Major city · Germany
Braunlage
Go for 2 nights if you ski, hike or ride the Wurmberg cable car; skip it as a sightseeing town — there is no old-town core to walk.
Braunlage is a small resort town at 600 m in the Harz, built around one thing: the Wurmberg, the second-highest mountain in the range. The 2.8 km cable car rises about 400 m to a summit with ski slopes, toboggan runs and walking trails. The town itself is a strip of hotels, sports shops and spa park along the B4/B27 — no castle, no half-timbered centre. Two nights covers a full mountain day plus a spa-park afternoon; one night is enough if you only want the cable car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and mountain biking; Dec–Mar for snow, when snow cover holds
- avoid Nov and early Dec (wet, grey, lifts quiet); mid-July–Aug weekends are the busiest
- Airports
- HAJ · BWE
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Braunlage112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Braunlage, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Germany-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelekom, Vodafone and O2 are the networks; Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and congstar resell them cheaply in supermarkets and electronics shops.Germany-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.Germany-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or add 5–10%; say the total you want to pay as you hand over money or card.Germany-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Germany-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a resort town; the real risks are mountain weather, icy paths in winter and unmarked ski runs.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsStation toilets cost €0.50–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) (Rail&Fresh WC); restaurant toilets are for customers…Germany-wide
- Emergency numbers112 fire and ambulance · 110 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close on Sundays and public holidays nearly everywhere except stations and airports.Germany-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHAJ Hannover Airport (About 2 h 30 min by train and bus with 2 changes; hourly connections).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and cake in a café€4–8 (≈ US$5–10)
- Beer0.5 l draught€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–25 (≈ US$12–30)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HAJ Hannover Airport (About 2 h 30 min by train and bus with 2 changes; hourly connections) · BWE Braunschweig-Wolfsburg Airport (Small regional airport; bus to Braunlage about 2 h 30 min with 2 changes)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Care
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Care*
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug, Dec. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Dec (17 rain days), driest Apr (13). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Braunlage: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
16 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
14 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
14 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
14 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. A local bus runs from the main bus station next to the ice stadium. Taxis and a car-rental desk operate in town. For the Wurmberg, walk or drive to the valley station; in winter a ski bus links the hotels to the slopes — ask at the tourist office for current times.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus from Braunlage bus station, about 1 h; by car on the B4/B6 about 45 min
Romanesque imperial palace and a full medieval centre — the sightseeing day Braunlage does not have.
Clausthal-Zellerfeld
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car north on the B242, about 30–40 min
Mining town with the largest wooden church in Germany; pairs well with a half-day.
Bad Harzburg
goDoor to door: 1–1.25 h
Bus from Braunlage, about 1 h; by car about 40 min
Spa town at the northern Harz edge with a cable car of its own.
Göttingen
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus to a Harz railhead, then train; about 2–2.5 h total
Better as an overnight or a stop on the way in or out than a return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße / Harzburger Straße)
Shops, restaurants and the bus station on foot; 5–10 min walk to the cable car base station.
Northern edge (Karl-Röhrig-Straße and around)
Quieter, larger spa hotels with parking; 10–15 min walk into the centre.
Wurmberg foot (Am Pfaffenstieg / Dr.-Barner-Straße)
Forest-side hotels closest to the cable car and slopes; a short drive or 20-min walk from the shops.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Spa card (Kurbeitrag), per person per day4 × €2 | €9 |
| Wurmberg cable car, return2 × €30 · check | €60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €79 |
| Trip total≈ €217 per person per day, bed included | €868≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Braunlage excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and cake in a café | €4–8 (≈ US$5–10) |
| Plate of schnitzel or a regional main in a hotel restaurant | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer, 0.5 l draught | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Wurmberg cable car, return | €28–34 (≈ US$35–40) (check) |
| Ski or snowboard day rental | €25–40 (≈ US$30–50) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–25 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter parking fills early on good-snow weekends: arrive before mid-morning or park on the town edge.
- Overnight guests pay a Kurbeitrag spa card per person per day; it is added to your hotel bill and gives free or reduced entry to pools and some activities.
- Mountain weather changes fast at 900 m: carry a shell even on a clear morning.
- Many small hotels and guesthouses take cash or EC card only — ask before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Police
- 110
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BraunlageBraunlage
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Zu dieser Adresse, bitteTo this address, please
Emergency
- Fire and ambulance112
- Police110
Embassy
No embassies in Braunlage; the US consulate-general is in Hamburg and most embassies are in Berlin. For consular help, contact your embassy in Berlin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Braunlage → Goslar: about €8–12 (≈ US$10–14), about 1 h
- Wurmberg cable car, return: about €30 (≈ US$35) (check)
- Taxi in town: short hops €8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
Say or show
- Guten Tag — Hello (GOO-ten tahk)
- Danke — Thank you (DAN-kuh)
- Bitte — Please (BIT-tuh)
- Wie viel kostet das? — How much is it? (vee feel KOS-tet das)
- Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ikh mit KAR-tuh TSAH-len)
- Wo ist die Seilbahn? — Where is the cable car? (voh ist dee ZYLE-bahn)
Kurbeitrag is charged per person per night by your accommodation; keep the card — it covers or discounts the pools and some events.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Braunlage. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and mountain biking; Dec–Mar for snow, when snow cover holds · avoid Nov and early Dec (wet, grey, lifts quiet); mid-July–Aug weekends are the busiest · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HAJ: last bus and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: cable car valley station, Kurpark, town centre shops, ice stadium and bus station.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Wurmberg cable car, Heimat and Ski Museum, swimming complex) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.