Is Germany Expensive to Visit? Everything You Should Know
Are you intending to the visit the Germany? But, you worry about the costs. Well, you are not alone when it comes to thinking like this. Is Germany Expensive to Visit? This is a question that many think about. However, the answer to this question might actually surprise you. Germany is a fascinating country that offers an incredible value for the money when you compare to other countries. Whether it is the fairy-tale castles or the vibrant cities, Germany offers some wonderful experiences for various budgets.
Looking to check out the history or Berlin?
Want to soak in the charm of the Bavaria?
Understanding the costs associated with your trip will help you plan better. This guide will help you break down your expenses to ensure a hassle-free trip. Also, make sure to grab your Germany Schengen Visa from UK in advance for a smooth travel experience.
Is Germany Expensive to Visit? Everything to Know About
1. Average Daily Expenses in Germany
One of the first things that you should know about is the daily costs. A major chunk of your expenses will go to the accommodations.
The budget hostels usually start from the €20-30 per night in most of the cities. If you choose the mid-range hotels, these can range between €70-120 depending on location and season. If you choose the luxury stays, expect to pay above €150-200 or even €300+ in the prime areas.
The food costs will vary. But, depending on the budget, you can expect to oay up to €30 to €100. Then, there is the transportation which can be around the €10-15 daily (public transit). The entry tickets may cost around €10-15 per place.
On an average, the daily expenses can start from €70 and will go to an upwards of €150-200 or €300 as well. Still thinking, Is Germany expensive to visit? Simply plan smartly for an affordable holiday!
2. Average meal prices in Germany
The food in the Germany provide the excellent value for money. A breakfast in the bakery will cost around the €3-5. If the hotel provides breakfast, then you can save up here. Cafés usually offer breakfast that ranges from the €6-12.
For lunch, you will come across the numerous options in the Germany. If you want the quick bites like currywurst or the doner kebab, then it costs around €4-7. At casual restaurants, the prices of lunch go up to €8-15, including drinks. For a finer experience, you may shell up to €50-100 depending on your preferences.
The dinner prices slightly increase and range between €12-20 for the main courses. The mid-range restaurants charge around €15-25 per person. This can be higher for the luxury establishments.
3. Public transportation prices in Germany
Germany is quite popular for its incredible public transport options. It ranks amongst the very best int the world.
The single tickets usually cost between €2-4 depending on the distance. If you get the day passes at €7-10, you will get to enjoy unlimited travel. The weekly passes cost around €30-40, perfect for people who want to stay longer.
Intend to visit the major destinations? There is the Deutsche Bahn railway network. You can travel to most of the major destinations easily:
- Regional Trains – €15-40
- High Speed ICE Trains – €40-120
You can also get the German Rail Pass which starts at €189 for 3 days. Choose the options as per your travel preferences for a hassle-free travel experience.
4. Free things to do in German cities
The cities of the Germany have a wide range of attractions which include the free experiences as well.
Berlin, the capital city has more than 170 museums. Many of these offer the free entry days. Then, there is the East Side Gallery where you can see the Berlin Wall artwork at no additional cost.
You can also head over to the Munich. This place boasts some wonderful free attractions all across the year. Head over to the Marienplatz where you can check out the popular Glockenspiel clock. You can also check out the English Garden that offers a massive urban park experience. Alternatively, you can enjoy window shopping at Maximilianstrasse, a luxury experience without buying anything!
Hamburg is another wonderful place that you can explore. The harbour area here offers some incredible free experiences. Visit the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district for a wonderful time. Do not miss out the Elbe beaches where you can relax and rejuvenate.
You may come across some free walking tours in most of these cities. If you find one, do not miss it!
You do not have to worry about, Is Germany expensive to visit?
Just add some of these free activities to your itinerary for an amazing Germany getaway!
5. Backpacking costs in Germany
Many backpackers find that the Germany is quite backpacking friendly. This is true, especially, when you compare to other Western European countries.
The hostel dormitory beds cost around €20-30 depending on the area. Many hostels boast the excellent facilities which include kitchen and the social areas.
