Germans are famously organized, and travelers will be wise to follow their example in doing a little advance planning for a trip to Germany, from how to get there and around to where to stay.
GETTING THERE
Lufthansa (
800/645-3880 in the U.S., 800/563-5954 in Canada, or 01805/805805 in Germany; www.lufthansa.com) operates the most frequent service from North America, with service from almost 20 cities. Given the quality of the fleet and service, as well as timeliness, a flight on Lufthansa is a good kickoff to a trip to Germany.
American Airlines ( 800/443-7300; www.aa.com) flies nonstop from Chicago, Dallas, and other U.S. hubs to Frankfurt daily, and American’s flights connect easily with ongoing flights to many other German cities on Lufthansa or British Airways. Delta Airlines ( 800/241-4141; www.delta.com) offers daily nonstop service to Frankfurt from Atlanta, Cincinnati, and New York’s JFK; nonstop to Munich from Atlanta; nonstop to Berlin from JFK; and connecting service to Hamburg. United Airlines ( 800/538-2929; www.united.com) offers daily nonstops from Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to Frankfurt and Munich. Air Berlin ( (866/266-5588; www.airberlin.com) flies from Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and other U.S. cities to Berlin.
From London, British Airways ( 0870/8509850; www.britishairways.com) and Lufthansa ( 01805/805805; www.lufthansa.com) are the most convenient carriers to the major German cities. British Midland ( 0870/6070555; www.flybmi.com) has daily flights to Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) is among discount airlines offering low-cost service from Britain to dozens of German cities.
Many passengers travel to Germany by train from other European cities. (See “Getting Around,” below, for information on purchasing rail passes.)
From London, your fastest option is to take the English Channel to Brussels and from there, a high-speed train to your destination within Germany. Travel time to Cologne is 4 hours and 45 minutes; from London to Berlin, 9 hours; and from London to Munich, between 9 and 10 hours, depending on the day of the week. You can purchase tickets through Eurail (www.eurail.com).
From Frankfurt and other German gateways, most Lufthansa ( 800/645-3880 in the U.S., or 800/563-5954 in Canada; www.lufthansa.com) destinations in Germany can be reached in an average of 50 minutes. All German cities with commercial airports have an airport shuttle service, offering reduced fares and fast connections between the city center and the airport. Departure points are usually the airlines’ town offices and the city’s main rail terminal. Luggage can be checked at the DB (Deutsche Bahn/German Rail) baggage counter at the airport for delivery to the railroad station at your ultimate destination.
You’ll find that the trains of German Rail (DB Rail; 0800/1507090; www.bahn.com) deserve their good reputation for comfort, cleanliness, and punctuality. All are modern and fast, and all cars are nonsmoking. A snack bar or a dining car, serving German and international cuisine as well as good wine and beer, can usually be found on all trains except locals. Accompanying baggage can be checked for a nominal fee; suitcases, baby carriages, skis, bicycles, and steamer trunks are permitted as baggage.
Germany’s high-speed rail network, known as InterCity Express (ICE), is among the fastest in Europe—their trains reach speeds of 280kmph (174 mph), making transits north to south and across the country in half a day or less. ICE trains have adjustable cushioned seats and individual reading lights, and are equipped with Wi-Fi (for a fee). Bars, lounges, and dining rooms are available, too. About 20,000 slightly slower InterCity (IC) passenger trains offer express service between most large and medium-size German cities. A network of EuroCity (EC) trains connecting Germany with 13 other countries offers the same high standards of service as those of IC.
InterCity Night (ICN) trains operate between Berlin and Bonn, Berlin and Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt, and other German cities. Trains depart between 10 and midnight with arrival the next morning between 7 and 8am. The ICN offers first and tourist class. Sleeping accommodations in first class include single or double compartments with shower and toilet, and they are equipped with key cards, phones for wake-up service, luggage storage, and other amenities. Tourist class offers reclining seats as well as berths is four- or six-person compartments. The ICN is equipped with a restaurant and bistro car, and a breakfast buffet is included in the first-class fare. Advance reservations are mandatory for all sleeping accommodations.
