Travel Smart Germany - Fodor's Germany - Fodor's

Fodor's Germany - Fodor's (2016)

Travel Smart Germany

Getting Here and Around

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Air Travel | Boat Travel | Bus Travel | Car Travel | Cruise Ship Travel | Train Travel

Germany’s transportation infrastructure is extremely well developed, so all areas of the country are well connected to each other by road, rail, and air. The autobahns are an efficient system of highways, although they can get crowded during holidays. In winter you may have to contend with closed passes in the Alps or difficult driving on smaller roads in the Black Forest and the Saarland region. High-speed trains are perhaps the most comfortable way of traveling. Munich to Hamburg, for example, a trip of around 966 km (600 miles), takes 5½ hours. Many airlines offer extremely cheap last-minute flights, but you have to be fairly flexible.

AIR TRAVEL

The least-expensive airfares on major carriers to Germany are often priced for round-trip travel and usually must be purchased in advance. Budget airline tickets are always priced one way. Airlines generally allow you to change your return date for a fee; most low-fare tickets, however, are nonrefundable. Fares between the British Isles and Germany on “no-frills” airlines such as Air Berlin and EasyJet can range from €15 to €70. TIP Although a budget airfare may not be refundable, new EU regulations require that all other supplemental fees and taxes are. That means that when the €1 fare from Berlin to Munich turns out to cost €70 with fuel surcharges and the like, you only lose €1. Refund procedures vary between airlines.

Flying time to Frankfurt is 1½ hours from London, 7½ hours from New York, 10 hours from Chicago, and 12 hours from Los Angeles.

Lufthansa is Germany’s leading carrier and has shared mileage plans and flights with Air Canada and United, as well as all members of the Star Alliance.

Germany’s internal air network is excellent, with flights linking all major cities in, at most, little more than an hour. Germany’s second-largest airline, Air Berlin, is a low-cost, full-service operator flying domestic and international routes from its hubs in Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. It is almost always a cheaper and more comfortable option than a flag carrier. Air Berlin is a member of the OneWorld Alliance and shares frequent-flyer programs with British Airways and American Airlines. A handful of smaller airlines—Germanwings, EasyJet, and TUIfly—compete with low-fare flights within Germany and to other European cities. These companies are reliable, do business almost exclusively over the Internet, as talking to an actual person drives the price of the ticket up astronomically, and often beat the German rail fares. The earlier you book, the cheaper the fare.

Airlines Within Germany
Air Berlin. | 030/737-800, 866/266-5588 in U.S. | www.airberlin.com.
EasyJet. | 01805/666-000 . | www.easyjet.com.
Germanwings. | 0180/191-9100 in Germany | www.germanwings.com.
Lufthansa. | 01805/805-805 | www.lufthansa.com.
TUIfly. | 0180/1000-2000 in Germany | www.TUIfly.com.

Major Airlines
Air Canada. | 888/247-2262 | www.aircanada.com.
Lufthansa. | 800/645-3880 in the U.S. | www.lufthansa.com.
United Airlines. | 800/864-8331 for U.S. reservations, 800/538-2929 for international reservations | www.united.com.

AIRPORTS

Frankfurt is Germany’s air hub. The large airport has the convenience of its own long-distance train station, but if you’re transferring between flights, don’t dawdle or you could miss your connection.

Munich is Germany’s second air hub, with many services to North America and Asia. The airport is like a minicity, with plenty of activities to keep you entertained during a long layover. Experience a true German tradition and have a beer from the world’s first airport brewery at the Hofbräuhaus here. For a more active layover, play miniature golf, beach volleyball, or soccer, or ice-skate in winter. There’s also a playground. Live concerts and 150 shops with downtown prices draw locals to the airport as well. If you’re an airplane aficionado (and German speaker), you can take advantage of a small cinema showing movies on aviation themes or take a bus tour of the airport’s facilities, including maintenance hangars and engine-testing facilities. Looking for some R&R? The airport offers massages at the gate, relaxation zones, and napcabs (soundproof minirooms to nap in). Munich’s S-bahn railway connects the airport with the city center; trips take about 40 minutes, and trains leave every 10 minutes.

United and Air Berlin have nonstop service between New York and Berlin-Tegel. Air Berlin also flies from Berlin-Tegel to Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles. Major airlines, like Lufthansa, fly in and out of Berlin-Tegel, while most budget airlines use Berlin-Schönefeld. Once the Berlin Brandenburg airport finally opens—it was originally slated to open in 2011, but it likely won’t open until late 2017—both Tegel and Schönefeld will close.

United also has nonstop service between New York and Hamburg. There are a few nonstop services from North America to Düsseldorf. Stuttgart is convenient to the Black Forest. Also convenient to the Black Forest is the EuroAirport Freiburg-Basel-Mulhouse, which is used by many airlines for European destinations and as a stopover.

Airlines and Airports
Airline and Airport Links.com. | www.airlineandairportlinks.com.

Airline Security Issues
Transportation Security Administration. | www.tsa.gov.

Airport Information

Berlin
Flughafen Berlin Schönefeld (SXF). | 030/000-186 €0.14 per min | www.berlin-airport.de.
Flughafen Berlin Tegel (TXL). | Berlin | 030/000-186 €0.14 per min | www.berlin-airport.de.

Düsseldorf
Flughafen Düsseldorf (DUS). | 0211/4210 | www.duesseldorf-international.de.

Frankfurt
Flughafen Frankfurt Main (FRA). | Frankfurt | 01805/372-4636, 069/6900 from outside Germany | www.frankfurt-airport.de.

Freiburg
EuroAirport Freiburg-Basel-Mulhouse (MLH). | 0033/3899-03111 French number—airport is across the border in France | www.euroairport.com.

Hamburg
Hamburg International Airport (HAM). | 040/50750 | www.ham.airport.de.

Köln
Flughafen Köln/Bonn (CGN). | 02203/404-001 | www.koeln-bonn-airport.de.

Munich
Flughafen München (MUC). | Munich | 089/97500 | www.munich-airport.de.

Stuttgart
Flughafen Stuttgart (STR). | 0711/9480 | www.stuttgart-airport.de.

BOAT TRAVEL

Eurailpasses and German Rail Passes are honored by KD Rhine Line on the Rhine River and on the Mosel River between Trier and Koblenz. (If you use the fast hydrofoil, a supplementary fee is required.) The rail lines follow the Rhine and Mosel rivers most of their length, meaning you can go one way by ship and return by train. Cruises generally operate between April and October. If you are planning to visit Denmark or Sweden after Germany, note that Scandlines ferries offer discounts for Eurailpass owners.

The MS Duchess of Scandinavia carries passengers and cars three times a week for the 19½-hour run between Cuxhaven, Germany, and Harwich, England.

Information
KD Rhine Line. | 0221/208-8318 | www.k-d.com.
Scandlines. | 0381/54350 | www.scandlines.de.

BUS TRAVEL

Germany has good local and long-distance bus service. Many cities are served by BerlinLinien Bus or MeinFernBus. Deutsche Touring, a subsidiary of the Deutsche Bahn, has offices and agents countrywide, and travels from Germany to cities elsewhere in Europe. It offers one-day tours along the Castle Road and the Romantic Road. The Romantic Road route is between Würzburg (with connections to and from Frankfurt) and Füssen (with connections to and from Munich, Augsburg, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen). With a Eurailpass or German Rail Pass you get a 20% discount on this route. Buses, with an attendant on board, travel in each direction between April and October.

All towns of any size have local buses, which often link up with trams (streetcars) and electric railway (S-bahn) and subway (U-bahn) services. Fares sometimes vary according to distance, but a ticket usually allows you to transfer freely between the various forms of transportation.

Bus Information
Deutsche Touring. | 069/790-3501 | www.touring-travel.eu.
MeinFernBus. | 0180/ 515-9915 | www.meinfernbus.de.

CAR TRAVEL

Entry formalities for motorists are few: all you need is proof of insurance; an international car-registration document; and a U.S., Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand driver’s license. If you or your car is from an EU country, Norway, or Switzerland, all you need is your domestic license and proof of insurance. All foreign cars must have a country sticker. There are no toll roads in Germany, except for a few Alpine mountain passes, although the autobahn may change to a toll system in 2017. Many large German cities require an environmental sticker on the front windshield. If your rental car doesn’t have one, it’s likely you’ll be required to pay the fine.

CAR RENTAL

It is easy to rent a car in Germany, but not always cheap. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP); it’s available from the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Automobile Club. These international permits are universally recognized, and having one in your wallet may save you problems with the local authorities. In Germany you usually must be 21 to rent a car. Nearly all agencies allow you to drive into Germany’s neighboring countries. It’s frequently possible to return the car in another West European country, but not in Poland or the Czech Republic, for example.

Rates with the major car-rental companies begin at about €55 per day and €300 per week for an economy car with a manual transmission and unlimited mileage. It is invariably cheaper to rent a car in advance from home than to do it on the fly in Germany. Most rentals are manual, so if you want an automatic, be sure to request one in advance. If you’re traveling with children, don’t forget to ask for a car seat when you reserve. Note that in some major cities, even automobile-producing Stuttgart, rental firms are prohibited from placing signs at major pickup and drop-off locations, such as the main train station. If dropping a car off in an unfamiliar city, you might have to guess your way to the station’s underground parking garage; once there, look for a generic sign such as Mietwagen (rental cars). The German railway system, Deutsche Bahn, offers discounts on rental cars.

Depending on what you would like to see, you may or may not need a car for all or part of your stay. Most parts of Germany are connected by reliable rail service, so it might be a better plan to take a train to the region you plan to visit and rent a car only for side trips to out-of-the-way destinations.

Major Rental Agencies
Avis. | 800/331-1212 | www.avis.com.
Budget. | 800/472-3325 | www.budget.com.
Europecar. | www.europecar.com.
Hertz. | 800/654-3001 | www.hertz.com.

Car Rental Comparison Sites
Auto Europe. | 888/223-5555 | www.autoeurope.com.
Europe by Car. | 212/581-3040 in New York, 800/223-1516 | www.europebycar.com.
Eurovacations. | 877/471-3876 | www.eurovacations.com.
Kemwel. | 877/820-0668 | www.kemwel.com.

GASOLINE

Gasoline costs are around €1.30 per liter—which is higher than in the United States. Some cars use diesel fuel, which is about €0.20 cheaper. If you’re renting a car, find out which fuel the car takes. German filling stations are highly competitive, and bargains are often available if you shop around, but not at autobahn filling stations. Self-service, or SB-Tanken, stations are cheapest. Pumps marked Bleifrei contain unleaded gas.

PARKING

Daytime parking in cities and small, historic towns is difficult to find. Restrictions are not always clearly marked and can be hard to understand even when they are. Rental cars come with a “time wheel,” which you can leave on your dashboard when parking signs indicate free, limited-time allowances. Larger parking lots have parking meters (Parkautomaten). After depositing enough change in a meter, you will be issued a timed ticket to display on your dashboard. Parking-meter spaces are free at night. In German garages you must pay immediately on returning to retrieve your car, not when driving out. Put the ticket you got on arrival into the machine and pay the amount displayed. Retrieve the ticket, and upon exiting the garage, insert the ticket in a slot to raise the barrier. TIP You must lock your car when it is parked. Failure to do so risks a €25 fine and liability for anything that happens if the car is stolen.

ROAD CONDITIONS

Roads are generally excellent. Bundesstrassen are two-lane state highways, abbreviated “B,” as in B-38. Autobahns are high-speed thruways abbreviated with “A,” as in A-7. If the autobahn should be blocked for any reason, you can take an exit and follow little signs bearing a “U” followed by a number. These are official detours.

ROAD MAPS

The best-known road maps of Germany are put out by the automobile club ADAC, by Shell, and by the Falk Verlag. They’re available at gas stations and bookstores.

ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES

The German automobile clubs ADAC and AvD operate tow trucks on all autobahns. “Notruf” signs every 2 km (1 mile) on autobahns (and country roads) indicate emergency telephones. By picking up the phone, you’ll be connected to an operator who can determine your exact location and get you the services you need. Help is free (with the exception of materials).

Emergency Services
Roadside assistance. | 01802/222-222.

RULES OF THE ROAD

In Germany, road signs give distances in kilometers. There are posted speed limits on most of the autobahns, and they advise drivers to keep below 130 kph (80 mph) or 110 kph (65 mph). A sign saying Richtgeschwindigkeit and the speed indicates this. Slower traffic should stay in the right lane of the autobahn, but speeds under 80 kph (50 mph) are not permitted. Speed limits on country roads vary from 70 kph to 100 kph (43 mph to 62 mph) and are usually 50 kph (30 mph) through small towns.

Don’t enter a street with a signpost bearing a red circle with a white horizontal stripe—it’s a one-way street. Blue “Einbahnstrasse” signs indicate you’re headed the correct way down a one-way street. The blood-alcohol limit for driving in Germany is very low (.05%), and passengers, but not the driver, are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in the car. Note that seatbelts must be worn at all times by front- and back-seat passengers.

German drivers tend to drive fast and aggressively. There is no right turn at a red light in Germany. Though prohibited, tailgating is the national pastime on German roads. Do not react by braking for no reason: this is equally prohibited.

You may not use a handheld mobile phone while driving.

SCENIC ROUTES

Germany has many specially designated tourist roads that serve as promotional tools for towns along their routes. The longest is the Deutsche Ferienstrasse, the German Holiday Road, which runs from the Baltic Sea to the Alps, a distance of around 1,720 km (1,070 miles). The most famous, however, is the Romantische Strasse , which runs from Würzburg to Füssen, in the Alps, covering around 355 km (220 miles).

Among other notable touring routes are the Strasse der Kaiser und Könige (Route of Emperors and Kings), running from Frankfurt to Passau (and on to Vienna and Budapest); the Burgenstrasse (Castle Road), running from Mannheim to Bayreuth; the Deutsche Weinstrasse , running through the Palatinate wine country; and the Deutsche Alpenstrasse, running the length of the country’s Alpine southern border from near Berchtesgaden to the Bodensee. Less well-known routes are the Märchenstrasse , the Weser Renaissance Strasse, and the Deutsche Fachwerkstrasse (German Half-Timber Road).

CRUISE SHIP TRAVEL

The American-owned Viking River Cruises company tours the Rhine, Main, Elbe, and Danube rivers, with four- to eight-day itineraries that include walking tours at ports of call. The longer cruises (up to 18 days) on the Danube (Donau, in German), which go to the Black Sea and back, are in great demand, so reserve six months in advance. The company normally books American passengers on ships that cater exclusively to Americans. If you prefer to travel on a European ship, specify so when booking. Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt (KD Rhine Line) offers trips of one day or less on the Rhine and Mosel. Between Easter and October there’s Rhine service between Köln and Mainz, and between May and October, Mosel service between Koblenz and Cochem. Check the website for special winter tours. You’ll get a free trip on your birthday if you bring a document verifying your date of birth.

Cruise Lines
KD Rhine Line. | 0221/208-8318 | www.k-d.com.
Viking River Cruises. | 0800/258-4666, 800/1887-10033 in Germany, 800/319-6660 in U.K. | www.vikingrivercruises.com.

TRAIN TRAVEL

Deutsche Bahn (DB—German Rail) is a very efficient, semi-privatized railway. Its high-speed InterCity Express (ICE), InterCity (IC), and EuroCity (EC) trains make journeys between the centers of many cities—Munich-Frankfurt, for example—faster by rail than by air. All InterCity and InterCity Express trains have restaurant cars and trolley service. RE, RB, and IRE trains are regional trains. It’s also possible to sleep on the train and save a day of your trip: a decreasing number of CityNightLine (CNL) trains serving domestic destinations and neighboring countries have sleepers, couches, and recliners.

Once on your platform or Bahnsteig—the area between two tracks—you can check the notice boards that give details of the layout of trains (Wagenstandanzeiger) arriving on that track (Gleis). They show the locations of first- and second-class cars and the restaurant car, as well as where they will stop, relative to the lettered sectors, along the platform. Large railroad stations have English-speaking staff handling information inquiries.

