Germany Trip Cost: Pricing for Flights, Food & Accommodation

Germany is the home of carnivals, festivals, cathedrals, monuments, castles, palaces, beer, and sausages. The legal drinking age is 16, and over 2 million gallons of beer are consumed during the Oktoberfest carnival. There's so much that Germany offers locals and visitors alike. But what does it cost to travel to Germany?

The average cost of a 7-day fun trip to Germany from North America is $1800 per person. This budget covers your $800 round-trip flight tickets from most major airports and leaves you $130 to spend daily. The $130 daily average covers $50 for accommodation, $20 for transportation, $30 for food, and $30 for activities and attractions.

Germany is a slightly expensive European country, but it's well worth the money. There are so many things to do and see that you'll never be bored throughout your stay in Germany. 

The rest of this article will try to cover a German travel budget. It'll also cover tips and tricks to help you save money on your trip. Let's go! 

How Much Money Should You Take On A Trip To Germany

$1800 is enough to take you to Germany and afford a mid-range hotel, transportation, food and drinks, and activities. The median cost for flight tickets to Germany is $800. 

With this budget, you will enjoy more paid activities and visit many more locations. You can stay in a private Airbnb room or a mid-range hotel for $50 per night. This lodging comes with a complimentary breakfast and clean facilities.

The available complimentary breakfast means that $30 daily will be enough for lunch and dinner. You can eat at restaurants and enjoy a few drinks without exceeding your budget. However, if your budget is quite low, you can mix eating out with cooking your food or enjoying street food such as sausages and bratwurst.

Luxury travels afford you more flexibility, and the budget is not limited. $350 daily will afford better lodging options, fine dining experiences, and any activity you want. 

Traveling To Germany On A Tight Budget

The best thing about Germany is that it caters to every type of traveler. Backpacking in Germany is easy without breaking a sweat. The average cost of a 7-day trip on a tight budget is $820. 

Germany is a major European country, and you will always find flight deals from several airlines. You need $400 or less for round-trip flight tickets if you book in advance and travel during the off-peak season.

With some adjustments, you spend an average of $60 daily on travel expenses. Germany's hotels cost $10-$20 per night with complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi. Couchsurfing saves money on lodging, and the locals give insights into the country outside tourist trails.

Most hostels have kitchen facilities you can use to cook your meals. You can get cheap meals from outdoor vendors for $2-$4 or eat Turkish/Middle Eastern cuisine for $5. Add $5-$10 to your budget for alcoholic beverages.

Germany's transportation system is advanced, and you can save a lot of money. You will need $3 daily for local transportation and $10-$20 for intercity travel. Rideshare services are also available, and hitchhiking is safe in Germany.

You can engage in mostly free activities such as hiking or free walking tours with a guide. Museums offer free admission on some days, and you can find this information on their websites. The average cost of other activities is $15 per day.

Basic Expenses On Your Vacation To Germany

It is easy to become stranded if you don't have a proper budget before traveling. But what should a proper budget contain? Here's a detailed breakdown of every expense in a typical German travel budget. 

1. Flight Tickets

As usual, flight costs are the first and most significant part of your travel budget. Flight costs depend on the season, how early you book, and the flight day. The average price of a round-trip flight ticket from North America to Germany is $800.

This price can increase or decrease depending on the season. Summer months are peak travel seasons to Germany, and flight tickets increase to $1200 during this time. Late spring and Autumn see fewer people going to Germany, and flight tickets decrease to $500 or less.

Germany is a major European country that sees a lot of international flights. An unlimited number of budget airlines fly this route, making cheaper flights possible. So it's advisable to always check the airline's website for details about payment while preparing your budget. 

2. Accommodation

There are many accommodation styles all over Germany, even in small towns. Accommodation is also affordable compared to most other European countries. Surely you'll find something that perfectly suits your budget. However, the accommodation cost also depends on the city you are visiting.

Hostels across the country cost $10-$20 for a bed in a dorm or $40-$60 for a private room. Most hostels have free Wi-Fi and complimentary breakfast. Wild camping is illegal so expect to pay $5-$10 per night for a campsite.

Mid-range hotels start at $30 per night and have standard facilities. There are Airbnbs scattered across the country, and a private room cost $30-$45.

Luxury hotels and vacation rentals are readily available in Germany. The average cost of a 4-5 star hotel is $350 per day. The price of vacation rentals per day starts from $100 and above.

3. Transportation

Germany has one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world. All the major cities and smaller towns are connected in a way that makes travel easy.

Public transportation in major cities includes buses, trams, and subways. A single ticket costs $3, a day pass $10, and a three-day pass costs $25.

Buses are perfect for intercity travel and usually have the cheapest rates. Although buses are relatively slow, they are punctual and have comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. The average cost of a trip between cities is $25.