German Rail issues tickets for the ICN and also makes reservations. Eurail and German Rail pass holders are accepted on this train but have to pay for the seat or sleeper reservation and for meals. Children 3 and under travel free, provided they do not require a separate seat; those between 4 and 12 are charged half fare.
You can get complete details about German Rail and the many plans it offers, as well as information about Eurail passes, at Eurail (www.eurail.com).
GERMAN RAIL TOURIST PASSES Eurail and German Rail Passes offer several options beginning with 3 days and going up to 3 months. For example 3 days of travel in 1 month costs 247€ first class or 188€ second class. The German Rail Twinpass, for two adults (they do not have to be married and can be of the same sex) traveling together in first or second class represents a 50 percent savings over single prices. A German Rail Youth Pass is valid only for persons younger than 26 years of age and is available only in second class; German Rail Passes for kids ages 6 to 11 are half the adult price. The passes also entitle the bearer to additional benefits, such as free or discounted travel on selected bus routes operated by Deutsche Touring/Europabus, including destinations not serviced by trains, or excursions along particularly scenic highways such as the Romantic Road. The pass also includes travel on KD German Line steamers (day trips only) along the Rhine, Main, and Mosel.
WHERE TO BUY RAIL PASSES Order Eurail and German Rail Passes from Eurail (www.eurail.com).
Competition in the European car-rental industry is fierce, so make sure you comparison shop. Players include Avis ( 800/331-1212; www.avis.com), Budget ( 800/472-3325; www.budget.com), Hertz ( 800/654-3001; www.hertz.com), Kemwel Drive Group ( 877/820-0668; www.kemwel.com), and Auto Europe ( 800/223-5555; www.autoeurope.com). You can often rent a car in one German city and return it to another for no additional charge. You may also rent a car through Eurail (www.eurail.com); they offer a German Rail ’n Drive option that gives you 2 days of unlimited train travel and 2 days of Hertz car rental within one month. You can purchase extra days for both train travel and car rental.
There are some advantages to prepaying rentals in your native currency before leaving home. You get an easy-to-understand net price, the rental process is more streamlined, and you can avoid unpleasant surprises caused by sudden unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates. Remember, however, that if you opt to prepay and your plans change, you’ll have to go through some rather complicated paperwork for changing or canceling a prepaid contract.
DRIVING RULES In Germany, you drive on the right side of the road. Both front-and back-seat passengers must wear safety belts. Children 5 and younger cannot ride in the front seat.
Easy-to-understand international road signs are posted, but travelers should remember that road signs are in kilometers, not miles. In congested areas, the speed limit is about 50kmph (about 30 mph). On all other roads except the autobahns, the speed limit is 100kmph (about 60 mph).
In theory, there is no speed limit on the autobahns (in the left, fast lane), but many drivers going too fast report that they have been stopped by the police and fined, and the government recommends a speed limit of 130kmph (81 mph). German motorists generally flash their lights if they want you to move over so they can pass. You must use low-beam headlights at night and during fog, heavy rain, and snowfalls, and you must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks; they have the right of way.
Note: Drinking while driving is a very serious offense in Germany. Be sure to keep any alcoholic beverages in the trunk or other storage area.
BREAKDOWNS/ASSISTANCE The major automobile club in Germany is Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD), Lyoner Strasse 16, 60528 Frankfurt ( 069/660600; www.avd.de). If you have a breakdown on the autobahn, you can call from one of many emergency phones, spaced about a mile apart. If you don’t belong to an auto club, call 01802/222222. In English, ask for “road service assistance.” Emergency assistance is free, but you pay for parts and materials.
DRIVER’S LICENSES American drivers, and those from E.U. countries, need only a domestic license to drive. However, in Germany and throughout the rest of Europe, you must also have an international insurance certificate, known as a carte verte (green card). Any car-rental agency will automatically provide one of these as a standard part of the rental contract, but it’s a good idea to double-check all documents at the time of rental, just to be sure that you can identify the card if asked by border patrol or the police.
