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Germany Travel Guide
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Germany Climate and Weather
Coastal regions of Germany have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Inland, the climate is more continental with warmer summers and colder winters. The Alpine and upland regions have cooler weather and more rain. Rain can be expected throughout the country all year round.Germany Currency
Money: The unit of currency is the Euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents. ATMs and exchange bureaux are widely available. The major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in many large shops, hotels and restaurants, although Germans themselves prefer to carry cash. Travellers cheques are best cashed at exchange bureaux, as banks often won't change them. The quickest and most convenient way to change money is to obtain cash from one of the ATM machines that are ubiquitous features on all German streets. Banks are closed on weekends, but exchange bureaux at airports and main railway stations are open daily from 6am to 10pm.Currency Exchange Rates | |||||||
| EUR 1 = | US$ 1.45 | £ 0.69 | C$ 1.37 | A$ 1.56 | R 9.46 | EUR 1.00 | NZ$ 1.88 |
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Germany Health Overview
There are no serious health risks in Germany, although there have been recent outbreaks of measles in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia. An influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers from Novmeber through April. The German health service is excellent. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free medical and dental treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of other countries should take out medical insurance. Cases of bird flu have been reported throughout the country, but no human infections have been found. The deadly virus has also been found in cats. The risk is low for travellers to Germany, but all close contact with wild, caged or domestic birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution.Germany Passport & Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: US nationals require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.Entry requirements for UK nationals:UK nationals require a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days in six months if the passport is endorsed British Citizen, or British National (Overseas), or endorsed British Overseas Territories Citizen with the right of abode in the UK, or endorsed British Subject with the right of abode in the UK. If the intended stay exceeds 90 days, British Citizens can obtain a visa after arrival. In all other cases a visa is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians:Canadians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for Australians:Australians require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for South Africans:South African nationals require a valid passport and a Schengen visa, which must be obtained prior to departure.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:Irish nationals require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders:New Zealand citizens require a passport for travel to Germany. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days (per half year). If the stay exceeds 90 days, a visa can be obtained after arrival.
Passport/Visa Note:The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principal, allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Also required are onward or return tickets, sufficient funds to provide financial support, and documents for further travel. The German Border Police have reported an increase in the amount of passengers arriving at German airports with passports not containing the bearer's signature. Passports must be signed by the bearer otherwise they will be considered as inadmissible.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
Germany Basics
Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz. European-style two-pin plugs are standard.
Language: German is the official language. English is also widely spoken and understood.
Health: There are no serious health risks in Germany, although there have been recent outbreaks of measles in Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine Westphalia. An influenza vaccination is recommended for all travellers from Novmeber through April. The German health service is excellent. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to free medical and dental treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Nationals of other countries should take out medical insurance. Cases of bird flu have been reported throughout the country, but no human infections have been found. The deadly virus has also been found in cats. The risk is low for travellers to Germany, but all close contact with wild, caged or domestic birds should be avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes should be well cooked as a precaution.
Tipping: Some restaurant bills already have a service charge added, but if this is not the case add 5-10%. Hotel porters expect around EUR1, and cleaning staff, hairdressers, taxi drivers etc expect small tips.
Safety: A visit to Germany should be trouble free, but take normal precautions to avoid mugging, bag-snatching and pick-pocketing, especially at airports and railway stations in the large cities.
Customs: Visitors should carry passports with them at all times.
Business: In Germany, business is conducted in a very formal manner. A conservative, formal sense of dress is to be adhered to. Punctuality is vital at all meetings and it is considered rude to be late. Germans love titles; men are referred to as 'Herr' and women as 'Frau', followed by their last names until otherwise specified. Meetings are often purely business and may not occur over lunches, which are generally more social. Shaking hands at the beginning and end of the meeting is common. The exchange of business cards is common but there is no accompanying ritual. Decisions are often made behind closed doors. Business hours are generally 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken over lunch.
Communications: The international access code for Germany is +49. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Berlin is (0)30. Note that telephone numbers in Germany can range from four to nine digits. There are surcharges on international calls made from hotels; it is often cheaper to use public telephone boxes in post offices, which use phone cards. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.
Duty Free: Passengers arriving from non-EU countries can enter Germany without paying duty on 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g smoking tobacco, or a proportional mix of these products; 1 litre of spirits with 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages with alcohol content lower than 22% or sparkling, still or liqueur wines, or a proportional mix of these; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g coffee; and other goods to the value of EUR175 for personal consumption. Prohibited items include any poultry or pet birds from poultry and derived products coming from Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Germany Airports
Berlin Tegel Airport
Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) north west of the centre of Berlin.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 180 50 00 186.
