Barrier-free travel

• When traveling by train, check Deutsche Bahn’s mobility service well in advance.
• For vacation planning, germany.travel provides information on accessible travel destinations.
• For accommodations, ask for specific details: steps, elevator, bathroom, door widths and parking space.

Best time to travel

• May, June and September are often particularly pleasant: mild to warm weather, long days and less crowds than in the main holiday season.
• July and August are warm and popular, but also the vacation season with higher prices and more activity, especially on the coasts, lakes and in the Alps.
• December is good for Christmas markets, short city trips and a wintry atmosphere.
• January to March are more suitable for museums, cities and winter sports regions; the weather can be gray, wet or cold.
• Book accommodation early for Oktoberfest, major trade fairs, public holidays and school vacations.

Climate

• Summers are usually mild to warm, with individual hot days above 30 degrees Celsius.
• Winters in the lowlands are often rather wet and gray; snow is possible there, but rather rare.
• The North and Baltic Seas are windier and somewhat more maritime, while winters in Saxony and the Alpine region are colder and snowier.
• Rain is possible all year round; a light rain jacket or umbrella is almost always worthwhile.
• For active travel in spring and fall, pack clothing in layers.

Hotels & special accommodations

• Bed and breakfasts and guesthouses are often smaller and more personal than hotels.
• Half board usually means breakfast plus dinner; full board means breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• A valid ID is required at check-in (usually from 4 p.m.) (also at hostels etc.).
• You can also find unique accommodations in castles, manor houses, or historic buildings; good places to start are germany.travel, regional websites such as Romantische Rhein, and hotel chains such as Romantik Castle Hotels.

Cheaper accommodation

• Hostels in cities are usually more relaxed, often have dormitories and are suitable for cooking for yourself or meeting new people.
• Vacation apartments and Airbnb are also inexpensive options. In the Alps, DAV huts are a good option for hiking fans.
• Shared rooms and furnished apartments are suitable for longer stays.
• Youth hostels are often well-organized and a good option for groups.
• Booking early and comparing online saves money.
• In addition to online platforms, local tourist information offices can sometimes also help with last-minute accommodation

Camping

• Book campsites in popular regions early in the high season.
• In the low season, check whether the sanitary facilities and reception are open.
• Outside of designated campsites, wild camping is prohibited with a few exceptions.
• Depending on the type of trip, a Camping Card International can offer discounts or additional benefits.

Savings opportunities

• An ISIC card and student ID can get you discounts at museums, on public transportation, for guided tours, and at tourist attractions.
• Airbnb, hostels and campsites are often cheaper than hotels.
• Pensioners and disabled people can also often get discounts with the appropriate ID.
• Many cities offer guest cards or city cards with public transport and discounts. Good if you are planning to visit lots of attractions.
• Drink tap water.
• Use ride-sharing services like BlaBlaCar, long-distance buses like FlixBus, or affordable train deals.
• Shop at discount stores (Aldi, Penny, Lidl,...) instead of supermarkets (EDEKA, Rewe,...).

Book tickets in advance

• The Reichstag Dome in Berlin: free admission, but advance registration and ID check are required.
• Neuschwanstein Castle: Interior tours are only available as scheduled guided tours; be sure to book early, especially in the summer.
• Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg: Booking a time slot often helps avoid long wait times.
• Popular museums and palaces: e.g., the Green Vault in Dresden, guided tours of Sanssouci, or major special exhibitions.
• Viewpoints and concerts: Be sure to check in advance for the Berlin TV Tower, Elbphilharmonie concerts, and popular shows.
• Major events: Soccer games, Oktoberfest tents, carnival grandstands, festivals, and special Christmas market tours can sell out quickly.

Power plug

• Many European two-pin plugs fit, but travelers from Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries usually need an adapter.
• Before traveling, check whether appliances support 230 V.

Telephone & Internet

• Example: 030 becomes +49 30 internationally.
• EU roaming is uncomplicated for many travelers from EU countries.
• You can often buy prepaid SIMs at the airport, in mobile phone stores, electronics stores, supermarkets or kiosks.
• In Germany, an identity check is required for activation, usually with a passport or ID card via Video-Ident, Post-Ident or directly in the store.
• As a foreign guest, it is often easiest to make a purchase in a mobile phone store because identity verification is supported there directly.

Time zone

• Winter time: CET / UTC+1.
• Summer time: CEST / UTC+2.
• The changeover usually takes place on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October.
• When it is 6:00 a.m. in Berlin in summer, it is 5:00 a.m. (-1 h) in London, 0:00 a.m. (-6 h) in New York and 12:00 a.m. (+6 h) in Beijing.