PARKING Parking in the center of most big towns is difficult, expensive, and often impossible. Look for parking lots and parking garages outside the center, identified by a large P; in some larger cities, signs on the way into town indicate how much space is available in various lots or parking garages. Most parking lots use an automated ticket system. You insert coins or credit cards to purchase time.
An excellent, efficient bus network services Germany. Many buses are operated by Bahnbus (www.bahnbus.com), which is owned by the railway. These are integrated to complement the rail service. Bus service in Germany is particularly convenient during slow periods of rail service, normally around midday and on Saturday and Sunday. German post offices often operate local bus services (contact local post offices for schedules and prices).
The mighty Rhine is Germany’s most traveled waterway. Cruise ships also run on the Main River between Mainz and Frankfurt; on the Danube from Nürnberg to Linz (Austria), going on to Vienna and Budapest; and on the Mosel between Cochem and Trier. A good place to begin investigating the many options, with lists of operators, cruise line reviews, and loads of other information, is Cruise Critic (www.cruisecritic.com). Canal barge cruises are a way to see a rarely viewed part of Germany. Many German itineraries focus on Berlin and the Mecklenburg lakes, and the “Mosel Cruise,” from Trier to Koblenz. A good overview of trips, as well as cruise packages, are available from European Barging ( 888/869-7907; www.europeanbarging.com).
In Germany’s large cities, like Berlin and Munich, booking your hotel room ahead is essential, especially if you’re going to be in Munich during Oktoberfest or any major city during a large trade fair or special event.
Booking ahead isn’t as important in the rest of Germany, but it’s still a good idea, particularly when you’re going to be spending a Friday or Saturday night in places that are popular getaways for Germans, such as Dresden, the Black Forest, the Rhine and Mosel valleys, and the Bodensee (Lake Constance).
Tourist information centers, located in or near the main train stations in all German cities and towns, can help you find a room. Some charge nothing; others charge a small fixed fee (usually no more than 4€); and others charge 10 percent of the first night’s hotel rate, but you get that back at the hotel, so the service ends up costing nothing. Most tourist information centers also have a free directory of local accommodations. All have high standards, controlled by hotel associations, regional tourist associations, and local tourist boards.
But you shouldn’t only be thinking about accommodations in terms of hotels. Short-term apartment and house rentals can be economical and often provide travelers with more space and a more-authentic travel experience. In some cases you’ll rent through an agency and in others directly from the owner of the property, who may or may not be near at hand to offer assistance during your stay. Among the companies offering these sorts of stays are Airbnb (www.airbnb.com); Drawbridge to Europe ( 541/482-7778; www.drawbridgetoeurope.com); HomeAway (www.homeaway.com); and VRBO (www.vrbo.com).
SPECIAL-INTEREST TRIPS & TOURS
SPECIALTY ESCORTED TOURS Brendan Worldwide Vacations ( 800-421-8446; www.brendanvacations.com) offers escorted tours of German Christmas markets, as does Maupintour (www.maupintour.com). Reformation Tours (800/303-5534, www.reformationtours.com) leads excursions to cathedrals, monasteries, and sites associated with Martin Luther. Alpenventures World War II Tours (888/991-6718; www.worldwar2tours) visits naval bases and other sites associated with the war. You can taste beer in Munich, Bamberg, and other cities with BeerTrips.com (406/531-9109, www.beertrips.com) and tour the Rhine and Mosel vineyards with Wine Tours of the World (888/635-8007; www.winetoursoftheworld.com).
LEARNING VACATIONS Road Scholar (800/454-5788; roadscholar.com) offers travelers 55 and older university-based courses on art, history, culture and other subjects that provide insight into Germany. Fees for the programs, usually two weeks long, include airfare, accommodations, meals, tuition, tips, and insurance. Good sources for language schools in Germany are Languages Abroad (www.languagesa-broad.com), Languages Directory (www.language-directory.com), Language School Abroad (www.goabroad.com).
