Before You Book

PREPARING TO GO TO GERMANY

CAPITAL

Berlin

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

German

RELIGION

Christianity is the largest religion in Germany, at an estimated 58.3% of the country's population in 2016. The two largest churches of the country are the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), a Protestant confederation of United Protestant (Lutheran & Reformed), Lutheran, and Reformed churches. Together, both churches claim 55% of the population in 2016, of which 28.5% belonged to the Catholic Church and 26.5% to the Evangelical Church. In 2015, the Orthodox Church constituted 2% of the population and other minor Christian churches, many of them being Evangelical Protestant, formed 1.5%.

About 35% of the country's population are not affiliated with any church or religion, and a minority adhere to other religions. The second largest religion in Germany is Islam, with between 2.1 and 4.7 million adherents (2.6% to 5.7%). Smaller religious groups (less than 1%) include Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

ELECTRICITY

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Germany (Deutschland) are one of the two European standard electrical socket types:

The "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug &“Type E" European CEE 7/4 and "Type F" CEE 7/5 Schuko

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Germany (Deutschland) usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220 - 240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

A valid passport is required by all nationals. All Passengers are responsible for securing proper documentation prior to joining the tour. Please ensure that passport/s are valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the intended date of return and contain between 2-6 blank “Visa” pages. You should have at least two free pages in your passport. Please access the Travel & Visa Requirements Section on the top of this page for the latest visa entry requirements for the country/ies you are visiting. Passports are required; in addition, travelers are also advised to check with local consulates for full details regarding visa requirements. Please note securing a valid visa for entry is the sole responsibility of the traveler.

CURRENCY INFORMATION:

Since 2002, Germany’s official currency is the Euro (pronounced in German like OY-row). It is among 19 Eurozone countries that use this currency. The symbol is €. The code is EUR.

The euro is divided into 100 cents and are issued in €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, and tiny 1c denominations. Banknotes are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 domination. Coins feature designs from each of the member countries, and banknotes picture typically charming European doors, window and bridges as well as a map of Europe.

Credit Cards:

Germany is a predominantly cash-focused country. Credit cards are widely accepted, although paying with credit cards is not as common. Especially, if you are from the UK or North America it is important to know that smaller shops, such as bakeries, butchers, news agents, etc. only accept CASH or the German EC card (a bank card). It is always a good idea to check before you buy or sit down to a meal to ensure which type of payment is accepted or that your particular brand is readily accepted (American Express can be a problem). Be aware the American Express Card is rarely accepted even by banks. Most stores and restaurants will display the logos of the brands they accept on their door(s).

Visa and MasterCard are the most widely-used cards. Nearly all hotels and popular tourist locations will accept these cards. You’ll have a more difficulty if you’re using Discover or American Express.

ATM:

The quickest, easiest and usually cheapest way to exchange money is to use an ATM, called Geld automat in German.

ATMs are plentiful in Germany, and the good news is that they are multi-lingual. Your Visa or debit card should be accepted without problems. Some banks have partner agreements with other banks, such as Deutsche Bank and Barclay’s. This will save you withdrawal fees when you’re taking out money. Check for partner agreements with your local bank before you travel. Also, big cities will have branches of major banks (e.g. Citibank) that may help you to get money with lower fees. Try to use main bank branches if possible. ATMs at railway stations or convenience stores may charge extra.

Before you depart, make sure you know your 4-digit PIN number. Also ask your bank if you have to pay a fee for international withdrawals and how much you can withdraw daily. It can also be helpful to inform your bank of your movements so foreign withdrawals do not raise suspicion.

Banking hours:

The following information is based on the average bank opening hours in Germany. There may, however, be differences from bank to bank.

Banks are generally open:

Monday to Friday

• Open from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm
• Open from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm or 4:00 pm
• Thursday afternoons 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm.

Afternoon closing time depends on the individual bank or branch. If you are staying uptown, banks there might be closed in the afternoon, so going there in the morning will be the safest option.

Currency exchange:

At the airport, train station (bahnhof), or at your hotel, you’ll also find currency exchange desks. These stations are convenient, but they often mark up the exchange rate and charge hidden fees so it’s best to avoid them, if at all possible. If you do have to use them, however, make sure not to give them torn or damaged bills, as the merchant might not accept them.

COMMUNICATION & EMAIL

Telephone

National Emergency is 112

National Enquiries is 118

International Enquiries is 171

Pre-paid Calls is 172

Germany Police is 110

Public phones operate mostly by phone card, which can be purchased in the amounts of 5, 10, and 20 Euros at newsstands, bookstores, and other small shops. As most people use cell phones these days, public phones are becoming increasingly sparse.

German phone numbers consist of an area code, starting with 0, and the local number. Area codes are between three and six digits long; local numbers, between three and nine digits. If dialling from a landline within the same city, you don’t need to dial the area code. You must dial it if using a mobile.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones operate on GSM900/1800. If you have a European or Australian phone, save money by slipping in a German SIM card. German mobile numbers begin with a four-digit prefix, such as 0151, 0157, 0170, 0178. Mobile (cell) phones are called Handys’. If your home country uses a different standard, you’ll need a multiband GSM phone while in Germany. Check your contract for roaming charges.

If you have an unlocked phone that works in Germany, you may be able to cut down on roaming charges by buying a prepaid, rechargeable local SIM card for €10, including calling time. The cheapest and least complicated of these are sold at discount supermarkets, such as Aldi, Netto and Lidl. Telecommunications stores (eg. Telekom, O₂ and Vodaphone) also sell SIMs. Top-up cards are widely available in kiosks and supermarkets. If you want to purchase an inexpensive unlocked phone, try the electronics chains Media Markt and Saturn. Prices start at €20. Calls made to a mobile phone are more expensive than those to a landline, but incoming calls are free.

