How much does it cost to travel to Germany?
You should plan to spend around $165 (€152) per day on your vacation in Germany. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $43 (€40) on meals
- $26 (€24) on local transportation
- $163 (€150) on hotels
A one week trip to Germany for two people costs, on average, $2,309 (€2,124). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Germany expensive to visit?
Germany is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Germany is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Spain or Greece.
For more details, see Is Germany Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Germany?
The average Germany trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Germany travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
€150
($163)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
€24
($26)
|
|
Food 2
|
€40
($43)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
€28
($31)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
€6 -
19
($7 - 20)
|
|
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1
|
€19 -
56
($20 - 61)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
€11 -
32
($12 - 35)
|
Accommodation Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Germany is $81 (€75). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Germany is $163 (€150). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Germany? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Germany is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $26 (€24) per person, per day, on local transportation in Germany.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$26
€24
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Germany are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Germany, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
City transport day ticket
€11
-
Single Zone Trip on Subway
€2.30
-
Inner District Subway Day Pass
€5.20
-
Short Taxi Ride
€20
-
Bahn Ticket
€3.00
-
Short Trip Metro Ticket
€1.40
-
Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
€1.70
-
Car Rental
€50
Food Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Germany can vary, the average cost of food in Germany is $43 (€40) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Germany should cost around $17 (€16) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Germany is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$43
€40
Typical prices for Food in Germany are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Germany, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
Entertainment Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Germany typically cost an average of $31 (€28) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$31
€28
Typical prices for Entertainment in Germany are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Germany, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Neuschwanstein Castle (2)
€24
-
Berlin Zoo (2)
€20
-
Schack Gallery Entrance
€4.00
-
Munich Zoo Entrance
€9.00
-
Pub Crawl Munich Tour
€14
-
Tower at St. Michael's Church
€3.50
-
Formula 1 Tickets (for 2)
€670
Tips and Handouts Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Germany is $40 (€37), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$40
€37
Alcohol Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $23 (€22) on alcoholic beverages in Germany per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$23
€22
Typical prices for Alcohol in Germany are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Germany, but your costs will vary based on your travel style.
-
Hofbrauhaus
€12
-
Drinks at a Show
€14
-
Night Out Drinking
€25
-
Becks Beer
€2.00
Water Budget in Germany
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $4.08 (€3.75) on bottled water in Germany per day. The public water in Germany is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$4.08
€3.75
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2023
Germany On a Budget
Berlin
Germany is the largest country in central Europe. It is highly influential financially, culturally, and politically and it is recognized for its precision engineering and high-tech products. Despite its strong influence technologically, it still manages to maintain an old-world charm and "Gemutlichkeit" (coziness) or hospitality. It's a lovely place to visit and most tourists find the locals to be very welcoming and eager to show off their country.
Given the country's large size, it has several distinct regions that are surprisingly diverse, making it a pleasure to explore. The north is known for its hills and coastline which stretches along the Baltic Sea. Western Germany is wine country and is a wonderful place to relax and sip some of the area's finest wine. Central Germany has dense forests, historic towns, and large cities which act as financial centers. Eastern Germany houses the capital, Berlin, and Southern Germany touches the Alps, which offers perhaps some of the most beautiful landscape in Europe. Germany has many cities which are worth visiting, the most popular of which include Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt and Hamburg. Allow yourself several days in each city, but also make sure you have time to enjoy the countryside and Germany's quaint, fairytale like small towns. Many people think of castles when they think of Germany. Many of these are found along the "Romantic Road" which is a popular scenic route that passes by many of the most well known castles and a handful of lovely small towns. Perhaps the most quintessential castle along the route is Neuschwanstein Castle.
Although Germany is not really considered a budget travel destination, there are some tricks you can use to save some money. Perhaps the most significant cost savings will come from booking your train tickets several weeks in advance. This can cut the cost by as much as half, but it will reduce the amount of flexibility you have when you travel. There are also some good budget food options. There are street vendors in most of the larger cities and many of the small towns. Most sell sausages, but sometimes you'll find more diversity and the cost really can't be beat. Also look into free tour options in the larger cities. Inquire at the visitors center and they may be able to tell you about some free, student run tour programs. These tours offer a great overview to the city before you begin exploration on your own.
At A Glance
- Most people think of Oktoberfest when they think of Germany. This is the single largest festival in all of Europe and it is popular with travelers from around the world. People head to the Bavarian region of the country to fully experience the festive beer culture that exists here.
- There are many budget airlines that fly into Germany. This is a popular way to reach the country at a low cost, but do be careful as there are some tricks that you might need to be concerned about. Make sure you fully understand any additional fees for baggage, taxes, or food before you book your ticket. Also make sure you know where the airport is that you're flying into. They are often well outside of town and the public transportation can be lacking.
- Look into EuroCity trains that travel throughout Germany and connect many cities with the neighboring countries. These trains are often slower than the European high speed trains, but they are also cheaper and provide more interesting views of the landscape.
- The easiest place to buy a train ticket is at one of the vending machines that you'll find at most train stations. If you're confused about the route, price, or schedule then your better option is to go to the manned ticket counter where they can answer any questions you might have.
- Look into the BahnCard. This is a year long pass for train travel. If you'll be spending any extended time in Germany and will be traveling by train a lot then this may be a good option for you.
Related:
Looking for a party in
Berlin or
Munich?
Are you a
student or backpacker traveling
alone through Germany?
Find a
Contiki tour to Europe.
Top Tourist Attractions
The Alps: The German Alps are a beautiful destination any time of the year. During the winter months they offer great skiing opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts, and during the summer you can enjoy some wonderful hiking and breathtaking views. There are beautiful small towns that dot the countryside and it's worth stopping by a couple to get a feel for the area.
The Black Forest: The Black Forest has countless hiking trails, many restaurants, and unique shops. It is located in southwest Germany and is bordered by the Rhine Valley.
Neuschwanstein Castle: Perhaps the most iconic of all the German castles, its found along the Romantic Road and is one of the most visited castles in all of Germany.
Brandenburg Gate: A former city gate in Berlin, this site is considered a symbol of Berlin's past.
Popular Foods
German restaurants often serve traditional dishes that are based on meat and potatoes. Dishes are often served with gravy and a side of vegetables. If you go to a more modern restaurant, the dishes will be more influenced by nearby European countries, but whatever city you visit, you'll likely find a good bratwurst and a cold beer somewhere.
Bratwurst: This is the most common German sausage and it is found everywhere. It's often served with mustard and sauerkraut on a bun. It's a great budget option and can easily be purchased from street vendors in most large cities. It makes for a good late night snack or a quick lunch option when you're on the go.
Doner Kebab: This veal or chicken dish actually originated in Germany, despite it being considered a Turkish dish. It's a popular, affordable meal that is rich in flavor, but cheap in cost.
Rehrucken: This is a venison tenderloin that is typically served with noodles and a heavy gravy sauce. You'll find it in many different traditional style restaurants.
Rinderroulade: A uniquely German dish, this is made from very thinly sliced beef that is rolled around a piece of bacon and pickled cucumber.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.