites for the best flight deal.

Not all airlines are represented on just one site, so expand your search to find the best price. To find cheap flights to Germany, shop around and check out at least two of the best flight search engines, such as Skyscanner or Momondo.

Next, consider the time of booking. As we mentioned, February is the cheapest month to fly to Germany. However, you also need to book in advance.

Sometimes, booking as many as 47 days out for domestic flights can help you nail down a discounted price. For international flights, 46 to 318 days in advance would be best.

There are also cheaper days during the week to travel. Most mid-weekdays, including Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, are often the cheapest flight options simply because airlines compete only for business travelers during this time.

Finally, when traveling abroad, try to remain as flexible as possible. If you can be more flexible with your travel dates, you can find more affordable and cheap flight options for international plane tickets.

See Related: Best Skyscanner Alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do you still have questions about finding the best flight deals or what to expect as you embark on your much-anticipated vacation to Germany?

Read on for the answers to some of the more commonly asked questions we have come across.

How much is a meal in Germany?

If you visit a smaller restaurant in Germany, the average price you would pay for a meal is between 8 and 14 euros. If you also order dessert, this price will be a bit higher.

On your trip to Germany, you should expect to spend around $130 per day or €107. This includes money for meals and transportation services each day you visit.

How long is the flight to Germany?

The length of the flight to Germany depends on where you fly out. If you are flying from the United States to Germany, then the average length of the trip would be around 8.75 hours.

Does Germany accept US dollars?

Most smaller locations in Germany do not accept US dollars because dealing with cash isn’t always worth their effort. However, some bigger shops and even most ATMs accept US credit cards. When trading in your dollars for euros, check out the exchange rate. The exchange rate at the German airport may be higher than in other places.

What is the best airport to land at to visit Theresienwiese?

The closest airport to Theresienwiese is Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, located in Munich. This is the German airport you will want to fly into if you want to visit this area of Germany.

What are the most popular cities to visit in Germany?

A few more popular cities to visit in Germany include Hamburg, Cologne, Kiel, Munich, Dresden, Berlin, Potsdam, and Bremen. However, Berlin is the undisputed number one best place to visit from this list. It is the capital of Germany and has almost 3.8 million inhabitants.

How much does the average trip to Germany cost?

The average price of a 7-day trip to Germany is around $1400 for a solo traveler, $2,200 for a couple, and slightly more for a family. German hotels range between $50 and $222 per night.

How far in advance should you buy international flights?

When booking international flights, try booking them at least six months in advance. This gives you more time to research and monitor flight prices before departure.

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