Customs & allowances

• From non-EU countries: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, provided you are at least 17 years old.
• From non-EU countries: 1 liter of spirits over 22% or 2 liters of alcohol up to 22%, plus 4 liters of non-sparkling wine and 16 liters of beer.
• Other goods, e.g. souvenirs or jewelry: up to 430 euros for air and sea travel, up to 300 euros for entry by land; 175 euros for travelers under 15 years of age.
• Cash of 10,000 euros or more must be declared in writing when entering the country from a non-EU country.
• Within the EU, other, usually significantly higher guideline quantities apply to privately brought alcohol and tobacco.

Borders & Schengen

• Nevertheless, always take your ID or passport with you.
• There are security checks at airports; passport controls depend on whether you are entering from the Schengen area or from outside.
• Police or customs checks can very rarely be carried out on buses, trains or cars, even within Germany.

Everyday traffic

• At intersections without signs or traffic lights, right before left applies.
• Pay particular attention to cyclists and pedestrians when turning.
• Turning right on red is only permitted if there is a sign with a green arrow and you also stop beforehand or check particularly carefully.
• Form an emergency lane in traffic jams on highways and multi-lane roads.
• Do not pick up your cell phone or cigarette while driving; set the navigation beforehand or use the hands-free system.

Flight

• Frankfurt and Munich are the largest German hubs.
• Many airports are well connected by S-Bahn, regional train or long-distance train; check travel times, especially for early flights.

Airports

Rail & public transportation

• In addition to Deutsche Bahn, private providers such as ODEG, Metronom, National Express or Länderbahn also operate; many connections are nevertheless integrated into the DB search.
• Punctuality in long-distance transport is a frequent point of criticism: in 2025, only around 60 percent of DB long-distance trains reached their destination on time.
• ICE, IC and EC are long-distance services; different tickets apply for these than for local services.
• Seat reservations are often optional for long-distance travel, but make sense for long journeys, vacation periods and weekends.
• 1. Class is significantly more expensive and usually not necessary for normal travel.
• Buy tickets before the start of the journey, online, in the app, at the ticket machine or at the travel center; tickets are not normally available on the train.
• Observe validation obligations if paper or strip cards are still available on site.
• There are often no ticket checks at the entrances, but sporadic ticket checks on the trains.

Train tickets & rail offers

• The inexpensive Deutschlandticket is valid throughout Germany on local trains, but not on ICE, IC or EC trains. It is a subscription ticket.
• Country tickets are usually valid for one day on regional trains and often on S-Bahn trains within a federal state or region, often for up to 5 people.
• Many regional tickets are only valid from 9 a.m. on weekdays, but often all day on weekends and public holidays; check details for each federal state.
• The Quer-durchs-Land ticket is valid throughout Germany on regional trains and S-Bahn trains, for up to 5 people, from 9 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends/holidays.
• Children up to the age of 5 travel free of charge and usually do not have to be specified; children from 6 to 14 travel free of charge on many DB offers, but must be entered when booking.
• A BahnCard 25 or BahnCard 50 is worthwhile for frequent use; there are attractive My BahnCard offers for young travelers under 27.
• The German Rail Pass can be interesting for travelers residing outside Germany if they are planning several train journeys in a short period of time.

Night trains & Rail Passes

• Book sleeper and couchette coaches early, as cheap seats can sell out quickly.
• Reservations or surcharges may be necessary for Rail Passes such as the German Rail Pass, Interrail or Eurail.

Ferries

• Kiel and Travemünde are important starting points for Scandinavia.
• Rostock and Sassnitz/Mukran on Rügen are relevant for Baltic Sea connections.
• You don't need a ferry for the islands of Rügen, Sylt and Fehmarn, but you do for most of the North Sea islands.

Roads & Driving

• In urban areas, the speed limit is usually 50 km/h without any other signage.
• Out of town, the speed limit for cars is often 100 km/h unless otherwise indicated.
• The following applies on highways: If no speed limit is displayed, there is no fixed maximum speed for cars; 130 km/h is then the recommended speed.
• Slower vehicles keep to the right; the left lane is mainly for overtaking.
• Overtaking is always on the left.
• In many cities, environmental badges are required for driving in environmental zones, otherwise you could be fined.

