What to Wear & What to Pack for Germany: Ultimate Germany Travel Packing List

I’ve been able to take this backpack as carry on without any problems for several years on several different airlines.

REI makes a women’s version and a men’s version.

Osprey has the Farpoint for men and the Fairview for women.

Suitcase recommendations for your trip to Germany

Briggs & Riley and Travelpro are two quality luggage brands I would recommend if you’re buying a suitcase for your trip. They each make several different types of suitcases, and it all depends on your preferences for things like hard case vs soft case, two wheels vs four wheels.

Before buying a suitcase, there are some things you should consider and look at closely.

Search for Briggs & Riley suitcases here and Travelpro suitcases here.

Packing for Germany: Day Packs

You’re going to spend lots of time wandering around various cities taking in the sights and soaking up the atmosphere. I recommend including a day pack on your Germany travel packing list for holding all the things you want to have with you throughout a day of sightseeing.

We own this one from REI and this one from Osprey, and they’re both great. The REI stuff bag is made from thicker material, but the Osprey one folds up smaller.

What’s the weather like in Germany?

What you pack for Germany will depend on where you’re going and the time of year you visit because the weather changes greatly from one season to the next. Remember we’re in the northern part of Europe here, so summers are usually mild, though they can be quite hot at times.

And winters can be rather harsh with cold, gloomy days as the norm. Berlin’s latitude is 52.5N, which falls roughly halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, so it’s a lot farther north than many people realize.

Hamburg is even farther north at 53.5N. Freiburg, in the Black Forest, is at 48N, which is just a smidge north of Seattle.

What to pack for Germany in September will be different from what to pack for December. Always check the weather forecast a few days before your trip, because reality can vary greatly from the averages.

And traveling to mountainous regions will be colder because of the elevation. Visiting seaside areas near the North Sea or Baltic Sea can often be colder because of the wind.

I can’t give temperatures for every city in Germany. But since I live in Berlin, I have a better view of what the weather is like here than anywhere else.

I’m listing Berlin temperatures below for simplicity. Keep in mind that we’re tackling a whole country here, so there will be some amount of variation.

Here’s an overview of what kind of weather you can expect in Germany in winter, summer, spring, and autumn.

Germany weather in winter

Winter in Berlin can be long, cold, and gloomy. I always feel like winter starts in November, a solid month or so before the calendar says so.

Temperatures drop, days become shorter, and the sky is more than likely covered in a layer of clouds that seems to stick around for several months.

Despite the averages listed below, there always seems to be at least a week or two when the high is around 20F.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
December: 39F/31F
January: 37F/29F
February: 40F/29F

Other parts of Germany get more snow than Berlin does, like the Black Forest and Bavaria, especially as you get into the mountains. But in general, winter in Germany is cold and can start in November and last through March. Come prepared.

Germany weather in summer

Summer in Germany is gorgeous. Temperatures range from mild to hot, days are long, and the sun is out almost every day. Locals know this is the short window to enjoy the fantastic weather.

Air conditioning is rare here (though you might have decent luck finding it in a hotel) so sometimes everything seems hotter than it is.

Even though the average highs are in the 70s, there’s almost always a few weeks when the high is anywhere from 85F to 95F.

Northern Germany will have milder summers than southern Germany. And locations close to the sea will usually benefit from that sea breeze and have fewer really hot days.

Last summer we took a weekend trip from Berlin to Rügen on the Baltic Sea in June, and I still needed a light jacket early in the morning and in the evening. But the middle of the day was quite warm.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
June: 72F/54F
July: 76F/58F
August: 75F/58F

>>Check out the best things to do in summer in Berlin.

Germany weather in spring

The calendar might say spring starts in March, but sometimes Germany doesn’t agree. Germany in March can often still feel like winter, so if this is when you’re visiting, you still need warm clothing.

But when spring does finally hit, whether that’s in March or May, the weather is usually mild and pleasant with a decent number of sunny days.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
March: 48F/34F
April: 57F/40F
May: 67F/49F

>>Read: Spectacular Things to do in Berlin in Spring and Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Berlin.

Germany weather in fall

September is often still warm, sunny, and a great time to visit Germany. October can go either way, but by November, it’s almost guaranteed to start feeling cold.

Your Germany travel packing list for fall or spring should really have enough options for clothing that you can layer depending on what the weather actually happens during your trip.

Average high and low temperatures in Berlin:
September: 67F/51F
October: 57F/44F
November: 46F/37F

>>Check out these famous landmarks in Germany.

