Shared Bathroom Etiquette in Germany

Yes, a robe is appropriate.

Anna; Even shorts and a t-shirt will work too. We were in Germany this past May. In the pension in Munich I saw a man walking down the hall in his underwear. :-) So you'll be fine with a bath robe. I'd make sure it's not takng up a lot of room in your luggage.
Have a great trip!

I've only stayed at a few hotels with "shared bathrooms" (not in Germany, however). In all cases, each shower stall had its own private dressing area. It probably doesn't matter what you wear walking in.

I bought with me the lightest, silky type robe and just used that. Also it is really appropriate to tidy up after yourself.

I always travel with a very light weight robe. I bought mine at Travelsmith and it stays in my suitcase at all times. You don't need it every trip, but when you need it, boy are you happy to have it. It's save me on fire alarms. Pam

Hello Anna. At some low-priced hotels, the shared shower room is a shower room only. Clothes would get wet in there.

I've stayed in many hostels, pensions where there are shared bathrooms. I try to pack light and leave the robe at home. For me, shorts and t-shirt work are fine.

Thank you all for the common sense advice and tips!

Even more general in the area of etiquette, keep in mind that since it is a shared resource, be mindful of the time spent there. Take what time you need, but keep in mind that the norm would be short showers (10 minutes total?), not the half hour in the bathroom my kids seem to take. We often just shower in the bathroom, hopefully your room has a sink at which you can do nearly all other activities. As someone else mentioned, clean up after yourself. Wipe up excess water, tidy up the area, including the toilet if necessary...every bathroom will have a toilet brush, and given varying water pressure and age of toilet it will likely need to be used. There may also be a separate power/light switch for the water heater. Many places use on-demand heaters, keeping them off except for showers or when hot water is needed. Your host will note this if it applies

Anna, Wearing the bathrobe is fine In Germany...no problem. When I travel in Germany and stay in Pensionen or small hotels, I take the option of the shower and WC "down the hall" when given a choice since they usually ask. In other countries, Poland, France, England, etc. I prefer the en suite option. Of course, I agree with cleaning up after yourself before you leave the "Bad/Dusche" room, it's only proper. It's best to get a room next to or close to the shower room.

Nothing wrong with just wearing a bathrobe, but I wouldn't pack one just for that. Also something on your feet to walk down the hall and back is good. I try to clean up after myself to the greatest extent possible so I'm leaving a clean room for whoever comes behind me.

Bring some cheap flip flops to wear in shower, its not sanitized after each person and plantar warts and athletes feet are spread exactly that way.

Hi Anna,
Another idea is a rayon sarong. It has many uses, including wrapping it around yourself to walk to the shower, or to the bathroom at night. It's also been used as an airplane blanket, a lightweight sheet on hot nights, a beach coverup and a picnic cloth. It doesn't take up much room in my suitcase at all. I can't say that I've used it in Germany: but it was helpful on trips to Italy and Britain.

Nancy, like the uses of the sarong. Where did you buy yours?

Hi Gail, In answer to your question of where I got my travel sarong, I bought mine at our local food co-op several years ago. I notice they seem to have some on Amazon. It is basically a 66" by 44" piece of rayon batik with fringed edges.
- Nancy