Driver's license, insurance & mandatory equipment

• Driver's license, vehicle documents and proof of insurance must be available for inspection.
• In the event of breakdowns, automobile clubs such as the ADAC or a cover letter from your own insurance company can help; some foreign automobile clubs have partner agreements.
• Rental cars in Germany often have manual transmission; automatic transmission should be booked deliberately.
• Minimum age, valid driver's license, credit card and deposit are usually required for rental cars.
• Well-known providers include Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Avis and Enterprise.
• A safety vest, warning triangle and first aid kit must be present in the car.
• Seat belts must be worn in all seats in the car.
• Children up to the age of 12 or under 1.50 m need a suitable child seat.
• Suitable winter tires are mandatory in winter road conditions.
• Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and passengers.

Environmental badge

• The environmental badge is not required for entry into Germany, but for designated environmental zones in which air pollution is to be reduced.
• A green sticker is practically required in most environmental zones. The car must meet certain emission standards in order to obtain a green sticker.
• You can obtain the sticker with the vehicle documents from registration offices, TÜV, DEKRA or many garages, for example.
• In the case of rental cars in Germany, the sticker is usually already present; in the case of rental cars from abroad or your own car, check beforehand.
• Without a valid sticker or exemption permit, you may be fined in low emission zones.

Refueling & rental car damage

• The usual fuels are petrol, Super E10, Super Plus and diesel; check beforehand which fuel your car needs.
• Many filling stations work like this: fill up first, then name the pump in the store and pay.
• Take detailed photos of the rental car on handover and return, including the rims, glass, roof edge and interior.
• Even small dents or scratches can be expensive or cause a dispute; check the insurance, excess and protocol carefully.

Cabs & transport services

• Official cabs are usually light beige and have a cab sign on the roof.
• The price is normally calculated using the taximeter; fixed prices or prices quoted in advance may be possible for apps, airport transfers or certain routes.
• Card payment is often possible, but not always a matter of course; ask before starting your journey.
• FREENOW, formerly mytaxi, is a popular cab app.
• Uber is available in some cities and can be cheaper; in Germany, however, licensed cab or rental car companies drive rather than private drivers as in some countries.
• Apps and transport services (e.g. Moia in Hamburg and Hanover) may be available depending on the city, but not everywhere.

Bicycle

• Bicycles need functioning brakes, bells, lights and reflectors.
• Cycle paths must be used if they are signposted accordingly.
• On country roads, bicycles usually ride on the normal road if there is no cycle path.
• Bicycles are subject to traffic rules such as right of way, traffic lights and right before left.
• Be careful with streetcar rails, especially if the rails are wet or at an angle.
• Depending on the train, transport association and federal state, taking bicycles on trains, subway or regional transport costs extra or is limited in time.

Buses, long-distance buses & carpooling

• FlixBus is the best-known long-distance bus company in Germany.
• Central bus stations are often located near the main station; in Berlin, however, the ZOB is located at the Funkturm/Messedamm and not at the main station.
• The Romantic Road Coach may be of interest for sightseeing tours.
• Depending on the route, international routes can also be operated by other providers.
• Carpooling services like BlaBlaCar are a good option if the times and meeting spots work out.

Money & Cash

• It still makes sense to have some cash with you.
• Visa and Mastercard are accepted in many places; American Express much less frequently.
• Debit cards often work well, but not every international debit card is accepted everywhere.
• The German Girocard is sometimes more readily accepted in small stores than credit cards.
• Maestro is being phased out; older Maestro cards may still work, but are no longer future-proof.
• Before ordering, briefly check whether the card is accepted.
• Tipping is voluntary and is often rounded up when paying or given in cash.

Withdraw money

• Cashback at the checkout usually only works from a minimum purchase and often only with certain cards.
• ATMs are often cheaper than independent machines in tourist locations.
• Always check fees and exchange rates before confirming.
• Your own bank may charge additional fees for foreign cards.

Credit cards & exchange rates

• When paying by card, settle in euros, not in the home currency, if the exchange rate offered is unfavorable.
• The European Central Bank publishes euro reference rates for informational purposes.
• Bureaux de change are available at airports and train stations, among other places, but they may have less favorable exchange rates or fees.

Usual opening hours

• Discounters often open between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., while supermarkets are usually open longer.
• Restaurants are often open between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., with breaks or days off depending on the establishment.
• Bars usually start in the evening, clubs often only from around 11 pm.
• Banks, small grocery stores and post offices usually have shorter opening hours than supermarkets.

Post & Stamps

• Postage rates may change from time to time; please check the current rates with Deutsche Post before shipping.
• Status 2026: Postcard within Germany 0.95 Euro.
• Status 2026: Postcard international, i.e. Europe and worldwide, 1.25 euros.