What to wear in Germany

Germany isn’t one of your fancier countries. Lots of packing advice out there will tell you to dress up to travel to Europe, and while that’s sound advice for places like Milan or Paris, packing for Germany doesn’t require high fashion.

You can dress more casual here, especially in Berlin. If you want to walk around in pajamas in Berlin, no one will bat an eye, except other tourists.

In fact, there are parts of the Berlin where you might really stick out of you’re too dressed up. Certain Berlin clubs are ruthless about who they let in based on clothing, and if you’re dressed for a NYC club, you won’t get in.

The rest of Germany isn’t quite as quirky as Berlin, but you really can wear jeans in most cases and you will be fine. If you like wearing nicer clothes, that’s fine too, and you’ll fit in more in cities like Frankfurt, Munich, or Hamburg.

Are you doing a lot of outdoor activities like hiking? Dress appropriately in hiking shoes/boots and comfortable clothing.

Will you be going to a show at an opera house or philharmonic? Then a dressier outfit is certainly appropriate.

>>Check out our list of the best World War II and Cold War sites in Berlin.

What not to wear in Germany

For the most part, I recommend dressing like you would at home. Don’t wear weird touristy-looking clothing or sweatpants or anything too trashy.

I also don’t recommend wearing high heels or other uncomfortable shoes. You’re likely to be doing a lot of walking and there are lots of cobbled streets where high heels are impractical and even dangerous.

>>Here’s our suggestions for what to eat in Germany.

What to pack for Germany

The things you pack for a trip to Germany will vary by season. While many items are the same no matter when you travel, like toiletries and electronics (recommendations following the clothing section), here’s a look at what kind of clothing you should include on your Germany packing list for different times of the year.

Clothing: What to pack for Germany in summer

Summers in Germany run from mild to hot, though it’s usually only truly hot for 2 or 3 weeks total. Usually. Summer 2022 was very hot for several weeks at a time, so always check the forecast shortly before your trip.

Here are my recommendations for your packing list for Germany in summer.

Short sleeved shirts: Pack one for each day of your trip, plus or minus, depending on how open you are to re-wearing a shirt occasionally.

Long sleeved shirt: One should be enough. Since it does occasionally dip below acceptable summer temperatures, it’s good to have one long sleeved option to throw on over your short sleeved shirt.

Pants: Pack a couple of pairs of jeans, leggings, or other casual light weight pants. Summer is *usually* mild enough to not need shorts.

Shorts: That said, it’s worth packing a pair of shorts, or even two pairs, if those high temperatures hit while you’re here.

Skirts/dresses: If you’re a skirt or dress person, pack a few casual ones to wear instead of a pair of pants. But chances are, you won’t need anything fancy for a trip to Germany.

Light jacket: I find that a light jacket or a sweatshirt is good for any trip, any season, in case of a few cooler days or on an air conditioned train or bus.

Underwear: Pack one pair of underwear for each day of your trip, plus an extra. One pair of socks per day should also be fine. Ladies, pack 2 or 3 bras for a one week trip. I love ExOfficio because they’re quick dry, which is great for travel.

Sleepwear: Pajamas, t-shirt and shorts, leggings…you know what you’re comfortable sleeping in.

Bathing suit: Optional – this depends on what you plan on doing in Germany. There are lots of lakes in various parts of Germany, or if you’re planning a trip to one of the beaches in northern Germany, pack a bathing suit.

Shoes: Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes plus one other pair of shoes depending on your itinerary. Flip flops or sandals for travelling or other casual shoes will work. Leave the high heels at home.

Outdoor clothing & shoes: If you’re going to be doing a lot of hiking, cycling, or other outdoor activities, pack sturdy shoes or boots and comfortable outdoor clothing.

Clothing: What to pack for Germany in winter

Winters in Germany are cold, and depending on where you’re going, it might be snowy, so pack accordingly.

Short sleeved shirts: Pack a few short sleeved shirts that work for layering.

Long sleeved shirts: Long sleeved shirts that can be layered over short sleeved shirts will help keep you warm.

Sweaters: Especially if you don’t deal well with cold, windy weather, sweaters will keep the chill off. Try to avoid bulky ones that take up too much space in your bag though.

Pants: Pack a couple of pairs of jeans, or other casual pants.

Skirts/dresses: If you’re a skirt or dress person, pack a few casual ones to wear instead of a pair of pants. Layer with leggings to keep yourself a little warmer. Especially in the winter, you won’t need anything fancy for a trip to Germany.

Winter coat: A good winter coat is essential for protecting yourself from the cold air in Germany.

Hat, gloves, scarf: You’re probably going to spend a decent amount of time outside walking from one sight to another, so cover up with a good set of gloves plus a hat and scarf. These are essential for your winter Germany packing list.

