Germany ranks amongst the most visited countries in the Europe, thanks to the rich history, gorgeous castles, smooth public transport and fascinating cities like Berlin, Munich and more . But, when you are planning a trip, one of the first questions you might ask is – Is Germany expensive to visit? The short answer is: It is moderately priced. While it is not cheap as countries in the East Europe, it is more affordable than, France, Switzerland and others. But, you will need to plan wisely.
In this guide, we will dive deep into the real cost breakdowns of visiting the Germany. These comprise the accommodations, food, transport and others. So, whether you are a backpacker, a mid-range traveler or want luxury experiences – this guide will help you budget your trip accordingly.
Quick Summary – Germany is a reasonably priced holiday destination offering the excellent value for money. With the daily budget ranging from the €50 to €300, you can choose from the budget hostels to the luxury hotels . In addition to this, the affordable public transport, budget meals and the free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending!
The fascinating Germany sits comfortably in the middle range when it comes to the travel costs. It is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive destination . Here is the quick overview of what you can expect while planning for the trip to the Germany:
| Traveler Type | Daily Budget (EUR) | What’s Included |
| Budget | €50–€80 | Hostels, public transport, street food |
| Mid-range | €100–€150 | 3-star hotels, restaurants, intercity trains |
| Luxury | €200+ | 4–5 star hotels, fine dining, private tours |
So, is Germany really that expensive? Well, not necessarily.
By planning your trip smartly, you can enjoy a wonderful cultural experience while not breaking the bank!
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Accommodations will represent one of the biggest travel expenses in the Germany. Thankfully, you will find many of the options for every budget range. If you are looking for the budget stays, booking hostels or cheap hotels is the best choice. Mid-range travelers can go for the Airbnb rentals or decent hotels. On the other hand, luxury holidaymakers book the high-end hotels.
| Traveler Type | Price Range per Night (EUR) | Description | Additional Notes |
| Budget | €19 – €50 | Hostels, budget hotels, dorm beds, affordable private rooms | Rooms as low as €30-50/night in budget hotels; good for travelers minimizing lodging expenses. |
| Mid-Range | €69 – €110 | Standard 3-star hotels, Airbnb rentals in central or convenient locations | Average standard hotel price rose to €90-110/night in 2025, up 20-30% from five years ago. |
| Luxury | €156+ | 4-5 star hotels, premium amenities, prime city locations | Luxury hotels often start at €156/night and can exceed €200+ in major cities like Munich. |
Get this – Couples usually expect to spend anywhere between €1,880 and €2,350 for a week-long vacation in the Germany.
The average cost of your meal in Germany will vary depend on the type of dining and the location. If you want to enjoy the casual dining, it will cost about €10 and €20 per person. It includes dishes like the Schnitzel with the sides. However, if you prefer the mid-range restaurants, then a meal for two will cost anywhere between €60 and €80. On the other hand, budget hand, budget meals at the budget restaurants or the student cafetarias will be around €8 to €12. Streets foods at fast food chains typically range between the €7 to €10. Streets foods like the doner kebabs or the bratwurst will be priced at €3 to €6. Germany is famous for its beers and a domestic beer i.e., 0.5l draught. For this, you just need to shell out €4.20 to €4.50.
Did you know? In the recent years, Germany welcomed close to 13 million international visitors.
Germany is famous for its smooth and hassle-free public transport. Some of the most common, intercity travel options include the buses, trams and the metro. For a single trip, these typically cost about €1 and €2. Note that these prices will differ based on the city you are staying in, and the distance to travel. You can also get the monthly local travel cards specific to the city. These generally range from the €80 to €90. Apart from this, you can also get the Deutschland-Ticket, if you intend to stay for the longer duration i.e., 3 to 4 weeks.
The Deutschland-Ticket is a monthly nationwide travel subscription which costs about €58 per month. This ticket offers the unlimited travel on all the local and the regional public transport across the Germany. These include the buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn and the regional trains like the RB & RE. However, you will not be able to travel on the long-distance trains. These comprise the ICE, IC or the EC services which the Deutsche Bahn.
Have you heard? In 2024 alone, Germany recorded a whopping 433 million overnight stays. This made Germany the 9th most visited country in the world.
| Expense Category | Budget Travelers (€) | Mid-Range Travelers (€) | Luxury Travelers (€) | What to Expect? |
| Accommodation | 19 – 50 | 69 – 110 | 156+ | Budget hostels/dorms for the budget travelers; mid-range hotels or Airbnb offering the comfortable stays; luxury 4-5 star hotels for those who want to splurge |
| Food & Drinks | 15 | 37 | 88 | Budget: street food and shopping/eating from the markets; mid-range: casual restaurants with delicious food; luxury: fine dining experiences |
| Local Transport | 9 | 9 – 19 | 19+ | Includes the public transport or the occasional taxis; Book Deutschland-Ticket that costs about €58/month for cheaper travel catering to the longer duration holidays |
| Attractions & Entertainment | 9 – 14 | 20 – 33 | 33+ | These include the Museum entries, different types of the tours, events; luxury may include exclusive experiences comprising VIP tickets and more |
| Shopping & Miscellaneous | 5 – 10 | 15 – 30 | 30+ | Shop for the Souvenirs, Germany-specific toiletries, the mouth-watering snacks, giving tips at the restaurants and any other small extras |
| Total Daily Cost | ~57 – 87 | ~140 – 190 | 338+ | Sum of all categories; varies with city, season, and personal habits |
| Category | Cheap Cities | Expensive Cities |
| Cities | Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, Halle, Potsdam | Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne |
| Key Attractions & Lifestyle | These cities are rich in the historic architecture, baroque palaces, riverbanks, growing arts and the music scenes; Get ready to enjoy attractions in a quieter, less crowded ambience coupled with the authentic local culture | World-famous landmarks (Brandenburg Gate, Neuschwanstein Castle, Cologne Cathedral), vibrant nightlife, museums, festivals, international culture |
| Estimated Total Cost for 2 Weeks | ~€700 – €1,260 | ~€1,820 – €2,660+ |
| Pros | Affordable and less crowded while providing the authentic cultural experiences; these destinations are good choices for the budget travelers and families | These destinations boast the rich cultural offerings along with the iconic sights, and the excellent infrastructure. You can also indulge in the vibrant nightlife and the diverse activities. |
| Cons | You will find the fewer international amenities, the less nightlife and the fewer luxury options | Expect the high accommodation and the food costs plus the crowded tourist spots. |
Here are some of the travel tips that will help you to make your Germany vacation affordable:
These typically include the months of March to May (Spring), October to November (Autumn) or November to March (Off Season). During this time, the crowds are usually fewer and you will come across pleasant weather. The flight prices will also be cheaper when you compare to the peak tourist seasons.