For fare and schedule information, the Deutsche Bahn information line connects you to a live operator; you may have to wait a few moments before someone can help you in English. The automated number is toll-free and gives schedule information. Deutsche Bahn has an excellent website (www.bahn.de), available in English. To calculate the fare, enter your departure and arrival points, any town you wish to pass through, and whether you have a bike. The fare finder will tell you which type of train you’ll be riding on—which could be important if you suffer from motion sickness. The ICE, the French TGV, the Swiss ICN, and the Italian Cisalpino all use “tilt technology” for a less jerky ride. One side effect, however, is that some passengers might feel queasy, especially if the track is curvy. An over-the-counter drug for motion sickness should help.

BAGGAGE

Most major train stations have luggage lockers (in four sizes). By inserting exact change into a storage unit, you release the unit’s key. Prices range from €2 for a small locker to €5 for a “jumbo” one. Smaller towns’ train stations may not have any storage options.

Throughout Germany, Deutsche Bahn can deliver your baggage from a private residence or hotel to another or even to one of six airports: Berlin, Frankfurt, Leipzig-Halle, Munich, Hamburg, or Hannover. You must have a valid rail ticket. Buy a Kuriergepäck ticket at any DB ticket counter, at which time you must schedule a pickup three workdays before your flight. The service costs €38 for a medium suitcase up to 31 kg (68 pounds).

DISCOUNTS

Deutsche Bahn offers many discount options with specific conditions, so do your homework on its website or ask about options at the counter before paying for a full-price ticket. For round-trip travel you can save 25% if you book at least three days in advance, 50% if you stay over a Saturday night and book at least three to seven days in advance. However, there’s a limited number of seats sold at any of these discount prices, so book as early as possible, at least a week in advance, to get the savings. A discounted rate is called a Sparpreis. If you change your travel plans after booking, you will have to pay a fee. The surcharge for tickets bought on board is 10% of the ticket cost, or a minimum of €5. Most local, RE, and RB services do not allow purchasing tickets on board. Not having a ticket is considered Schwarzfahren (riding black) and is usually subject to a €60 fine. Tickets booked at a counter always cost more than over the Internet or from an automated ticket machine.

Children under 15 travel free when accompanied by a parent or relative on normal, discounted, and some, but not all, special-fare tickets. However, you must indicate the number of children traveling with you when you purchase the ticket; to ride free, the child (or children) must be listed on the ticket. If you have a ticket with 25% or 50% off, a Mitfahrer-Rabatt allows a second person to travel with you for a 50% discount (minimum of €15 for a second-class ticket). The Schönes Wochenend Ticket (Happy Weekend Ticket) provides unlimited travel on regional trains on weekends for up to five persons for €42 (€40 if purchased online or at a vending machine). Groups of six or more should inquire about Gruppen & Spar (group) savings. Each German state, or Land, has its own Länder-Ticket, which lets up to five people travel from 9 am to 3 am for around €25.

If you plan to travel by train within a day after your flight arrives, purchase a heavily discounted “Rail and Fly” ticket for DB trains at the same time you book your flight. Trains connect with 14 German airports and two airports outside Germany, Basel and Amsterdam.

FARES

A first-class seat is approximately 55% more than a second-class seat. For this premium you get a bit more legroom and the convenience of having meals (not included) delivered directly to your seat. Most people find second class entirely adequate and first class not worth the cost. Many regional trains offer an upgrade to first class for as little as €4. This is especially helpful on weekends when local trains are stuffed with cyclists and day-tripping locals. ICs and the later-generation ICE trains are equipped with electrical outlets for laptops and other gadgets.

Tickets purchased through Deutsche Bahn’s website can be retrieved from station vending machines. Always check that your ticket is valid for the type of train you are planning to take, not just for the destination served. If you have the wrong type of ticket, you will have to pay the difference on the train, in cash or by credit card. If you book an online ticket and print it yourself, you must present the credit card used to pay for the ticket to the conductor for the ticket to be valid.

The ReisePacket service is for travelers who are inexperienced, elderly, disabled, or just appreciative of extra help. It costs €11 and provides, among other things, help boarding, disembarking, and transferring on certain trains that serve major cities and vacation areas. It also includes a seat reservation and a voucher for an onboard snack. Purchase the service at least one day before travel.

PASSES

If Germany is your only destination in Europe, consider purchasing a German Rail Pass, which allows 3 to 10 days of unlimited first- or second-class travel within a one-month period on any DB train, up to and including the ICE. A Twin Pass saves two people traveling together 50% off one person’s fare. A Youth Pass, sold to those 12-25, is much the same but for second-class travel only. You can also use these passes aboard KD Rhine Line along certain sections of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Prices begin at $304 per person in second class. Twin Passes begin at $338 for two people in second class, and Youth Passes begin at $180. Additional days may be added to either pass, but only at the time of purchase and not once the pass has been issued. Extensions of the German Rail Pass to Brussels, Venice, Verona, Prague, and Innsbrück are also available.

Germany is one of 21 countries in which you can use a Eurailpass, which provides unlimited first-class rail travel in all participating countries for the duration of the pass. Two adults traveling together can pay either €580 each for 15 consecutive days of travel or €746 each for 21 consecutive days of travel. The youth fare is €379 for 15 consecutive days and €446 for 10 days within two months. Eurailpasses are available from most travel agents and directly from www.eurail.com.

Eurailpasses and some of the German Rail Passes should be purchased before you leave for Europe. You can purchase a Eurailpass and 5- or 10-day German Rail Passes at the Frankfurt airport and at some major German train stations, but the cost will be higher (a youth ticket for five days of travel is just under €149). When you buy your pass, consider purchasing rail-pass insurance in case you lose it during your travels.

In order to comply with the strict rules about validating tickets before you begin travel, read the instructions carefully. Some tickets require that a train official validate your pass, while others require you to write in the first date of travel.

Many travelers assume that rail passes guarantee them seats on the trains they wish to ride. Not so. You need to book seats ahead even if you are using a rail pass; seat reservations are required on some European trains, particularly high-speed trains, and are a good idea in summer, on national holidays, and on popular routes. If you board the train without a reserved seat, you risk having to stand. You’ll also need a reservation if you purchase sleeping accommodations. Seat reservations on InterCity trains cost €6, and a reservation is absolutely necessary for the ICE-Sprinter trains (€12 for second class). There are no reservations on regional trains.

TRAVEL FROM GREAT BRITAIN

There are several ways to reach Germany from London on British Rail. Travelers coming from the United Kingdom should take the Channel Tunnel to save time, the ferry to save money. Fastest and most expensive is the route via the Channel Tunnel on Eurostar trains. They leave at two-hour intervals from St. Pancras International and require a change of trains in Brussels, from which ICE trains reach Köln in 2½ hours and Frankfurt in 3½ hours. Prices for one-way tickets from London to Köln begin at €100-€129. Cheapest and slowest are the 8 to 10 departures daily from Victoria using the Ramsgate-Ostend ferry, jetfoil, or SeaCat catamaran service.

Channel Tunnel Car Transport
Eurotunnel. | 0870/535-3535 in the U.K., 070/223-210 in Belgium, 0810/630-304 in France | www.eurotunnel.com.
Rail Europe. | 0870/241-5415 | www.raileurope.co.uk.

Channel Tunnel Passenger Service
Eurostar. | 08432/186-186 in the U.K., 1233/617-575 outside the U.K. | www.eurostar.co.uk.
Rail Europe. | 888/382-7245 in U.S., 0870/584-8848 in U.K., inquiries and credit-card bookings | www.raileurope.com.

Train Information
Deutsche Bahn (German Rail). | 0800/150-7090 for automated schedule information, 11861 for 24-hr hotline €0.39 per min, 491805/996-633 from outside Germany €0.12 per min | www.bahn.de.
Eurail. | www.eurail.com.
Eurostar. | 0870/518-6186 | www.eurostar.com.