BIKING Germany is excellent biking terrain. Classic Adventures ( 800/777-8090; www.classicadventures.com) leads bike tours along the Romantic Road and other scenic routes. Euro-Bike and Walking Tours (800/575-1540; www.austinlehman.com) leads bike trips in Bavaria. Cyclists Touring Club (44-844/736-8450; www.ctc.org.uk) organizes bike trips in Bavaria and along the Rhine and Mosel.
WALKING & HIKING E.E.I. Travel (800/927-3876; www.eeitravel.com) combines walking trips with cultural tours in southern Germany. It’s estimated that Germany has more than 80,000 marked hiking and mountain-walking tracks, and the Deutschen Wanderverband (tel. 0561/938730; www.wanderverband.de) offers details about trails, shelters, huts, and addresses of hiking associations in various regions. The Deutscher Alpenverein (tel. 089/140030; www.alpenverein.de) owns and operates 50 huts in and around the Alps that are open to all mountaineers; it also maintains a 15,000km (9,300-mile) network of Alpine trails. The best Alpine hiking is in the Bavarian Alps, especially the 1,240m (4,070-ft.) Eckbauer, on the southern fringe of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The tourist office supplies hiking maps and details.
ATMs In German cities, you can easily find 24-hour ATMs in airports, train stations, and outside banks. Cirrus ( 800-424-7787; www.mastercard.com) and Plus ( 800-843-7587; www.visa.com/atms) are the most popular networks. Remember that many banks impose a fee every time you use a card at another bank’s ATM, and that the fee can be higher for international transactions. In addition, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee. Despite the fees, ATM withdrawals are usually less costly than transactions made at Bureaux du Change and other commercial exchanges.
Business Hours Most banks are open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 1pm and 2:30 to 4pm (Thurs to 5:30pm). Money exchanges at airports and border-crossing points are generally open daily from 6am to 10pm. Most businesses are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Store hours can vary from town to town, but shops are generally open Monday to Friday 9 or 10am to 6 or 6:30pm (Thurs to 8:30pm). Saturday hours are generally from 9am to 1 or 2pm, except on the first Saturday of the month, when stores may remain open until 4pm. In shopping malls and major shopping districts in larger cities, some stores open on Sunday from noon to 5pm.
Customs You can take into Germany most personal effects and the following items duty-free: one video camera or two still cameras with 10 rolls of film each; a portable radio, a tape recorder, and a laptop PC, provided they show signs of use; 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco; 2 liters of wine or 1 liter of liquor per person 18 and over; fishing gear; one bicycle; skis; tennis or squash racquets; and golf clubs.
Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for at least 48 hours can bring back, once every 30 days, US$800 worth of merchandise duty-free. You’ll be charged a flat rate of 4% duty on the next US$1,000 worth of purchases. Be sure to have your receipts handy. On mailed gifts, the duty-free limit is US$200. With some exceptions, you cannot bring fresh fruits and vegetables into the United States. For specifics on what you can bring back, download the invaluable free pamphlet Know Before You Go online at www.cbp.gov.
For a clear summary of Canadian rules, you can download the booklet I Declare at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications. It is issued by Canada Border Services Agency ( 800/461-9999 in Canada, or 204/983-3500; www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca). Canada allows a C$750 exemption, which can be used only once a year and only after an absence of 7 days. You’re allowed to bring back duty-free one carton of cigarettes, one can of tobacco, 40 imperial ounces of liquor, and 50 cigars. In addition, you’re allowed to mail gifts to Canada valued at less than C$60 a day, provided they’re unsolicited and don’t contain alcohol or tobacco (write on the package “Unsolicited gift, under C$60 value”). You should declare all valuables on the Y-38 form before departing Canada, including serial numbers of valuables you already own, such as expensive foreign cameras.
Disabled Travelers Germany is relatively hospitable for travelers with disabilities. Most large cities and many smaller ones provide elevator access to subways, ramps and lifts on buses and streetcars and at museums and other public facilities, and wheelchair-accessible taxis. The local tourist offices can issue permits for drivers to allow them access to parking areas for people with disabilities. Many hotels, especially newer ones, are equipped to meet the needs of those with disabilities, and some have specially equipped rooms for the disabled. Many restaurants, including many of the more expensive ones, are wheelchair accessible. Keep in mind, though, that throughout the country some historic sights may not be properly equipped for travelers with disabilities.
