Germany is the perfect place for the budget traveler. The scenery is beautiful, with large forests in the north and rolling hills and mountains in the central and southern parts of the country. If you enjoy walking (being a budget traveler, this is probably your favorite mode of transportation), Germany has some unique things to do and see and affordable accommodations at every turn.

Getting There

Luckily, Germany has numerous budget air carriers, the most popular being German Wings and Air Berlin. All parts of Germany are also easily accessible by public transport such as trains and buses. For the least expensive flights, it is better to leave mid-week and avoid holidays. If you want to get a decent-priced train ticket, remember that many train companies will have their best prices 2 weeks or more before departure. Contrary to what many sites will tell you, it can be extremely expensive to buy a train ticket on the day of travel. Try to book at least 8 days before you leave to assure not having to pay the most expensive ticket price.

What to Do

If you are wanting to see as much of Germany as you can, looking into bus tickets may not be a bad idea. Buses are usually much cheaper than trains and you get to see more of the country and experience more culture by making stops in smaller towns. Eurolines is the largest bus operator in Europe and usually has very affordable prices, especially if booked early. Visit Museum Island or the remainders of the Berlin Wall, see one of the numerous festivals in Frankfurt and you can even take a small ferry trip to Copenhagen from the coast of Germany. 

Wombat's City Hostel is a chain of quality hostels, located in Munich and Berlin. The hostel has some of the best prices for a bed in a dorm room ranging from $18 to $26, depending on which location you select. Linens are included in the price of the hostel and a large breakfast costs only $5.50 (cheap by European standards). There is a large number of hostel-searching sites and you can find the type specifically for you; your price range, your location preferences and most anything else you can think of. Many times, booking hostel rooms online will give you a cheaper price. The cheapest price will be sharing a room with others but, if you absolutely need a private room, hostels are still generally cheaper than even budget hotels.