Before coming to Germany, I never thought that traveling on the highway, known as the Autobahn, could be so much fun. I come from a country where this experience was missing. Yes, now we have beautiful infrastructure in my country, Bangladesh, but at that time, we did not have such big roads or highways. It was a very nice experience for me the first time I came here to Germany.

No doubt, a road trip across Germany especially in Autobahn is very charming. Just imagine yourself driving a car on the Autobahn, the wind in your hair, and taking in the breathtaking views of sweeping hills, beautiful castles, and small towns. Driving a car in Germany will give you an unparalleled sense of adventure since it shows you the hidden treasures of the nation the moment you drive.

Preparing for Your Journey

What do you think you need to do before you start your journey on the road? Based on my driving experience, I found it quite confusing to figure out what I needed to have with me the first time. But don’t worry, I spent a lot of time thinking about it since no one was there to suggest what to do. Now, I’m here for you to share my experience of a road journey by car, so you will also learn what to do when you need to do exactly the same thing.

Before starting your journey, you need to have some important documents with you. First and foremost is an international driving permit, which is a must if you don’t have a European driving license or any other driving license from a country allowed to drive in the EU or Germany. Also, note that non-EU driving licenses should be in English. You need to keep your passport, car insurance documents, and the rental agreement for the car.

You can rent a car from “SIXT” or other similar car rental companies. I rented a car for one week to travel across the entire NRW (North Rhine Westphalia) state. I took a car from SIXT and started my adventure. If you want, you can also hire a driver from the same company, but it will cost more money. I suggest driving on your own so you can experience the magic of adventure for yourself.

You may be familiar with road signs, but understanding road signs in Germany is very important. As you drive, you might already know about the road signs, speed limit signs, and other important indicators. However, I mention this because you might not be familiar with some signs, which could be dangerous while driving. Having prior knowledge about the signs is crucial for drivers who are driving for the first time in a different country.

Planning Your Route

Don’t ask me what I did on my first trip after coming to Germany. What I did was very wrong. I didn’t have any plan for where I needed to start and where I needed to finish. When planning your route, think about the most interesting route you would like to start with. For example, maybe you enjoy natural scenery, or perhaps you prefer historical places. Whatever your preference, always try to take the route you like the most.

Driving in Germany

In Germany, you will enjoy driving on the Autobahns. When you drive on the Autobahn, always make sure to follow the rules and speed limits. Don’t exceed the speed limit when you drive. This is one of the most important things I do when I drive my car. Follow the road signs carefully too.

Parking in large German cities like Berlin and Munich can be very stressful, as it is rarely possible to find available parking spots since every spot is usually occupied. Therefore, it is better if you can rent a garage for a while. Normally, when I go to any big city or populated area, it takes some time to find a parking spot, and sometimes it takes too much time.

Cultural Etiquette on the Road

Based on my experience of traveling by car for the first time, I was very scared, thinking about not having enough knowledge of German road etiquette. But it was very much fun once I started driving. The most important thing to know is when to start, stop, and change the direction of the car based on the traffic light signals. Although most modern countries have almost the same driving rules, you may feel a little confused when you start driving in a new country. So, it’s better to know the basic rules before you start driving on the street.

Another thing that seems very fortunate for me is the friendliness of Germans. Locals are very friendly and helpful, especially with foreigners. They do their best to help foreigners, which I admire very much. Moreover, most of them speak very good English, which made me feel very comfortable, especially during my early days in Germany. So, don’t worry if you need help when you’re driving alone and need suggestions or assistance. Don’t hesitate too much about whether it’s okay to ask someone for help.

Exploring German Cities

Every city in Germany has some unique feature for which it is famous. For example, let’s talk about Berlin. Berlin is known as the energetic capital of Germany and is home to important historical and cultural sites. The most famous are the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.

Similarly, Munich is unique for its modern architectural beauty combined with its historic Bavarian culture. It is also famous for its festivals, such as Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival. Though I went there to watch my favorite football club, Bayern Munich’s match in the Allianz Arena, which is another big reason for tourists from all over the world to visit Munich. the city’s vibrant culture mesmerized me. I tried to visit almost every location, but one day was not enough. However, I have visited many times since then.

Hamburg is known as the gateway to the world. The beautiful port of Hamburg is one of the biggest tourist attractions, and the vibrant nightlife of this city is amazing. Cologne is famous for its magnificent cathedral and extensive history.

Take your time to explore the cities so you can experience each city’s unique beauty and culture. Here is a suggestion: pick one city for a 2 or 3-day vacation and explore it at your own pace. By exploring one city per vacation, you will fully experience what each city has to offer.

Although this is not the end of this topic, I will explain more in the next part of my blog about how many tourist spots you can discover by traveling by car. The main thing I’m focusing on is feeling the magic of a solo tour by yourself. Trust me, this is the most enjoyable feeling I’ve experienced, and I still do this every few months. I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog.