Travel Tips for Germany
Germany is situated in the heart of Europe. Starting in the north, there is the North Sea and the Baltic coastline and numerous islands. The adjoining plains are covered by hills and lakes and to the south are wooded highlands covered by great river valleys. Germany's southern border is defined by the mighty Alps.
The treasures and highlights of a centuries-old culture await you in all the regions of Germany: castles, palaces, cathedrals, cloisters and historic cities whose old burgher houses on winding romantic streets are surrounded by city walls with gages and turrets. And of course there is Berlin, Germany's capital.
- Climate
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- Germany has a predominantly moderate climate with a summer temperature of 70 F and an average winter temperature of 14 F to 32 F. Best months for outdoor swimming are June, July and August. Winter sports are enjoyed from December to March and until April in the Alps.
- Time
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- Germany is on Central European Time (CET) which is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
- Entering Germany
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- Required Documents: As a rule, for a U.S. citizen, only a valid passport is required to enter Germany. Residents of other nationalities please contact your nearest German Consulate. Children may either be included on their parent's passport or travel with their own passport. No passport photo is required for children under 10 years of age. For detailed information please contact your nearest diplomatic or consular representative of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Visas: In most cases no visa is required for those who intend to stay in the country for less than 3 months and do not plan to work.
- Health Requirements: No immunizations are currently required for visits to Germany.
- Animals: A health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in a period 12 months to 30 days prior to entry is required when you bring dogs and cats into the country. A notarized German translation of this certificate is also necessary.
- Currency Regulations: EURO, foreign currency and other forms of legal tender may be imported and exported from Germany in unlimited amounts.
- Required Documents: As a rule, for a U.S. citizen, only a valid passport is required to enter Germany. Residents of other nationalities please contact your nearest German Consulate. Children may either be included on their parent's passport or travel with their own passport. No passport photo is required for children under 10 years of age. For detailed information please contact your nearest diplomatic or consular representative of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Money
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- Coins: denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
- Bills: 5,10,20,50,100,200 and 500 EURO
- Coins: denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents
- Electricity
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- 220 volt, 50 cycles. Bring an adapter plug for use in electrical outlets as well as a transformer for electrical (except for dual-voltage) equipment.
- Postage
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- Post Offices: Usually open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday -Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. Railway and airport terminal post offices, found in all major cities are open weekdays until late evening. General delivery mail may be picked up upon presentation of a valid identity card or passport. Telegraphed money orders from abroad are paid in EURO.
- Letterboxes are easy to spot by their bright yellow color.
- Post Offices: Usually open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday -Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. Railway and airport terminal post offices, found in all major cities are open weekdays until late evening. General delivery mail may be picked up upon presentation of a valid identity card or passport. Telegraphed money orders from abroad are paid in EURO.
- Shops and Businesses
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- Hours: Although the hours shops and business are open vary from one state to another, retail stores are generally open from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Also shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday except for the first Saturday of the month when they may remain open until 4 p.m..
- Beauty Parlors: Usually closed on Mondays.
- Travel Agencies: Open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-12 noon on Saturday. Closed Sunday and holidays.
- Pharmacies: Open during normal business hours but all post locations of pharmacies which are open nights, Sundays and holidays.
- Banks: Open Monday-Friday 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m.; 2.30 p.m.-4 p.m. (Thursday 2.30 p.m.-5 p.m.). Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Money Exchanges: Located at airports, border crossing points and major railway stations. Hours are generally from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Theater Performances: Performances usually begin at 8 p.m. although longer shows may start as early as 7 p.m. Tickets for concerts, theater performances and other events are available at advance ticket offices and the theater box office.
- Holidays: Public holidays are January 1 (New Year's Day), Easter (Good Friday and Easter Monday), May 1 (Labor Day), Ascension Day (10 days before Pentecost), Whit Monday (day after Pentecost), October 3 (Day of German Unity), November 17 (Day of Prayer and Repentance), and December 25-26 (Christmas). In addition, the following holidays are observed in some German states only: January 6 (Epiphany), Corpus Christi (10 days after Pentecost), August 15 (Assumption), and November 1 (All Saint's Day).
- Hours: Although the hours shops and business are open vary from one state to another, retail stores are generally open from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Also shops are generally open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday except for the first Saturday of the month when they may remain open until 4 p.m..