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Essentials

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents

Accommodations | Communications | Customs and Duties | Eating Out | Electricity | Emergencies | Etiquette | Health | Hours of Operation | Mail | Money | Packing | Passports and Visas | Restrooms | Safety | Taxes | Time | Tipping | Trip Insurance | Visitor Information

ACCOMMODATIONS

The standards of German hotels, down to the humblest inn, are very high. You can nearly always expect courteous and polite service and clean and comfortable rooms. In addition to hotels proper, the country has numerous Gasthöfe or Gasthäuser (country inns that serve food and also have rooms). At the lowest end of the scale are Fremdenzimmer, meaning simply “rooms,” normally in private houses. Look for the sign reading “Zimmer frei” (room available) or “zu vermieten” (to rent) on a green background; a red sign reading “besetzt” means there are no vacancies.

If you are looking for a very down-to-earth experience, try an Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof, a farm that has rooms for travelers. This can be especially exciting for children. You can also opt to stay at a winery’s Winzerhof.

Room rates are by no means inflexible and depend very much on supply and demand. You can save money by inquiring about deals: many resort hotels offer substantial discounts in winter, for example. Likewise, many $$$$ and $$$ hotels in cities cut their prices dramatically on weekends and when business is quiet. Major events like Munich’s Oktoberfest and the Frankfurt Book Fair will drive prices through the roof.

Tourist offices will make bookings for a nominal fee, but they may have difficulty doing so after 4 pm in high season and on weekends, so don’t wait until too late in the day to begin looking for your accommodations. If you do get stuck, ask someone—like a mail carrier, police officer, or waiter, for example—for directions to a house renting a Fremdenzimmer or to a Gasthof.

Most hotels and other lodgings require you to give your credit-card details before they will confirm your reservation. If you don’t feel comfortable emailing this information, ask if you can fax it (some places even prefer faxes). However you book, get confirmation in writing and have a copy of it handy when you check in.

Be sure you understand the hotel’s cancellation policy. Some places allow you to cancel without any kind of penalty—even if you prepaid to secure a discounted rate—if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Others require you to cancel a week in advance or penalize you the cost of one night. Small inns and B&Bs are most likely to require you to cancel far in advance. Most hotels allow children under a certain age to stay in their parents’ room at no extra charge, but others charge for them as extra adults; find out the cutoff age for discounts.

APARTMENT AND HOUSE RENTALS

If you are staying in one region, renting an apartment is an affordable alternative to a hotel or B&B. Ferienwohnungen, or vacation apartments, are especially popular in more rural areas. They range from simple rooms with just the basics to luxury apartments with all the trimmings. Some even include breakfast. It may seem low tech, but the best way to find an apartment is through the local tourist office or the website of the town or village where you would like to stay. Be aware, though, that in some cities like Berlin there are draconian rules limiting vacation apartments (which are seen as accelerating gentrification).

International Agencies
AirBnB. | www.airbnb.com.
At Home Abroad. | 212/421-9165 | www.athomeabroadinc.com.
Barclay International Group. | 516/364-0064, 800/845-6636 | www.barclayweb.com.
Forgetaway. | www.forgetaway.com.
Home Away. | 512/493-0382 | www.homeaway.com.
Interhome. | 954/791-8282, 800/882-6864 | www.interhomeusa.com.
Suzanne B. Cohen & Associates. | 207/200-2255 | www.villaeurope.com.
Vacation Home Rentals Worldwide. | 201/767-9393, 800/633-3284 | www.vhrww.com.
Villanet. | 206/417-3444, 800/964-1891 | www.vhrww.com.
Villas & Apartments Abroad. | 212/213-6435, 800/433-3020 | www.vaanyc.com.
Villas International. | 415/499-9490, 800/221-2260 | www.villasintl.com.
Villas of Distinction. | 707/778-1800, 800/289-0900 | www.villasofdistinction.com.
Wimco. | 800/449-1553 | www.wimco.com.

BED-AND-BREAKFASTS

B&Bs remain one of the most popular options for traveling in Germany. They are often inexpensive, although the price depends on the amenities. For breakfast, expect some muesli, cheese, cold cuts, jam, butter, and hard-boiled eggs at the very least. Some B&Bs also supply lunch baskets if you intend to go hiking, or arrange an evening meal for a very affordable price.

Reservation Services
Bed & Breakfast.com. | 512/322-2710, 800/462-2632 | www.bedandbreakfast.com.
Bed & Breakfast Inns Online. | 615/868-1946, 800/215-7365 | www.bbonline.com.
BnB Finder.com. | 212/432-7693, 888/469-6663 | www.bnbfinder.com.

CASTLE-HOTELS

Staying in a historic castle, or Schloss, is a great experience. The simpler ones may lack character, but most combine four-star luxury with antique furnishings, four-poster beds, and a baronial atmosphere. Some offer all the facilities of a resort. Euro-Connection can advise you on castle-hotel packages, including four- to six-night tours.

Contacts
Euro-Connection. | 800/645-3876 | www.euro-connection.com.

FARM VACATIONS

Almost every regional tourist office has a brochure listing farms that offer bed-and-breakfasts, apartments, and entire farmhouses to rent (Ferienhöfe). The German Agricultural Association provides an illustrated brochure, Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof (Vacation Down on the Farm), that covers more than 2,000 inspected and graded farms, from the Alps to the North Sea. It costs €9.90 and is also sold in bookstores.

German Agricultural Association
DLG Reisedienst, Agratour (German Agricultural Association). | 069/247-880 | www.landtourismus.de.

HOME EXCHANGES

With a direct home exchange you stay in someone else’s home while they stay in yours. Some outfits also deal with vacation homes, so you’re not actually staying in someone’s full-time residence, just their vacant weekend place.

Exchange Clubs

Home Exchange.com.
$150 for a one-year online listing. | 800/877-8723 | www.homeexchange.com.

HomeLink International.
€120 yearly for Web membership. | 800/638-3841 | www.homelink.org.

Intervac U.S.
$99 for annual membership. | 800/756-4663 | us.intervac-homeexchange.com.

HOTELS

Most hotels in Germany do not have air-conditioning, nor do they need it, given the climate and the German style of building construction that uses thick walls and recessed windows to help keep the heat out. Smaller hotels do not provide much in terms of bathroom amenities. Except in four- and five-star hotels, you won’t find a washcloth. Hotels often have nonsmoking rooms or even nonsmoking floors, so it’s always worth asking for one when you reserve. Beds in double rooms often consist of two twin mattresses placed side by side within a frame. When you arrive, if you don’t like the room you’re offered, ask to see another.

Among the most delightful places to stay—and eat—in Germany are the aptly named Romantik Hotels and Restaurants. The Romantik group has over 100 members in Germany. All are in atmospheric and historic buildings—a condition for membership—and are run by the owners with the emphasis on excellent amenities and service. Prices vary considerably, but in general they are a good value.

Contacts
Romantik Hotels and Restaurants. | 800/650-8018, 817/678-0038 from the U.S., 069/661-2340 in Germany | www.romantikhotels.com.

SPAS

Taking the waters in Germany, whether for curing the body or merely pampering, has been popular since Roman times. More than 300 health resorts, mostly equipped for thermal or mineral-water, mud, or brine treatments, are set within pleasant country areas or historic communities. The word Bad before or within the name of a town means it’s a spa destination, where many patients reside in health clinics for two to three weeks of doctor-prescribed treatments.

Saunas, steam baths, and other hot-room facilities are often used “without textiles” in Germany—in other words, nude. Wearing a bathing suit is sometimes even prohibited in saunas, but sitting on a towel is always required. (You may need to bring your own towels.) The Deutsche Heilbäderverband has information, but it is in German only.

Contacts
Deutsche Heilbäderverband (German Health Resort and Spa Association). | 0228/201-200 | www.deutscher-heilbaederverband.de.

COMMUNICATIONS

INTERNET

Many hotels have in-room data ports, but you may have to purchase, or borrow from the front desk, a cable with an end that matches German phone jacks. If you’re plugging into a phone line, you’ll need a local access number for a connection. Wireless Internet (called WLAN in Germany) is more and more common in even the most average hotel. The service is not always free, however. Sometimes you must purchase blocks of time from the front desk or online using a credit card. The cost is fairly high, usually around €4 for 30 minutes.

