General information
FAST FACTS
Currency and cash machines
Germany is a founding member of the European Union (EU) and uses the euro as its official currency. Euro banknotes are issued in €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 denominations. Denominations of euro coins are €2, €1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.
You can withdraw money from a Geldautomat (ATM) at major train stations, airports, large shopping centres, and inside and outside banks. Apart from debit cards, VISA and Mastercard credit cards are the most widely accepted cards in Germany.
Since not all places accept card payments, it is advisable to always have some cash on hand.
Visas and passports
Since Germany is a member state of the EU and of the Schengen area, many tourists do not require a visa. For EU citizens, a valid ID card is required, whereas overseas tourists must present a valid passport.
For more detailed information about visa requirements for entering Germany, please click here.
Climate
Germany is situated in the temperate, rainy climate zone of the mid-latitudes. While summers in Germany are generally warm and sunny and temperatures can reach the high twenties (°C), some thunderstorms can be expected. The average rainfall in the summer is a whopping 76.8 mm per month.
You can click here for the most up-to-date weather forecast in Germany.
Electricity
The standard voltage in Germany is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. Electrical sockets take standard European two-pin plugs. Attendees from the UK, North America and elsewhere should bring adaptors for plug Type C or F. In Germany, adaptors can be purchased at most supermarkets, the main train station or the airport.
More information about travel adaptors can be found here.
Tipping
Tips are welcomed by staff in the tourism industry. It is common practice to tip 5%–10% of the bill if the service has been satisfactory.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in enclosed public places.
TRAVELLING TO GERMANY
Train and coach
Attendees who live in Europe might want to consider travelling to Germany by train or coach for environmental reasons. The following websites can help you find a suitable connection:
Train: www.bahn.com | www.raileurope.com | www.thetrainline.com
Coach: global.flixbus.com | www.omio.com | www.busradar.com
Plane
Berlin Brandenburg Willy Brandt Airport is the city’s international airport. It serves more than 140 destinations in 49 countries.
There are a variety of transport options from the airport to the city. Look at the airport’s website for more information.
GETTING AROUND GERMANY
Car
Owing to environmental concerns and traffic congestion, it is advisable to use the subway (U-Bahn), tram (Straßenbahn), rail (S-Bahn) or bus to get around in Berlin. If you are travelling by car, please note that parking spaces are often in high demand and can be difficult to find.
Subway
The U-Bahn is a popular public transport option in Berlin. With its ten lines, the subway in Berlin runs along a network of approximately 146 km and 173 stations. Most subway lines operate underground, but some run on above-ground tracks. The U-Bahn is known for its yellow-coloured trains.
The Berlin subway has an open ticketing system. Passengers are obliged to buy and validate a ticket before entering the subway platform. Transport tickets can also be purchased online at bvg.de.
Buses and trams
During the daytime, the 100 to 399 bus lines connect the suburbs with central Berlin and many S-Bahn and subway stations. The buses often cover routes that are not covered by other means of public transportation. There are also night bus lines that are marked with the letter “N” and operate all night, when the subway and trams are not in service.
The S-Bahn in Berlin covers 15 lines and almost 170 stations. On weekdays, the S-Bahn starts running at around 4:30 a.m. and stops service at 1:30 a.m. Depending on the time of day, S-Bahn trains run at 5-, 10- or 20-minute intervals. On weekends, S-Bahn trains run for 24 hours each day, running at night at 30-minute intervals.
S-Bahn stations can be easily identified by the green and white “S” symbol. Passengers are obliged to buy and validate a ticket before boarding a bus or a tram.
More information about transport in Berlin can be found here.