Germany – 20 things to know before you visit

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Visiting Germany

There are such a wide range of experiences to enjoy when you visit Germany.  Quaint villages to explore, culture to experience, history to discover and good food and wine to sample.  There are a few things we have learned on our travels that may save you time, money and make your trip more enjoyable the next time you visit Germany.

We found Lonely Planet Germany (Travel Guide) very useful when planning our trip to Germany.

Language.

• English is spoken in the major towns, however it would be useful to have a little German if visiting the more rural areas. Book in for a travel German class before you leave – it is not only fun, but may just help you when you visit Germany.
• Lonely Planet German Phrasebook & Dictionary available from Amazon can be useful for your trip to Germany

Money

• The Euro is the currency in Germany.  Either purchase your cash before you leave or load onto a travel card. Changing currency at the airport can be hugely expensive.
• Credit cards are not widely accepted outside major hotels.  Debit Mastercards and travel cards are widely accepted.
• Expect to tip 5-10% in restaurants, bars and hotels.
• Most major centres offer tourists a “Welcome Card”, which you can apply for online before you leave. This will provide you with discounts on local transport and entry into attractions. Hop onto the website of the centre you are visiting for more info.

Transport

• Deutsche bahn provide a fast rail network to most major centres and is a relatively quick way to travel between towns.
• An interrail pass can be purchased online and can provide you up to 15 per cent on fares.
• Coaches run between most major centres and can provide a relaxed way to enjoy the country side. We travelled from Berlin to Munich, with a two day stopover in Dresden and then Prague using the Flixbus system.
• If breaking a bus journey, do double check your pick up station. We were unaware that like airlines, the companies will merge two half full buses into one.  This meant the second leg of our Prague-Munich trip did not leave from our drop off station.
• If you are confident driving on the right hand side of the road, a hire car can be a great way of enjoying a self drive trip and the local scenery. This will enable you to stop whenever something looks interesting.
• There are no speed limits on parts of the autobahn. Keep right, and take great care when overtaking – and do so very quickly.
• Munich and Frankfurt are the major airport hubs. Do some research when planning your trip as fares from Australia to each of these airports can vary widely.

Food and Drink

• Beer is of course the national drink in Germany.  Ian has purchased a beer in the chemist, in the supermarket, at a service station and at a railway station while in Germany.  Just because he could.
• The legal drinking age in Germany is 16. If you are travelling with a teenager, you may need to have a discussion before you go.
• Beer halls in and around Munich are a great way to experience some local food and culture. Just be aware the servings are very large.
• Schnitzel in Germany is pork. Chicken or beef schnitzel is unheard of.
• Potatoes are the other staple. They can be served in many ways, as chips, baked whole, peeled into strips and deep fried and as dumplings – one of my favourites.
• Some of the best German food you will eat will be from street vendors, currywurst, bratwurst, dumplings and fish on a stick are all worth trying.

General

• • Most shops and many attractions will be closed on Sundays. It is worth doing some research on any attractions you particularly wish to see when planning your itinerary.
  • Free public toilets are not readily available in Germany. Make sure you have a few euros on hand in case you need to “spend a penny”

Read also: Budget for two weeks in Germany
Two weeks in Germany itinerary
Summer packing list for Germany