Trier is considered to be an architectural “pearl” of Germany. Many historical monuments of different times have been preserved here, so it is not surprising that many buildings have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These days, thousands of tourists visit Trier every year in order to enjoy the wonderful cityscapes of old Europe. Besides, Trier is situated along the picturesque Moselle River with its medieval castles, fortresses, vineyards. The region of Moselle valley is considered to be an especial place to travel, moving from one medieval town to another. There are a lot of things to do in Trier, so let’s discover them.
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When to travel to Trier
I have travelled to Germany and according to my observations, I can say that it is quite easy to move around the country, no matter what region you are in. There is a decent railway connection, including high-speed and regional trains. Besides, tourists can move around by buses which is also a very popular option for travelling. Another great way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. The local highways called autobahns are truly legendary and well-known for their quality.
Trier also connects by high-speed roads and by railway routes with other cities and it makes travelling to Trier easy, fast and comfortable. There are different ways of how to get to Trier, be it public transport or a car.
Based on my research, the best time of the year to visit Moselle valley and Trier is summer. The beauty of nature is unmatched during the summertime. Moreover, river navigation is available only in warm periods of the year (from mid-April to mid-October). The spring season is also beautiful as you can enjoy the blossoming of local flora. Autumn until mid-October is also pleasant with its colorful nature views. In case you are not interested in countryside and would like to see only architectural attractions, you can visit Trier all year round as winters in this part of Europe are usually quite mild.
How to get to Trier
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Where do you fly into to get to Trier? Trier is situated in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, on the border with Luxembourg. The nearest major cities are Saarbrucken (80 km), Frankfurt (190 km) and Cologne (175 km). Saarbrucken has a local airport, whereas Frankfurt and Cologne have the international airports. Check the current timetable from your city at Aviasales booking service. I usually use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options. Trier can be reached by public transport from all the three cities mentioned above.
How to get to Trier from Frankfurt
Frankfurt is a popular starting point for tourist trips to Trier. The distance between the cities is about 200 km (or 122 miles). Travellers can use both public transport and a car to reach the desired destination located in the Moselle Valley.
How to get to Trier from Frankfurt by train
You can get directly to Trier from Frankfurt by public transport, but the direct train runs only once a day. The travel time is 3 hours and 20 minutes. It is much easier to take a train that goes with a change in Saarbrucken or Koblenz, then you can easily get there at any time of the day. The travel time, including the changes, is no more than 3.5 hours. You can check the current timetable on the Raileurope service. The train is considered to be a fast and convenient way of how to get to Trier.
How to get to Trier from Frankfurt by car
Another popular way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Frankfurt. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Frankfurt Airport is connected to Trier with highway № B50 (see on the map). I travelled a lot via autobahns in Germany so I can confirm they are pretty much comfortable and it is often the fastest way to get to the desired destination.
How to get to Trier from Cologne
Cologne is one more popular starting point for travelling around Moselle Valley and getting to Trier. The distance is just 190 km (or 116 miles). You can use either public transport or a car to reach your travel destination.
How to get to Trier from Cologne by public transport
There are direct trains from Cologne to Trier, running every hour. Duration of the journey is from 2.5 to 3 hours. You can also check the schedule on the Raileurope service. The train remains one of the most comfortable and fastest ways of how to get to Trier from Cologne.
⇒In addition, a shuttle bus also departs from Cologne to Trier once a day at 09.25. The travel time is 3 hours 10 minutes. The advantage of traveling by bus is its cost. It is almost 2 times cheaper than a train ticket. The carrier is Flixbus. As I know Flixbus is a pretty popular bus service in Europe and designed for cheaper trips with affordable prices, so I don’t see any reasons why not to try it as an option.
How to get to Trier from Cologne by car
Another popular way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Cologne. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Cologne Airport is connected to Trier with highway № A1 (see on the map). Anyway, a car is a popular and fast way of how to get to Trier from Cologne too.
How to get to Trier from Saarbrucken
Saarbrucken is a large city which is located quite close to Trier. The distance between them is only 100 km (or 62 miles). Travellers can use public transport to get to Trier. As an option, tourists can also rent a car, which is pretty much excellent option if you plan to travel around the whole Moselle Valley.
How to get to Trier from Saarbrucken by public transport
The trains from Saarbrucken to Trier run daily with a frequency of 2 times per hour. Travel time is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. A change is not required. You can check the current timetable on the Raileurope service. I use Raileurope pretty regularly to check out the current train timetable when planning trips in Europe and I can recommend it as a convenient planner service.
⇒You can also get there by regular bus. Buses depart daily at 12.20 and 14.00. The travel time is about 1 hour 10 minutes. Regular buses is a nice and relatively cheap idea of how to get to Trier from Saarbrucken.
How to get to Trier from Saarbrucken by car
Another popular way to travel in Germany is to rent a car. You can rent a car right at the airport upon arrival, or at any other rental offices in Saarbrucken. You can also book a car in advance on the different booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc.