Vacations & Holidays

• Check school vacation schedules before booking, especially for family destinations and coastal regions; the KMK publishes school vacation schedules by state.
• Stores are usually closed on public holidays, bakeries may be partially open in the mornings.
• Public holidays also vary by state; this website, for example, provides an overview.
• Schools in all federal states have Christmas, New Year and Easter off. There are also 6 weeks of summer vacation, but at different times so that not everyone travels at the same time.

Pickpocketing

• Carry valuables close to your body and close your pockets.
• Do not leave cell phones and wallets visible on tables.
• Pay particular attention in crowds and when getting on and off the bus.

Hostels & lockers

• Lock up valuables or carry them with you.
• Save digital copies of important documents separately (in the cloud or mailbox).

Station district, Bars & Clubs

• At night it is better to use busy routes and take a cab or public transport if you feel unwell.
• Do not leave drinks unattended.
• Contact staff or police in case of problems.

Keep cycle paths clear

• Watch out for red or marked cycle lanes.
• Look for bicycles when getting off the bus, streetcar or cab.
• Pay particular attention in cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Münster or Freiburg.

Toilets

• There are simple free toilets on highways, but they are not always clean.
• Sanifair or service area toilets often cost around 50 cents to 1 euro; there is often a voucher.
• Have small change or card ready.
• In most private households, men are also expected to urinate sitting down!

Languages

• Regional dialects can be strong, for example in Bavaria, Saxony or the Palatinate.
• Sorbian is spoken in parts of Saxony and Brandenburg.
• Danish is spoken in Schleswig-Holstein, Frisian on the North Sea coast and Romani is spoken by some Sinti and Roma.
• The spread of many regional minority languages has declined sharply.

Entry & Visas

• EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can enter the country without a visa and require a valid passport or identity card; the document should be valid for at least the duration of the entry and stay.
• Many third-country nationals, including travelers from the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan and New Zealand, can often travel visa-free to the Schengen area for short tourist stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
• Other nationalities often require a Schengen visa in advance.
• If you move into an apartment in Germany, you normally have to register your place of residence with the Bürgeramt; this is usually not relevant for pure hotel or short stays.
• Always officially check passport validity and entry requirements before traveling.

Volunteering

• Clarify beforehand whether a visa, residence permit or work permit is required.
• Programs and platforms such as GoAbroad, Transitions Abroad or specialized volunteer service providers can serve as a starting point for your research.
• Au pair stays have their own rules, age limits, language skills and contract requirements.
• Reputable providers are transparent about costs, insurance, working hours, accommodation and contact persons.

Working in Germany

• Before starting work, non-EU citizens should check whether their residence permit allows them to carry out the specific activity.
• Tourist stays do not normally permit gainful employment.
• Internships, au pairs, mini-jobs or paid volunteering may also be subject to approval.

Visit to the doctor & costs

• EU/EEA citizens can often use the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and are treated similarly to those with statutory health insurance.
• Travelers with private or international health insurance, on the other hand, often have to pay medical costs themselves first and submit them later. The type of cover therefore determines whether the costs are settled directly via a health insurance fund or whether you have to pay in advance.
• Keep your insurance card, insurance number and ID card or passport to hand.
• If you have private international health insurance, check beforehand whether the insurance company will pay directly or whether you will pay yourself first and then apply for reimbursement later.
• Keep invoices, prescriptions, payment receipts and medical reports.

International health insurance

• Check whether return transportation and rescue costs are covered.
• Note exclusions for certain sports, outdoor activities or pre-existing conditions.
• Save the insurance emergency number offline.
• Keep your insurance number to hand.

Pharmacies & Medicines

• There is an emergency pharmacy service outside normal opening hours.
• Carry a sufficient supply of regularly required medication and, if necessary, a doctor's certificate.
• Pharmacies can also help with minor complaints or questions about medication, but they are not doctors' surgeries.

Further insurances

• Check liability insurance, especially for longer stays.
• Travel cancellation insurance can be useful for expensive trips.
• Also back up important documents digitally, for example in an email account or a cloud.

Internet access & WLAN

• Do not use public WLANs for sensitive logins without additional protective measures.
• Hotspot directories such as hotspot-locations.com can help with the search.
• An eSIM or prepaid SIM is worthwhile for longer trips if your roaming is expensive.