There are alternatives. Some hotels have an Internet room for guests needing to check their email. Otherwise, Internet cafés are common, and many bars and restaurants let you surf the Web.

PHONES

The good news is that you can make a direct-dial telephone call from Germany to virtually any point on Earth. The bad news? You can’t always do so cheaply. Calling from a hotel is almost always the most expensive option; hotels usually add huge surcharges to all calls, particularly international ones. In some countries you can phone from call centers or even the post office. Calling cards usually keep costs to a minimum, but only if you purchase them locally. Because most Germans own mobile phones, finding a telephone booth is becoming increasingly difficult. As expensive as mobile phone calls can be, they are still usually a much cheaper option than calling from your hotel.

The country code for Germany is 49. When dialing a German number from abroad, drop the initial “0” from the local area code.

Many companies have service lines beginning with 0180. The cost of these calls averages €0.28 per call. Numbers that begin with 0190 can cost €1.85 per minute and more.

Calling Within Germany

The German telephone system is very efficient, so it’s unlikely you’ll have to use an operator unless you’re seeking information. For information in English, dial | 11837 for numbers within Germany and | 11834 for numbers elsewhere. But first look for the number in the phone book or online (www.teleauskunft.de), because directory assistance is costly. Calls to 11837 and 11834 cost at least €0.50, more if the call lasts more than 30 seconds.

A local call from a telephone booth costs €0.10 per minute. Dial the “0” before the area code when making a long-distance call within Germany. When dialing within a local area code, drop the “0” and the area code.

Telephone booths are no longer a common feature on the streets, so be prepared to walk out of your way to find one. Phone booths have instructions in English as well as German. Most telephone booths in Germany are card-operated, so buy a phone card. Coin-operated phones, which take €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1, and €2 coins, don’t make change.

Calling Outside Germany

The country code for the United States is 1.

International calls can be made from any telephone booth in Germany. It costs only €0.13 per minute to call the United States, day or night, no matter how long the call lasts. Use a phone card. If you don’t have a good deal with a calling card, there are many stores that offer international calls at rates well below what you will pay from a phone booth. At a hotel, rates will be at least double the regular charge.

Access Codes
AT&T Direct. | 0800/225-5288.
MCI WorldPhone. | 0800/955-0925.
Sprint International Access. | 0800/888-0013.

Calling Cards

Post offices, newsstands, and exchange places sell cards with €5, €10, or €20 worth of credit to use at public pay phones. An advantage of a card: it charges only what the call costs. A €5 card with a good rate for calls to the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada is Go Bananas!

Mobile Phones

You can buy an inexpensive unlocked mobile phone and a SIM card at almost every corner shop and even at the supermarket. Most shops require identification to purchase a SIM card, but you can avoid this by purchasing a card at any number of phone centers or call shops, usually located near train stations. This is the best option if you just want to make local calls. If you bring a phone from abroad, your provider may have to unlock it for you to use a different SIM card and a prepaid service plan in the destination. You’ll then have a local number and can make local calls at local rates. If your trip is extensive, you could also simply buy a new cell phone in your destination, as the initial cost will be offset over time.

Many prepaid plans, like Blau World, offer calling plans to the United States and other countries, starting at €0.03 per minute. Many Germans use these SIM cards to call abroad, as the rates are much cheaper than from landlines.

If you have a multiband phone (some countries use different frequencies from what’s used in the United States) and your service provider uses the world-standard GSM network (as do T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon), you can probably use your phone abroad. Roaming fees can be steep, however: 99¢ a minute is considered reasonable. And overseas you normally pay the toll charges for incoming calls. It’s almost always cheaper to send a text message than to make a call, because text messages have a very low set fee (often less than 5¢).

Cellular Abroad rents and sells GMS phones and sells SIM cards that work in many countries. Mobal rents mobiles and sells GSM phones (starting at $49) that will operate in 140 countries. Planet Fone rents cell phones, but the per-minute rates are expensive.

TIP If you travel internationally frequently, save one of your old mobile phones or buy a cheap one on the Internet; ask your cell phone company to unlock it for you, and take it with you as a travel phone, buying a new SIM card with pay-as-you-go service in each destination.

Contacts
Cellular Abroad. | 800/287-5072 | www.cellularabroad.com.
Mobal. | 888/888-9162 | www.mobalrental.com.
Planet Fone. | 888/988-4777 | www.planetfone.com.

CUSTOMS AND DUTIES

German Customs and Border Control is fairly simple and straightforward. The system works efficiently and professionally, and 99% of all travelers will have no real cause to interact with them.

You’re always allowed to bring goods of a certain value back home without having to pay any duty or import tax. But there’s a limit on the amount of tobacco and liquor you can bring back duty-free, and some countries have separate limits for perfumes; for exact figures, check with your customs department. The values of so-called duty-free goods are included in these amounts. When you shop abroad, save all your receipts, as customs inspectors may ask to see them as well as the items you purchased. If the total value of your goods is more than the duty-free limit, you’ll have to pay a tax (most often a flat percentage) on the value of everything beyond that limit.

For anyone entering Germany from outside the EU, the following limitations apply: (1) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; (2) 2 liters of still table wine; (3) 1 liter of spirits over 22% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 2 liters of spirits under 22% ABV (fortified and sparkling wines) or 2 more liters of table wine; (4) 50 grams of perfume and 250 milliliters of eau de toilette; (5) 500 grams of roasted coffee or 200 grams of instant coffee; (6) other goods to the value of €175.

If you have questions regarding customs or bringing a pet into the country, contact the Zoll-Infocenter.

Information in Germany
Zoll-Infocenter. | 0351/4483-4510 | www.zoll.de.

U.S. Information
U.S. Customs and Border Protection. | www.cbp.gov.

EATING OUT

Almost every street in Germany has its Gaststätte, a sort of combination restaurant and pub, and every village its Gasthof, or inn. The emphasis in either is on simple food at reasonable prices. A Bierstube (pub) or Weinstube (wine cellar) may also serve light snacks or meals.

Service can be slow, but you’ll never be rushed out of your seat. Something else that may seem jarring at first: people can, and do, join other parties at a table in a casual restaurant if seating is tight. It’s common courtesy to ask first, though.

Since Germans don’t generally drink from the tap, water always costs extra and comes as still or sparkling mineral water.

BUDGET EATING TIPS

Imbiss (snack) stands can be found in almost every busy shopping street, in parking lots, train stations, and near markets. They serve Würste (sausages), grilled, roasted, or boiled, and rolls filled with cheese, cold meat, or fish. Many stands sell Turkish-style wraps called döner kebab. Prices range from €1.50 to €2.50 per portion. It’s acceptable to bring sandwich fixings to a beer garden so long as you order a beer there; just be sure not to sit at a table with a tablecloth.

Butcher shops, known as Metzgereien, often serve warm snacks or very good sandwiches. Try warmer Leberkäs mit Kartoffelsalat, a typical Bavarian specialty, which is a sort of baked meat loaf with mustard and potato salad. In northern Germany try Bouletten, small meatballs, or Currywurst, sausages in a piquant curry sauce. Thuringia has a reputation for its bratwurst, which is usually broken in two and packed into a roll with mustard. Up north, the specialty snack is a herring sandwich with onions.

Restaurants in department stores are especially recommended for appetizing and inexpensive lunches. Kaufhof, Karstadt, Wertheim, and Horton are names to note. Germany’s vast numbers of Turkish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Balkan restaurants are often inexpensive.

MEALS AND MEALTIMES

Most hotels serve a buffet-style breakfast (Frühstück) of rolls, cheese, cold cuts, eggs, cereals, yogurt, and spreads, which is often included in the price of a room. Cafés, especially the more trendy ones, offer breakfast menus sometimes including pancakes, omelets, muesli, or even Thai rice soup. By American standards, a cup (Tasse) of coffee in Germany is very petite, and you don’t get free refills. Order a Pot or Kännchen if you want a larger portion.