Organizations that offer assistance to travelers with disabilities include MossRehab ( 800/225-5667; www.mossresourcenet.org), which provides a library of accessible-travel resources online; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH; 212/447-7284; www.sath.org), which offers a wealth of travel resources for all types of disabilities and informed recommendations on destinations, access guides, travel agents, tour operators, vehicle rentals, and companion services; and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB; 800/232-5463 or 212/502-7600; www.afb.org), a referral resource that provides information on traveling with Seeing Eye dogs.
Access-Able Travel Source ( 303/232-2979; www.access-able.com) offers a comprehensive database on travel agents from around the world with experience in accessible travel; destination-specific access information; and links to such resources as service animals, equipment rentals, and access guides. Many travel agencies offer customized tours and itineraries for travelers with disabilities. Among them are Flying Wheels Travel ( 888/451-5006 or 507/451-5005; www.flying-wheelstravel.com) and Accessible Journeys ( 800/846-4537 or 610/521-0339; www.disabilitytravel.com). The “Accessible Travel” link at Mobility-Advisor.com (www.mobility-advisor.com) offers a variety of travel resources to persons with disabilities.
Doctors Contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT; 716/754-4883 or 416/652-0137; www.iamat.org) for lists of local, English-speaking doctors. You can find listings of reliable medical clinics in Germany at the International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org).
Drinking Laws Officially, you must be 18 to consume any kind of alcoholic beverage in Germany. Bars and cafes rarely request proof of age. Drinking while driving, however, is treated as a very serious offense.
Electricity In most places, the electricity is 220 volts AC (50 cycles). Much of your electronic gear (including laptops) have built-in converters but you will need a transformer for any device without one. Be sure to pack an adapter (a plug that fits the German socket. Many hotels will supply these.
Embassies & Consulates The following embassies and consulates are in Berlin. The embassy of the United States is at Pariser Platz 2 ( 030/83050; http://germany.usembassy.gov; U-Bahn: Brandenburger Tor), open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm. The U.K. Embassy is at Wilhelmstrasse 70 ( 030/204570; http://ukingermany.fco.gov.uk/de; U-Bahn: Anhalter Bahnhof), open Monday to Friday 8am to 4:30pm. The Australian Embassy is at Wallstrasse 76–79 ( 030/8800880; www.germany.embassy.gov.au/beln/home.html; U-Bahn: Spittelmarkt), open Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:15pm. The Canadian Embassy is at Leipziger Platz 17 ( 030/203120; www.canadainternational.gc.ca; U-Bahn: Potsdamer Platz), open Monday to Friday 9am to noon. The Irish Embassy is at Jägerstrasse 51 ( 030/220720; www.embassyofireland.de; U-Bahn: Uhlandstrasse), open Monday to Friday 9:30am to noon and 2:30 to 3:45pm. The New Zealand Embassy is at Friedrichstrasse 60 ( 030/206210; www.nzembassy.com; U-Bahn: Friedrichstrasse), open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5:30pm.
Emergencies Throughout Germany the emergency number for police is 110; for fire or to call an ambulance, dial 112.
Family Travel Admission prices for attractions throughout Germany are reduced for children ages 6 to 14. Kids younger than 6 almost always get in for free. If you’re traveling with children, always check to see whether the attraction offers a money-saving family ticket, which considerably reduces the admission price for a group of two adults and two or more children. The same is true for public transportation: Low-priced family or group tickets usually are available. On trains, children ages 6 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and children younger than 6 travel free.
Gay & Lesbian Travelers Germany is one of the most “developed” countries in the world when it comes to gay pride, gay culture, and gay tourism. If you are schwul (gay) or lesbisch (lesbian), you’ll find plenty to do in Deutschland. Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Cologne all have large gay communities, but gay life flourishes outside the big cities, too. A network of gay or gay-friendly restaurants, cafes, stores, bars, dance clubs, and community centers exists throughout the country, in small towns and large.
