Traveling from Germany to Spain: Tips and Recommendations

The most popular way to travel from Germany to Spain

Germany and Spain are two of the biggest and most-visited countries in Europe. Between them, there are countless beautiful cities (Barcelona, Madrid and Pamplona), numerous world-famous festivals (Oktoberfest, La Tomatina), and some of the best buildings and museums in the world.

These two countries don’t share a border, but it is possible to book train tickets from Germany to Spain—and vice versa—and you can also travel via bus or plane.

Buses from Germany to Spain

Bus tickets from Germany to Spain are usually cheaper than train and plane tickets, but it’ll also take you longer to arrive at your destination. The best option for you will depend on your schedule, budget, and how much patience you have for travel.

Trains from Germany to Spain

If you travel from Germany to Spain by train, it could take around 25 hours to arrive at your destination, but it depends on the stations you use. Those 25 hours are usually enough to take you from a central location in Germany to a city like Madrid indirectly, but if you’re traveling from Munich to Pamplona by train, you can expect a journey of just 15 hours.

It’s worth noting that there are no direct trains between these two countries, so some of that travel time will be spent waiting, swapping trains, and even traveling to other stations.

Flights from Germany to Spain

On the surface, taking a plane is the quickest way to complete this trip. A flight from Berlin to Madrid should take around 3 hours direct, but it depends on where you’re flying and whether you’re going direct or not.

Cheapest tickets to travel from Germany to Spain

Flights are nearly always the cheapest option when you need to cross European borders. A Germany to Spain flight usually costs a fraction of a train or bus journey, and you’ll also spend less time on the move.

If you use Omio to book a flight from Germany to Spain, you can bring those prices down even further and ensure you save plenty of spending money for your trip!

How many hours do I need to travel from Germany to Spain?

The average flight time between Germany and Spain is approximately two and a half hours and will depend on your departure and destination airports.

There are no seas separating these two major nations, so you can also take the train or bus. However, you should expect a total travel time of between 15 and 30 hours, depending on your preferred option and travel details.

It might look like a short trek on the map, but there is a lot of land between these two countries and you’ll also pass through France.

Old City Valencia. Source: Unsplash

What companies run services between Germany and Spain?

Train providers

Deutsche Bahn is one of the main operators on this route. Also known simply as “DB”, it is Germany’s main train company and provides services throughout the country. SNCF and Thalys, two major French operators, offer some of the cheapest tickets from Germany to Spain.

Other providers offering these services include TGV inOui and ICE.

Bus providers

FlixBus is a German company that runs intercity and cross-border routes in and around Germany. It’s an established operator and provides very reasonable rates across all of its routes.

Germany to Spain bus routes are also offered by BVG and BlaBlaBus. The frequency varies, but they are available at least several times a week and can take you to and from several destinations in Germany and Spain.

Airlines

You can book a flight from Germany to Spain with several major airlines, the biggest of which is Lufthansa. Lufthansa is the flag carrier of Germany and it’s also the airline with the widest selection of routes and the most competitive prices.

In terms of total passengers carried, Lufthansa is the second-largest airline in Europe, so there is no shortage of flights available through this airline. It offers a multitude of direct and indirect flights to many cities in Spain. Most of the time, you’ll find that Lufthansa has the cheapest flights. This is especially true for popular routes.

Swiss Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Iberia, and KLM also cover many routes between Germany and Spain.

Can’t find the direct flight you want at a price that you can afford? Try tweaking the time, opting for an in-direct flight, or choosing a different departure airport. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference it can make.

Retiro Park Madrid. Source: Shutterstock

The most popular routes from Germany to Spain

Not sure which route to take? Here is a short list of the most popular routes from Germany to Spain, including flights, trains, and bus journeys. The times quoted are only estimates and actual times may vary. All flight times are based on direct flights while train and bus journeys are based on the fastest indirect options (there are no direct trains/buses available).

