Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) lodgings are usually cheaper than a hotel but more expensive than a hostel. Not all locations offer lodging. Those that do are often located in urban areas. Many YMCAs accept women and families. Some will not lodge those under 18 without parental permission.
Hotel singles in Germany cost about €25-40 per night, doubles €35-50. You’ll typically share a hall bathroom, while a private bathroom will cost extra, as may hot showers. Some hotels offer “full pension” (all meals) and “half pension” (no lunch). Smaller guesthouses and pensions are often cheaper than hotels. If you make reservations in writing, indicate your night of arrival and the number of nights you plan to stay. The hotel will send you a confirmation and may request payment for the first night.
For a cozy alternative to impersonal hotel rooms, B&Bs (private homes with rooms available to travelers) range from acceptable to sublime. Rooms in B&Bs generally cost €40-70 for a single and €70-100 for a double in Germany. Any number of websites provide listings for B&Bs in Germany: www.bandb-ring.de and www.bedandbreakfastgermany.com are good starting points. For more general listings, check out Bed & Breakfast Inns Online (www.bbonline.com), InnFinder (www.inncrawler.com), InnSite (www.innsite.com), BedandBreakfast.com (www.bedandbreakfast.com), or BNBFinder.com (www.bnbfinder.com).
Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session, and some do so even during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low and many offer free local calls and internet access.
Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condos, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more information, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310-798-3864 or toll-free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎070 52 93 24 06; www.intervac.com).
Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is a more formal, established peace-based organization, and requires a fee and an interview to join. An internet search will yield many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.
Travelers planning to stay in Germany for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Berlin will range €250-350 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants are also often required to front a security deposit (usually one month’s rent) and the last month’s rent. Shared houses in Germany, called Wohngemeinschaften (WGs), are a popular option for students and young professionals. German-language listings can be found online at a few sites including www.studenten-wg.de, www.wg-gesucht.de, and www.kijiji.de. Foreign visitors often find it easier to rent through Mitwohnzentralen (homeshare companies), which find rooms for individuals in shared appartments. These companies charge a percentage of each month’s rent as commission. Shop around to find the best rates. Check the Practical Information sections of cities listed in this guide for information about specific Mitwohnzentralen .
The 26,000 campsites dotting the Alps, forests, beaches, and suburbs of major cities are testament to Germany’s enthusiasm for the outdoors. Hiking trails wind through the outskirts of every German city, and a national network of long-distance trails weaves the country together. The Black Forest, Saxon, Switzerland, Harz Mountains and Bavarian Alps are especially well-traversed. The outdoor facilities in Germany are among the best-maintained in the world, usually accessible by public transportation and providing showers, bathrooms, and a restaurant or store. Camping typically costs €3-6 per person with a surcharge for tents and vehicles. Blue signs with a black tent on a white background indicate official sites. For information on campsites accross the country, check out the accommodations sections of the towns and outdoor areas listed in this guide. For more information on outdoor activities in Germany, see The Great Outdoors, below.
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 50 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Overview