Cheap 6-Day Germany Road Trip from Frankfurt traveling north to Hanover, Hamburg, and Essen

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Alte Oper will make your cheap holiday in Germany truly special. This attraction is a fascinating concert hall that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 13,371 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 Frankfurt. An excellent example is the popular Im Herzen Afrikas. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,979 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Germany is Kiwi’s - Café, Bar & Restaurant Frankfurt. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,500 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 Der Fette Bulle. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5,097 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

O'reilly's Irish pubs is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 4,367 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Frankfurt we recommend is Oosten, 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 4,068 customers.

Bar Helium Frankfurt am Main is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 1,956 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.5 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt is the amazing Zoo Frankfurt. This travel destination is a zoo that has been rated an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars by 22,563 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Iron Footbridge. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 23,044 travelers, a visit to this well-known best-rated sightseeing destination and sightseeing spot in Frankfurt is likely to make your vacation in Germany even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Frankfurt is the outstanding Römerberg. This square has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 24,391 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Germany, drop by the popular Palmengarten. This attraction, an amazing botanical garden, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 19,050 travelers.

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, Beef and Reef is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 816 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Bavarium Hannover. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Hanover enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 4,434 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 Dublin Inn. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,742 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Teestübchen Café & Teehandel. This popular bar in Hanover has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,361 bar-goers.

You can also go to 6 Sinne Sky Bar and Restaurant as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular 6 Sinne Sky Bar and Restaurant is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 2,028 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 8,944 visitors have rated this excellent top-tier point of interest 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 18,866 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.

Heimathafen offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Hamburg. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 3,912 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 Das Feuerschiff LV 13, another of locals’ go-to bars in Hamburg. Das Feuerschiff LV 13 is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 2,935 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

NAGEL Restaurant und Kneipe 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 2,360 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!

On day 4 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 Hamburg and end your day in the city of Essen, 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 Hamburg is the amazing Planten un Blomen. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 21,983 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Elbe Tunnel. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 34,570 travelers, a visit to this well-known road tunnel and sightseeing spot in Hamburg is likely to make your vacation in Germany even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Hamburg is the outstanding Elbe Philharmonic Hall. This concert hall has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 77,649 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Germany, drop by the popular Miniatur Wunderland. This attraction, an amazing museum, has been rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 87,297 travelers.

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 Essen. Essen 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 Essen that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Essen is sattgrün theaterpassage. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,011 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Essen, Restaurant Artemis 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 2,233 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is BLOCK HOUSE Essen. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Essen enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,330 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Essen’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Germany. For example, you can visit Café Goldbar. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 526 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Temple Bar. This popular bar in Essen has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 502 bar-goers.

You can also go to Cafe Nord as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Cafe Nord is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 2,856 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

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

Day 5 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 Cologne and end your day in the city of Nürburg.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Frankfurt 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 Cologne, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Old Market. The fantastic Old Market is a popular best-rated sightseeing destination and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 12,740 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Cologne Cathedral, a well-known catholic cathedral in the area. Receiving around 5,000,000 visitors each year, it’s safe to say that this attraction strikes the interest of people all over the world. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.8 out of a 5 star-rating from 69,905 travelers.

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

Make Nürburgring your first stop. This popular top-tier point of interest among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 35,289 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 Frankfurt. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Frankfurt, 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 Restaurant Klosterhof, one of the best restaurants in Frankfurt. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,908 customers.

Gaststätte Atschel is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Gaststätte Atschel is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,694 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Ebbelwoi Unser, another well-loved restaurant in Frankfurt. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,355 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 Frankfurt, Maincafé. 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 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,409 bar goers.

SenSaSion Bar & Restaurant Frankfurt is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Frankfurt, with its average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 400 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by Gleis 25, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 503 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 6 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Frankfurt.

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 Frankfurt is the remarkable Nizza. This urban park and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6,190 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Frankfurt, consider a top-rated restaurant like Mainkai Café. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,040 customers.

Zum Gemalten Haus is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,641 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is African Queen Restaurant. Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,731 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Germany and your fun memories in Frankfurt.

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