Berlin, 1 July 2025
- A representative survey by MEININGER Hotels reveals: Germans have similar preferences when it comes to city trips, despite regional differences
- Price, cleanliness, and location are the most important criteria when choosing accommodation
- Berliners are especially eager to travel, while northern Germans are more reserved
- In Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, and Saxony, the majority of respondents each spend less than 500 euros per person on average for a city trip
Whether it’s a short trip to Cologne, a weekend getaway to Vienna, or two relaxing days in Leipzig – city breaks are very popular in Germany with surprisingly similar preferences across the country. A recent, representative survey conducted by MEININGER Hotels in collaboration with the market research institute Appinio asked 2,101 people aged 16 to 65 about their behavior on city trips lasting two to four days. The results of the survey show that although there are regional differences, Germans are surprisingly similar when it comes to city trips, especially when it comes to the most important things: good food, clean hotels and fair prices.
Berliners lead in city travel, while northern Germans prefer to stay home
The majority of Germans, 52%, take a city trip once or twice a year. Berliners are particularly keen to travel: nine percent of them even travel more than six times a year, compared to the national average of just four percent. In contrast, an average of almost 14 percent of Germans completely forego city trips. The most reluctant travelers are found in the north: in Schleswig-Holstein 22 percent avoid city travel entirely, followed closely by Hamburg (21 percent) and Bremen (19 percent).
Traveling together: City trips are best enjoyed in pairs
When it comes to city travel, Germans clearly prefer companionship. About 59 percent opt for short trips as a pair, while 35 percent favor exploring in small groups of three to four people. However, anyone who thinks solo travel is just a niche phenomenon is mistaken. A solid 17 percent of respondents travel alone on a regular basis. In Hamburg, that share even rises to 30 percent, which is nearly twice the national average.
Travel budget: The majority stay under 1,000 euros
Nearly half of all city travelers (45 percent) plan their trips with a budget of 500 to 1,000 euros per person for stays lasting between two and four days. Just under 40 percent keep their spending below 500 euros, while 14 percent spend more than 1,000 euros. For travelers from Brandenburg, this proportion is even higher than average at 20%. The most budget-conscious travelers come from Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, and Saxony, where 48, 46, and 44 percent respectively keep their city trip costs under 500 euros per person. Anyone who thinks discounts are just a nice extra is mistaken: for nearly 88 percent of city travelers, special offers play a key role in their booking decisions. One exception is Saarland, where a fifth of respondents stated that they pay little or no attention to discounts.
Price, cleanliness, location: What really matters when it comes to accommodation
When it comes to where they stay, 57 percent of Germans prefer hotels. Around a quarter decide on vacation rentals. The most important factors in choosing accommodation are price (67 percent), followed by cleanliness (51 percent) and location (50 percent). Travelers from Saxony-Anhalt (75 percent), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (74 percent), and Schleswig-Holstein (73 percent) are especially price-conscious. For people from Bremen, cleanliness is even more important than the national average, with 59 percent prioritizing it. For 37 percent of travelers from Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia, parking options at the accommodation are also relevant, compared to just 25 percent of all respondents. Residents of Hamburg place particular importance on good public transport connections, with 38 percent valuing this compared to 27 percent nationwide.
Regarding accommodation costs, the majority of city travelers spend between 50 and 100 euros per night and person (59 percent). A good quarter even stays below the 50-euro mark, while around 17 percent are willing to invest 100 to 200 euros per night. Travelers from Saxony (34 percent under 50 euros) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (35 percent) prove to be particularly budget-conscious. The latter show a surprisingly wide range of spending: while one third keep their costs under 50 euros, nearly as many (31 percent) are willing to pay 100 to 200 euros per night and person. This is more than in Brandenburg (22 percent) and Hamburg (21 percent).
“What I find particularly exciting is that German city travelers have such similar expectations. The most important booking criteria are the same everywhere, namely fair prices, cleanliness, and a good location. This is exactly where we come in with our hybrid concept. MEININGER combines the flexibility and community aspect of a hostel with the comfort and service of a hotel. Our guests can choose between private rooms and multi-bed options while benefiting from communal areas such as guest kitchens and game zones — all in attractive locations at an affordable price. The survey results confirm that our concept perfectly meets the needs of modern city travelers, whether they travel alone, as a couple, or in groups” says Ajit Menon, CEO of MEININGER Hotels.
Pleasure before sightseeing: What city travelers really want
When it comes to city trips in Germany, food and drink are at the top of the popularity scale nationwide. On average, 57 percent of respondents named culinary experiences as the most important leisure activity on their trip, a trend consistent across all federal states. This is followed by classic activities such as sightseeing (51 percent), relaxation (39 percent), culture (38 percent), shopping (34 percent), and entertainment (28 percent). Still, a closer look at the categories reveals interesting regional differences in further preferences: In Baden-Württemberg, city travelers value sightseeing (62 percent) alongside food (63 percent) more than anywhere else in the country. Travelers from Saxony show the highest interest in cultural offerings like museums, theaters, or exhibitions, with 48 percent. The highest value for relaxation (wellness, spa) was achieved by 47 percent of travelers from Bremen. Brandenburgers hold the national record for shopping (44 percent), while in Hamburg, entertainment such as concerts, festivals, or amusement parks is especially popular, with 36 percent.
About the survey:
The survey commissioned by MEININGER Hotels was conducted from May 16 to 26, 2025, using the Appinio panel. It included 2,101 participants aged 16 to 65 and focused on city trips lasting two to four days. The results are nationally representative of the German population.
