Germany is breathtaking and has incredible sites. If done the right way, the trip doesn’t have to cost you a month’s pay. Through our list, you’ll see great tips for traveling when you need to save money. Here are 15 tips that will help make your next trip one to remember.
Book In Advance
We mean way in advance. Flying is a huge expense now, even with the tricks that make it cheaper. However, if you travel at specific times, such as early in the morning, late in the day, or outside of the peak season (think May to September), the costs do go down a bit.
Shoulder Season
Along with booking early, you should book your flights during the shoulder season. For Germany, the high season is the summer holiday for their schools. That means July and August. The winter months, from November until about March, will see attractions closing for winter. Never go at Christmas. It’s a huge deal there.
Budget-Friendly Hotel
So when you get here, you’ll need a place to stay. You should consider cheaper accommodation. Family-run bed and breakfast options are going to be cheaper, and they’ve been around forever. Some of the cheapest options can be found for about $45. You could also check out hotels run by locals. They include breakfast and dinner.
Free Water
German cities offer quality drinking fountains. Keeping in mind that that doesn’t include ornamental fountains. We’re talking about the smaller drinking wells. A drinking well that has potable water usually won’t have a signboard. However, if the sign says ‘Kein Trinkwasser,’ that means the water isn’t safe. Most places in Germany charge about $3 for tap water, so beware.
Get A Rail Pass
The rail network is often the cheapest way to get around, saving you around $20-$40 per trip. Deutsche Bahn offers rail passes that give you unlimited access to its network, but also to their services through their affiliates. This can save you money when you need to find transportation.
Go To Less Popular Areas
So if you’re wanting to find areas to go where you’re not going to have to spend a lot of money, the popular areas are going to be a no-go. If that was your goal, (to see the popular areas), you’re going to end up spending more money than you want to when you don’t need to. Augsburg, Dresden, and Augsburg are all beautiful.
Some destinations might also be freely accessible during your trip and have to be booked far in advance. For instance, Neuschwanstein Castle (Disney inspired), tickets to see this castle can get extremely scarce during peak seasons, and they don’t come cheap. However, a gratis walk to the viewpoints will bring you great views of the castle.
Cultural Festivals
Cultural festivals are common, and they can be a great option because they don’t have an entry fee. You can also do events that are celebrated all year long. These include flower parades, village feasts, and if you do go at Christmas (though it’s expensive), all the Christmas markets can be visited for free.
Gastekarte
A Gastekarte is the guest card. It’s a way to reward tourists for visiting. So you pay a tourist tax when you’re staying overnight at places (costs vary), and if you have a guest card in exchange for paying the tourist tax, you can get access to attractions for free or at a discount. This depends on what region you’re in, so be sure to ask the local tourism offices when you get your pass.
Visit Museums
There are a variety of German cities that participate in free museum days or days when they offer discounts. For instance, the ‘Lange Nacht Der Museen’ invites people to visit museums for free annually. Specific museums usually have free days once per month, though others have a specific day per week. Be sure to do your research because it could save you a lot.
Free Tours
The tourism boards have begun to offer walking tours for free in all major tourism areas and major cities. When you get to the nearest tourism office, be sure to ask if there are any free guided tours in the area. It’s the best because you learn from a local and see other people wanting to see the things you do.
Learn The Language
Well, not the whole language. Unless you want to (learning languages is so fun, so honestly it wouldn’t hurt), but knowing helpful phrases can help. For instance, ‘Bar Geld’ means pay in cash, and paying in cash at hotels could get you discounts. Saying ‘Guten Tag’ to a shopkeeper might warm them up to you.
Eat Locally
The best way to save money when going abroad is to eat like the locals. If you go to a local supermarket, ask the deli for a prepared sandwich. You have countless options, and it costs around $5. Not to mention it’s filling. Even the smallest villages offer delis with fresh meat and bread. Be sure to check out the Turkish communities as well!
Go Hiking
Germany has a great deal of natural beauty just waiting to be explored. Suppose you like hiking, plan for the Bavarian Alps, or the Black Forest. There are tons of parks for hiking and biking, or if you love swimming, take a hike to the lakes and go swimming. In the winter, you’ll see a winter wonderland that is breathtaking.
Book A Rental Early
If you do decide to book a rental, do it far in advance, but do your research first so that you can find the best deal possible. Also, be sure of the start date. The reservation shouldn’t necessarily be the first day of the trip, but the first day you leave your city. You can pick up your car immediately and won’t have to waste money on taxis or other expenses.
Save On Your Phone
If you purchase a SIM card in Germany (or before you leave), and use that, it will be much cheaper. All you need is an unlocked smartphone. You should call your carrier if the first option doesn’t work. An international plan is expensive, but other charges are astronomical, and this will still be far cheaper.
Ready To Go?
If you’re ready to go to Germany, you’ve got a helpful list at your fingertips of ideas and ways you can save your budget and ensure that you get to see more. See the sites, bring your camera, and remember that you’re not going to have to break the bank. Are you ready for your next adventure?