You can keep the food costs low by choosing to eat street food or going to a bakery. Then, there are the supermarket meals or cooking at the hostel to save more. You can also opt for the best affordable hotels and restaurants in Germany!
Transport remains one of the significant expenses for the hostellers. You can get the regional day tickets that offer the unlimited travel. These usually cost around €15-25 in some areas. Go for the night buses while travelling to save on transportation and accommodation. As for the hitchhiking, it is quite safe in the Germany.
Want to enjoy the social activities? You do not have to break your bank. Many bars have the special hours. Beers during this time cost €2-3. You can opt for the free walking tours. The hostels also organize the free walking tours in most major cities!
Budget Travel Tips for Germany
- Try to always plan smartly to significantly reduce the travel costs.
- Book the flights around 2 to 3 months or even more to get the best fares.
- Consider flying to the secondary airports like the Cologne, Bonn or Hamburg. These usually have the cheaper flights.
- For stays, you can choose hotels that are outside the city centres. If you are staying for more than a week, try to go for the apartment rentals or Airbnbs. Want cheaper stays? Try staying in the hostels, if that works for you.
- For dining, you should visit the restaurants during the “specials” timings. Want cheaper food? Head over to the restaurants. These places have restaurants where the dishes that are quite affordable. Cook yourself if possible and get essentials from the nearby farmers markets!
- For transport, try to opt for the passes, weekly or for a few days. And try to explore most of the attractions during the validity period of the pass.
Thinking about how to get your tourist visa? Get the best Germany tourist visa services for a quick Germany visa acquisition experience.
Price of Popular Tourist Attractions in Germany
The most famous attractions of the Germany offer incredible value for the tourists.
One of the most popular ones is the Neuschwanstein Castle. The tours start at just €15 for the adults. Travelling to Berlin? Get the Berlin Museum Pass. It gives you 3-day access to 30+ museums at just €29. Then, there is the Deutsches Museum which has an entry ticket costing €14!
Want to check out the historical sites of the Germany? The admission fee is quite reasonable. To climb the Cologne Cathedral, you just need to shell out €5, for the panoramic city views. You can head over to the Dresden Zwinger palace complex for just €12 to watch the main galleries. In the Berlin, you can see the Pergamon Museum which is home to the ancient treasures at €19.
Did you know? During off peak hours, you can get tickets at the reduced prices!
The theme parks and the entertainment attractions usually cost higher. These can include the Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park (€55). The Hamburg’s Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway, charges €20 for adults.
1. Affordable destinations in Germany You Must Know
Many of the regions of the Germany offer the excellent value for money for budget-conscious travellers.
Leipzig ranks first, when it comes to the affordable stays and the dining choices. This is a vibrant city in the east that boasts cultural offerings. Additionally, there is the historic architecture and the arts scene that is thriving.
Next up is the Rhine valley. Here, you will come across the stunning scenes and the charming villages, but, at reasonable prices. Towns like the Bacharach and St. Goar offer incredibly authentic experiences away from the tourist crowds. Do not miss out the local wines as they cost a fraction when you compare to other areas.
Feel like going on an adventure? There, are the Harz Mountains. These represent the best-value outdoor destination. This is essentially a centre mountain range offering the affordable guesthouses and family-run hotels. You can hike, go mountain biking or enjoy the winter sports.
Another affordable place to visit is the North Germany’s Baltic Coast. Here, you can enjoy the beach days at the reasonable prices. There are the resort towns like the Binz and Warnemünde which are popular for its sandy beaches and seaside promenades!
Thinking about Where to stay in Germany in an Affordable Cost?
Always opt for the hotels, but, not the dormitory rooms. Instead choose the private rooms which are 30-40% less than the hotels. You can choose from 500+ hostels by German Youth Hostel Association.
Instead of going for the chain hotels, choose the guesthouses or family-run establishments. These typically cost lesser. Apart from this, you can book Airbnbs for a more private experience. Avail Online Germany visa services in UK for a worry-free visa process!
