I've compiled a list to help you save money on accommodation options in Germany.
I will also disclose what local Germans use to hunt for available rooms and empty apartments.
The following options are not only for desperate students or foreign interns but also for everybody else who needs to temporarily stay in Germany.
What is the best German SIM card for foreign nationals?
I get this question a lot from expats and international students I've met throughout my university years who have just stepped out of the airplane and want to get a German SIM card asap.
I always recommend the same prepaid SIM card with optional data: Lidl connect from the correspondent supermarket chain.
Here is why:…
German hotels and hostels will gladly accept parcels on your behalf if you are not present at the time of delivery. A short chat with the reception will do the trick.
For other situations, you can consider the German Packstation, a FREE service from DHL that provides registered customers with over 3000 parcel lockers scattered in Germany.
These parcel machines are on standby 24/7, allowing you to send and pickup parcels during the day and night, whenever you wish.
All you need is a card and a pin to open your locker and send or take out your parcel.
I spent around 150€ per month on grocery shopping in Germany.
If you are a broke student and need to save money, cook by yourself.
Eating outside in Germany is very expensive in the long run.
It is not like Taipei, Bangkok, Saigon or any other major Asian city with a nightmarket culture where you can indulge yourself every day for cheap.
The most common takeaway food stalls in Germany sell kebap (3-6€), bratwurst (2-3€) or fried rice (5-9€).
If you are new to Germany, you might want to take one or two reusable bags with you on your next shopping spree.
More and more department stores, supermarkets, clothing shops and drug stores in Germany are no longer providing free plastic bags for their customers.
Some have either completely banned or only offer them for an extra fee.
Others provide recyclable and reusable bags made of cardboard, paper, cotton or canvas for free or extra charge at their checkouts.
Negotiations on Airbnb, Wimdu and other short term rental platforms are an absolute must to counter any demand-based automatic pricing mechanisms, which is utilized to put hosts in a favorable position.
Yet very few take advantage of the “contact host” -button to give it a shot.
Here is how you do it…
Have you ever found yourself standing in front of a cashier with a confused expression on your face and wondering about unexpected price increases ?
Well, this situation can occur when you buy bottled or canned drinks in Germany for the first time without being aware of the recycling process.
In this article we take a look at the different types of bottles and the “deposit” that is charged at the checkout.
You will also get an explanation on how to return them to get your money back.