Phonecards

Public pay phones are becoming increasingly rare and only work with Deutsche Telekom (DT) phonecards, available in denominations of €5, €10 and €20 at DT stores, post offices, newsagents and tourist offices. Calling internationally from pay phones is expensive.

For long-distance or international calls, prepaid calling cards issued by other companies tend to offer better rates than DT’s phone cards, although they may charge a per-call connection fee. Read the fine print on the card itself. These cards are widely available at newsagents and telephone call shops. They work from any phone.

Internet

Some cafes and bars have wi-fi hot spots that let laptop-toting customers hook up for free, although you usually need to ask for a password. Many hotels have an internet corner for their guests, often at no charge. Note that in some properties, wi-fi access may be limited to some rooms and/or public areas.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

In the north is a lowland plain. In the centre is a region of uplands comprised of low mountains, river valleys and basins which lie between the latitude of Hannover and Berlin in the north, and Frankfurt in the south. Farther south is a mountainous region. Germany’s climate is influenced by air masses from Russia in the northeast, and winds from the Atlantic in the west. Seasons such as summers and winters can differ greatly from year to year, depending on which influence is dominant. The two influences cause weather that can change day to day.

Best time to visit: May to October.

We have split Germany’s weather into two regions, the northern lowlands, and the central and southern hilly region. See weather tables: Northern lowlands include Hamburg and Berlin. Central includes Frankfurt. Southern hilly region includes Munich.

December to February: Winter. In the north, it is rainy with cold easterly winds that blow from Russia. In the south, winters are cold, particularly January, especially the southeast near the Bavarian Alps. Munich is the gateway for the Alps, a popular skiing area.

March to May: Spring. Can be wet or dry, cold or warm. In the south in the Alps region a warm, dry wind, the föhn, brings clear skies and rising temperatures to 20°C (68°F) and higher. This is the result of wind from the Mediterranean rising over the Alps and flowing down the northern slopes, warming quickly as it does so.

June to August: Summer. Moderately warm. Cool, rainy days are possible, even in July and August. Summers are rainier than winters; expect afternoon downpours. The Alps especially can be very wet. The sunniest areas are in the south such as Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

September to November: Autumn. Can be drizzly or dry, cold or warm. In the south in some years, an Indian summer is experienced, in which warm temperatures extend into early winter. The föhn, wind from the south, can blow in autumn as it does in spring.

Frankfurt, central Germany: Altitude 103m (338ft)

Berlin, northern Germany: Altitude 58m (190ft)

Hamburg, northern Germany: Altitude 15m (49ft)

Munich, southern Germany: Altitude 447m (1467ft)

MEAL COSTS

Restaurant                                                                                           Cost

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant                                                -            10.00 €

Meal for 2 people, mid-range Restaurant Three-course             -            45.00 €

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)                  -            7.00 €

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)                                           -            3.50 €

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)                                            -             3.00 €

Cappuccino (regular)                                                            -             2.65 €

Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)                                                 -             2.08 €

Water (0.33 liter bottle)                                                        -             1.70 €

FOOD & DRINKS

Specialities:

Bratwurst:   Grilled sausage typically made from a combination of pork, beef and/or veal.
Eisbein mit sauerkraut:  A cured and boiled leg of pork accompanied by mashed potatoes.
Schwäbische maultaschen:  A large savoury meat-stuffed ravioli from Stuttgart.
Butterbrez’n:  A soft pretzel sliced in two and slathered with butter.
Käsespätzle:   Hot egg noodles tossed with cheese.
Eintopf:   A hearty, warming stew made by cooking vegetables, pulses and meat in a broth.
Eierpfannkuchen:  Pancakes commonly served with jam and sprinkled sugar, fruit or cream.
Schwarzwälder kirschtorte: Black Forest gateau, a cake with layers of chocolate sponge, cherries and whipped cream and                                                                             lashings of cherry liqueur.
Lebkuchen:  Gingerbread biscuits typically eaten around Christmas.

National drinks:

Ebbelwoi: An apple wine from Hessen.

Schnapps:  Clear fruit-flavoured brandies available in hundreds of varieties.

Kirschwasser:   A colourless cherry-flavoured spirit that originates from the Black Forest region.

Bier:  There are literally thousands of varieties of German beer on offer, from Weissbier (a cloudy light-coloured wheat brew) to Kölsch (a top-fermented beer brewed exclusively in the Cologne region) to Altbier (a dark copper coloured pour most popular in Düsseldorf).

SUGGESTED TIPPING SCALE

Tipping in Germany is not as common as it is in North America, but there are still times when an extra euro goes a long way in showing gratitude, especially for exceptional service.

Service and VAT are included in the menu price in restaurants, bars, etc. all over Germany. Still, it is typical to “round up” the amount to some more-or-less round figure. A rule of thumb is to add 5-10%, generally ending with a full Euro amount.

The amounts below are simply suggestions based on what is considered standard practices for different services:

Restaurant Servers: Service is typically included in the final bill (marked as Bedienung), but you can leave something extra if your expectations were exceeded. Simply tip 10 to 15 percent of the total or round up to the closest euro. Tip in cash versus on a credit card and do not leave your tip on the table.

Bartender: It is not necessary to tip, but you can round up to the nearest euro when paying for drinks.

Taxis: A tip isn’t expected, but you can round up to the nearest euro or give 10 percent for exceptional service, such as helping