4-Day Germany Road Trip from Cologne to Frankfurt

Aerial view of the cathedral in Cologne and Hohenzollern bridge over Rhein, Germany
Perfect travel plans
Everything included
Fully customizable

Description

Summary

Duration
4 days & 3 nights
Available
Jan. - Dec.
Hotel
3 nights included
Car rental
4 days included
Flights
Optional
Travel app
All vouchers, itinerary, & map

Description

Have the adventure of a lifetime with this 4-day road trip through Germany.

This incredible self-drive vacation package will take you through the best destinations in Germany. With this perfectly planned travel package, you will stay 2 nights in Cologne and 1 night in Frankfurt, experiencing the ultimate road trip in Germany. Your road trip will enable you to discover the country's most popular attractions and restaurants in Cologne and Frankfurt. We'll help you experience the best 4 days in Germany you can imagine so you can leave happy and inspired.

Upon arriving in Cologne, you'll collect the rental vehicle of your choice. From there, you'll be off to discover some of the most popular attractions in Germany, including the stunning Cologne Chocolate Museum and Cologne Cathedral.

You'll have an extensive selection of accommodations to choose from throughout your road trip. We have handpicked the best hotels and places to stay across the country, catering to all budgets. Whether you're in the mood for luxurious five-star hotels or cozy, budget-friendly accommodations, we've got you covered.

Your road trip will bring you close to the best attractions and most incredible sights in Germany. From the magnificent Iron Footbridge to the breathtaking Römerberg and Deutsches Eck, your journey will take you on a thrilling adventure through some of the most iconic travel destinations in the country. Your discovery doesn't end there. As you hit the open road and drive through Cologne and Frankfurt, you'll also have plenty of opportunities to uncover hidden gems and experience the authentic charm of Germany. Whether you're exploring enchanting small towns, discovering scenic routes, or indulging in local cuisine, there's always something new and exciting to experience in Germany.

Add tours and tickets to each day of your trip to make the most of your time in Germany. You'll have the opportunity to choose from the best tours and activities that your travel destinations have to offer, meaning you'll never have a boring moment on your road trip through Germany.

Your travel plan itinerary also gives you multiple opportunities to look for souvenirs to memorialize your road trip in Germany.

You'll return home having experienced the very best of everything Germany has to offer. Each twist and turn of the journey adds a unique charm to your travel tales.

You can customize each day of your road trip vacation itinerary with flexible trip planning before and after booking. Enjoy the benefits of exploring all these great attractions at your own speed.

Your travel plan includes everything you need to experience the best of Germany. You'll be booked at the best hotels for 3 nights, with plenty of top-rated breakfast and restaurant options nearby. We'll provide you with the best car rental for 3 days during your self-drive road trip, including CDW insurance.

You'll have access to 24/7 travel support, a personal travel agent, and a step-by-step guide via our flexible mobile app. You can choose and add your flight preferences as needed. Make your vacation in Germany extra special by adding tours and tickets to each day of your itinerary.

The best services in Germany fill up quickly, so book your spot early. Select a date and start planning your self-drive road trip in Germany today!

Read more

Included

Hotel, 3 nights
Rental car, 4 days
CDW Insurance
Step-by-step guide
Personal travel agent
24/7 travel support

Destinations

Cologne Aerial view with trains move on a bridge over the Rhine River on which cargo barges and passenger ships ply. Majestic Cologne Cathedral in the background.Cologne / 2 nights
Koblenz - city in GermanyKoblenz
Photo of beautiful aerial view of Frankfurt at sunset Germany financial district skyline.Frankfurt / 1 night

Map

Attractions

Photo of the German theme park Phantasialand.Phantasialand
Photo of Cologne Cathedral, a Roman Catholic Gothic cathedral in Cologne, Germany.Cologne Cathedral
Deutsches EckDeutsches Eck
Cologne Chocolate Museum, Altstadt-Süd, Innenstadt, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyCologne Chocolate Museum
Cologne Zoological Garden, Riehl, Nippes, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyCologne Zoological Garden
Ehrenbreitstein FortressEhrenbreitstein Fortress
Old Market, Altstadt-Nord, Innenstadt, Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, GermanyOld Market
photo of view of Rheinpark, Cologne, Germany.Rheinpark

Travel details

Travel dates

Include flights?

