June 28, 2025, 5:33 am | Read time: 2 minutes
If you’re vacationing with your family on Germany’s coasts, you’ll need more than just sunscreen and swimwear—you’ll also need a well-stocked wallet. A day at the beach can quickly become expensive with the cost of a beach chair and tourist tax. However, there are surprising price differences between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
A recent comparison of beach chair prices on Germany’s coasts shows: On the Baltic Sea, beach chairs cost more on average than on the North Sea, but the tourist tax is higher there. It becomes particularly expensive for families, especially in popular vacation spots like Binz or Westerland.
Beach Chair Prices Compared: Rügen More Expensive Than Sylt
As BILD reports, citing an analysis by “Traumhausverlosung,” the highest daily prices for beach chairs are currently on the island of Rügen. In Glowe and Binz, vacationers pay an average of 18 euros per day. This puts Rügen at the top of the price ranking.
Sylt follows closely behind. The price in Morsum is 17 euros daily, in Tinnum 16.50 euros, and in Westerland 16 euros. On the Baltic Sea, Kühlungsborn also demands relatively high prices–here a beach chair costs 15.50 euros per day.
Beach chair rentals are significantly cheaper on Pellworm and in Westerdeichstrich near Büsum: Only seven euros per day are required there. Baltrum and Büsumer Deichhausen also offer affordable alternatives at nine euros.
Several places share third place in the price comparison, each with a daily rental of ten euros, including Dornum, Dornumersiel, Husum, Neßmersiel, Nordstrand, Norddeich, and Utersum.
Tourist Tax: Significant Differences Between North and Baltic Sea
Nationwide, the average tourist tax is 3.20 euros per day. However, guests at the North Sea pay about 23 percent more than at the Baltic Sea. Spiekeroog charges the highest fees at 5.50 euros daily. It is followed by Wangerooge and Norderney, each at 4.90 euros. On Juist and Borkum, the tourist tax is 4.80 euros. In Duhnen, vacationers must pay 4.10 euros per day. Other expensive places include Westerland, Tating, St. Peter-Ording, and Büsum, each at four euros.
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It is significantly cheaper on Rügen. In Altefähr, guests pay only 1.20 euros daily, and Altenkirchen and Dranske each charge 1.50 euros. In Breege/Juliusruh, the tourist tax is 1.80 euros.
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Savings Potential for Beach Vacationers
Depending on the choice of vacation spot, significant savings can be made on beach chair prices and tourist tax. For a family of four, these differences can quickly add up–in popular beach resorts, up to 50 euros daily can be expected just for beach chairs and tourist tax.