Would this land of efficiency and fairy-tale towns be a budget-friendly surprise, or would costs creep higher than I’d hoped?
My journey wound from the hip streets of Berlin to Bavaria’s charming villages. Along the way, I tallied every currywurst, train ticket, and hotel bill, determined to answer the question: Is Germany truly affordable for a mid-range tourist, or more expensive than one might think?
The answer, it turns out, is a little bit of both. Here’s my personal account of traveling through Germany, costs and all.
Overall Costs & Day-to-Day Budget
From the get-go, Germany felt moderately priced – neither a bargain basement nor a budget-buster. In fact, travel cost data backs this up: mid-range travelers in Germany tend to spend around €140–€177 per day per person, which was right in line with my own expenses.
This daily budget covered my accommodation, meals, local transport, and sightseeing. It put Germany roughly on par with its neighbor Austria for overall expense, and noticeably cheaper than pricier countries like France.
I found that with around €120–€150 a day I could travel comfortably – staying in nice pensions or hotels, eating out at local restaurants once or twice, enjoying a museum or castle tour each day, and using efficient public transit.
Germany is moderately priced by European standards: I never felt like I was hemorrhaging money here, especially compared to some trips I’ve taken in Scandinavia or the UK. By planning wisely, I often even came in under budget on quieter days, then used the savings for the occasional splurge (like a fancier dinner in Munich or an extra museum in Berlin).
Overall, my mid-range trip through Germany was pleasantly affordable – certainly not “cheap” in the way of some Southeast Asian destinations, but far from the wallet-scaring experience some might expect in Western Europe.
Accommodation Prices
One of my biggest concerns was accommodation costs, but Germany delivered plenty of options. I’m past my hostel-bunk days, so I gravitated toward mid-range hotels, pensions, and the occasional Airbnb. In general, I found clean, comfortable double rooms in central areas for about €110–€170 per night – often at the lower end outside major cities.
For example, in Cologne I stayed at a charming family-run hotel that cost just €102 per night (breakfast included) – a fantastic deal that gave me a huge, elegant room without breaking the bank.
In Berlin, by contrast, I opted for a chic modern apartment hotel in the heart of the action; that set me back around €167 a night. The Berlin pad was pricier, but it came with a kitchen and balcony, and still felt reasonable for a capital city.
Elsewhere, my accommodation costs varied by region. In Munich during shoulder season, a highly rated mid-range hotel cost €133 per night – not bad for a city famed for its festivals and business travelers.
Meanwhile, in a smaller town like Heidelberg I found a boutique guesthouse for about €125 a night, and in some rural areas of Bavaria, you can snag a cozy pension or guesthouse for well under €100 a night. Overall, I was relieved to see that Germany’s accommodations cater to all budgets.
Even without hostel-hopping, I could keep lodging costs in check by mixing big-city hotels with smaller-town stays. Booking well in advance and avoiding peak event dates (steering clear of Munich during Oktoberfest, for example) also saved me a bundle.
As a bonus, German hotels often include extras – I enjoyed free breakfast at several stays, and even free local transit tickets in one case – adding even more value. In short, resting my head in Germany was comfortably within my mid-range budget, especially with a bit of planning and regional savvy.
Food & Drink
Eating in Germany turned out to be one of the greatest pleasures of my trip – and it didn’t have to cost a fortune. I quickly learned that you can eat very well on a modest budget here.
Many of my mornings began with a simple bakery breakfast: a flaky butter croissant or pretzel and a cappuccino for around €5–€9 total.
On days when I wanted something heartier, I’d splurge €10–€14 for a classic Bauernfrühstück (farmer’s omelette of potatoes, bacon, and egg) or a generous platter of bread, cheese and cold cuts – the kind of hearty German breakfast that keeps you full past lunch.
For lunch and dinner, I had options galore. In keeping with German tradition, I often made lunch my main meal of the day. I’d find a local Gasthaus or brewery pub and indulge in dishes like schnitzel with potatoes or Nürnberger sausages with sauerkraut.
A two- or three-course lunch – say, a bowl of tomato soup (€6), a pork and potato main (€15), and a slice of cake after (€4.50) – came to roughly €25–€30 altogether. That felt like great value for a full meal. Dinners, when I was still hungry, were usually lighter (just as the locals often do).