Gay and lesbian couples (or friends) qualify for family tickets on public transportation in many Germany cities. With most family, or Gruppen (group) tickets, all that matters is that two (or more) individuals travel together.
Every summer, parades and special events celebrate gay pride. Berlin holds its annual Gay & Lesbian Street Festival in mid-June, celebrates its Christopher Street Day and Parade around the third weekend in June, and stages its famous Loveparade in mid-July. Munich celebrates Christopher Street Day in mid-July. Hamburg celebrates with a Gay Pride Parade and Festival around June 8 to 10. Cologne’s Christopher Street Weekend usually is the first weekend in June. Frankfurt’s Christopher Street Weekend takes place around the third weekend in July.
Health Germany should not pose any major health hazards. The heavy cuisine may give some travelers mild indigestion, so you might want to pack an over-the-counter medicine and moderate your eating habits. The water is safe to drink throughout Germany; however, don’t drink from mountain streams, no matter how clear and pure the water looks, to prevent contact with giardia and other bacteria.
German medical facilities are among the best in the world. If a medical emergency arises, your hotel staff can usually put you in touch with a reliable doctor. If not, contact the American embassy or a consulate; each one maintains a list of English-speaking doctors. Medical and hospital services aren’t free, so be sure that you have appropriate insurance coverage before you travel.
Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels—otherwise they might not make it through airport security. Carry the generic name of prescription medicines, in case a local pharmacist is unfamiliar with the brand name.
Insurance For travel overseas, most U.S. health plans (including Medicare and Medicaid) do not provide coverage, and the ones that do often require you to pay for services upfront and reimburse you only after you return home.
Canadians should check with their provincial health-plan offices or call Health Canada ( 866/225-0709; www.hc-sc.gc.ca) to find out the extent of their coverage and what documentation and receipts they must take home if they are treated overseas.
Travelers from the U.K. should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaced the E111 form as proof of entitlement to free/reduced-cost medical treatment abroad ( 0845/605-0707; www.ehic.org.uk). Note, however, that the EHIC covers only “necessary medical treatment”; for repatriation costs, lost money, baggage, or cancellation, travel insurance from a reputable company should always be sought. Call 0870/033-9985 or visit www.travelinsurance-web.com for quotes from several companies.
Internet & Wi-Fi Many hotels, cafes, and retailers have Wi-Fi “hot spots,” as do most libraries in Germany. Many hotels also offer in-room Wi-Fi (noted in our listings), others in the lobby and other public areas. To find cybercafes, increasingly rare, check www.cybercaptive.com and www.cybercafe.com.
Mail Street mailboxes are painted yellow. It costs 1.70€ for the first 5 grams (about ⅕ oz.) to send an airmail letter to the United States or Canada, and 1€ for postcards. Letters to the U.K. cost .70€.
Mobile Phones In Germany, a mobile phone is called a Handy (pronounced as it’s spelled). If your cellphone is on a GSM system, and you have a world-capable multiband phone, you can make and receive calls across Germany and the rest of Europe. Just call your wireless operator and ask for “international roaming” to be activated on your account. Having an unlocked phone enables you to install a cheap, prepaid SIM card (found at a local retailer) in Germany. (Show your phone to the salesperson; not all phones work on all networks.) You’ll get a local phone number and much lower calling rates.
Although you can rent a phone from any number of German sites, including kiosks at airports and at car-rental agencies, it’s often more cost-effective if you rent the phone before you leave home. Two reliable wireless rental companies are InTouch USA ( 800-872-7626; www.intouchglobal.com) and RoadPost ( 888-290-1606 or 905-272-5665; www.roadpost.com).
Money & Costs The euro (€) is the single European currency of Germany and other participating countries. Exchange rates of participating countries are locked into a common currency fluctuating against the dollar. Prices in Germany are moderate, especially compared to those in large cities in the U.S. and Britain, and you generally get good value for your money. Travelers can expect to pay as little as 100€ or even less for a decent hotel room, 40€ for a modest dinner for two, 2.50€ for a cup of coffee, and around 8€ for admission to major galleries.