• Stuttgart to Barcelona (flight time = 1h 55m; train time = 14h 25m; bus time = 19h 30m): This is one of the cheapest routes from Germany to Spain. It also gets you to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe within 2 hours.
• Munich to Madrid (flight time = 2h 45m; train time = 17h 16m; bus time = 30h): From the home of Oktoberfest to the Spanish capital in less than 3 hours—what more could you need?
• Cologne to Barcelona (flight time = 2h 10m; train time = 11h 43m; bus time = 18h 45m): Can’t make it to Stuttgart? Try flying from Cologne instead. It’s an ideal route for visits to Camp Nou and other popular Catalonian destinations.
• Frankfurt to Barcelona (flight time = 2h; train time = 11h 38m; bus time = 20h 45m): Frankfurt is the biggest and busiest airport in Germany, so it’s the perfect place to jet off for your Spanish holiday. Along with affordable and direct trips to Barcelona, there are flights to many other popular Spanish cities and coastal towns.
• Berlin to Barcelona (flight time = 2h 35m; train time = 15h 45m; bus time = 26h 28m): If you prefer a city break from a holiday by the beach, book a Berlin flight to Barcelona instead. As you can see from this list, Barcelona is the most popular destination for German travelers, and once you step foot on Catalonian soil, you’ll understand why.

The most popular stations in Germany & Spain

If you have decided to start your Spanish adventure, you should make a beeline for one of the following transit hubs. These train/bus stations and airports provide a number of routes in, around, and outside of Germany, taking you wherever you want to go:

• Frankfurt Airport
• Hamburg Train Station
• Frankfurt Train Station
• Munich Airport
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport
• Berlin HBF Train Station
• Hamburg Central Bus Station
• Berlin Central Bus Station (Berlin ZOB)
• Munich ZOB (Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof München)

At the end of your trip, you may find yourself at one of the following major Spanish destinations:

• Madrid-Puerta de Atocha Train Station
• Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
• Barcelona Sants
• Méndez Álvaro Bus Station
• Malaga Airport
• Barcelona El Prat Airport

Best destinations & highlights in Spain

Spain is a vast and diverse country, one that offers a wealth of experiences and is suitable for all types of travelers. You can spend time in one of its grand cosmopolitan cities and explore museums, art galleries, and the finest restaurants, or drop by a coastal resort and soak up some sunshine.

If you need a little help choosing your destination, here are some ideas:

• Madrid: The Spanish capital has some of the best nightlife in the country and is one of the most beautiful and colorful cities in Europe.
• Barcelona: Along with its famous football team, museums, and restaurants, Barcelona is home to numerous architectural marvels. It is a cultural hotspot, with great music, art, sport, food, and history.
• Granada: This mid-sized city is home to the Alhambra, a vital piece of Andalusian history that any fan of art, culture, and history will enjoy. The city also has some fantastic nightlife.
• Mallorca: With clear waters, beautiful cliffs, and a relaxed attitude, Mallorca provides a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the biggest Spanish cities.
• Seville: Seville often gets overlooked in favor of Madrid and Barcelona, but this city can match its neighbors with regard to culture, food, and nightlife. It’s beautiful, lively, and vibrant.
• San Sebastian: Located in the Basque country, San Sebastian is a seaside town with many great beaches and a very relaxed attitude. It’s not as crowded as some other seaside destinations but includes some great shopping areas, historic buildings, and the amazing Playa de la Concha beach.

Ibiza. Source: Unsplash

Best time to travel from Germany to Spain

The distance from Germany to Spain by train/bus/flight is pretty substantial, but it’s doable, and it’s well worth the effort if you want to see everything that this great country has to offer.

The best time to travel is during the early spring or late summer. This is when the most routes are available and it’s also when you’ll find the most competitive prices. The crowds are smaller too, and that’s important, as Spain is an incredibly popular destination that welcomes millions of tourists every year.

You will miss some of the excitement by arriving a little earlier or later, but as noted above, there’s still a lot to see and do in this great country.