Deutschland

Top 5 Orte

1. Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag · Berlin

   Symbols of reunified Germany; the Reichstag dome is free with advance online booking.

2. Neuschwanstein Castle · Schwangau (Bavaria)

   Fairytale 19th-century castle in the Alps; book timed tickets in advance.

3. Cologne Cathedral · Cologne

   Huge Gothic cathedral next to the main station; climb the tower.

4. Marienplatz and Old Town · Munich

   Centre of Munich with the Glockenspiel, beer halls and the Viktualienmarkt.

5. Rhine Valley (Middle Rhine) · Bacharach / Rüdesheim / St. Goar

   Castles, vineyards and river cruises between Koblenz and Bingen.

Unterwegs vor Ort

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Deutschlandticket

  Monthly subscription for unlimited local and regional transport (buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, regional trains) nationwide; not valid on ICE/IC. Buy only from official transport companies or the DB app; fake 'discount' resellers online sell invalid tickets.

• Züge

  DB Navigator (Deutsche Bahn)

  Main app for trains in Germany, including ICE high-speed trains. Book early for Sparpreis fares. Also sells local tickets in many cities.

• Öffentlicher Nahverkehr

  Local transit apps (BVG, MVG, HVV)

  City apps for Berlin (BVG), Munich (MVG) and Hamburg (HVV) sell day tickets and short trips. Paper tickets often must be validated before boarding; inspectors fine on the spot.

• Fahrdienst-App

  Uber / Bolt / FREENOW

  All operate in big cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt. Usually slightly cheaper than taxis with upfront prices. Berlin authorities have found many illegal operators on these apps; check the plate matches the app.

• Taxi

  Taxi

  Cream-coloured metered taxis with regulated fares. Most take cards now, but confirm before the ride.

• E-Scooter

  Lime / Tier-Dott / Bolt

  E-scooters and e-bikes in most cities, paid per minute by app. Sidewalk riding is banned and drink-driving rules apply.

• Busse

  FlixBus

  Cheapest way between cities, often a fraction of the train price but slower.

Geld und Bargeld

Währung: EUR · Euro

Germany is more cash-friendly than most of Europe. Cards and phone payments are now common, but some bakeries, small bars, kiosks and market stalls still take cash only or have a minimum for cards. Carry 20-50 EUR in cash. Use bank ATMs and choose to be charged in EUR.

Wechselkurs nach EUR prüfen

Trinkgeld

Tipping is customary but not mandatory. For table service people round up or add about 5-10%. Menu prices already include service and VAT, so there is normally no service charge on the bill. Tell the server the total you want to pay, or say 'Stimmt so' to keep the change.

Nützliche Sätze

• Zahlen, bitte. The bill, please.
• Stimmt so. Keep the change.
• Ohne Trinkgeld, bitte. No tip, please (on the card terminal).

Umgangsformen

• Greet with 'Guten Tag' or 'Hallo' when entering small shops; in Bavaria 'Grüß Gott' is common.
• Use 'Sie' (formal you) with strangers and staff until invited to use 'du'.
• Most shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays; quiet hours (Sunday, and about 22:00 to 06:00) are taken seriously in housing.
• Do not cross on a red pedestrian light, especially in front of children; it is frowned on and can be fined.
• Bottles and cans have a deposit (Pfand); return them to machines in supermarkets.
• Do not walk in bike lanes; cyclists will not slow down.
• Saunas are usually nude and mixed; sit on a towel.
• Nazi symbols and the Hitler salute are illegal, including as jokes.

Maschen und wie du damit umgehst

• Shell game

  Wo: Berlin tourist areas (Alexanderplatz, Unter den Linden, Museum Island) and markets

  So funktioniert’s: A dealer and fake winners invite you to bet on which cup hides a ball; you never win, and pickpockets work the crowd.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not watch or bet. Berlin police actively warn about this.

• Fake petition or charity

  Wo: Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie

  So funktioniert’s: Someone, sometimes posing as deaf, asks you to sign a petition and then demands a cash donation; the clipboard can hide a theft.

  So vermeidest du es: Say 'Nein, danke' and step away. Keep phones off tables.

• Fake police

  Wo: Streets in big cities

  So funktioniert’s: People posing as plain-clothes police ask to check your wallet, cash, bank card or PIN, and take money.

  So vermeidest du es: Ask for ID, never give your PIN, move to a public place and call 110 to verify.

• Fake or cheap Deutschlandtickets

  Wo: Online shops and social media

  So funktioniert’s: Sites sell Deutschlandtickets at a 'discount' that are bought with stolen bank details and later cancelled, leaving you without a valid ticket.

  So vermeidest du es: Buy only from Deutsche Bahn or official local transport companies.

• 'Free' gifts and roses

  Wo: Tourist landmarks

  So funktioniert’s: A bracelet, rose or gift is pushed on you and money is then demanded.

  So vermeidest du es: Do not take it; hand it back and keep walking.

• Taxi or rideshare overcharging

  Wo: Airports, stations, late-night areas

  So funktioniert’s: Unlicensed drivers offer vague 'fixed prices' or refuse cards and overcharge.

  So vermeidest du es: Use official taxi ranks or apps, and check the car plate matches the app.

• Dynamic currency conversion

  Wo: ATMs and card terminals

  So funktioniert’s: The machine offers to charge you in your home currency at a poor rate.

  So vermeidest du es: Always choose to pay in EUR.

Sicherheit

• Crime levels are similar to other Western European countries; watch for pickpockets and bag snatching at airports, stations and crowded events.
• Hotspots include Berlin's Alexanderplatz, Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Park, Frankfurt's station area and Christmas markets and Oktoberfest crowds.
• Never leave bags unattended; they may be stolen or treated as a security risk.
• Check your change and only exchange money at banks or ATMs; counterfeit notes circulate.
• Cities have low-emission zones; rental cars usually have the needed sticker.
• Bike lanes are busy; look both ways before stepping onto them.

Wie verbreitet Englisch ist

Good in big cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt) and among people under about 40; weaker among older people and in rural areas, especially in the former East.

Quellen

• GOV.UK Foreign travel advice: Germany, safety and security
• Wikivoyage: Germany
• Walk of Berlin: Berlin tourist scams
• The Local Germany: How the tip button is disrupting Germany's tipping culture
• IamExpat: Deutschlandticket scam sites on the rise
• The Berliner: Bolt, Uber and the ghost company scam

Wir prüfen diese Guides anhand offizieller und bekannter Quellen, aber Regeln und Preise ändern sich. Etwas ist veraltet? Schreib an support@tourits.app.