For lunch (Mittagessen), you can get sandwiches from most cafés and bakeries, and many fine restaurants have special lunch menus that make the gourmet experience much more affordable. Dinner (Abendessen) is usually accompanied by a potato or spätzle side dish. A salad sometimes comes with the main dish.

Gaststätten normally serve hot meals from 11:30 am to 9 pm; many places stop serving hot meals between 2 pm and 6 pm, although you can still order cold dishes. If you feel like a hot meal, look for a restaurant advertising durchgehend geöffnet, or look for a pizza parlor.

Once most restaurants have closed, your options are limited. Take-out pizza parlors and Turkish eateries often stay open later. Failing that, your best option is a train station or a gas station with a convenience store. Many bars serve snacks.

Unless otherwise noted, the restaurants listed are open daily for lunch and dinner.

PAYING

Credit cards are generally accepted only in moderate to expensive restaurants, so check before sitting down. You will need to ask for the bill (say “Die Rechnung, bitte.”) in order to get it from the waiter, the idea being that the table is yours for the evening. Round up the bill 5% to 10% and pay the waiter directly rather than leaving any money or tip on the table. The waiter will likely wait at the table for you to pay after he has brought the check. He will also wear a money pouch and make change out of it at the table. If you don’t need change, say “Stimmt so.” (“Keep the change.”), otherwise tell the waiter how much change you want back, adding in the tip. Meals are subject to 19% tax (abbreviated as “MwSt” on your bill).

RESERVATIONS AND DRESS

Regardless of where you are, it’s a good idea to make a reservation if you can. In most fine-dining establishments it’s expected. We only mention them specifically when reservations are essential (there’s no other way you’ll ever get a table) or when they are not accepted. For popular restaurants, book as far ahead as you can (often 30 days), and reconfirm as soon as you arrive. (Parties of more than four should always call ahead to check the reservations policy.) We mention dress only when men are required to wear a jacket or a jacket and tie.

Note that even when Germans dress casually, their look is generally crisp and neat. Jeans are acceptable for most social occasions, unless you’re meeting the president.

SMOKING

For such an otherwise health-conscious nation, Germans do smoke. A lot. New anti-smoking laws came into effect in 2008, effectively banning smoking in all restaurants and many pubs, but many Germans, particularly in Berlin and Hamburg, tend to ignore them. Many hotels have nonsmoking rooms and even nonsmoking floors. However, a smoker will find it intrusive if you ask him or her to refrain.

WINES, BEER, AND SPIRITS

Wines of Germany promotes the wines of all 13 German wine regions and can supply you with information on wine festivals and visitor-friendly wineries. It also arranges six-day guided winery tours in spring and fall in conjunction with the German Wine Academy.

It’s legal to drink beer from open containers in public (even in the passenger seat of a car), and having a beer at one’s midday break is nothing to raise an eyebrow at. Bavaria is not the only place to try beer. While Munich’s beers have achieved world fame—Löwenbräu and Paulaner, for example—beer connoisseurs will really want to travel to places farther north like Alpirsbach, Bamberg, Erfurt, Cologne, or Görlitz, where smaller breweries produce top-notch brews. Berlin is at the center of a beer revolution that makes it one of the most interesting beer cities in Germany.

Wine Information
German Wine Academy. | 06131/28290 | www.germanwines.de.
Wines of Germany. | 212/994-7523 | www.germanwineusa.org.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in Germany is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.

Consider making a small investment in a universal adapter, which has several types of plugs in one lightweight, compact unit. Most laptops and mobile phone chargers are dual voltage (i.e., they operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts) so require only an adapter. These days the same is true of small appliances such as hair dryers. Always check labels and manufacturer instructions to be sure. Don’t use 110-volt outlets marked “for shavers only” for high-wattage appliances such as hair dryers.

Walkabout Travel Gear has good coverage of electricity under “adapters.”

Contacts
Walkabout Travel Gear. | www.walkabouttravelgear.com.

EMERGENCIES

Throughout Germany call | 110 for police | 112 for an ambulance or the fire department.

Foreign Embassies
U.S. Embassy. | Pariser Pl. 2 | Berlin | 030/83050, 030/8305-1200 | www.usembassy.de.

ETIQUETTE

CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY

Being on time for appointments, even casual social ones, is very important. There is no “fashionably late” in Germany. Germans are more formal in addressing each other than Americans. Always address acquaintances as Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Mrs.) plus their last name; do not call them by their first name unless invited to do so. The German language has informal and formal pronouns for “you”: formal is Sie, and informal is du. Even if adults are on a first-name basis with one another, they may still keep to the Sie form.

Germans are less formal when it comes to nudity: a sign that reads “freikörper” or “fkk” indicates a park or beach that allows nude sunbathing. At a sauna or steam bath, you will often be asked to remove all clothing.

GREETINGS

The standard “Guten Tag” is the way to greet people throughout the country. When you depart, say “Auf Wiedersehen.” “Hallo” is also used frequently, as is “Hi” among the younger crowd. A less formal leave-taking is “Tschüss” or “ciao.” You will also hear regional differences in greetings.

LANGUAGE

English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, airports, museums, and other places of interest. However, English is not widely spoken in rural areas or by people over 40; this is especially true of the eastern part of Germany. Learning the basics before going is always a good idea, especially bitte (please) and danke (thank you). Apologizing for your poor German before asking a question in English will make locals feel respected and begins all communication on the right foot.

A phrase book and language-tape set can help get you started.

TIP Under no circumstances use profanity or pejoratives. Germans take these very seriously, and a slip of the tongue can result in expensive criminal and civil penalties. Calling a police officer a “Nazi” or using vulgar finger gestures can cost you up to €10,000 and two years in jail.

HEALTH

Warm winters have recently caused an explosion in the summertime tick population, which often causes outbreaks of Lyme disease. If you intend to do a lot of hiking, especially in the southern half of the country, be aware of the danger of ticks spreading Lyme disease. There is no vaccination against them, so prevention is important. Wear high shoes or boots, long pants, and light-color clothing. Use a good insect repellent, and check yourself for ticks after outdoor activities, especially if you’ve walked through high grass.

OVER-THE-COUNTER REMEDIES

All over-the-counter medicines, even aspirin, are only available at an Apotheke (pharmacy): the German term Drogerie, or drugstore, refers to a shop for sundry items.

Apotheken are open during normal business hours, with those in train stations or airports open later and on weekends. Apotheken are plentiful, and there is invariably one within a few blocks. Every district has an emergency pharmacy that is open after hours. These are listed as Apotheken Notdienst or Apotheken-Bereitschaftsdienst on the window of every other pharmacy in town, often with directions for how to get there. Pharmacies will have a bell you must ring to enter. Most pharmacists in larger cities speak enough English to help. Some drugs have different names: acetaminophen—or Tylenol—is called paracetomol.

SHOTS AND MEDICATIONS

Germany is by and large a healthy place. There are occasional outbreaks of measles—including one in North Rhine-Westphalia—so be sure you have been vaccinated.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Business hours are inconsistent throughout the country and vary from state to state and even from city to city. Banks are generally open weekdays from 8:30 or 9 am to 3 or 4 pm (5 or 6 pm on Thursday), sometimes with a lunch break of about an hour at smaller branches. Some banks close by 2:30 on Friday afternoon. Banks at airports and main train stations open as early as 6:30 am and close as late as 10:30 pm.

Most museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday 10-6. Some close for an hour or more at lunch. Many stay open until 8 pm or later one day a week, usually Thursday. In smaller towns or in rural areas, museums may be open only on weekends or just a few hours a day.

All stores are closed Sunday, with the exception of those in or near train stations. Larger stores are generally open from 9:30 or 10 am to 8 or 9 pm on weekdays and close between 6 and 8 pm on Saturday. Smaller shops and some department stores in smaller towns close at 6 or 6:30 on weekdays and as early as 4 on Saturday. German shop owners take their closing times seriously. If you come in five minutes before closing, you may not be treated like royalty. Apologizing profusely and making a speedy purchase will help.

Along the autobahn and major highways, as well as in larger cities, gas stations and their small convenience shops are often open late, if not around the clock.