In case you didn’t know – In the recent years, the number of arrivals increased by 1.73% in 2024.
Also check, Big visa rule change: Germany ends application reassessment from July 2025!
Try to book the flight or the train tickets early to get them cheaper. You can use the flight comparison tools and be flexible with the dates and the airport to get the best prices. As for the airlines, opt for the budget ones like Ryanair, Easy Jet and Wizzair. Simply get a Germany Visit Visa from London UK to get started on your holiday preparations!
The train network Deutsche Bahn of the Germany is quite extensive. So, either get the Deutschland-Ticket or book early to save more money. Alternatively, you can travel during the off-peak seasons or use the save fares. Then, there are the buses like Flixbus which make intercity travel cheap with €5 fares. For the city transport, it will be best if you take a day or week pass to enjoy the unlimited rides on the metros, trams and the buses.
Interesting fact – Germany has close to 25,000 castles which draws major tourists looking for the cultural tourism.
Consider staying in the hostels which feature the dorm beds. Alternatively, you can opt for the student dorms, shared apartments like the Airbnb or even couch surfing, if you can.
Try to cook your own meals by shopping from the supermarkets like the Aldi, Lidl and Netto. You can also head over to the university canteens like the Mensa. Here you will get the delicious food which is as cheap as around €3.
Instead of the paid experiences, you can go for the free attractions. These normally include the parks, city landmarks and some of the museums. Apart from this, many of the cities offer the free or tip-based walking tours. If you are travelling in a group or with the family, then ask for the discounts.
Have you heard? The tourist arrivals in Germany are forecasted to reach a staggering 45 million by 2029!
| Expense Category | Germany | Other Major Schengen Countries (e.g., France, Netherlands, Switzerland) | Why Germany is Cheaper |
| Accommodations | Budget hotels/hostels from €20-50/night; mid-range €80-120; luxury €200+ | France, Switzerland, the Netherlands often have the higher hotel prices, with luxury and mid-range hotels costing significantly more | Germany offers the wide range of affordable lodging options, including the numerous budget hostels and mid-range hotels, especially outside major cities, keeping costs lower. |
| Food & Drink | Budget meals ~€10-15; mid-range meals €20-30; beer ~€3-5 | France and Switzerland have higher average restaurant prices; Netherlands also more expensive for groceries and dining | Larger portion sizes and the cheaper groceries in Germany reduce the overall food costs; traditional local cuisine like the bratwurst and beer are affordable and filling. |
| Transportation | Efficient public transport; single metro/train ticket €2-5; long-distance trains €50-100 | France and Switzerland have higher train fares; Netherlands also more expensive public transport | Germany’s extensive and efficient public transport network offers good value, with affordable regional and national train tickets. |
| Experiences & Attractions | Entry fees €9-15 on average; many free or low-cost cultural sites | Countries like France and Switzerland often have higher entrance fees and tourist taxes | Germany has many free or low-cost museums, historic sites, and public parks; lower tourist taxes compared to places like Greece or Italy. |
Is Germany expensive to visit?
The verdict – Germany offers the exceptional value for money destination vibes. By thoughtfully planning, you can conveniently enjoy this remarkable country at almost any budget .
Whether it is the world-class museums or the enchanting medieval towns, Germany delivers the memorable experiences. Enjoy all of this without breaking the bank!
While planning your Germany adventure, one thing that may bother you is securing the Germany Schengen Visa from UK. This process gets hindered by delays in appointment booking, collecting the right documents or securing your visa on time.
But, with Schengen Travel Info, you can say goodbye to all these worries. With hassle-free online application, quick appointment booking and 24/7 support, you have everything you need for a smooth Germany visa acquisition experience .
Now, all you need to do is get the visa, pack your bags and jet off to the Germany for an amazing vacation !
Is Germany cheaper than France or Italy?
Yes, Germany is usually cheaper than the other Schengen nations like the France or the Italy. This is especially true for the accommodations and the transport. Also, cities like the Paris and Rome are generally more expensive than the Berlin or Munich.
Use the Deutschland-Ticket or the regional train passes such as the Bayern Ticket. Alternatively, you can use the Flixbus or other long-distance buses and book in advance to get the best prices.
Berlin consistently ranks as the best value for money city. It offers a great combination of the lower accommodation costs along with the abundant free activities. On the other hand, Liepzig and Dresden in the east Germany also offers the excellent value.
The German food prices generally run 10 to 15% lower than the comparable options. The grocery stores offer the particularly good value compared to the supermarkets in the Britain. Restaurant meals typically cost less than the equivalent dining experiences in the London.
November through the March (excluding Christmas & New Year), offer the lower prices. Spring (April to May) and Fall (September) also feature the reasonable prices along with the pleasant weather. Avoid August and December for the most budget-friendly experience.
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