Yes
No

Flights

Round trip
Economy
Round trip
Economy

Travelers

Rooms

Flights
Yes
No

Round trip
Economy
Round trip
Economy

Car
Yes
No

Car

Small car

Small car

Category
small car
Transmission
People
Large bags
Medium car

Medium car

Category
Medium
Transmission
People
Large bags
Premium car

Premium car

Category
premium car
Transmission
People
Large bags

Hotels

Personalize your itinerary

Day 1 - Cologne - arrival day

Day 1

Day 1 - Cologne - arrival day

  • Cologne - Arrival Day
  • More
  • Old Market
  • More

Your road trip adventure in Germany begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Cologne. You’ll stay in Cologne for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Cologne has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Old Market. This attraction is a best-rated sightseeing destination and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 10,413 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Cologne, Craftbeer Corner Coeln. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,165 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Cologne is Gruber's. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 625 customers.

Locals recommend Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln as one of the best restaurants in the city of Cologne. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Cologne also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Cologne is Toddy Tapper. This bar has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars by 590 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Cologne is ONA MOR Bar. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 548 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 4-day vacation in Germany!

Read more

Experiences

Day 2 - Cologne and Frankfurt

Day 2

Day 2 - Cologne and Frankfurt

  • Cologne
  • Frankfurt
  • More

Drive 196 km, 3 hours 15 min

  • Cologne Chocolate Museum
  • Cologne Cathedral
  • Cologne Zoological Garden
  • Rheinpark
  • More

Day 2 of your road trip through Germany gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Cologne and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Frankfurt. You will stay in Frankfurt for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Cologne is the amazing Cologne Chocolate Museum. This attraction is a museum that is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 28,752 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible catholic cathedral, Cologne Cathedral. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 57,506 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area. In fact, Cologne Cathedral welcomes around 5,000,000 yearly visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Cologne is the outstanding Rheinpark. This popular park and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,438 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Cologne by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Germany. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Frankfurt, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try African Queen Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in the city of Frankfurt. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,731 customers.

Locals also recommend Der Fette Bulle as one of the best restaurants in the city of Frankfurt. Der Fette Bulle is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,097 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Frankfurt is o'reilly's Irish pubs. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,367 customers.

After dinner, visit Bar Helium Frankfurt am Main, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Frankfurt. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,956 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Germany!

Read more

Experiences

Day 3 - Mainz, Bergheim, and Cologne

Day 3

Day 3 - Mainz, Bergheim, and Cologne

  • Koblenz
  • Cologne
  • More

Drive 250 km, 3 hours 16 min

  • Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
  • Deutsches Eck
  • Phantasialand
  • More

Rise and shine on day 3 of your road trip in Germany. Today, you'll wake up in Frankfurt and embark on a scenic drive to Cologne, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Frankfurt and Rhineland-Palatinate before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Frankfurt. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Iron Footbridge. This attraction is a top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 19,594 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Römerberg. This attraction, a beloved square, has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 19,089 visitors.

If you have time, another site you could explore in Frankfurt is the stunning Palmengarten. This botanical garden and travel destination has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 15,513 visitors.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. This attraction is a fortress that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 15,149 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Deutsches Eck. This headland and attraction has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 28,757 reviews.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Rhineland-Palatinate, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Cologne. When you arrive in Cologne you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Gilden im Zims. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 5,823 customers.

Locals also recommend Gaststätte Lommerzheim, another of the best restaurants in Cologne. Gaststätte Lommerzheim is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,487 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Jameson Pub Cologne. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Cologne, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Germany, and look forward to more great days to come!

Read more

Experiences

Day 4 - Cologne - departure day

Day 4

Day 4 - Cologne - departure day

  • Cologne - Departure Day
  • More

Day 4 of your road trip in Germany is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Cologne before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Cologne and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Germany.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Cologne at Servus Colonia Alpina before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,757 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend The Little Steakhouse for your last chance at a meal in the city of Cologne. The The Little Steakhouse restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,631 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Max Stark. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,193 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Cologne. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Germany!

Read more

Experiences

Similar travel packages

Link to appstore phone
Install Europe’s biggest travel app

Download Europe’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Europe’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.