Finding Accommodation in the Black Forest: What to Check

Hotel: convenient for one night, breakfast included, little space. Apartment: more room, your own kitchen, cheaper from two or three nights. Platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com often list exactly the same properties as the owner's own site, just with a service fee. It pays to search for the place directly once you have found it.

The nightly rate shown is rarely the final price. Budget for final cleaning (usually one-off, 25 € with us), possible linen or towel fees, parking and the visitor's tax.

The visitor's tax is required by law and charged per person per night – in KONUS towns it comes with the guest card for free bus and train travel. Ask before booking whether it is included or paid on site.

Remote farmhouses are idyllic but need a car and narrow roads that get demanding in winter. A place in the centre puts the bakery, restaurants and station within walking distance – ideal if you would rather not drive in the evening.

Check the altitude difference too: in valley towns like Triberg, top and bottom can be 150 metres apart vertically.

• Minimum stay: are single nights possible or only full weeks?
• Check-in: fixed times or self check-in with a key box?
• Parking: free at the house or a public car park?
• Facilities: kitchen, washing machine, Wi-Fi, balcony, cot?
• Extra costs: cleaning, linen, visitor's tax – all in the shown price?
• Cancellation terms and a local contact person.

Our period apartment in Triberg is bookable from one night, sleeps up to 6 guests and has a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony and Wi-Fi. Check-in is from 3 pm via a key box, and parking is usually free right outside. You pay the visitor's tax on site by QR code – the KONUS guest card comes with it.