Alcohol & driving

• Drinking and driving can result in fines, points, a driving ban and insurance problems.
• Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.5 or more is prohibited, but it is also prohibited at lower levels if you are driving unsafely or cause an accident.
• In the event of an accident or conspicuous driving, even low values can become relevant.
• One beer (0.5 l) leads to approx. 0.3-0.5 per mille, depending on weight and gender.

Cannabis & other drugs

• Do not import cannabis across borders into Germany.
• Consumption in the vicinity of schools, playgrounds and certain public places is restricted.
• The THC limit for driving is 3.5 ng/ml in the blood serum; mixed consumption with alcohol is prohibited.
• Practical safety distance: it is better not to consume for at least 24 hours before driving; THC can be detectable for longer with regular consumption.
• Other drugs remain illegal.

Smoking

• Pay attention to signs and designated smoking areas.
• Rules may vary depending on the federal state and type of locality.
• E-cigarettes can also be covered by house rules or smoking bans.
• Unfortunately, people still smoke in many clubs and bars.
• Smoking is still widespread in Germany: Around 20-25% of adults smoke regularly.

Drones

• Drone liability insurance is a key issue in Germany and should be clarified before the flight.
• Do not fly near airports, crowds, places of use or sensitive areas.
• Check official charts and rules before the flight.

Fishing

• Some federal states (e.g. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein) offer tourist or short-term fishing licenses
• In addition, you always need a permit for the specific body of water you want to fish.
• Ask the local fishing club, tourist information office or the responsible authority.
• Catch-and-release can also be legally problematic.
• Observe closed seasons and minimum sizes.

Traffic rules & speed limits

• The speed limit in urban areas is usually 50 km/h, but often also 30 km/h.
• Outside built-up areas, 100 km/h often applies if nothing else is signposted.
• The following applies on highways: If no speed limit is displayed, there is no fixed maximum speed for cars; 130 km/h is then only the recommended speed.
• If you are driving slower, keep to the right as far as possible; the left lane is primarily intended for overtaking.
• Overtaking is always on the left.
• It is forbidden to pick up your cell phone while driving; set the navigation before starting the journey or use the hands-free system.

LGBTIQ+ travel

• Same-sex marriage is permitted in Germany.
• Large cities are usually more visible and better connected.
• For app dates, pay attention to public meeting places, your own gut feeling and a trusted person.
• In the event of discrimination or violence, contact the police or counseling centers.

Castles, cathedral & language

• Depending on how you count, there are around 20,000 to 25,000 castles, palaces and manor houses in Germany.
• After its completion in 1880, Cologne Cathedral was the tallest building in the world at around 157 m; it retained this title until 1884.
• The German language allows the creation of compound words, e.g. "Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän"

Oktoberfest, beer & gummy bears

• The Oktoberfest in Munich is considered the largest folk festival in the world.
• There are around 1,500 breweries and around 5,000 different types of beer in Germany.
• The cuckoo clock is closely associated with the Black Forest, where an important clock industry developed from the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Gummy bears come from Germany: Haribo was founded in Bonn; the name stands for Hans Riegel Bonn.
• Germany is one of the most travel-friendly nations in the world: Germany regularly ranks among the world's top 3 largest tourist destinations.
• Germans prefer to go on vacation in Germany, followed by Spain, Italy, Greece, Austria and Turkey.

Inventions & Company

• Konrad Zuse's Z3 from 1941 was built in Berlin and is often regarded as the first functional, program-controlled digital computer.
• The modern Christmas tree is often associated with Germany; the tradition of decorated Christmas trees spread from German-speaking regions to other countries.
• Germany is known for its many "hidden champions" - medium-sized companies that are global leaders in very specific niche markets (e.g. mechanical engineering, specialty chemicals or precision technology).
• Global brands with German roots include Adidas, BMW, Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and Volkswagen.
• SAP, Telekom, Bayer, Teamviewer, Infineon, Lufthansa, Allianz and many other large companies also have their headquarters in Germany.
• Well-known food brands with German roots include Haribo, Ritter Sport, Milka, Dr. Oetker, Knorr, Maggi, Bahlsen and many more.

Highway, migration & global role

• More than 50% of the highway network has no fixed speed limit.
• According to the OECD, Germany became the largest DAC donor of official development assistance (ODA) for the first time in 2025, just ahead of the USA. In the case of purely humanitarian aid, the ranking may look different depending on the data source.
• Germany is one of the most important immigration countries in the OECD area after the USA; in terms of the number of migrants living in the OECD area, Germany is in second place behind the USA.
• Rama X, the King of Thailand, has spent considerable time in Bavaria over the years and continues to do so.