Significant Price Gap for Hotels and Restaurants in Europe: Cheaper in the South, More Expensive in the North than Germany

At the lower end of the scale are North Macedonian and Bulgarian prices. According to the data, in April people in North Macedonia paid (52 percent) on average only half as much as in Germany. In Bulgaria, hotel and restaurant prices were 47 percent below the German figure. Classic holiday countries such as Portugal (-30 percent) and Spain (-22 percent) are also comparatively affordable destinations. In the Czech Republic, travellers paid 31 percent less in restaurants and hotels.

Croatia and Italy Slightly Below the German Level

In other southern holiday countries such as Malta (-20 percent), Cyprus (-19 percent) and Greece (-18 percent), holidaymakers also paid significantly less for restaurant visits and hotels than in Germany. In Poland, the data show, the corresponding prices were 13 percent below the Austrian level.

The most expensive among the southern European holiday countries were Croatia and Italy, but hotel and restaurant prices there were still 9 percent and 2 percent lower respectively than in Germany. The difference in Germany amounted to only 1 percent, which classifies the Federal Republic as a benchmark.

Expensive Countries in the North and in Switzerland

Switzerland is significantly more expensive than Germany: there, one must expect almost double the prices for hotels and restaurants (49 percent). Norway (+43 percent) and Denmark (+29 percent) are also significantly more expensive than Germany. Prices are particularly high in Iceland: there, the costs for hotel overnight stays and restaurant visits were on average 47 percent above the Austrian level. In Belgium it is 13 percent and in the Netherlands 14 percent more than in Germany.

France is close to the German level with a minus of 4 percent. This makes the neighbouring country one of the few western European destinations whose price level hardly differs from the local one.

The data refer to the month of April and come from a survey by the Federal Statistical Office. They compare consumer prices for overnight stays and restaurant visits and thus provide an important reference for travel planning. Those who want to travel affordably in Europe are therefore more likely to head south or east; those travelling to northern or alpine countries should plan for higher expenses.

Overall, the comparison makes clear that the price range within Europe is considerable: from less than half the German level in North Macedonia to almost double in Switzerland, the spectrum extends. For travellers, this can be a decisive factor in choosing a destination, especially in times of rising living costs.