Praktisch · Kapitel 7
By the HolidayGenie editorial team ·
Entry, Money, Transport, Public Transport, Safety — all the basics.
Entry
EU and Schengen member. For EU citizens: identity card. For third-country nationals: passport, possibly Schengen visa.
Money & Payment
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Card payment is widespread, but cash is often preferred in restaurants and smaller shops
- ATMs available everywhere; Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse, Postbank in the standard network without fees for EU debit cards
- Tipping: 5-10% is common in gastronomy, not mandatory
Getting Around — Public Transport & Rail
Long-Distance Travel
The Deutsche Bahn (DB) connects all major cities with ICE and IC. Alternatives: Flixtrain. Discounted prices with early booking, BahnCard is worthwhile for multiple trips.
Local Transport & Germany Ticket
The Germany Ticket (€49 monthly, as of 2024/25) is valid nationwide on all local transport — in S-Bahn, regional trains, trams, buses. One of the biggest savings for travelers visiting multiple cities and regions.
City Public Transport
Every major city has a subway (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg), S-Bahn (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Rhine-Ruhr, Rhine-Main, Rhine-Neckar), trams, and buses. Day tickets from around €7, group tickets are often worthwhile.
Car
Many motorway sections have no speed limit (recommended speed 130 km/h). Environmental zones in many cities — green sticker (Euro-4 or better) is mandatory, also for foreign cars (can be ordered online).
Safety
Germany is considered a very safe travel destination. Main issue as everywhere in metropolises:
- Pickpocketing in Berlin, Cologne, Munich around tourist hotspots and main train stations
- Avoid specific train stations in big cities in the evening if traveling alone
- Keep a distance during demonstrations
- Bicycle theft is a reality in big cities — use a good lock
Health
- One of the best healthcare systems in Europe
- EU insured: EHIC card is sufficient for emergency treatment
- Emergency number 112 (fire/rescue), 110 (police)
- Pharmacies recognizable by the red "A" symbol
- Outside opening hours: emergency pharmacies (posted)
- Tap water is drinkable everywhere
Etiquette & Holidays
Etiquette
- Punctuality is taken seriously
- Greeting: handshake, say "Guten Tag" when entering small shops
- Shop opening hours: weekdays 8/10 am-8 pm, shorter on Saturdays, closed on Sundays (except bakeries, gas stations)
- Waste separation: 4-6 different bins — confusing for visitors
Holidays (nationwide, plus regional)
- January 1 (New Year)
- Good Friday & Easter Monday (varies)
- May 1 (Labor Day)
- Ascension Day & Whit Monday (vary)
- October 3 — Day of German Unity
- December 25/26 (Christmas)
- Regional: Corpus Christi, All Saints' Day, Reformation Day, Assumption Day
Useful Links
- German National Tourist Board: germany.travel
- Deutsche Bahn: bahn.de / bahn app
- Flixbus: flixbus.de
- Weather: dwd.de (German Weather Service)
- Emergency number: 112
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