Basic Information for Germany Vacations |
Basic information for Germany vacationsGetting Local Information
In almost every town in Germany, you could find a tourist office with friendly and efficient staff. Here, you could obtain large amounts of literature and local maps. The major cities share the same phone number for information. You will just have to dial the local code and followed by 19 433. You can also buy specialist cycling or hiking maps in the relevant regions.
Banking in Germany
Germany uses Euro (€) as its standard currency. Currency exchange facilities could be found in most banks, post offices and commercial exchange shops (Wechselstuben). The Deutsches Reisebank has many branches and you can find them in most main cities' railway stations and they will usually open daily, often until 10 or 11 pm. Basic banking hours in Germany are Monday to Friday (9am - noon & 1.30 - 3.30 pm). For Thursday, it is until 6 pm. Credit cards are rarely used, except for cash withdrawal from the ATMs which are extensively available.
Communications in Germany
The local post office are open on Monday to Friday (8 am - 6 pm & Sat 8 am - noon). Poste restante is available at the main post offices. If you need to phone abroad, you can do so from all payphones except those marked "National". Phonecards are widely available. Also in larger towns and cities, you can have internet access easily and many department stores also offer the facility but expect to pay between €3-4/hr.
Opening hours in Germany
Most shops usually open at 8.30 am and close around 6.30 pm on weekdays, 2 pm on Saturdays and all Sunday (except for bakers, who may open for a couple of hours between 11 am and 3 pm, petrol stations and train stations). Those smaller shops also close between noon and 2 pm. Exceptions are pharmacies and those shops found in and around train stations which will usually stay open late and at weekends. Museums and historic monuments are, with a few exceptions especially in Bavaria, closed on Monday. And most museums will offer entrance at half-price for students that produce valid ID and some even have a free entrance once a week.
What to do during an emergencies in Germany
Foreigners are usually treated with courtesy by the police (Polizei). It is very straightforward to make reports of thefts at the local police station, however, there will be a great deal of official procedures to go through. No doubt the level of theft especially in the eastern Germany has increased tremendously, as long as you take the normal precautions, that should minimize the risk. In Germany, doctors generally speak English. Pharmacies (Apotheken) are able to handle minor complaints and the staff will often speak English. In western Germany, international Apotheken could be found in most large towns who will be able to fill a prescription in English. |