A typical evening might be a sausage and bread plate or some Käsebrot (cheese on rye) with salad, which averaged about €12–€15. If I went for a sit-down dinner at a restaurant, I budgeted a bit more – roughly €20–€30 per person in Munich for a mid-level restaurant, and €15–€25 in Berlin for a comparable meal.
Indeed, I noticed Munich’s restaurants were slightly pricier than Berlin’s, a trend consistent with each city’s cost of living. Fortunately, both cities have plenty of casual, affordable eateries. In Berlin, I devoured street-food like the famous currywurst and doner kebabs for just €3–€5 a pop – delicious and filling bargains.
Throughout Germany, ubiquitous Turkish and Middle Eastern snack stands became my go-to for cheap eats, often €5–€10 for a generous meal. And of course, I had to sample the baked goods everywhere – a giant pretzel or a slice of Black Forest cake for a few euros was an afternoon treat I never skipped.
To keep food costs balanced, I also shopped at grocery stores now and then. Supermarkets in Germany are very affordable. I remember picking up supplies for a DIY picnic: a crusty loaf of bread for €1.80, a selection of cheeses and ham, a pint of fresh strawberries, and two local beers for €1.50 each.
In total, that picnic feast for two cost maybe €10 – a steal for a lovely lunch by the river in Heidelberg. Speaking of beer and drinks: Germany’s reputation for cheap beer holds true.
A half-liter bottle of decent beer was about €1–€1.50 in stores, and even in bars or biergartens, a large draft was usually only €3–€4. I was amazed – coming from other countries where a pint can be twice that, Germany’s pub prices were refreshingly low.
Wine was similarly reasonable; a nice glass of Riesling might be €5–€7 at a restaurant, and a whole bottle from the Rheingau region was often under €10 in a shop. Even cocktails in hip Berlin bars were typically €8–€12 which felt standard, not gouging.
I did have to remember to tip – about 10–15% is customary for good service in Germany – but even with tips, dining out didn’t break my budget. Overall, by mixing market picnics with restaurant meals, and favoring local favorites over tourist-trap spots, I found that food in Germany can be very budget-friendly. I never went hungry, that’s for sure – if anything, I left Germany a couple of pounds heavier, but my wallet wasn’t much lighter!
Transportation Costs
Germany’s world-class transportation network was a highlight of my trip – efficient, extensive, and generally good value for the price. As a mid-range traveler, I relied heavily on public transit and trains (with only the occasional taxi or rideshare). In cities, getting around was a breeze.
Berlin’s integrated transit system, for example, covers U-Bahn subways, S-Bahn trains, trams, and buses all on one ticket. A single ride in Berlin cost me about €3.50, and I quickly learned to buy day passes which ran €8–€10 for unlimited rides. In Munich, similar local tickets were in the €3 range for a one-way, and I grabbed a 24-hour transit pass for about €7 on days I did a lot of sightseeing.
Nearly every city had a day ticket or 48-hour ticket option that saved money once you rode more than a couple times. Even better were the city visitor cards: I purchased a Munich Card for one of my two-day stays, which cost €18.90 for 48 hours and covered all my public transport in the central zones plus gave discounts at museums and attractions.
In Frankfurt, I tried the Frankfurt Card at €12 for a 24-hour pass – not only did it include unlimited transit (including to the airport!) but it also got me into the Städel art museum at half-price. These city passes were fantastic value and something I’d recommend to any traveler hitting multiple sights in a short time.
For longer distances between cities, I mostly traveled by train – my favorite way to see the country. Germany’s trains are fast and comfortable, though not always cheap if you buy last-minute.
I learned to book my intercity train tickets a bit in advance using the Deutsche Bahn app, which sometimes found me “Sparpreis” (saver) fares at a big discount.
For instance, my high-speed ICE train from Berlin to Munich (a nearly 4-hour cross-country journey) cost about €70 booked a couple of weeks ahead. In contrast, a shorter ride like Berlin to Frankfurt (4 hours on a slightly slower route) was only €37.90 on a special deal – a great bargain for a several-hundred-kilometer trip.
On average, I’d say my longer train hops were €30–€70 each. There are ways to spend less: I met backpackers using the Flixbus coaches and carpooling services like BlaBlaCar to get between cities for as low as €10-€20. Those take longer than trains, of course, but it’s good to know that budget transport options exist.
I even tried a FlixTrain (a private low-cost train) for a ride from Cologne to Hamburg – it was a bit slower and more basic than the ICE, but at €19 it was half the price of the faster train. Another incredible deal I encountered is Germany’s new “Deutschlandticket”, a nationwide public transport pass.