◊A useful tip: Compare a few of booking services to choose the best price. Roads in Germany are high-speed (the so-called autobahns), so you can move along quickly and comfortably. Saarbrucken is connected to Trier with highway № A1 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Trier
After you figured out how to get to Trier, it is the time to explore available accommodation options. Since Trier is a popular tourist destination, you can find a lot of hotel offers here. Guests of the town can stay in hotels of various star categories, as well as in apartments, guest houses, B&B and hostels. Based on my research, the following Trier hotels get high ratings from travelers:
4-star hotels
Park Plaza Trier 4* is located in the center of the town. A spa area with a sauna, as well as a bar and a restaurant can be found on site. You can stay in well-designed rooms. Depending on the type of room, breakfast may be included or paid separately. Wi-fi is free of charge. Public parking is situated nearby, but is available at an additional cost. There is a 24-hour front desk, tour desk and luggage storage services.
3-star hotels
Ante porta DAS STADTHOTEL 3* is located within the walking distance of the historical attractions of Trier. The hotel has a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Buffet breakfasts are available at an additional cost. Wi-Fi is free. Private parking is available on site at an additional cost and upon reservation. The front desk serves guests 24/7.
Paulin Hotel Trier 3* is located near the center of the town. The hotel has a peaceful terrace. You can stay in single or double rooms. Breakfasts are extra-paid. Wi-fi is provided free of charge. Paid private parking is available on site (reservation required). The front desk provides luggage storage services.
Hotel Duetscher Hof 3* is located in the center of Trier. The hotel has a restaurant, a spa area with a Finnish sauna and a bar. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories. Each room is equipped with a coffee pot or kettle. Breakfasts are extra-paid. Wi-fi is provided for free. Public parking is available on site at an additional cost and upon reservation. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and provides tour desk, luggage storage and currency exchange services.
No-star hotels
Ibis Styles Trier is closely situated to the historical attractions of Trier. A fitness room is available on site. Guests can stay in rooms of various categories, including family rooms. Breakfasts are included in the price. Private paid parking is available on site. It is important to find out a parking space in advance, especially in case you choose a car as a way of how to get to Trier. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. The front desk is open 24 hours a day and offers luggage storage and currency exchange services.
Things to do in Trier
Trier is famous for its architectural attractions. You can find here even some monuments of the Roman era. Besides, there are beautiful buildings, constructed during the Middle Ages, and elegant palaces of the Belle Epoch.
Historical Attractions
Most often, tourists start exploring the town from the ancient Roman gates of Porta Nigra and the Cathedral of St. Peter. The gates were built during the heyday of the Roman Empire and uniquely survived to these days. A curious fact associated with the gates is their name of Porta Nigra, which translates as “Black Gates”. In fact, the gate was originally built of white stone and only darkened over the time, thereby justifying its name.
The Cathedral of St. Peter in Trier also has a long history. Initially, the cathedral was built in a strict Romanesque style, but after many alterations, elegant baroque features appeared, for example, a carved altar and reliefs decorated the interior of the church. Trier Cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I found out some practical information for visiting:
- It operates from 6.30 am until 5.30 pm during the period of November to March and from 6.30 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the period of April to October.
Other architectural gems
Other religious buildings of the town also include the Church of the Virgin Mary (Gothic style; UNESCO site), the Church of St. Gangolf (built in the 14th century, style is late Gothic), the Benedictine abbey (12th century Roman basilica), and the Jesuit church (13th century building). All buildings in terms of architecture have unique features and, no doubt, are worthy of attention.
Palace of the Electors
I really like medieval architecture and you may also be interested in various architectural styles. Here is what I found out. The former residence of the Bishops of Trier, and now the palace of the Electors deserves a special mention. The palace complex is made in the luxuriant Rococo and Renaissance styles and is decorated with numerous statues and embossed gilding. A beautiful landscape park adjoins the palace.
- Entrance to the park is free, so many local residents and guests of the town enjoy spending time here among the flower beds and fountains.
- Various musical events are held at the palace area
By the way, another architectural attraction adjoins the palace – the Palatine Basilica. It was built much earlier than the palace and is made in the Romanesque style. The original architecture of the basilica has survived to these days.
Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge
It is also worth visiting the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge. The bridge was built at the beginning of the 20th century in an arched form. It crosses the Moselle River, and one of the bridge pillars stands on a small island located right in the middle of the river. The bridge fits perfectly into the urban look of the town, despite the fact that it was built much later than any other historical attraction in Trier.
In general, we can say that Trier is a “pearl” among the small towns in Germany. Here, the unique architecture has its own charm of an old European town. Visiting Trier will definitely be interesting for those travellers who are fans of history and architecture as it is considered to be a must-see town among the small towns of Southwestern Germany. There are differen ways of how to get to Trier, so travellers can choose the best suitable for them.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Germany, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Mike Finn
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…
What a fantastic guide to Trier! I’ve visited Germany several times, but Trier is still on my list — your post really highlights why it deserves a visit. The combination of UNESCO-listed architecture, medieval charm, and scenic Moselle Valley sounds incredible. I love that you included practical details about getting there, especially the comparison between train routes and driving the autobahns — such helpful tips for planning a trip!
I absolutely love Germany. The architecture is something we don’t have here in the US. This is a stunning place. I especially love palaces and old cathedrals and this has it all. I can’t wait to add this to my list of places I want to visit.
Your photos are incredible – and the Old Town looks so beautiful!
I’ve never been to Trier but it looks really beautiful. Thanks for all the information on how to get there!
Germany has incredible architecture, but I’ve never been to this region before. Can’t wait to add it to my list for my next visit – thanks!
Such a great guide! I was not familiar with Trier before reading your post, and appreciate the insight!