Travel

A trip to Germany doesn t have to break the bank you just need to know where, how, and when to go. If you make a few plans and have a look at your options before you book your trip you will find that it s quite easy to travel on a budget in Germany.

The first way to keep your trip on budget is to plan it well. From June to about September are summer holidays in Germany. meaning it can get busy on the roads and in the hotels. You will also be paying a premium for your lodging and fighting for space at local attractions, restaurants or festivals.

Mid or shoulder seasons (from March to May and from October to early November) attract smaller crowds. The weather is warm and balmy. In April and May, which is when the indigenous flowers bloom, it can be mild and sunny. It is not uncommon for summer to stretch even until autumn.

If you are traveling to focus on German city life and aren t spending too much time outdoors then winter may be the perfect time for you. It is cold and the days are short and dark so there are fewer tourists (except around Christmas and New Year), thus accommodation and travel are much cheaper and easier to find. Just pack warm clothes and be aware that the sun can set quite early at that time of year so think of things to do after dark.

Another way to enjoy a budget travel in Germany is to share your travel. mitfahrzentrale.de is a site that allows you to partner up with other people driving across the country, even across Europe. People list their journeys across Germany and you can contact the driver and join for the price of gas.

This service is fabulous for people who want to travel economically and who have a great respect for the environment. Sharing saves energy and, of course, allows you the pleasure of sharing an adventure. Besides, you may have the chance to meet some very interesting people and learn more about the local culture and language. -)

If you are up for a real adventure, hitchhiking is a very cheap way of traveling. There are Internet sites that give advice to potential hitchhikers in Germany, suggesting places to ask for rides, and the best locations for getting a free lift.

It is usually cheaper to stay in German hostels or backpacker boarding houses than in hotels and it can pay to stay in a dormitory situation. Germany is well set up for backpackers with hundreds of hostels and a well-developed network of companies who offer travel and activity deals to budget travelers. (As a matter of fact, the German school teacher Richard Schirrmann was the founder of youth hostels since he developed its idea.)

Most major cities will have a hostel and they often provide food at a very reasonable price. Hostels are usually in busy parts of the city or town, close to attractions (often closer or much better located than 5-star hotels!), and staffed by professionals who know just about everything about traveling Germany on a budget. Many even have their own cafes and internet facilities.

If you haven t got a lot of money or you are looking to stretch your travel savings a little further it is important to remember that it is possible to travel in Germany on a budget and still get a real feel for the cities, culture and people. It s just a matter of choosing your times and places with care to save as much money as you can.

The country is well set up for budget travel. You will find some amazing deals and people willing to help you at every step of the way.