HOLIDAYS

The following national holidays are observed in Germany: January 1; January 6 (Epiphany—Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Baden-Württemberg only); Good Friday; Easter Monday; May 1 (Workers’ Day); Ascension; Pentecost Monday; Corpus Christi (southern Germany only); Assumption Day (Bavaria and Saarland only); October 3 (German Unity Day); November 1 (All Saints’ Day—Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Pfalz, and Saarland); December 24-26 (Christmas).

Pre-Lenten celebrations in Cologne and the Rhineland are known as Karneval, and for several days before Ash Wednesday work grinds to a halt as people celebrate with parades, banquets, and general debauchery. Farther south, in the state of Baden-Württenburg, the festivities are called Fasching, and tend to be more traditional. In either area, expect businesses to be closed both before and after “Fat Tuesday.”

MAIL

A post office in Germany (Postamt) is recognizable by the postal symbol, a black bugle on a yellow background. In some villages you will find one in the local supermarket. Stamps (Briefmarken) can also be bought at some news agencies and souvenir shops. Post offices are generally open weekdays 8-6, Saturday 8-noon.

Airmail letters and postcards to anywhere outside Germany, even to the United Kingdom and within Europe cost €0.80. These rates apply to standard-size envelopes and postcards. Letters take approximately 3-4 days to reach the United Kingdom, 5-7 days to the United States, and 7-10 days to Australia and New Zealand.

You can arrange to have mail (letters only) sent to you in care of any German post office; have the envelope marked “Postlagernd.” This service is free, and the mail will be held for seven days. Or you can have mail sent to any American Express office in Germany. There’s no charge to cardholders, holders of American Express traveler’s checks, or anyone who has booked a vacation with American Express.

SHIPPING PACKAGES

Most major stores that cater to tourists will also ship your purchases home. You should check your insurance for coverage of possible damage.

The Deutsche Post has an express international service that will deliver your letter or package the next day to countries within the EU, within one to two days to the United States, and slightly longer to Australia. A letter or package to the United States weighing less than 5 kg costs €99. You can drop off your mail at any post office, or it can be picked up for an extra fee. Deutsche Post works in cooperation with DHL. International carriers tend to be slightly cheaper (€35-€45 for the same letter) and provide more services.

Express Services
Deutsche Post. | 0228/1820 | www.deutschepost.de.
DHL. | 0800/225-5345 | www.dhl.de.
FedEx. | 0800/123-0800 | www.fedex.com.
UPS. | 0800/882-6630 | www.ups.com.

MONEY

Credit cards are not usually accepted by most businesses, but you probably won’t have to use cash for payment in high-end hotels and restaurants. Many businesses on the other end of the spectrum don’t accept them, however. It’s a good idea to check in advance if you’re staying in a budget lodging or eating in a simple country inn.

Prices throughout are given for adults. Substantially reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

TIP Banks almost never have every foreign currency on hand, and it may take as long as a week to order. If you’re planning to exchange funds before leaving home, don’t wait until the last minute.

ATMS AND BANKS

Twenty-four-hour ATMs (Geldautomaten) can be accessed with Plus or Cirrus credit and banking cards. Your own bank will probably charge a fee for using ATMs abroad, and some German banks exact €3-€5 fees for use of their ATMs. Nevertheless, you’ll usually get a better rate of exchange via an ATM than you will at a currency-exchange office or even when changing money in a bank. And extracting funds as you need them is a safer option than carrying around a large amount of cash. Since some ATM keypads show no letters, know the numeric equivalent of your password. Always use ATMs inside the bank.

TIP PINs with more than four digits are not recognized at ATMs in many countries. If yours has five or more, remember to change it before you leave.

CREDIT CARDS

Most credit cards issued in Europe are now so-called “chip-and-PIN” credit cards that store user information on a computer chip embedded in the card. In the United States, all credit cards switched to “chip-and-signature” cards in fall 2015. While European cardholders are expected to know and use their PIN number for all transactions rather than signing a charge slip, U.S. chip-and-signature cards usually still require users to sign the charge slip. (Very few U.S. issuers offer a PIN along with their cards, except for cash withdrawals at an ATM, though this is expected to change in the future.) The good news: unlike the old magnetic-strip cards that gave American travelers in Europe so much trouble, the new chip-and-signature cards are accepted at many more locations, including in many cases at machines that sell train tickets, machines that process automated motorway tolls at unmanned booths, and automated gas stations—even without a signature or PIN. The bad news: not all European locations will accept the chip-and-signature cards, and you won’t know until you try, so it’s a good idea to carry enough cash to cover small purchases.

All major U.S. credit cards are accepted in Germany. The most frequently used are MasterCard and Visa. American Express is used less frequently, and Diners Club even less. Since the credit-card companies demand fairly substantial fees, some businesses will not accept credit cards for small purchases. Cheaper restaurants and lodgings often do not accept credit cards. Many credit-card companies charge substantial foreign transaction fees—typically about 3% on every transaction. You can save money by applying for a no-fee credit card well ahead of your departure.

It’s a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, especially if you’re going abroad and don’t travel internationally very often. Otherwise, the credit-card company might put a hold on your card owing to unusual activity—not a good thing halfway through your trip. Record all your credit-card numbers—as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen—in a safe place, via email, or in the Cloud, so you’re prepared should something go wrong.

If you plan to use your credit card for cash advances, you’ll need to apply for a PIN at least two weeks before your trip. Although it’s usually cheaper (and safer) to use a credit card abroad for large purchases (so you can cancel payments or be reimbursed if there’s a problem), note that some credit-card companies and the banks that issue them add substantial percentages to all foreign transactions, whether they’re in a foreign currency or not. Check on these fees before leaving home, so there won’t be any surprises when you get the bill.

TIP Before you charge something, ask the merchant whether he or she plans to do a dynamic currency conversion (DCC). In such a transaction the credit-card processor (shop, restaurant, or hotel, not Visa or MasterCard) converts the currency and charges you in dollars. In most cases you’ll pay the merchant a 3% fee for this service in addition to any credit-card company and issuing-bank foreign-transaction surcharges.

Dynamic currency conversion programs are becoming increasingly widespread. Merchants who participate in them are supposed to ask whether you want to be charged in dollars or the local currency, but they don’t always do so. And even if they do offer you a choice, they may well avoid mentioning the additional surcharges. The good news is that you do have a choice. And if this practice really gets your goat, you can avoid it entirely thanks to American Express; with its cards, DCC simply isn’t an option.

Reporting Lost Cards
American Express. | 800/333-2639 in U.S., 715/343-7977 collect from abroad | www.americanexpress.com.
Diners Club. | 800/234-6377 in U.S., 303/799-1504 collect from abroad | www.dinersclub.com.
MasterCard. | 800/627-8372 in U.S., 636/722-7111 collect from abroad | www.mastercard.com.
Visa. | 800/847-2911 in U.S., 410/581-9994 collect from abroad | www.visa.com.

CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE

Germany shares a common currency, the euro (€), with 18 other countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 euros and coins of €1 and €2, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Many businesses and restaurants do not accept €200 and €500 notes. It is virtually impossible to pay for anything in U.S. dollars, but you should have no problem exchanging currency. The large number of banks and exchange services means that you can shop around for the best rate, if you’re so inclined. But the cheapest and easiest way to go is using your ATM card.

At this writing, the exchange rate was €0.88 for a U.S. dollar. But the exchange rate changes daily.

TIP Even if a currency-exchange booth has a sign promising no commission, rest assured that there’s some kind of huge, hidden fee. (Oh … that’s right. The sign didn’t say no fee.) And as for rates, you’re almost always better off getting foreign currency at an ATM or exchanging money at a bank.

PACKING

For visits to German cities, pack as you would for an American city: dressy outfits for formal restaurants and nightclubs, casual clothes elsewhere. Jeans are as popular in Germany as anywhere else, and are perfectly acceptable for sightseeing and informal dining. In the evening, men will probably feel more comfortable wearing a jacket in more expensive restaurants, although it’s almost never required. Many German women wear stylish outfits to restaurants and the theater, especially in the larger cities.