According to Omio, a site that acts like a Journey planner, the train is the most efficient way to travel between cities, but it comes at higher costs. High-speed trains are faster and more expensive than regular trains, and the average price is $90 and $20, respectively. Last-minute train tickets are more costly so remember to book in advance.

4. Food & Drinks

Food and drinks in Germany are not known to be cheap, even for regular standard meals. Most accommodation types offer complimentary breakfast, leaving you with lunch and dinner costs.

Lunch and dinner would cost an average of $10 and $20 daily, respectively. Or you can spend $2-$4 on outdoor sausages and bratwurst. A cheaper option is eating Turkish or Middle Eastern cuisine at only $5.

Your daily food budget should be around $30-40$. Alcoholic beverages cost $5-$10, often increasing your food budget. Tap water in Germany is safe to drink, and there's no need to buy bottled water.

The average cost of a fine dining experience in upper-class restaurants is $50. Germany has a tipping culture, and the tips on meals are usually 5-10% of your bill.

5. Activities & Attractions

Germany is a travel destination with year-round activities. Entrance fees, specific tours, and special activities such as skiing or snowboarding cost an average of $30 per day.

There's no limit to sightseeing activities, for example visiting magnificent castles and palaces. The average cost of a ticket to see any of these fortresses is $15-$50. Entrance fees to museums cost an average of $5-$15, although some allow free entrance.

You can visit nature parks and walk the cities without spending money. Walking tours are a thing because of Germany's rich history, and they are usually free. However, tipping your tour guide $5-$10 is a nice gesture you'd enjoy trying.  

Festivals are a year-round activity, for example, the festival of lights in October and Oktoberfest in late September to early October. These festivals provide an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy a time away from the bustles of the city.

You can also enjoy winter activities such as cross-country skiing trails in the black forests or ski resorts in Bavaria. 

All German cities have a rich history and natural beauty. It is easy to lose track of your budget for activities and overindulge. But proper planning helps you to engage in the best activities without exceeding your budget. 

6. Travel Insurance And Miscellaneous Bills

Missed flights, medical emergencies, and stolen or lost luggage are some of the reasons travel insurance is necessary. Always compare quotes from different agencies and choose the best option that includes everything.

Extra cash for souvenirs, tips, and unexpected expenses is a good idea. With an additional $100, you can pay for that random, last-minute ticket to a concert.

Tips To Save Money On Your Vacation To Germany

Germany offers visitors several ways to cut costs and still have a fulfilling experience. However, you'll need to know how to go about it. Remember how easy it is to overindulge and spend beyond your budget? Don't worry; we've provided you with some tips you can employ on your vacation. Take a look. 

1. Travel Off-Peak Season

Summer is peak season in Germany, and as expected, the traffic into Germany peaks at this time. This leads to a hike in flights, lodging, and activities costs. You can expect to pay more for most things if you fix your trip within this time. 

Winter, Spring, and Autumn months are the cheapest to visit Germany. Snowboarding, skiing, and tobogganing are winter activities you will enjoy at a reasonable cost and lesser crowds. You can enjoy medieval castles in Bavaria in spring or go on hiking excursions in Autumn. 

The cost of accommodation during the shoulder season also decreases. You get the best option at a lesser price. Although Autumn is shoulder season, late September to early October is the Oktoberfest carnival. So you must still be careful, so these activities don't increase your expenses. 

2. Book Flights & Accommodations In Advance

Booking flight tickets, accommodation, and train tickets way ahead will save you some money. Europe has a vast array of budget airlines that make finding cheap flights easy. Set departure dates 3-6 months earlier on the airline's website, and it will display the cheapest flying dates.

Likewise, more quality accommodation options that fit your budget are available when you book in advance. Visit travel sites to find accommodation websites. Go to their websites and search for good deals that suit your budget. If traveling long distances by train, booking ahead will save you a lot of money.

3. Save Money On Accommodation By House-Sitting

House-sitting is a great option for flexible and long-term travelers. You will stay in a house for free and take care of the owner's house while they travel or go to work. 

This way, you cut down the cost of accommodation while enjoying the comfort of a home. It will also reduce feeding costs because you can buy groceries cheaper and prepare meals yourself. However, most homeowners may have rules they won't want you to break while in their homes. 

4. Get A Tourism Card

A tourism card is handy when you are traveling to major cities. It is cheaper to get a tourism card than pay individually for each item.

It comes with unlimited transportation and discounts in restaurants. You will also get free entry into significant museums and attractions. 

5. Cook Your Own Meals

Eating out will quickly eat into your budget while on vacation. Consider cooking your meals if your accommodation has kitchen facilities.

$40-$50 grocery shopping can feed you for up to a week in Germany. This amount will get you food items such as eggs, cheese, pasta, bread, chicken breasts, beef, sausages, etc.

Supermarkets usually offer discounts in the evening, especially on fresh products. Therefore, we recommend grocery shopping in the evening.