Transfer to the city: The most convenient and cost effective way to get to and from the airport is by bus. They connect with the subway and overground train stations. Taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal, they take around 20 minutes to the city centre.
Car rental: Vehicle hire companies represented at the airport include Budget, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, National and Sixt.
Facilities: Facilities include banks, bureaux de change, ATMs, a post office, business centres and baby rooms. There are several shops, including duty-free, and a selection of restaurants. Disabled facilities are good; travellers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There are several long and short-term parking lots at the airport.
Departure tax: None.
Frankfurt Airport
Location: The airport is situated eight miles (13km) south west of the centre of Frankfurt.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)69 6900.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are connected by the Sky Line people mover.
Transfer to the city: Buses leave regularly for Frankfurt and other destinations from outside Terminals 1 and 2, tickets can be bought from the bus driver. Many hotels provide a free shuttle service to and from the airport. Rail connections are excellent; the airport has a station beneath Terminal 1, from which trains depart regularly to central Frankfurt, 24 hours a day. There is also a long-distance train station open between 5am and midnight, accessible from Terminal 1, from which Intercity and Eurocity trains depart. Taxis are available outside both terminals, the journey to central Frankfurt takes 20-30 minutes.
Car rental: Car hire companies represented in both terminals at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.
Facilities: Frankfurt Airport is one of the best-equipped airports in the world; it even offers a casino. There are numerous restaurants, shops, bars and cafes in both terminals, and banks, bureaux de change and ATMs are in both Arrivals and Departures. A business centre offers Internet, fax and secretarial facilities. Other facilities include a hairdresser, chapel and children's play areas. Disabled facilities are good; travellers with special needs should ideally contact their airline in advance.
Departure tax: None.
Hamburg Airport
Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) from Hamburg.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)40 5075-0.
Transfer to the city: The Airport Express runs frequent buses to the Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). The TRAVELPorter Airport transfer service provides a door-to-door service within the local area. Hamburg Bus Lines service the city centre and other suburban areas. Taxis are readily available outside all terminals, they take around 30 minutes to the city centre.
Car rental: Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Budget, National and Sixt are all represented in Terminal 2.
Facilities: There are several restaurants, shops, bars and cafes throughout the airport, as well as banks, currency exchange and ATMs in Terminals 1 and 2. There is wireless Internet access in all terminals. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Departure tax: None.
Munich International Airport
Location: The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) north east of the centre of Munich.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in April).
Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)89 975 00. Flight Information: +49 (0)89 975 213 13.
Transfer to the city: Frequent commuter trains run by day and most of the night to various Munich stations, including the main stations for connections to major European cities. Taxis are available, as are buses to many regional destinations and the main train station. It takes about 20 minutes by train and about 45 minutes by road to reach the city centre.
Car rental: Car hire companies represented include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.
Facilities: The airport has several restaurants and bars, duty free and other shops, shower facilities and a pharmacy. ATMs and currency exchange desks are available in Arrivals and Departures. Disabled facilities are good; passengers with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Departure tax: None.
Dusseldorf International Airport
Location: The airport is situated six miles (10km) north of Dusseldorf.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts: Tel: +49 211 4210.
Transfer to the city: There are plenty of transport options available at the airport, including taxis (which will cost around EUR20 to the city centre), limousines, local buses, a Skytrain Shuttle Bus, and the fast and efficient S-Bahn.
Car rental: Car rental companies at the airport include Alamo, Europcar, Hertz, National and Avis, among others.
Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMs, banks, a laundry, dental practice, restaurants, cafés, snack-bars, Wireless Internet access and baby-changing facilities.
Parking: Long and short-term, as well as valet parking, is available.
Departure tax: None.
Cologne-Bonn Airport
Location: The airport is located eight miles (12km) southeast of Cologne and 10 miles (16km) north of Bonn.Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 from March to October).
Contacts: Tel: +49 (0)22 0340 4001.
Transfer between terminals: The two terminals are linked by a walkway.
Transfer to the city: There are several transport options available, including taxis (which cost around EUR30 to Cologne and around EUR40 to Bonn), the local bus service, and the S-bahn.
Car rental: Car rental agencies at the airport include Budget, National, Hertz, Avis and Alamo, among others.
Facilities: Facilities at the airport include ATMs, left luggage, a dry cleaning service, shops and restaurants.
Parking: Long and short-term parking is available.
Departure tax: None.
