Spontanious German Invasion

Anna’s let me off the leash for a few weeks, so I’m going to buy a 15-day EuroLines bus ticket (or equivalent) and head down south to Poland and thence to Germany.

As of yet, absolutely no destinations are known. Are there any couch-surfing possibilities - it would be nice to see plenty of different parts of the country. It will basically be my first trip to the country since I’ve had the capability of independent thought, so will want to do a tourist+beer combination (but not too many touristy things, give me picturesque old towns and a couple of churches, and I’m sated, or a just beatiful natural view, I’m easily satisfied). Is getting around easy and cheap in Germany - I’m on a tight budget as I’m unemployed presently.

Suggestions?

Originally posted by FatPhil
Anna’s let me off the leash for a few weeks, so I’m going to buy a 15-day EuroLines bus ticket (or equivalent) and head down south to Poland and thence to Germany.

As of yet, absolutely no destinations are known. Are there any couch-surfing possibilities - it would be nice to see plenty of different parts of the country. It will basically be my first trip to the country since I’ve had the capability of independent thought, so will want to do a tourist+beer combination (but not too many touristy things, give me picturesque old towns and a couple of churches, and I’m sated, or a just beatiful natural view, I’m easily satisfied). Is getting around easy and cheap in Germany - I’m on a tight budget as I’m unemployed presently.

Suggestions?

I agree on Bamberg, but Berlin can be cheap if you are careful, and it is much better than Munich(cost wise).

Getting around Germany is very easy, but not always cheap. Depends on what you need?
Taking trains between cities can be cheap if you book well in advance. Public transit within cities is pretty fair.
Traveling between cities you can also use mitfahrgelegenheit.de, which is a ride share website.

15 days sounds a lot, but once you’ve subtracted 5 days for Riga, Vilnius, ans Warsaw or similar at either end, it becomes a lot more rushed. I shall prioritise Bamberg, thanks for that nudge. I was hoping to taste fresh Kölsch too (as every one I’ve had so far has been indistinguishable from pale lager). Trasport-wise Berlin might be unavoidable. I’m no fan of metropolises, so probably won’t stay long.

Is free wifi common in bars and cafes, or should I just buy myself a pay-as-you-go SIM for internet use?

Free wifi in Germany is sadly not as ubiquitous as in almost every other country, however it is slowly coming here, so it will be a bit hit and miss with where you can get it.

HI Phil

For cheap nights in Bamberg try Fassla or Spezial to stay from €40 a night B&B. I bought a preloaded SIM from Ritesim.com for internet use, easy to set up and worked fine from my unlocked smartphone.

Koln can be expensive compared with Bamberg. One day/evening in Koln is enough to try them all. After all they are only 20cl shots of beer. Pfaffen, Paffgen, Fruh and Schreckenskammer were my favourites. I liked the Gaffel Haus as a pub too.

But Bamberg/Franconia is where you want to be. Beautiful, friendly, and fantastic beer.

BM me if you want more details.

Originally posted by harrisoni
HI Phil

For cheap nights in Bamberg try Fassla or Spezial to stay from €40 a night B&B. I bought a preloaded SIM from Ritesim.com for internet use, easy to set up and worked fine from my unlocked smartphone.

Koln can be expensive compared with Bamberg. One day/evening in Koln is enough to try them all. After all they are only 20cl shots of beer. Pfaffen, Paffgen, Fruh and Schreckenskammer were my favourites. I liked the Gaffel Haus as a pub too.

But Bamberg/Franconia is where you want to be. Beautiful, friendly, and fantastic beer.

BM me if you want more details.

Originally posted by digita7693
Free wifi in Germany is sadly not as ubiquitous as in almost every other country, however it is slowly coming here, so it will be a bit hit and miss with where you can get it.

I did for about 13months, to Portlandia... Loved every second there!
But a social system, real vacation and great job offers for my wife and myself dragged us back:)
...love my precious Niederlassungserlaubnis ;)

I could show you around in Köln when time allows it.

Originally posted by FatPhil
Is free wifi common in bars and cafes, or should I just buy myself a pay-as-you-go SIM for internet use?