Is Germany expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Germany is mid-priced for Western Europe: cheaper than Switzerland, Scandinavia or London, roughly similar to France, and dearer than Central and Eastern Europe. A budget day is about €95 per person, mid-range about €185 and comfort about €360. Hotels in Munich and long-distance train tickets bought late are the main costs; food and city transport are fair value.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €40 | €80 | €160 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €50 | €95 |
| Sights & tickets | €12 | €25 | €45 |
| Local transport | €15 | €30 | €60 |
| Per person, per day | €97 | €185 | €360 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Germany day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Berlin AB day ticket | about €10-11 |
| Currywurst or döner in Kreuzberg | €4-7 |
| Neues Museum, Berlin | about €14 |
| Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam | about €14-19 |
| ICE Berlin to Munich, early Sparpreis | from about €30 |
| Litre of beer (Mass) in a Munich beer hall | about €13-15 |
| Neuschwanstein Castle tour | about €21 |
| Mid-range double in Berlin Mitte | €120-200 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, highest in Munich and in any city during trade fairs, Oktoberfest and Christmas markets, with Berlin adding a 7.5% city tax and Cologne about 5%. Long-distance trains are the second: ICE tickets are cheap if booked early as Sparpreis but expensive on the day. Museums and castles charge about €7-21 each, while meals in beer halls, bakeries and Turkish or Vietnamese places are good value.
When it is cheaper
January to March and November (outside trade fairs) are the cheapest months for hotels, often noticeably below summer rates. Oktoberfest in Munich roughly doubles room prices from mid-September to early October.
How to spend less
- Book ICE trains weeks ahead for Sparpreis fares, and accept a fixed train.
- Use the Bayern-Ticket for regional day trips in Bavaria; it covers up to five people.
- Look at the Deutschlandticket monthly pass if you travel a lot on regional trains and city transport.
- Visit the many free memorials, such as the Reichstag dome and the Berlin Wall Memorial.
- Eat lunch specials (Mittagstisch) in restaurants, cheaper than dinner.
- Return bottles at supermarkets to recover the Pfand deposit of €0.08-0.25 each.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much does a day in Germany cost?
About €95 per person on a budget, €185 mid-range and €360 for comfort, including a shared room.
Are trains in Germany expensive?
On the day they can be, but early Sparpreis fares start around €30 for long routes such as Berlin to Munich.
Do German cities charge a tourist tax?
Many do: Berlin adds 7.5% to room rates and Cologne about 5%.