Germany Travel Guide
May–September is warm and green. December brings Christmas markets; January–February is cold and quiet.
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Germany at a glance
Best time to visit Germany
May–September is warm and green. December brings Christmas markets; January–February is cold and quiet.
Peak: Oktoberfest (late September–early October) in Munich and the December market weeks — hotel prices multiply.
Shoulder season: May–June and September: warm days, long light, ordinary prices.
Visa and entry
Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Germany uses the EUR (€).
Round up the bill or add ~10%. Tell the waiter the amount you want to pay — don't leave cash on the table.
Getting around
A Berlin AB single is about €3.80 and a day ticket about €10.60. The nationwide Deutschlandticket (around €58 a month) covers all regional and local transport across Germany.
When a pass pays off: A city day ticket beats singles from about 3 rides. Staying over a week and moving between cities by regional train? The Deutschlandticket usually beats everything else.
Local etiquette
Do
- Carry some cash — plenty of bakeries, bars and restaurants are still card-shy.
- Separate your rubbish, and return deposit bottles (Pfand) to supermarket machines for a refund.
- Buy and validate a transport ticket before boarding — the system runs on trust plus spot checks.
Avoid
- Don't jaywalk, especially with children nearby.
- Don't walk in the bike lane — usually the red-paved strip of the pavement.
- Don't plan Sunday shopping; almost everything except stations and petrol stops is closed.
Common scams and tourist traps
- People posing as ticket inspectors and asking for on-the-spot card payment; real inspectors show a badge and issue a written penalty.
- Clipboard “charity” collectors and the “gold ring” find around Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Munich's Marienplatz.
- Sellers outside major stations reselling tours that are free to join.
Health
No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Germany, though tick-borne encephalitis precautions are worth considering for hiking in forested regions like Bavaria. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM |
| lunch | 12:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
Useful German phrases
English is widely spoken in cities and among younger people; paperwork and small-town service are German-first.
- Hello
- Hallo / Guten Tag(ha-lo / goo-ten tahk)
- Thank you
- Danke(DAN-kuh)
- Excuse me
- Entschuldigung(ent-SHUL-di-gung)
- How much is this?
- Was kostet das?(vas KOS-tet das)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Germany: Airalo, Ubigi, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Germany travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Germany?
- May–September is warm and green. December brings Christmas markets; January–February is cold and quiet.
- Do I need a visa to visit Germany?
- Schengen visa-free for 90 days in 180 days for many nationalities. ETIAS required from 2025. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Germany?
- Round up the bill or add ~10%. Tell the waiter the amount you want to pay — don't leave cash on the table.
- What currency is used in Germany?
- Germany uses the EUR (€).
- What power plug and voltage does Germany use?
- Germany uses Type C and Type F sockets at 230V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Germany?
- In Germany, call 110 (police) / 112 (fire & ambulance).
- What time zone is Germany in?
- Germany is in the Europe/Berlin time zone (UTC+01:00).
- What language is spoken in Germany?
- The main language is German. English is widely spoken in cities and among younger people; paperwork and small-town service are German-first.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Germany?
- A Berlin AB single is about €3.80 and a day ticket about €10.60. The nationwide Deutschlandticket (around €58 a month) covers all regional and local transport across Germany. A city day ticket beats singles from about 3 rides. Staying over a week and moving between cities by regional train? The Deutschlandticket usually beats everything else.
- What health precautions should I take in Germany?
- No special vaccinations beyond routine immunizations are needed for Germany, though tick-borne encephalitis precautions are worth considering for hiking in forested regions like Bavaria. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Plan a Germany trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Germany tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.