Everything You Need to Know for a Glorious Germany Trip
I think Germany is one of the more underrated countries in Western Europe. With tons of friends and family there, I got to immerse myself in the German culture even more on my second trip. Its an amazing place with so much history, epic castles, and of course lots and lots of beer. We traveled across the country to various cities learning the dos and don’ts from the locals. Here’s the essential tips from our experience to prepare you with everything you need to know before visiting Deutschland!
Top German Tips:
- Outlets – Power outlets operate on a 230V supply voltage, so bring a type C or F to charge your devices.
- Water – Typically, water is not automatically served at a restaurant and must be paid for by the bottle. Also be sure to ask for still water since sparkling water is popular in Europe.
- Tap Water – Fortunately water around the country is delicious straight from the tap. I recommend bringing a water bottle and filling up for free before an epic day of sightseeing.
- Public Restrooms – While searching for public bathrooms in Germany, be prepared to pay 1 or 2 Euros to enter. It’s always a good idea to keep some change around.
- Traditional Germany – Traveling around the country might leave you surprised at how much the culture differs from each region. Traditional German food, folk music, and outfits (lederhosen & dirndls) are exclusively worn in the southern Bavarian regions, while Northern cities like Berlin are much more modern and culturally diverse.
- Tipping – Tipping at restaurants isn’t as intense as the US, so 5% is commonly used and 10% for excellent service if you’re feeling generous.
- Cash – Despite being surrounded by modern advancement, I was surprised by how many vendors did not accept credit cards. Even in big cities there were instances where they only accepted cash so be sure to always have some spare Euros.
- Subway Tickets – The U-bahn (underground) and S-bahn (above ground) comprise the inner city subway systems. After purchasing a ticket, be sure to validate it with a stamping device before boarding the train to avoid fines.
- ICE Trains – The Inter City Express trains are excellent for traveling between cities across Germany quickly. Be sure to book tickets online far in advance to get the best rates.
- Train Delays – It is not a rare occurrence for trains to be delayed. Take the extra time to account for possible late trains to avoid ruining your schedule. If you miss a connecting train, your ticket can be used on a similar train, just explain how your train was delayed.
- Bier – Of course you can’t visit Germany without tasting some of the delicious beer they are so proud of. Just be aware it usually served in a half or full liter (ein mas)! Due to German purity laws, beers will only consist of the simple ingredients of water, barley malt and hops but everything will be high quality. Prost!
- Souvenirs – The handmade steins are some of the fanciest souvenirs to be found in Germany. Avoid the crowded shops in Downtown Munich as they are often over priced. We found the best price to size cups inside the Oktoberfest area.
- Oktoberfest – Speaking of Oktoberfest, just keep in mind the grand festival starts in mid September! We’ll be doing an in-depth guide to Oktoberfest in another post to prepare you for everything you’ll need.
- Walking Beer – One of the most liberating things in Germany is being able to drink a beer while walking down the street. Take advantage of the cheap drinks inside convenient stores and grab a Wik bier (walking beer) as you head to your next bar.
- Weather – The seasons in Germany are generally temperate, with warm summers around 70 degrees F and cold winters averaging around 30 degrees F. Winter offers the illustrious Christmas Markets, while Fall has the legendary Oktoberfest, and there are lots of outdoor festivals during the summer.
- Punctuality – One of the prominent characteristics of a German include punctuality. Regardless of all the relative perceptions of time from across the globe, it is better to arrive early or exactly on time when meeting with other Germans or for a tour.
- German Disposition – Despite all the stereo types of German rudeness, Germans are some of the friendliest, down to Earth people you’ll ever meet. It may take a bit to become comfortable at first, but everyone we encountered has been very caring and welcoming.
- The Autobahn – Those renting a car can drive on the world famous highways containing sections with no speed limits. These limitless roads are marked by a circular sign with 4 black lines thru it. While most of the highways are about 80 mph, it’s always best to immediately move back to the right lane after passing.
- Major Cities – For first time visitors that have no idea where to start, You may want to consider the following major cities; Munich for the Oktoberfest and traditional atmosphere, Berlin for insane nightlife and diverse culture & history, Nuremburg for medieval villages and historical sights, or Hamburg for it’s decorative Christmas Markets. Of course there are many charming villages and vibrant towns all in between so you might have to plan more than one trip!
- German Phrases – Luckily, Almost everyone besides locals in small villages speaks English so it is easy to navigate without knowing any German. However, it’s always a good idea to know at least a few survival words in the native language. Here’s a few of the most useful phrases to get you by:
- Hallo – hi
- Danke schön – Thank you very much
- Ja – yes
- Nein – no
- Ich Verstehe kein Deutsch – I don’t understand German
- Sprechen sie Englisch – do you speak English?
- Auf Wiedersehen – good bye
- Prost! – Cheers!
- Wo ist die Toilette? – Where is the Bathroom?
- Bitte – Please
- Entshuldigung – Excuse me
- Geil! – Awesome
And there you have the top tips for a smooth voyage through Germany! I have visited twice already and there is still so much left to explore but hopefully these tips will help prepare you for what to expect. Germany is filled with tons of rich culture, historical sights, and lots of medieval castles and villages to explore! It remains one of my favorite countries in Europe (only behind Italy). Stay tuned for more amazing travel adventures to some of the best German cities around. Until then, thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
Here’s our German travel tips vlog for even more details on everything you need to know before visiting germany!
