Accommodations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Hotel? Apartment? B&B? Pension? Zimmer? – Where to stay?
Visitors to German-speaking Europe have a wide choice of overnight accommodations ranging from four-star luxury to economical hostels (Herbergen) or Zimmer (private rooms for rent, B&Bs).

The Hilton Munich Airport Hotel (Kempinski before 2015) is the only hotel actually located at the airport, but there are others in the vicinity. Staying overnight at the airport helps avoid worries about getting to your flight on time. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

Lodging rates in Germany are generally lower than in many other European countries, and the cost of accommodations in Berlin is lower than in most other European capitals, far below room prices in London and Paris. Yet there are great attractions to see and enjoy in Germany and the other German-speaking countries. Whether you choose a ritzy four-star hotel or a modest hostel, you’ll enjoy clean, modern lodgings at a fair price. The only difference is the degree of luxury or economy you prefer.

Even many small towns in Germany offer clean, quality accommodations in small hotels, B&Bs or pensions. Germans take pride in having neat and clean places for visitors to stay. Another advantage of small-town lodgings is lower prices. It is often possible to find a hotel or B&B room without an advance reservation, although during peak travel times in popular areas, it is a good idea to book ahead. Even smaller hotels and pensions usually have a website where it is easy to book a room online.

Hotel Chains in Germany
North Americans will find many familiar hotel brands all across German-speaking Europe, as well as a few less familiar international brands. While Best Western, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, InterContinental/Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Radisson, Sheraton/Westin, Wyndham/Ramada, and others may ring a bell, you will also find other respected international brands, including ibis, Kempinski, NH, and Steigenberger, that are less familiar. The Westin Grand in Berlin was featured in the 2004 spy thriller The Bourne Supremacy.

But names can be deceiving. The new landmark Waldorf-Astoria hotel in Berlin is owned and operated by Hilton. Days Inn and Ramada, also found in Germany, are part of the Wyndham Hotel Group. Accor’s hotel brands may be more familiar to seasoned European travelers: Adagio, Mercure, Novotel, ibis, and Sofitel. (Accor no longer owns Motel 6 in the US.) InterCity hotels (part of the Steigenberger group) are usually located conveniently near railway stations and airports. The Spanish NH Hotel Group (NH Hoteles) has 59 three- and four-star hotels in Germany.

Munich-based Motel One, a German low-budget “design hotel” chain, has 50 hotels across Europe, including 16 German cities, with nine locations in Berlin alone. It also has hotels in Austria, the UK and some other countries, with plans to expand its European presence.

But some of the best hotels are smaller, local operations with names that may not be familiar to anyone but locals or true European road warriors. However, it’s easy to find them on the web.

Airport Hotels in Austria, Germany, Switzerland
All of Germany’s principal commercial airports have airport hotels, and these can be convenient for travelers flying to or from Germany. The on-site hotels tend to be pricey but very convenient. If you want to save money, consider hotels close to the airport, with a shuttle service (not always free) to or from the airport. (Also see our Air Travel page.)

Here is a brief guide highlighting some of the airport hotels in Germany:

Frankfurt (FRA)
The Frankfurt Airport is only a 12-minute commuter-train ride from Frankfurt’s central rail station.

Expensive (Four-Star)
Hilton Frankfurt Airport
Situated at the airport in the iconic The Squaire above the ICE rail station, with sky-walk access to Terminal 1.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Similar to the Hilton in location, with pedestrian access to Terminal 1 via a sky walk.
Steigenberger Airport Hotel
At the airport near the terminal. Free shuttle service to the terminal buildings.

Slightly Less Expensive (Three-Star)
InterCity Hotel
Park Inn by Radisson Frankfurt Airport

Moderate/Budget
Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt Airport (Langener Strasse 200, Moerfelden-Walldorf)
Right off the A5 autobahn, south of the airport. 15 minutes from the airport via a five-euro shuttle service. By car from Frankfurt: South on A5 (direction Basel/Darmstadt), exit 24 Mörfelden.
Meininger Hotel Frankfurt
Near the airport just off the A5 autobahn. Paid shuttle service; 15 minutes from the airport.
Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt City – Hauptbahnhof
Downtown near the main rail station (Hauptbahnhof) and the autobahn. A 12-minute commuter train ride to/from the airport.

Munich (MUC)
Munich Airport Hilton
Formerly the Kempinski, this is the only hotel actually located at the airport. Situated between Terminals 1 and 2, the Hilton offers direct pedestrian access to the international terminal and the rental car complex. 161 new rooms became available in 2016.
Hotels Near the Munich Airport
The following hotels are located within a 15-minute airport shuttle ride in the Freising/Oberding-Schwaig area:
Novotel Munich Airport (Nordallee 29, the closest hotel other than the on-site Hilton), Best Western Hotel Munich Airport, Corbin Feng Shue Business Hotel Freising, Holiday Inn Express Munich Airport (Freisinger Str. 94), NH Munich Airport. For more nearby hotels see this Munich Airport link: Munich Airport Hotels

Cologne-Bonn (CGN)
Leonardo Köln-Bonn Airport (Waldstraße 255, 51147 Köln)
The only true CGN “airport hotel,” the Leonardo is located only 300m (1/4mi) from the airport and offers a free shuttle service. It also earns high ratings from Trip Advisor. Formerly a Holiday Inn Express.

Holiday Inn Express Cologne-Troisdorf
Free on-site parking and only a 15-minute shuttle ride from the Cologne-Bonn Airport.

Düsseldorf (DUS)
Sheraton Dusseldorf Airport Hotel
The Sheraton is located right at the airport above Car Park 3, with a direct connection to the terminal.
Hotels Near the Düsseldorf Airport
The following hotels are located within a 15-minute airport shuttle ride:
Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf (right next to airport; parking 25 euros per day), Mercure Düsseldorf Airport Hotel (at the Breitscheider Kreuz where the A52 and A3 autobahns intersect).

Vacation Apartment Rentals
Airbnb and other short-term rental outfits offer apartments and even houses for rent in Germany and other European countries. Berlin and other cities have begun to crack down on Airbnb and the renters because the city governments see short-term rentals cutting into the amount of available housing for local residents. For example, Berlin landlords are now required to register their flat offerings with the city and Airbnb. But if you are planning a stay of several weeks or months, a short-term rental in a house or apartment can save you money compared to a hotel stay. See the websites of Airbnb and other providers to see what is available.

City Guides – Germany

• Berlin City Guide – What to see and do in Berlin and Potsdam
• Dresden City Guide – What to see and do!
• Frankfurt City Guide – What to see and do!
• Munich City Guide – What to see and do!
• Potsdam and Sanssouci, near Berlin – both historic and scenic.
• Trier City Guide – What to see and do!

More Travel Information

• Air Travel – To, from, and within German-speaking Europe
• Travel and Tourism – Travel-related information for Germany, Austria, Switzerland
• The euro is used in Germany, Austria and most of Europe.
• Rail Travel in Germany

Next | City Guides: Germany

Related Pages
AT THE GERMAN WAY

• City Guides: Germany – More cities
• Driving in Europe – Tips for driving in Germany and Europe
• Air Travel – Flying to, from or in Germany
• Travel and Tourism – Travel-related information for Germany, Austria, Switzerland
• Notable People – Bios of notable people from the German-speaking world