Winters can be bitterly cold; summers are warm but with days that suddenly turn cool and rainy. In summer, take a warm jacket or heavy sweater if you are visiting the Bavarian Alps or the Black Forest, where the nights can be chilly even after hot days. In Berlin and on the Baltic, it is windy, which can be quite pleasant in summer but a complete bear in winter. To discourage purse snatchers and pickpockets, carry a handbag with long straps that you can sling across your body bandolier style and with a zippered compartment for money and other valuables.

For stays in budget hotels, pack your own soap. Many provide no soap at all or only a small bar.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Visitors from the United States and Canada, including children, are required to have a passport to enter the EU for a period of up to 90 days. There are no official passport controls at any of Germany’s land borders, although random spot checks and customs checks are becoming more frequent. Most travelers will only show their documents on entering and leaving the EU. Your passport should be valid for up to six months after your trip ends or this will raise questions at the border. EU citizens can enter Germany with a national identity card or passport. Traveling with children can be problematic. Single parents traveling with their own children rarely face any hassle, but overzealous border guards have been known to ask children about their relationship with the other parent. If you are a parent or grandparent traveling with a child, it helps to have a signed and notarized power of attorney in order to dispel any questions.

RESTROOMS

Public restrooms are found in large cities, although you are not guaranteed to find one in an emergency. If you are in need, there are several options. You can enter the next café or restaurant and ask very politely to use the facilities. You can find a department store and look for the “WC” sign. Museums are also a good place to find facilities.

Train stations are increasingly turning to McClean, a privately run enterprise that demands €0.60 to €1.10 for admission to its restrooms. These facilities, staffed by attendants who clean almost constantly, sparkle. You won’t find them in smaller stations, however. Their restrooms are usually adequate.

On the highways, the vast majority of gas stations have public restrooms, though you may have to ask for a key—we won’t vouch for their cleanliness. You might want to wait until you see a sign for a restaurant.

Restrooms almost always cost money. It’s customary to pay €0.20-€0.70 to the bathroom attendant.

SAFETY

Germany has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. There are some areas, such as the neighborhoods around train stations and the streets surrounding red-light districts, where you should keep an eye out for potential dangers. The best advice is to take the usual precautions. Secure your valuables in the hotel safe. Don’t wear flashy jewelry, and keep expensive electronics out of sight when you are not using them. Carry shoulder bags or purses so that they can’t be easily snatched, and never leave them hanging on the back of a chair at a café or restaurant. Avoid walking alone at night, even in relatively safe neighborhoods. Due to increasing incidents of violence in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, use caution late at night in the subway.

When withdrawing cash, don’t use an ATM in a deserted area or one that is outside. It is best to avoid freestanding ATMs in subway stations and other locations away from a bank. Make sure that no one is looking over your shoulder when you enter your PIN. And never use a machine that appears to have been tampered with.

TIP Distribute your cash, credit cards, IDs, and other valuables between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pocket, and a hidden money pouch. Don’t reach for the money pouch once you’re in public.

Contacts
Transportation Security Administration (TSA). | www.tsa.gov.

TAXES

Most prices you see on items already include Germany’s 19% value-added tax (V.A.T.). Some goods, such as food, books, and antiquities, carry a 7% V.A.T. as a percentage of the purchase price. A physical item must cost at least €25 to qualify for a V.A.T. refund.

When making a purchase, ask for a V.A.T. refund form and find out whether the merchant gives refunds—not all stores do, nor are they required to. Have the form stamped like any customs form by customs officials when you leave the country or, if you’re visiting several European Union countries, when you leave the EU. After you’re through passport control, take the form to a refund-service counter for an on-the-spot refund (which is usually the quickest and easiest option), or mail it to the address on the form (or the envelope with it) after you arrive home. You receive the total refund stated on the form, but the processing time can be long, especially if you request a credit-card adjustment.

Global Refund is a Europe-wide service with 225,000 affiliated stores and more than 700 refund counters at major airports and border crossings. Its refund form, called a Tax Free Check, is the most common across the European continent. The service issues refunds in the form of cash, check, or credit-card adjustment.

V.A.T. REFUNDS AT THE AIRPORT

If you’re departing from Terminal 1 at Frankfurt Airport, where you bring your purchases to claim your tax back depends on how you’ve packed the goods. If the items are in your checked luggage, check in as normal, but let the ticket counter know you have yet to claim your tax refund. They will give you your luggage back to bring to the customs office in Departure Hall B, Level 2. For goods you are carrying on the plane with you, go to the customs office on the way to your gate. After you pass through passport control, there is a Global Refund office.

If you’re departing from Terminal 2, bring goods in luggage to be checked to the customs office in Hall D, Level 2 (opposite the Delta Airlines check-in counters). For goods you are carrying on the plane with you, see the customs office in Hall E, Level 3 (near security control).

At Munich’s airport, the Terminal 2 customs area is on the same level as check-in. If your V.A.T. refund items are in your luggage, check in first, and then bring your bags to the customs office on Level 04. From here your bags will be sent to your flight, and you can go to the Global Refund counter around the corner. If your refund items are in your carry-on, go to the Global Refund office in the customs area on Level 05 south. Terminal 1 has customs areas in modules C and D, Level 04.

V.A.T. Refunds
Global Refund. | 800/566-9828 | www.globalblue.com.

TIME

All of Germany is on Central European Time, which is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. Timeanddate.com can help you figure out the correct time anywhere.

Germans use the 24-hour clock, or “military time” (1 pm is indicated as 13:00), and write the date before the month, so October 3 will appear as 03.10.

Time Zones
Timeanddate.com. | www.timeanddate.com/worldclock.

TIPPING

Tipping is done at your own discretion. Theater ushers do not necessarily expect a tip, while waiters, tour guides, bartenders, and taxi drivers do. Rounding off bills to the next highest sum is customary for bills under €10. Above that sum you should add a little more.

Service charges are included in all restaurant checks (listed as Bedienung), as is tax (listed as MwSt). Nonetheless, it is customary to round up the bill to the nearest euro or to leave about 5%-10%. Give it to the waitstaff as you pay the bill; don’t leave it on the table, as that’s considered rude.

TRIP INSURANCE

Comprehensive trip insurance is valuable if you’re booking a very expensive or complicated trip (particularly to an isolated region) or if you’re booking far in advance. Comprehensive policies typically cover trip-cancellation and interruption, letting you cancel or cut your trip short because of illness, or, in some cases, acts of terrorism in your destination. Such policies might also cover evacuation and medical care. Some cover you for trip delays because of bad weather or mechanical problems as well as for lost or delayed luggage.

Another type of coverage to consider is financial default—that is, when your trip is disrupted because a tour operator, airline, or cruise line goes out of business. Generally you must buy this when you book your trip or shortly thereafter, and it’s available to you only if your operator isn’t on a list of excluded companies.

Always read the fine print of your policy to make sure that you’re covered for the risks that most concern you. Compare several policies to be sure you’re getting the best price and range of coverage available.

Comprehensive Insurers
AIG Travel Guard. | 800/826-4919 | www.travelguard.com.
Allianz Global Assistance. | 866/284-8300 | www.allianztravelinsurance.com.
CSA Travel Protection. | 800/873-9855 | www.csatravelprotection.com.
Travelex Insurance. | 888/228-9792 | www.travelexinsurance.com.
Travel Insured International. | 800/243-3174 | www.travelinsured.com.

Insurance Comparison Information
Insure My Trip. | 800/487-4722 | www.insuremytrip.com.
Square Mouth. | 800/240-0369 | www.squaremouth.com.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Staff at the smaller visitor information offices might not speak English. Many offices keep shorter hours than normal businesses, and you can expect some to close during weekday lunch hours and as early as noon on Friday. Almost all German cities and towns have an Internet presence under www.cityname.de, for example www.berlin.de. The Internet portal Deutschland.de has lots of information about the country’s best-known sights, as well as those that are often overlooked.

Contacts
Deutschland.de. | www.deutschland.de.
German National Tourist Office. | New York | 212/661-7200 | www.germany.travel.