The days are counting down until Germany kicks off against Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 on June 14th. The host country, along with 23 other nations, will be hoping they will overcome the football betting odds and lift the trophy. Perhaps an underdog nation will show the bookmakers that they were wrong to place England and France as outright favourites in the tournament.
Whatever happens in Berlin during the final on July 14th, this summer’s tournament looks set to be a memorable one. Notably, it is being held in a country with a rich footballing and cultural history. Germany has previously won the Euro Cup in 1972 in Belgium, 1980 in Italy, and 1996 in England.
If you’re thinking of making a late push to get to Germany yourself, like Adam Wharton, then we’ve got you covered with our complete Euro 2024 Travel Guide.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting one of football’s most prestigious international tournaments.
Getting Tickets
The official ballot for Euro 2024 tickets was so long ago that we can barely remember the day we received 5 emails to 5 separate email addresses saying that we had been unsuccessful. If, like us you were not fortunate enough to get tickets in the ballot, then you are left with two options at this late stage:
- Use the official Euro 2024 Ticket Resale Portal
- Buy expensive tickets on an unofficial resale site
- Watch the games in designated Fan Zones
Host Cities
Euro 2024 will be held across 10 German cities all with their own unique culture, history and sites to be explored. Here are the five locations that we think are an absolute must-visit.
Berlin
The German capital will host the final of Euro 2024 on July 14th. Berlin is a city packed with things to experience. Plan to visit the the historic Brandenburg Gate and East Side Gallery of the remnants of the Berlin Wall. Look out over the sprawling metropolis from atop the 368 metre TV tower. Berlin also offers one of the liveliest nightlife scenes in Europe.
Cologne
Situated along the Rhine River, Cologne is a 2,000 year old city with an industrial background. These days it is also renown for being a cultural hub of the region.
The towering twin spired Cologne Cathedral is the tallest Gothic church in northern Europe, standing 515 feet (157 metres) tall. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must while visiting Cologne.
The Romano-Germanic Museum Ludwig features 20th-century art, including masterpieces by Picasso, along with Roman antiquities.
Dortmund
Coal, steel and beer were traditionally the three biggest things that Dortmund was famous for. But now it is a modern city with a thriving tech industry, and is a great destination to experience the ‘real Germany’.
Westfalen Park features the Florian Tower. Its observation platform offers wonderful panoramic views across the city.
Frankfurt
Germany’s fifth largest city and its financial centre is colloquially known as “Mainhattan” by locals for its similarities to New York. Outside of football, it is home to some of the most interesting museums in the country. Notable museums include Goethe House, Städel Museum, Historisches Museum, the German Film Museum and the MMK Museum of Modern Art.
While in Frankfurt, the historic center of Romerberg, re-built in 1986, is a must. Main Tower offers wonderful views overlooking the city. Visitors should also take a sightseeing cruise along the Main River.
Apple wine (Apfelwein) has been a popular drink in Frankfurt for over 250 years. So be sure to enjoy it. Here is how to spend two days in Frankfurt during Euro 2024!
Hamburg
Hamburg features more canals than any other city in the world. The city offers a vibrant nightlife scene in the St Pauli District and beyond. It features beautiful architecture and cultural history that places it on par with some of Europe’s most famous cities.
You should consider including Hamburg in your Euro 2024 itinerary. Read this article on how to spend 7 days in North Germany, covering Hamburg, Lübeck and Travemünde. The former Hanseatic capital of Lübeck is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, resembling a miniature Amsterdam, just a 45 minute train ride north of Hamburg. Travemünde offers a Baltic Sea beach resort getaway, just an hour train ride north of Hamburg.
Travel
The first thing you need to know about travel and accommodation for Euro 2024 is that it is going to be significantly pricier compared to typical dates. Football fans in Germany next month will be the ultimate captive market and as such, airlines and hotels will be raising their prices.
Our top tip for travelling to the tournament would be to drive. If you’re coming from the United Kingdom, the drive from Calais to host city Cologne is only four-and-a-half hours. That is probably half the time you might spend travelling to the airport, getting through security, waiting to board the plane, flying and then travelling to your hotel.
Driving also gives you the freedom to move about between the cities as you please. If you have not booked train tickets, German train fees which will be sure to increase over the course of the tournament. If you drive, parking fees can add up – but considering pricier airfare, especially for a family or group, and your crew can save money by splitting driving duties and fees.
Accommodation
If you’re traveling on a budget, know that accommodation during Euro 2024 in Germany will cost a premium. The German equivalents of Premier Inn and Holiday Inn are going to be significantly more expensive throughout the tournament. If you want to make your trip more affordable, consider one of the two following options:
Hostels: Sites like Hostelworld are a great place to find inexpensive, comfortable and clean hostels throughout Germany that cost a fraction of the price of a normal hotel. If you’re happy to share a dorm with other travellers you can even get a bed for less than a tenner during normal times. But expect to pay higher prices even for budget accommodation during Euro 2024.
Camping: If you’re driving anyway, you may as well bring a tent with you and hunker down for the night at various campsites across Germany. The temperatures throughout the tournament are set to rise, so it should be the good conditions for camping.
In Summary
Travelling to Germany for Euro 2024 is going to be expensive, especially if you haven’t already purchased tickets. To save money, consider driving, camping, staying in hostels and watching games at designated Fan Zones.
If these workarounds are putting you off from going to the tournament just remember, they are just small details. Travel is about meeting new people, experiencing new things and soaking up the local culture.
Travel and accommodation are only meant to facilitate these experiences. Happy travels and best of luck to the country you are cheering for during UEFA Euro 2024!
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