Underwear: Pack one pair of underwear for each day of your trip, plus an extra. One pair of socks per day should also be fine. Ladies, pack 2 or 3 bras for a one week trip. I love ExOfficio because they’re quick dry, which is great for travel.

Thermals: You probably don’t need these for normal sightseeing days, but if you go to Germany in December for Christmas markets, you could spend several hours outside. Layering thermals or leggings under your jeans will help keep you warm.

Sleepwear: Pajamas, t-shirt and shorts, leggings…you know what you’re comfortable sleeping in.

Shoes: Pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes plus one other pair of shoes depending on your itinerary. Boots could be a good choice for winter weather, just make sure they’re comfortable for walking and already broken in before your trip.

Outdoor clothing & shoes: If you’re going to be skiing or doing other winter outdoor activities, pack sturdy shoes or boots and comfortable outdoor clothing, plus any gear you don’t want to rent.

What should be on your packing list for Germany all year long

Many things you’ll need to pack for Germany will be the same no matter what time of year you visit.

Toiletries

Hotels will often have shampoo, shower gel, and a few other things, but I much prefer to travel with my own toiletries.

Toiletry bag: Make sure any liquids you pack in your carry on luggage comply with liquids rules. Pack them up in a sturdy toiletry bag like this one instead of a disposable one that can easily rip.

Shampoo and conditioner: Stay under the liquids limit by putting some of your own shampoo and conditioner into these GoToob refillable bottles. Or try solid alternatives. Check out my favorite solid shampoo and solid conditioner on Amazon.

Shower gel or bar soap: Bar soap won’t add to your liquids limit.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss: Keep those teeth clean! Did you know you can get solid toothpaste tabs to save even more space in your liquids bag?

Contact solution and case: If you wear contacts, I also recommend bringing glasses as a backup.

Lotion: The water in Berlin is hard and can dry your skin. Other parts of Germany have softer water, but it’s always good to have some lotion.

Deodorant: Everyone appreciates it when you don’t stink. Why not try this 100% natural deodorant?

Razor: If you have shaving needs, add a razor to your packing list for Germany.

Nail clippers and nail file: Leave the nail scissors at home since some security agents might confiscate them.

Brush and hair elastics: I usually prefer to have my hair up when I’m walking around all day.

Makeup: Pack your must-have makeup items, but don’t bring too much.

Sunscreen: Important if you’re spending lots of time outside in the summer, probably less important in the winter, unless you’re spending lots of time in the mountains. Did you know they make solid sunscreen? I love this one.

>>Check out these fantastic places to visit in Germany.

First aid items

Germany has everything you need, but it’s always good to have a few first aid items on hand in case you need them.

Headache/Pain meds: Bring some of your Tylenol or Advil from home. You can find their equivalents (Paracetamol is Tylenol, Ibuprofen is Advil) at any pharmacy, but you’ll get a lot fewer of them, and they’re more expensive per pill than in the US.

Bandaids: Again, you can get these at any pharmacy or drug store, but if you need one, it’s better to have it already.

Wound cream: Also good to have on hand for immediate use if you actually need it.

Immodium: Hopefully you won’t need this, but sometimes travel can lead to an upset digestive system.

Prescription medications: If you have any prescriptions you take regularly, bring more than you need for your trip. It’s also good to have proof of your prescriptions. At a minimum this means your name is on the bottle, but for certain medications, a letter from your doctor is better.

Tiger balm: If you’ve never tried Tiger Balm, I highly recommend it. It’s great for headaches, itchy bug bites, and all sorts of other things you’d never imagine one balm could cure.

Bug repellent: In the summer months, you could easily encounter mosquitoes. Check out this solid bug repellent I’ve started using.

Forgot something at home? The word for pharmacy in German is Apotheke, and they can sell you over the counter things like Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Immodium, wound cream, bandaids, etc. Common drug stores are DM and Rossman, and they have toiletries, makeup, razors, condoms, bandaids, contact solution, etc.

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Electronics

Camera and accessories: If you really love photography and prefer a camera to a smart phone, make sure you pack your camera. If it’s a DSLR, bring whichever lenses you want to use on your trip to Berlin. I love my Canon Rebel DSLR.

Kindle: Great for bringing as many books as you want to read on the plane and on long train rides.

Smart phone: This works well for photos if you don’t want to bring a camera. Get a local sim card, and you can do lots of things digitally, like transport tickets.

European SIM card: Rather than deal with the hassles of trying to buy a local sim card when you arrive, get one ahead of time. Orange is a French company, but because of how the EU works, their SIM cards work throughout the region. Choose between a normal SIM or an eSIM.