For a flat fee of about €49 per month (introduced in 2023), or €58 as of 2025, you get unlimited travel on all local and regional transport across the country – buses, trams, U-Bahns, and even regional trains anywhere in Germany. It doesn’t cover the express IC or ICE trains, but it’s an amazing option if you plan to travel slowly through the regions.
I was only in Germany for two weeks, so a monthly ticket didn’t make sense for me, but had I stayed longer or been on a tighter budget, the €49 pass would have been a game-changer.
All told, getting around Germany was affordable and convenient. I spent around €10 a day on local transport on sightseeing days (often covered by a city card), and maybe €40 per travel day when I took a longer train ride. Considering the excellent service and time saved, I found the prices fair.
One tip: book intercity trains early if you can – snagging a fare that’s 40–50% off standard price is possible if you buy a week or more in advance. And within cities, stick to public transit instead of taxis; I only took a taxi once late at night in Munich, and a 15-minute ride set me back about €30 (so painful that I stuck to the U-Bahn after that!).
In summary, transportation didn’t eat up too much of my budget, and it often doubled as part of the experience – whether it was enjoying the scenery from a train window or chatting with locals on a tram, moving around Germany was both cost-effective and enjoyable.
Sightseeing and Savings
Germany is packed with attractions – from museums and galleries to palaces, castles, and gardens – and exploring them can be as expensive or as cheap as you want.
I tried to strike a balance between paid must-sees and free experiences. On the pricey end, some world-famous sights did have notable entry fees. For example, touring the storybook Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria cost €20.50 for an adult ticket.
I had to book that one well in advance, and while €20 isn’t outrageous, it was one of the more expensive single admissions I paid. Likewise, a day ticket for all the major museums on Berlin’s Museum Island ran about €19 – not bad for five museums, but still a consideration for the budget.
Many other castles and palaces were more modestly priced; Heidelberg Castle, which I visited on a sunny afternoon, was only €9 to enter the grounds, and I paid an extra €6 for a guided tour of the interior.
For what you get (sweeping ruins, gardens, and history aplenty), €15 total felt like a bargain. In general, museum entry fees in Germany seemed to hover around €8–€15 for most places.
Art museums in cities like Frankfurt and Cologne were about €10. Some smaller local museums were even cheaper (I paid €5 to see an old mine exhibit in the Harz Mountains). Those fees are quite reasonable compared to, say, Paris or London, where I’ve shelled out the equivalent of €20–€25 for a single museum.
Better yet, Germany offers plenty of free or low-cost sightseeing. Nearly all churches and cathedrals are free to enter – I climbed the 533 steps of Cologne’s Cathedral for a voluntary small donation and nothing more. City parks, historic neighborhoods, and riverfront promenades became my go-to “attractions” that cost nothing.
I spent blissful free hours wandering places like the East Side Gallery (the open-air Berlin Wall art exhibit), the English Garden in Munich, and the medieval old town of Bamberg – all fascinating and completely free. Additionally, many cities have certain free museum days or evenings each month.
I lucked out with timing in Frankfurt: the world-class Städel Museum was free on the last Wednesday of the month. In Berlin, I discovered the first Sunday of each month grants free entry to dozens of state museums – which saved me a good €12 on the German History Museum. It pays to check local listings or ask the tourism office about these opportunities.
I also took advantage of the aforementioned city cards which often included sights. My Munich Card gave me 50% off the Residenz palace entry, so I paid around €7 instead of €14. The Frankfurt Card knocked a few euros off my zoo ticket and included a free city walking tour.
By using these passes and timing some visits for free days, I kept my average daily spending on attractions around €20–€30 (some days even less). That figure matches the estimates I’ve seen (around €26 per day on entertainment for travelers in Germany).
Of course, if you go wild visiting every single museum, it could be more – but even then, the damage wouldn’t be too bad thanks to the generally moderate prices and available discounts.
One thing that did tempt my budget was Germany’s seasonal events. I happened to be in Bavaria as the famous Christmas markets were opening. Wandering the festive market stalls was free, but I couldn’t resist a hot mug of Glühwein (mulled wine for ~€4) and a giant pretzel (€3) – small splurges that were totally worth it for the experience.
Similarly, I skirted around Oktoberfest season, but I’ve heard if you go during the beer festival, you might spend €13 on a liter of beer and higher-than-normal prices on hotels.