In Germany, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, and Visa are commonly accepted, with the latter two cards predominating. Note that many banks now assess a 1% to 3% “transaction fee” on all charges you incur abroad (whether you’re using the local currency or your native currency).
Passports Citizens of the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. do not require visas for visits of less than 3 months.
Police Throughout the country, dial 110 for emergencies.
Safety Overall, the security risk to travelers in Germany is low. Violent crime is rare, but it can occur, especially in larger cities or high-risk areas such as train stations. Most incidents of street crime consist of theft of unattended items and pickpocketing. Take the same precautions against becoming a crime victim as you would in any city.
Report the loss or theft abroad of your passport immediately to the local police and the nearest embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while in Germany, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff, for example, can assist you in finding appropriate medical care, contacting family members or friends, and explaining how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal-justice process and find an attorney if needed
Senior Travel Members of AARP ( 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org), may get discounts on hotels at some major international chains, and car rentals from most major firms. Anyone 50 and over can join. In general, though, travelers should not expect to find a treasure-trove of senior discounts in Germany. Even some typical at-home discounts—such as those for museum entrance fees and public transport fares—are usually not available to non-resident seniors.
Smoking Check before lighting up. In general, you cannot smoke in most restaurants and many bars in Germany, but these rules are in a continuous state of flux and vary by federal state—in some cases smoking is banned by law and enforced. In other cases the official law is not enforced in bars of a certain size, or after the kitchen closes at restaurants that are open late and morph into a bar-like setting as the night goes on. Throughout the country, smoking is banned in all public buildings and on transport.
Taxes As a member of the European Union, Germany imposes a tax on most goods and services known as a value-added tax (VAT) or, in German, Mehrwertsteuer. Nearly everything is taxed at 16%, including vital necessities such as gas and luxury items such as jewelry; the tax is factored into the price. Food and books are taxed at 7%. VAT is included in the prices of restaurants and hotels. Stores that display a tax-free sticker will issue you a Tax-Free Shopping Check at the time of purchase. When leaving the country, have your check stamped by the German Customs Service as your proof of legal export. You can then get a cash refund at one of the Tax-Free Shopping Service offices in the major airports and many train stations and some of the bigger ferry terminals. Otherwise, you must send the checks to Tax-Free Shopping Service, Mengstrasse 19, 23552 Lübeck, Germany. There is no airport departure tax.
Telephones The country code for Germany is 49. To call Germany from the United States, dial the international access code 011, then 49, then the city code, then the regular phone number. Note: The phone numbers listed in this book are to be used within Germany; when calling from abroad, omit the initial 0 in the city code.
For directory assistance: Dial 11837 if you’re looking for a number inside Germany, and dial 11834 for numbers to all other countries. For operator assistance: If you need operator assistance in making a call, dial 0180/200-1033.
To call the U.S. or Canada from Germany, dial 01, followed by the country code (1), then the area code, and then the number. Alternatively, you can dial the various telecommunication companies in the States for cheaper rates. From Germany, the access number for AT&T is 0800/8880010, and for MCI, 0800/8888000. USA Direct can be used with all telephone cards and for collect calls. The number from Germany is 013/00010. Canada Direct can be used with Bell Telephone Cards and for collect calls; this number from Germany is 013/00014.
Tipping If a restaurant bill says Bedienung, that means a service charge has already been added, so just round up to the nearest euro. If not, add 10% to 15%. Bellhops get 1€ per bag, as does the doorperson at your hotel, restaurant, or nightclub. Room-cleaning staffs get small tips in Germany, as do concierges who perform some special favors.
Toilets Use the word “Toilette” (pronounced twah-leh-tah). Women’s toilets are usually marked with an f for Frauen, and men’s toilets with an h for Herren. Expect to pay 1€ to use public facilities.
Visitor Information All cities and nearly all larger towns in Germany have tourist offices; we include these for all cities and towns we cover. The German National Tourist Board headquarters is at Beethovenstrasse 69, 60325 Frankfurt am Main ( 069/751903; www.germany-tourism.de or www.cometogermany.com). The website provides listings for offices abroad.