Travel expenses to Germany

It depends on how you travel and where.

It's possible to stay overnight in the German (DJH) hostels for 15-20 Euros per person per night - $20-$28 - with breakfast included. In small towns, private B&B rooms, which are usually very nice, cost about the same, maybe a little more if you have a single room.

With breakfast already handled, get some rolls, cheese, and fruit for lunch; hunt down some Lasagne or pizza or a daily special (Tagesmenü) for dinner. If you do one picnic meal and one cheap hot meal per day, you can probably get by on 15 Euros per day or so - about $20.

So I'd estimate a minimum cost of $45 or so, much higher if you stay in expensive cities or have higher expectations.

The key to saving money anywhere in Europe is to do your own research. Travel agencies will invariably steer you towards the more expensive destinations, hotels and restaurants. They may offer "package deals" that look inticing, but the packages usually consist of the higher-end establishments that can afford to heavily advertise and pay kick-backs. I couldn't say if Rick accepts kick-backs, but I know that every hotel or guesthouse where I have stayed based on his recommendations has generally been clean, comfortable, friendly and resonably priced. Other good travel series that emphasize budgets are Lonely Planet and Let's Go (which is actually geared more to college students).
As for food... there really is no escaping the fact that food is more expensive in Germany. Even in small non-touristed villages, food costs more than you would expect in the US. But, on the upside, the meals are generally of pretty high quality. I've never had a bad meal in Germany, even at truck stops

We usually paid 80-100 euros per night for a double room. Research R.S. guides and Trip Advisor for good values. I often reserve my rooms through Hotel Reservation Service as they have good prices.

We spent 50 euros or less for eating (two people). After a well balanced breakfast at the hotel, we usually bought lunch at a grocery store, a cafe or in a department store cafeteria. For supper, we reviewed the menus at the door of the restaurant before entering. An inexpensive place still had good food.

Regards, Gary

I did germany last year - and while it is not cheap - its not as expensive as the Scandinavia tour i just did - but even there hotdogs were affordable - beer expensive. In germany - beer is afordable ($3-5) and food depends on where you eat - just like here. Steak is more $$$ in europe - so eat more bratwurst and potatoes! Also - the big cities will be more than the smaller towns. A hotel in Hidelburg - nice med room - 100-120E single! A fancy family run "expensive" place in Cochem/Mosel - 80Euros single (the others were in the 40 range for singles). You get breaksfast so load up on the first meal and have a nice lunch... then light dinner and ice cream. Depending on how your preference is - $45-60 per person with beer/wine is not too far off if you dont go super cheap or super $$$. But a bratwurst one day for lunch means veal for dinner the next day! so have fun! ALSO - eat where the locals go - ask them too!