What budget for activities and outings Bavaria?
Museum prices vary greatly from one institution to another, but they are particularly reasonable when you consider the wealth of collections, especially in Munich.
Munich is home to some superb museums, and the Kunstareal is home to several of the city's most prestigious. Munich's museums also offer attractive rates for students and senior citizens, and have a much-appreciated policy of accessibility: most museums in the Bavarian capital offer free admission to minors, and every Sunday admission costs just €1! If you're in Munich on a Sunday, take the opportunity to take a look at its incredible art collections.
In Nuremberg, the Nürnberg-Card offers free admission to its museums for two days, along with a transport ticket. A very attractive offer.
In small towns, the price of accommodation often includes a "Kurtaxe" (tourist tax). In return, you'll usually receive a Gästekarte, or guest card, bearing the name of the region or town: Füssen-Card, for example. This pass often gives you access to public transport and discounts at local attractions. For each card, you'll have to rely on the explanatory leaflet or website to glean the right offers.
As elsewhere in Germany, National Socialist memorial sites are open to visitors free of charge. However, audio guides are often available for a small fee of €2 or €3.
Entrance to places of worship is almost always free.
Museum lockers are free. You'll need a €0.50, €1 or €2 coin, which you'll always get back when the locker reopens.
Bavaria is full of natural areas for outdoor sports: hiking, biking, etc. No ticket office at the entrance and no opening hours: it's nature at your fingertips. The Alps, the Alpine foothills, the Franconian Switzerland, etc. are all beautiful areas for this. On the Austrian border, there are ski slopes and numerous mountain peaks for climbing. Hiking is very popular, both among young and old.
The entrance fee for a public swimming pool is usually around €5. This is also the price you have to pay for some beaches. On the shores of some lakes, there are beaches with services worthy of a municipal swimming pool: supervised swimming, cabins, restaurants, deckchairs, etc.
For spas and saunas, prices vary greatly depending on the standard and the time spent there. On average, you should expect to pay around 20 euros for two hours and between 30 and 45 euros for a day pass.
For ski lovers: the average day pass for the ski lifts is €30.
You can pay by card in any store in Bavaria. Prices are not very different from those in the rest of Western Europe.
When you go out at night, you can count on the "Imbisse" for a quick bite to eat.
Many of these places offer "happy hours", a time slot during which drinks - often cocktails - are sold at knock-down prices.
What budget to eat Bavaria?
The average price for a main course starts at €10. A pint of beer is often around €4 or €5. In city bakeries, you'll often find bread rolls with cheese and/or cold meats, a handy way to eat on the run and for less.
A coffee costs an average of €2.50. A slice of cake costs around €4. Bear in mind that in cafés, as in restaurants, people often pay in cash and thank the service by tipping around 10% of the price. For a pint of beer, expect to pay around €4.
What is the budget for accommodation Bavaria?
Bavaria has a wide range of hotels. From small family-run guesthouses to large luxury hotels. Standards are high, but so are prices! The price of your accommodation often includes a Kurtaxewhich often entitles you to discounts at museums and on public transport. Ask your tourist office or hotel for advice. Kurtaxe varies from city to city. The average is €2 per person per night. It is lower for guests on business trips. For accommodation in major cities, it is often difficult to find reasonably priced establishments. You should expect to pay at least €50 or €60 for a double room. Rooms without bathrooms are becoming increasingly rare.
Hôtelgarni. This name simply means that it's a hotel without gastronomic service. Exception: breakfast, drinks and sometimes snacks.
Chambres d'hôtes (orFremdenzimmer) are very common in popular tourist areas. Prices vary according to comfort, location... As a general rule, you should be aware that owners are a little reluctant to rent a room for just one night. On the other hand, for stays of a week or more, the owner will often offer more attractive rates than those advertised in the brochures. This type of accommodation is very pleasant and convivial, as it allows you to live at the pace of the locals and observe their way of life and habits. In the morning, breakfast in the company of your hosts.
Guesthouses. The transitional solution between a hotel and a private room. A small but important detail (!), the cost of a night in a guesthouse is often much lower than in a hotel. Generally speaking, guesthouses retain a more traditional and friendly feel. Gasthaus & Gasthof: these are common names for guesthouses or small hotels, often with a restaurant on the first floor.
Youth hostel (Jugendherberge). These are very easy to find in Bavaria, as they can be found in almost every town. This is sometimes the cheapest option, especially in the larger cities where accommodation is often prohibitively expensive. A night in a dormitory with breakfast costs between €20 and €25. Very cosmopolitan, youth hostels are often pleasant places, full of life. In less-touristy regions, a small room with a local is often worth the same price, but with the added bonus of peace and quiet!
Camping. Unsurprisingly, this is the most economical form of accommodation, and Bavaria is relatively well endowed in this respect. The only downside is getting around. It's best to have your own vehicle, as campsites are often out of the way and not always served by local buses. As everywhere, comfort varies greatly from one address to another. For a stay in July and August, it's best to book well in advance. Many campsites also close in winter. Remember: camping in the wild is strictly forbidden.
Vacation apartments. Visit Ferienwohnungen are made available to holidaymakers by private individuals and include all comforts and facilities: kitchen, bathroom, etc. As a general rule, the minimum stay is three days. This can be a very advantageous solution for a family or group trip. Another advantage: independence. No timetables to adhere to, just complete freedom! Reservations are essential for Easter, July and August, and Christmas.
Travel budget Bavaria and cost of living
For your stay in Bavaria, you'll need to set aside a substantial budget for accommodation. Prices vary greatly from one type of accommodation to another. For a hotel, you're looking at an average of around 50 euros per person per night. Restaurant prices, on the other hand, are quite affordable: you can get a hearty meal for around 15 euros. A room in a youth hostel costs just over €10, a small hotel €50 a night, and a nice room over €120.
Taxes are included in all prices. On the other hand, in cafés, bars and restaurants, a tip of around 10% of the price is systematically left as a thank-you for the service. Bavarians don't haggle: neither in the stores nor at the market.