Timing your trip outside such events can greatly reduce expenses (and crowds). For me, traveling in late September and early October meant I enjoyed the pre-festive atmosphere without the jacked-up prices of peak Oktoberfest.
In the end, I found sightseeing in Germany can be very budget-friendly if you plan smartly. There are so many historical sites, memorials, and natural wonders that are free to enjoy.
And for the attractions that do charge, costs are reasonable, especially compared to other parts of Europe. Whether gazing at medieval castles, touring World War II sites, or sampling local culture at markets, I always felt I was getting great value for the euros I spent in Germany.
City vs. Countryside
As I journeyed across Germany, I noticed significant cost differences between regions. Big cities versus small towns can mean different expectations for your budget.
Take Berlin and Munich, for example – two cities I spent considerable time in, with very different price vibes. Berlin, despite being the capital, struck me as surprisingly affordable.
It’s a huge city with options for every budget: trendy yet inexpensive cafés in Kreuzberg, loads of budget hotels and hostels, and reasonably priced public transport and entry fees.
In fact, Berlin is known to offer better value for money than Munich for travelers. Statistics bear this out: on average, traveling in Munich costs about 15% more than traveling in Berlin. I felt this especially when dining out – a mid-range dinner in Munich was easily €50+ for two, whereas in Berlin my partner and I often dined well for €35–€40 total.
Accommodation, too, was pricier in Munich. I paid €130+ for a nice central hotel in Munich, whereas an equivalent room in Berlin was around €110. Part of Munich’s expense is simply its upscale, business-city nature (and possibly the Oktoberfest effect – even outside festival time, Munich’s popularity keeps prices up). Meanwhile, Berlin’s abundance of options (and maybe its more bohemian spirit) keeps many prices in check.
Other cities showed similar contrasts. Frankfurt, with its skyscrapers and business travelers, had high hotel prices on weekdays (my Frankfurt hotel was the most expensive of my trip at €164 a night), and restaurant prices there rivaled Munich’s.
On the other hand, cities like Cologne or Dresden felt more affordable – I snagged that lovely €102/night hotel in Cologne, and found hearty local meals for well under €20. Generally, I’d rank Germany’s major cities from most expensive to less as: Munich and Frankfurt at the top; then perhaps Hamburg and Stuttgart; then Berlin (which is big but relatively cheap), followed by cities like Cologne, Leipzig, or Nürnberg where deals are easier to find.
Smaller towns and rural areas were often the easiest on my budget. In the picturesque towns along the Romantic Road, for instance, I found family-run guesthouses for the price of a dorm bed in Paris.
In one Black Forest village, a double room in a quaint inn was €75 – including breakfast and splendid views of the valley. Meals in the countryside were also cheaper; a massive plate of schnitzel and fries at a village Gasthof might be €12 (and delicious!).
Plus, many rural pleasures – hiking in the Alps, exploring quiet cobbled towns, visiting local festivals – were free or very low-cost.
That said, even the priciest German cities are not extremely expensive outliers in the way that London or Geneva can be. They’re still in a moderate range; you just have to budget a bit more for them.
By mixing destinations, I averaged things out. A few high-cost days in Munich were offset by very cheap days in smaller towns. This is one of the joys of traveling in Germany – you can have a cosmopolitan city experience and a peaceful rural escape in the same trip, without a huge disparity in spending.
The key is to anticipate the differences: I knew Munich would pinch the wallet more, so I planned shorter time there and booked early, whereas I lingered longer in cheaper areas.
In summary, urban vs. rural Germany offers a balance – if one city seems costly, you can be sure a tranquil, budget-friendly village is waiting just a short train ride away.
Was Germany Budget-Friendly?
In the end, I found that Germany was more budget-friendly than I initially feared. It’s a country where a mid-range traveler like me can thrive: I enjoyed comfortable stays, hearty meals, rich cultural experiences, and smooth transportation all without blowing through my savings.
Sure, there were moments of “splurge” – a fancy craft beer hall in Munich or that boutique hotel in Berlin – but they were balanced by many affordable delights, like grabbing €2 street food, hopping on a cheap local train to a quaint village, or wandering free sights that were as memorable as any paid tour.
So, is Germany budget-friendly or more expensive than expected? For me, it was a pleasant surprise. Traveling here cost about what I expected – and in many cases less – for a country of such high quality and infrastructure.
Germany proved that you don’t need a king’s ransom to live a little wunderbar. And that is perhaps the best discovery of all on my German journey.