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Travel Essentials › Germany

Travel Essentials

Germany: What To Know Before You Go

Plugs: Types C and F (European two-pin), 230 V. Emergency: One number for everything 112, Police 110. Tipping: Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants and taxis, telling the server the total as you pay rather than leaving coins. Tap water: Generally safe to drink.

Open The Germany Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and F (European two-pin), 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: gov.uk

Tipping

Round up or add 5-10% in restaurants and taxis, telling the server the total as you pay rather than leaving coins.

Water And Health

Tap water

Generally safe to drink

Vaccines

Routine vaccines; hepatitis A for most travelers; hepatitis B for unvaccinated travelers under 60; tick-borne encephalitis for people with extensive exposure to ticks

Malaria

None

Checked 13 Oct 2026 against the official page: wwwnc.cdc.gov

Apps To Download Before You Go

• DB Navigator: Deutsche Bahn's app for tickets, platforms and delays on ICE and regional trains, and where the Deutschlandticket is loaded.
• Deutschlandticket: A monthly pass (about 63 euros) covering all local and regional public transport nationwide, sold via DB and city transit apps.
• FreeNow: The main taxi and ride app in German cities, working with licensed taxis; Uber and Bolt are also present.
• BVG Fahrinfo / MVV / HVV: Local transit apps for Berlin, Munich and Hamburg with ticket purchase and live departures.
• WhatsApp: The standard messenger, used by hosts and businesses alike.
• PayPal / girocard: PayPal is the top online payment method; in person, many smaller shops and restaurants still take only cash or German girocard, so carry euros.
• FlixBus: The German long-distance coach and train company offers cheap routes across the country and Europe.
• Tier / nextbike: E-scooter and bike-sharing apps found in most cities.
• Lieferando: Germany's dominant food-delivery app, ahead of Wolt and Uber Eats.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. A firm handshake with eye contact is standard; use last names and titles until invited to use first names, especially in business.

Punctuality. Being on time is important for both social and business occasions; arriving even a few minutes late without notice is considered impolite.

Rules and quiet hours. Sundays are quiet with most shops closed, and many residential areas observe quiet hours (Ruhezeit); jaywalking, even on empty streets, is frowned upon.

Safety And Scams

Germany has low violent crime and is very safe for tourists; pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and on public transit is the main risk.

Pickpocketing at landmarks. Crowded spots like Brandenburg Gate, Alexanderplatz, and Munich's Marienplatz or Oktoberfest attract pickpockets; keep bags zipped and in front of you.

Fake petitions or charity collectors. Someone asks you to sign a petition or donate to a 'charity', sometimes as a distraction for theft; politely decline and keep walking.

Unofficial taxi overcharging. Rare but possible; use metered taxis or apps like Uber/Bolt for transparent pricing.

Women travelers. Women travel very safely in Germany with rare street harassment; normal precautions on late-night transit are still sensible.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Safe

Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017 and Germany has strong anti-discrimination protections, making it one of the more LGBTQ+-friendly countries in Europe, though isolated incidents of harassment or attacks on pride events have occurred.

What Things Cost

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

Late spring (May-June) and early fall (Sep-Oct) bring mild weather and manageable crowds; summer is peak season with festivals, winter is cold but has Christmas markets.

Do You Need A Visa?

Germany visa requirements by nationality

Phrases

Basic German phrases · Basic Low German phrases · Basic Bavarian phrases

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