Laptop and/or tablet: I often travel with my laptop because I work from the road, but for a vacation to Berlin, you might not need it. Consider leaving it at home or packing an iPad or other tablet to use instead. Or skip altogether because you can do a lot on your phone.

Chargers, cords, batteries: Make sure you pack any chargers, cords, and batteries you need for your electronics.

Plug adapters: Most of mainland Europe, including Germany, uses a two pronged electrical outlet. You’ll need a plug adapter to make your devices fit.

You do NOT need a voltage converter unless you’re traveling with a hair dryer, curling iron, or hair straightener. Even then, consider buying a dual voltage hair appliance before your trip because it’ll work better.

>>Read more about getting a plug adapter for Germany.

Documents

Passport: You won’t get far without your passport. US citizens do not need a tourist visa to visit Germany, but if you carry a passport from somewhere else, please check the embassy website for requirements.

Note: No official date has been released, but starting sometime in late 2023, US citizens (as well as those from many other countries) will be required to obtain a visa waiver in order to enter any country in the Schengen Zone, which includes Germany. Read here for more info.

Scan a copy of your passport and email it to yourself and email it to your emergency contact at home. It’s also good to print out a few copies to have with you: one in your luggage, and one you keep with you at all times.

Hopefully you’ll never need these backups, but you’ll be grateful to have them if your passport gets lots or stolen.

It’s also good to get a passport holder to protect your passport. It’s an important document, and it’s best to keep it safe from bending, water damage, etc.

Credit and debit cards: While plastic isn’t as universally accepted as it is in the US, it’s still good to travel with these. Make sure you have the phone numbers of your credit card companies and banks, that way if your cards get lost or stolen, you call them to have your cards canceled and replaced.

Driver’s license: There is no reason to rent a car in Berlin, but if you plan on traveling outside the city, a car rental might be a good idea, depending on what your plans are. As a tourist, your US driver’s license will work here.

Confirmation info: Almost everything is digital these days, but sometimes hard copies are still useful. At the very least, have the name and address of your hotel printed out in case you’re unable to access your email. A screenshot on your phone works too.

It’s often good to have print outs of tour bookings as well, but many tour operators now accept digital versions.

>>Read: 1 Week in Germany Itinerary: Berlin and East Germany

Other essential items to add to your Germany packing list

Umbrella: Any time of year can bring rain to Germany, so packing a light weight travel umbrella is a good idea. A rain jacket is also useful, sometimes more useful than an umbrella since often the rain is just a drizzle.

City map: Google Maps works great, but if you’re better with physical maps, this laminated map that folds up to pocket size can be really helpful for navigating. This one is Berlin, but look for maps for whichever cities you’re visiting in Germany.

Sunglasses: You can leave these at home if you’re coming to Berlin in the winter, but summers are sunny and you’ll be happy to have your sunglasses.

Water bottle: In the vast majority of places, tap water in Germany is safe to drink, so refilling your own water bottle will save you a little money each day. And it’s better for the environment. These are collapsible, so they’ll take up less space in your bag.

Tissues: It’s always good to have a travel pack of tissues on hand.

Sleep mask and ear plugs: If you’re a light sleeper or you’re staying in hostels, a sleep mask and ear plus will come in handy. Even if you’re staying in a hotel, if it’s summer, beware that the sun comes up really early, so a sleep mask might help you avoid waking up at 4:30am with the sun.

Helpful apps for a trip to Germany

>>Check out my itinerary for 1 week in Germany from Berlin to Munich.

Google Maps: Great for not getting lost while exploring cities in Germany.

Google Translate: If you don’t speak German, this is helpful for signs and menus you don’t understand.

Public transport apps: Public transport is pretty good in most places in Germany, and these apps will help you plan your routes. Most have options for buying tickets in the app, but you have to load in your bank or PayPal info. Look for BVG for Berlin, MVV for Munich, VAG for Freiburg, HVV for Hamburg.

Deutsche Bahn: For getting around in Germany, Deutsche Bahn is excellent. The train network is extensive, and you can get almost anywhere. Buy your tickets in the app, too. The app works in English, making things even easier for visitors.

FlixBus: If you plan on using FlixBus (or FlixTrain) to save money on your trip to Germany, or all over Europe, the FlixBus app is a handy one to have.

Airline app: This will make it easier to check in for your flights and show your boarding pass.

WhatsApp: Makes it easy to keep in touch and message people while you’re here without getting charged international texting fees.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this Germany packing list and guide for what to wear in Germany is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!