2. Most Expensive Cities to visit in Germany
One of the most expensive places in the Germany is the Munich. The capital of Bavaria commands the premium prices all around the year. During the Oktoberfest, expect to pay around 200-300% prices of the standard hotel prices. This place also has the upscale shopping districts and features a lot of the luxury brands.
Frankfurt is next on the list of most expensive places in Germany. This place is essentially a financial hub. Therefore, the business travellers who visit here, usually, drive up the stay costs. The restaurants also welcome a lot of international business clientele. This is why, you may have to pay more as compared to other German cities.
Hamburg is the third most-expensive city on the list. This is a norther port city that is popular for the upscale shopping and the dining districts. Thanks to the HafenCity development, you can get to see the luxury apartments and high-end restaurants. During major events, the hotel and restaurant prices go on the higher side!
If you are not worried about, Is Germany expensive to visit?, then you can choose to stay in these incredible cities!
Monthly Travel Expenses in Germany – A Quick Overview
Travelers who are staying in Germany for an extended period of time can make significant financial savings. In most places outside of Munich, the typical monthly rent for an apartment is between 700 and 1200 euros . The monthly cost of utilities normally ranges from €100 to €150, depending on the season. When shopping with care, the monthly cost of groceries for a single person might range anywhere from €200 to €300. The cost of a monthly pass for public transportation in large cities ranges from €70 to €90.
Using these numbers, the beginning point for the monthly expenses is somewhere between 1200 and 1800 euros. This makes living in most German cities comfortable. The addition of entertainment, dining out, and occasional travel can result in a monthly rise of between 300 and 600 euros. Due to the necessity of health insurance for extended stays, the monthly premiums might range anywhere from €80 to €120!
One-week travel budget for Germany – How Much Would it Be?
For travelers, a normal journey to Germany lasting one week demands careful budgeting. It is possible for budget tourists to get by with a total of €500–700, excluding airfare. This encompasses accommodations in hostels, public transit, and dining at more basic establishments. It makes it possible to visit a number of paid attractions and occasionally eat at inexpensive restaurants .
In order to have a comfortable week, travelers with a budget of €800-1200 should opt for better stays. You can choose accommodations on a three-star hotel level as well as regular dining at restaurants. It contains passes for entering key sites as well as enjoying the city’s public transportation system. There are also some aspects of shopping and entertainment that fall under this budget range.
In order to have a premium experience, luxury visitors often spend between €1500 and €2500. This includes accommodations at four to five star hotels as well as gourmet dining throughout the trip. Not only does it offer considerable shopping, but it also includes personalized tours and first-class rail travel. This budget allows for the fulfillment of premium experiences such as spa treatments and special events.
Thinking about a Two-week Germany trip cost breakdown? Simply double the costs of the one week budget. You will get the numbers for your two-week vacation in Germany.
Conclusion
Is Germany expensive to visit? Well, not exactly. If you plan your trip to the Germany properly, you can easily enjoy the world-class experiences. All of these at the reasonable prices!
Germany caters to all types of travellers, the budget, mid-range as well as the luxury ones. Regardless of the budget, if your plan smart, you can enjoy some unforgettable experiences.
Just, choose each aspect of your visit, and, use the information in this guide for a memorable Germany holiday. So, why wait any longer? Apply Germany Visa from London now!
FAQs
No, Germany is cheaper by 10-15% as compared to the UK for the visitors. The stays, food, public transport are also on the cheaper side. Even the beer and wine prices are significantly lower in the Germany.
The months of January to the March and even early April feature the lowest prices. The month of November, before the Christmas markets also offers the excellent value. In these quieter months, the costs are also quite low.
Budget travellers should plan for about €50-70 daily for basic expenses. Mid-range travellers need about €100-150 which includes hotels, restaurant dining and paid attractions. Also, keep about €20-30 in cash handy.
No, food prices in the Germany comes in the middle to low ranks when compared to other European nations. You can expect to 20-30% lower prices than the Switzerland or Scandinavia.
City tourist taxes can add up to €2-5 per night of the accommodation. Some of the museums and attractions may charge extra for special exhibition. Even in the train stations, you may need to pay about €0.5-1 to use the public restrooms.
