TRAVEL INFORMATION
GETTING AROUND IN GERMANY
From visa to voltage: Useful information and
important telephone numbers for travellers in Germany
Passports and visas: Foreigners need
a valid passport or passport replacement documents to enter Germany.
A valid identity card is sufficient for
nationals of most West-European
states. As a rule children require their
own travel documents. Citizens of
certain countries require a visa to
enter Germany. German diplomatic
missions (embassies and consulates)
provide more information.
→ auswaertiges-amt.de
By bus: Long-distance coaches are
likewise a good way to travel around
Germany. There are now more than
250 long-distance bus lines. Inter-city
options are particularly numerous,
with coaches serving every major German city. There are even stops for
long-distance coaches in some towns
with less than 10,000 inhabitants.
Eight large providers compete for customers in Germany. For information
on connections
→ busliniensuche.de
By air: Germany is served by more than → fernbusse.de
100 international airlines. The global
route network links 22 international
By car: Germany has an ultra-modern
airports in Germany with all regions of road network. Over 700 service stathe world. The largest airports are in
tions, petrol stations, motels and snack
Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Düs- stands are open around the clock on
seldorf. All airports have good links to the approx. 13,000 kilometre-long
the respective transport network.
motorway network. The following
→ frankfurt-airport.de
unleaded fuel types are available at
→ munich-airport.de
petrol stations: Super (95 octane),
→ dus.com
Super E10 (95 octane), Super Plus (98
octane), and diesel. There is no speed
By rail: Germany has an extensive rail limit on German motorways, unless
network of a good 33,000 kilometres speed limit signs dictate otherwise,
of track. Long-distance and local
but a general recommended speed of
transport systems are well coordinated 130km/h is in place. In built-up areas
and offer good connections. Every
the speed limit is 50km/h, and outday there are more than 250 direct
side such areas 100km/h. There are no
connections from Germany to around motorway tolls. It is compulsory to
120 European cities.
wear seat belts and children under
Deutsche Bahn AG hotline:
150 cm in height must use child seats.
Tel.: +49 18 06 99 66 33
Emergency or breakdown services can
→ bahn.com
be requested using SOS telephones
found along the motorways. The
major automobile clubs (ADAC, AvD)
provide information for car tourists.
ADAC breakdown service
Tel.: +49 18 02 22 22 22, → adac.de
AvD emergency phone number
Tel.: +49 80 09 90 99 09, → avd.de
Accommodation: All categories of
accommodation are available, from
private rooms to holiday homes to
luxury hotels. Standards are set and
are monitored also in the lower price
classes. Tourism associations and
tourist offices provide special accommodation directories.
→ germany.travel
Youth hostels: More than 500 youth
hostels in Germany are open to members of every youth hostel association
belonging to Hostelling International.
An international membership card is
available for a fee.
German Youth Hostel Association
Tel.: +49 52 31 74 01-0
→ djh.de
Money and currency: Legal tender is
the Euro (1 Euro = 100 cents). Cash
is available around the clock from
cash machines using an EC card or
international credit card; all major
credit cards are accepted. Stated
prices are inclusive of charges.
Emergency phone numbers:
Tel.: 110 for emergency services: police
Tel.: 112 for emergency services:
fire and ambulance services
Time zone: The time zone in Germany
is Central European Time (CET).
The clocks go forward by one hour between late March and late October
(summer time).
Electricity:
The voltage is 230 volts.