Germany Travel Budget: Daily Costs and Money-Saving Tips

What a day in Germany costs

Germany is mid-priced for Western Europe: pricier than Spain or Poland, cheaper than Switzerland or Scandinavia. Your daily spend depends mostly on city and travel style.

• Budget: 50 to 75 EUR per day (hostel dorm, bakery meals, day transit passes)
• Mid-range: 110 to 170 EUR per day (3-star hotel, restaurant lunches, some museums)
• Comfort: 220 EUR and up (boutique hotel, dinners out, taxis)

Munich and Hamburg run highest; Leipzig, Dresden and most of the east are noticeably cheaper than Berlin.

Sample prices

• Bakery roll (belegtes Broetchen): 2.50 to 4 EUR
• Doener kebab: 5.50 to 7.50 EUR
• Currywurst with fries: 6 to 9 EUR
• 0.5L beer in a pub: 4 to 6 EUR
• Restaurant main course: 14 to 22 EUR
• Cappuccino: 3.50 to 4.50 EUR
• Single transit ticket: around 3.50 EUR; day pass 7 to 9 EUR
• Museum entry: 8 to 18 EUR

Accommodation

Hostel dorms run 25 to 40 EUR a night. Budget hotels and pensions sit around 70 to 110 EUR for a double, more in Munich during Oktoberfest or any trade-fair week, when prices can double. Booking ahead matters in fair cities like Frankfurt and Cologne.

Getting around

The Deutschland-Ticket (49 EUR per month) covers all regional trains, buses, trams and the U-Bahn nationwide, an unbeatable deal if you stay a while. For single intercity trips, book Deutsche Bahn Sparpreis fares early (from 17.90 EUR) or take FlixBus for the cheapest long hauls. Cities are walkable and bike-friendly.

Money and cards

Germany is still surprisingly cash-loving. Many bakeries, bars, market stalls and small restaurants are Barzahlung only or have a card minimum. Carry 30 to 50 EUR in cash. Visa and Mastercard work in hotels and supermarkets; the local Girocard rules everywhere. Withdraw from bank ATMs (Sparkasse, Volksbank) to avoid Euronet fees. Tipping is modest: round up or add 5 to 10 percent.

Saving tips

• Shop supermarkets: Aldi, Lidl, Rewe, Penny for picnic food
• Eat your main meal at lunch (Mittagstisch) for set-menu prices
• Tap water is safe; ask for Leitungswasser
• Many museums are free or reduced on certain evenings
• Buy a city tourist card (Berlin WelcomeCard, MuenchenCard) for transit plus discounts

Stay connected in Germany

A HelloSIM eSIM keeps you online the moment you land, so maps, translation, DB train times and restaurant bookings just work, with no roaming bills.