How much does it really cost for an average person to visit Germany once? Three budget plans fully revealed
Before going to Germany, I thought I would go broke. After returning, I realized: an average person can really afford to travel here. This fairy-tale country with Neuschwanstein Castle, King’s Lake, and the Berlin Wall has prices that are mid-to-high range in Europe, but with the right approach, budget travel can still feel upscale. Three budget plans—there’s one for everyone.
📋 Basic information
🔹 Visa: Germany is part of the Schengen area and requires a Schengen visa. Starting March 2026, the visa fee is 90 euros (about CNY 700), and 45 euros for children aged 6–12. Visa center service fee is about 19.13 euros (about CNY 150). It’s recommended to apply 2–3 months in advance.
🔹 Exchange rate: 1 euro ≈ CNY 7.7 (reference as of July 2026).
🔹 Best season: May–June and September–October, comfortable weather and fewer crowds outside peak summer; July–August is peak season with more people and higher prices.
🔹 Language: English is widely spoken, almost no barrier in tourist areas.
🔹 Power supply: European standard dual round-pin sockets, bring a plug adapter.
💰 Three single-person budgets (7 days 6 nights, excluding international flights)
🎒 Budget version | about CNY 10,000–13,000
Accommodation: hostel bed, about 30–50€/night
Meals: supermarket bread 5–8€ + Döner kebab 5€ + Chinese buffet, 25–35€/day
Transport: Germany monthly ticket (Deutschland-Ticket) 63€/month, unlimited regional trains and buses across Germany
Admission: choose only 2–3 key paid attractions (Reichstag dome free, Cologne Cathedral free)
Suitable for: students, backpackers
🏨 Comfortable version | about CNY 17,000–22,000
Accommodation: 3-star hotel/economy chain double room shared, about CNY 350/night per person
Meals: small local restaurants + occasional formal dining, 50–70€/day
Transport: Deutsche Bahn discount tickets + Germany monthly ticket
Admission: Neuschwanstein Castle 21€ + Museum Island pass 19€ and others
Suitable for: office workers, couples
🛋️ Premium version | about CNY 28,000–38,000
Accommodation: 4-star hotel/unique castle hotel, 150–250€/night
Meals: Michelin recommended + boutique restaurants, 90–140€/day
Transport: ICE first-class + some private car hire
Admission: full VIP guided tours + priority access
Suitable for: honeymooners, quality vacations
🗺️ 7-day classic itinerary (north to south)
D1: Arrive in Frankfurt, Roman Square + Old Opera House, adjust to time difference
D2: Cologne Cathedral (free, tower climb 6€) → Perfume Museum (origin of 4711 cologne) → evening train to Berlin
D3: Berlin Reichstag (free glass dome visit, reservation required) → Brandenburg Gate → East Side Gallery of Berlin Wall → Museum Island (pass 19€)
D4: Berlin → Munich (ICE about 4h) → Marienplatz + New Town Hall puppet show
D5: Neuschwanstein Castle day trip (admission 21€) → Marienbrücke free castle panorama → Alpine lake (optional boat ride 15€/30min)
D6: Munich Residenz (15€) → BMW Museum (17€) → English Garden
D7: Munich grain market → return trip
🍜 Must-try foods
🔹 German roasted pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe): crispy skin, served with sauerkraut and potato dumplings, about 15€
🔹 Nuremberg grilled sausages: small sausages with sauerkraut, about 8–12€
🔹 Berlin currywurst: sausage with tomato curry sauce, about 3.5–5€
🔹 Döner kebab: Germany’s national fast food, 5€ each, filling and satisfying
🔹 Salted pretzel (Brezel): widely available on the street, 1–2€
🔹 Black Forest cake: cherry cream chocolate cake, a must-try dessert
💡 Money-saving tips
· Transport key: buy the Germany monthly ticket (Deutschland-Ticket) 63€/month, unlimited regional trains, subways, and buses across Germany, but not valid on ICE/IC
· Accommodation tip: staying in small towns (like Rothenburg, Füssen) is 30% cheaper than Munich; most German hotels include breakfast
· Meal savings: buying groceries and cooking costs less than CNY 80 per day; McDonald’s basic meal 8–12€
· Free attractions: Cologne Cathedral, Reichstag dome, Berlin Wall, Heidelberg Old Bridge are all free
💡 Peak season tips
· Germany strictly checks tickets; always validate your ticket on buses and subways, fines start at 60€ for fare evasion
· Print your itinerary and hotel/flight confirmations in advance for customs checks
· Most public restrooms charge 0.3–1€, bring change
· Restaurant bills usually include service charge; tipping extra is not necessary
· Shops are mostly closed on Sundays; stock up on food beforehand
· Book accommodations 2–3 months in advance during peak season; avoid beer festival (late September–early October) when prices surge
Visiting Germany is less about travel and more about stepping into a fairy tale. Choose a budget and set off 🇩🇪