For which travel destinations do Germans spend the most
Germans Spend Over 1500 Euro Per Person on Average for Their Main Vacation
Despite significantly increased living costs, Germans did not let their travel enthusiasm wane. They spent a record 87 billion Euros on vacations last year, according to the Urlaub und Reisen Research Association. This figure could also include catch-up effects, as spending on vacations had decreased in the pandemic years 2020 and 2021.
The number of vacations - counting trips lasting five days or more - decreased last year compared to 2022 and was significantly below the pre-Corona level. This shows that vacations have also become more expensive. Germans paid an average of 1538 Euros per person for their main vacation in the previous year, according to a representative survey commissioned by the BAT Foundation.
For domestic vacations, travelers spent an average of around 1240 Euros per person less than for European vacations, with almost 1440 Euros per person. However, Germans spent fewer days on domestic vacations and the travel costs were generally lower. For foreign travel, they spent an average of around 2490 Euros per person. For this year, 16% planned a foreign vacation as their main vacation, while 28% planned to travel within Germany, and nearly 39% planned to travel to Europe.
Greece was the "priciest" in 2023
Daily expenses during vacations reached an average of 129 Euros last year, a 20% increase from 2022, including travel costs. According to the BAT Foundation, expenses for Scandinavian vacations remained stable. Travelers spent significantly more for Spain (+35%), Austria (+29%), and other long-haul destinations (+27%). Germans spent 18% more per day on domestic vacations.
The most popular vacation destinations cost Germans an average of 160 Euros per day in Greece, followed by Austria (133 Euros) and Scandinavia (130 Euros). The expensive Greek vacation was mainly due to above-average flight prices, as Ulrich Reinhardt, scientific director of the BAT Foundation, explained in an interview with ntv.de.
For domestic vacations, Germans paid 132 Euros per day, for foreign travel 142 Euros, and in Europe 121 Euros. Reinhardt identified travel costs as the main factor in expenses, followed by the cost level on site, and thirdly, the type of vacation - camping is cheaper than a five-star hotel.
The high travel costs in Germany reflect the high cost of living here, as the travel costs are relatively inexpensive. In addition, Germans and Austrians engage in relatively expensive activities during their vacations at home, such as a zoo visit, unlike package tourists in foreign countries who often barely leave the hotel complex. "Individual travel is more expensive than package travel," says the professor at the FH Westcoast - those who book travel, accommodation, and food separately pay on average more.
Many Germans circumvent the high living costs in Scandinavia with a well-stocked trunk from the discount store. In Greece and Turkey, however, Germans from Germany usually choose a four- or five-star hotel, as Reinhardt reports. In Spain, it is rather three stars.
The higher your income, the more Germans pay for their vacation, finds Reinhardt. City dwellers spend more on average than those living in the countryside. According to the foundation, this is due to the fact that they earn more and fly more often.
"Vacation is getting more expensive," summarizes Reinhardt. Nevertheless, Germans are reluctant to cut back on travel. "We prefer to give up everything else in our daily lives rather than the highlight of the year."
- Despite the increased cost of living, Germans continue to prioritize their vacations, with an average of 1538 Euros spent per person on their main vacation last year.
- This year, 16% of Germans plan to vacation in foreign destinations, such as Greece, where the average daily expense is 160 Euros, making it one of the priciest travel destinations.
- Germans traveling on a road trip within Germany spend an average of 132 Euros per day, which is significantly less than the 160 Euros spent in Greece, demonstrating the impact of destination on vacation costs.
- Consumer prices for vacation-related expenses, such as travel and accommodation, contribute to the high overall cost of vacations, with individuals who book travel, accommodation, and food separately paying more than those who opt for package deals.
