Cheap 5-Day Germany Road Trip from Cologne traveling north to Hanover and Hamburg

Your exciting road trip through Germany starts when you reach the incredible city of Cologne, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Cologne and begin your adventure in Germany.

Cologne is a popular cheap holiday destination in Germany with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Cologne and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Old Market will make your cheap holiday in Germany truly special. This attraction is a fascinating must-see tourist destination that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 12,654 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Cologne. An excellent example is the popular Bei Oma Kleinmann. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,597 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Germany is Craftbeer Corner Coeln. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,165 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Gruber's. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 625 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Toddy Tapper is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 590 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Cologne we recommend is Gaffel am Dom I Kölsches Brauhaus und Wirtshaus I Brauhaus Köln, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 6,484 customers.

Gilden im Zims is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 5,823 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Germany!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Germany, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Cologne and end your day in the city of Hanover, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Cologne is the amazing Cologne Chocolate Museum. This travel destination is a museum that has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 36,145 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Cologne Cathedral. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 68,667 travelers, a visit to this well-known catholic cathedral and sightseeing spot in Cologne is likely to make your vacation in Germany even more memorable. This travel destination welcomes around 5,000,000 yearly visitors.

Another unforgettable sight in Cologne is the outstanding Cologne Zoological Garden. This zoo has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 29,743 visitors.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Germany. To have the best affordable travel experience in Germany, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Germany unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Germany.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Hanover. Hanover is another cheap travel destination in Germany where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Germany can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Hanover that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Hanover is Meteora. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,756 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Hanover, Al-dar is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,837 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Pier 51 Restaurant. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Hanover enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,154 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Hanover’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Germany. For example, you can visit Beef and Reef. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 816 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Bavarium Hannover. This popular bar in Hanover has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,434 bar-goers.

You can also go to Dublin Inn as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Dublin Inn is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 2,742 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Germany!

Day 3 of your road trip across Germany offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Hanover and the enchanting Friedrichseck, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Hanover and end the day in Friedrichseck, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 3 of your affordable vacation in Germany will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Hanover is the magnificent Markthalle Hannover. Around 8,854 visitors have rated this excellent must-see tourist destination and travel destination an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Herrenhausen Gardens on this leg of your self-drive tour in Germany. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from around 15,891 travelers.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Hanover, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Friedrichseck.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Germany. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Germany. Make your cheap holiday experience in Germany more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Hamburg offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Germany. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Hamburg offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Germany.

Estancia steaks is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,416 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Hamburg is Hanoi Deli Rathaus, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,380 customers.

Brücke 10 offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Hamburg. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 7,069 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Hamburg’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Le Lion • Bar de Paris is an excellent example of a great bar in Hamburg offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,224 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at The Chug Club, another of locals’ go-to bars in Hamburg. The Chug Club is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 734 customers having rated it an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

Skyline Bar 20up is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Hamburg. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 2,995 bar-goers.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Germany with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Germany!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Germany gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day. You’ll start your day in the city of Hamburg and end your day in the city of Sterkrade.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Cologne for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Germany.

While you’re in Hamburg, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Miniatur Wunderland. The fantastic Miniatur Wunderland is a popular museum and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 86,083 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Elbe Philharmonic Hall, a well-known concert hall in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.6 out of a 5 star-rating from 76,719 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Hamburg, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Sterkrade.

Make Gasometer Oberhausen your first stop. This popular gas holder among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 12,657 visitors.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Germany. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Germany and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Cologne. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Cologne, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Mongo's Restaurant Köln, one of the best restaurants in Cologne. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,294 customers.

Servus Colonia Alpina is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Servus Colonia Alpina is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,757 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at The Little Steakhouse, another well-loved restaurant in Cologne. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,631 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Germany.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Cologne, Gaststätte Lommerzheim. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 3,487 bar goers.

Funkhaus Cafe-Bar-Restaurant is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Cologne, with its average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,282 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Jameson Pub Cologne, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,308 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Germany. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Germany!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Germany as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Cologne.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Germany.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Cologne is the remarkable Rheinpark. This park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 6,259 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Cologne, consider a top-rated restaurant like Hommage Café. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,630 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Cologne and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Germany!