Overview
Germany is one of the most popular short-haul destinations for UK travellers, and with good reason: it is close, superbly connected and endlessly varied, from world-class cities to fairy-tale castles and vineyard-lined river valleys. Whether you are heading to Berlin for a weekend, Munich for Oktoberfest or Frankfurt for business, you will find frequent, competitively priced flights from airports right across the UK. If you are searching for cheap flights to Germany, use the price charts on this page to see how current fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Germany
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) are the sweet spots, with mild weather, long days and lighter crowds. July and August are warm and lively but busier, especially in the south. The Christmas market season from late November to Christmas Eve is magical but pushes demand and fares up, as does Oktoberfest in Munich (mid-September to early October). For the best value, check the When to book chart above and aim for quieter mid-week departures.
Main gateway cities & airports
The busiest arrival points for UK travellers are Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC) and Berlin Brandenburg (BER). Duesseldorf (DUS), Hamburg (HAM), Cologne/Bonn (CGN) and Stuttgart (STR) also see regular UK services. Frankfurt has its own long-distance railway station, so onward travel by high-speed train across Germany is quick and straightforward.
Airlines and routes
British Airways and Lufthansa operate the widest schedules from the UK, alongside low-cost carriers easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com and Lufthansa's Eurowings. Direct flights from London to Germany run from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and City, with further non-stop routes from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other regional airports. Typical flight time from London is around 1 hour 40 minutes to Frankfurt and about 1 hour 55 minutes to Munich; from Manchester allow roughly 2 hours to Berlin. From smaller UK airports, connecting flights via Frankfurt or Munich are a reliable option.
Popular places to visit in Germany
- Berlin: a bold, creative capital where Cold War history, world-class museums and a famous nightlife scene sit side by side.
- Munich & Bavaria: beer halls, alpine day trips and the gateway to Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired Disney.
- The Black Forest: deep pine woodland, spa towns, cuckoo clocks and scenic driving routes in the south-west.
- The Rhine Valley: castle-topped hills, riverside villages and vineyards between Mainz and Koblenz, best seen by boat.
- Hamburg: a handsome harbour city with canals, the striking Elbphilharmonie concert hall and lively waterfront dining.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Germany
- Book roughly six to eight weeks ahead for short breaks; last-minute fares to German cities are rarely a bargain.
- Fly mid-week and early morning or late evening, when fares are usually lower than Friday and Sunday peaks.
- Compare nearby airports, for example Frankfurt against Cologne, or Berlin against a connection, as prices can differ significantly.
- Avoid the Oktoberfest and Christmas market peaks if you can, and set the price alerts on this page to track drops.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not currently need a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A new EU entry authorisation (ETIAS) is expected to be introduced, so check the latest requirements before you travel. Your passport should be less than 10 years old on the day you enter and valid for at least three months after your planned departure. The currency is the euro (EUR); cards are widely accepted, though carrying some cash is still useful. For the best fares, book a few weeks in advance and refer to the price charts on this page.
