Germany is a beautiful country that is rich in history and culture. There are many famous cities in Germany with one of the most popular tourist destinations being the country’s capital, Berlin. When traveling, it is important to be fully aware of any laws in the country that you are visiting. You must ensure that you do not do anything that is considered rude or illegal if you want to have a great trip.
When it comes to Germany, there are some rules and tips that you should be aware of before you get there. This goes for everything from smoking in public places to taking out cash before you go to pay in a store. Knowing these things are very important and often travelers neglect to do their research before they set off. In this article, we take will take you through some of the things that you should know so make sure to keep reading if you’d like to find out more.
Train Tickets
The public transport in Germany is great and when you are traveling it is likely that you will be making use of it. The thing that you should know about using the train in cities like Berlin is that, although there is no one there to check your tickets when you enter, you might get your ticket checked when you are on board. Many travelers make the mistake of thinking that they’ll get away with not buying a ticket, but the ticket checkers are not easy to spot, and they could charge you a fine of €60 if you don’t have a valid ticket. Not only do you need to purchase a ticket if there is no barrier, you need to make sure that it has been validated. This piece of information can save you money and time when you are seeing the sights in this great city.
Smoking
Depending on where you are coming from, you might be used to smoking being banned inside of public places. In Germany, you can enjoy a cigarette indoors if you want, despite there being certain laws that have tried to prevent this in recent years. If you aren’t a smoker, you should refrain from asking someone to stop smoking in a public place, even if it is annoying you. German people will not take this criticism well and you’ll have to deal with a very awkward experience.
Gambling
If you’re a keen gambler, you might find that you want to join in on the fun while you are traveling. What you should know about Germany is that the law prohibits online casinos from being operated within Germany itself. The great thing about this though is that there is no punishment for those players who want to access the websites that are being hosted by nearby countries. This means that you can still access your favorite websites like https://de.quasargaming.com/ when you are traveling.
Sundays
If you are planning on visiting Germany over the weekend, you’ll need to be aware that a lot of shops and pharmacies are actually closed on Sundays. This is often something that a lot of tourists don’t realize and then they have to wait a whole day to be able to stock up on their basic items. If you are planning on eating only in restaurants you won’t need to worry about this too much but if you’re going to be in Germany for a little longer, you might need to remember this tip. Make sure that you stock up and are ready for your Sunday and don’t leave it too late.
The Language
Although in the main cities you can expect the locals to speak a bit of English or other languages, it is important to remember that not everyone is bilingual. When you are visiting Germany, it is polite to learn a few of the common German phrases to ensure that you are able to get by and to keep the locals happy. You might find as you venture further away from the main cities, no one else speaks your language and so bringing a phrasebook with you is actually very important.
Spending Money
Getting about in Germany is relatively easy but our final tip is that you should try to rely on your cash. The local currency in Germany is Euros so if you live in mainland Europe or have been there before, you’re probably used to spending this currency. You’ll find that when you are spending your money in restaurants or doing some shopping that a lot of the locations don’t actually accept debit or credit cards. This is something that you should be aware of as sometimes the nearest ATM will charge you a lot of money for withdrawal as well as the conversion rate to Euros. If you plan out how much money you’ll likely need each day, you’ll be able to spend less time at ATMS and more time shopping or eating out!
Final Thoughts
Getting out and exploring the world through traveling is one of the best things that you can do. It is important to remember that you aren’t from this country and that you don’t quite know how to act or what is expected of you. Germany is not a country that has a lot of strict laws for travelers but knowing how to act and what to look out for can be really beneficial in ensuring that you have a great tip when you are there.
If you are planning on visiting some other countries around the world, you should get some tips on these as well. Certain countries in Asia or The Middle East have stricter rules and guidelines that tourists must adhere to. Now that you know what to expect when you get to Germany, you can organize your trip there as soon as possible. Make sure to check out the historic monuments and of course the famous Berlin Wall.