Germany

Understand

An economically, politically, and culturally influential nation, Germany is the richest and most populous European Union member state.

Get in

There are a number of ways to get into Germany. From neighbouring European countries, a drive with the car or a train or bus ride are perhaps the easiest and most comfortable options; visitors from further away will probably be using air travel.

Get around

On the whole transportation is efficient and fast, though last minute tickets can be a bit on the expensive side. All modes of transportation are up to a high modern standard, including a dense network of airports, high speed rail services connecting most major cities and regional trains, one of the densest highway networks on earth (with stretches where the speed limit is shrug emoji), and intercity bus services.

Do

Germany offers a wide variety of activities of both a cultural and sporting nature. Many Germans are members of a sports club.

Drink

Pubs are open in Germany until 02:00 or later. Food is generally available until midnight. Germans typically go out after 20:00 (popular places are already full by 18:00).

The legal drinking ages are: 14 - minors are allowed to buy undistilled (fermented) alcoholic beverages in a restaurant, such as beer and wine, as long as they are in the company of their parents or a legal guardian. 16 - minors are allowed to buy undistilled (fermented) alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine without their parents or a legal guardian. Any drink that contains distilled alcohol (even if the overall alcohol content is lower than for a typical beer) is not allowed 18 - having become adults, people are allowed unrestricted access to alcohol.

Sleep

Germany provides almost all options for accommodation, including hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and camping. You might also consider staying with members of a hospitality exchange network.

German mattresses tend to take a middle ground for firmness, compared to plush American ones and hard Japanese ones. The bedding tends to be simple: a sheet to cover the mattress, one duvet per person (Decke, very nice if you sleep with someone who tends to hog the blankets, but sometimes a little breezy around the toes for tall people) and an enormous square feather pillow, which you can mold into any shape that pleases you. Making the bed in the morning takes mere seconds: fold the Decke in thirds with a quick flick of the wrists, as if it were going to sleep in your place while you are out, and toss the pillow at the top of the bed.

Stay safe

Germany is a very safe country. Crime rates are low and the rule of law is strictly enforced. Violent crimes (murders, robberies, rapes, assaults) are very rare compared to most countries. Pickpockets may sometimes be an issue in large cities or at events with large crowds. Begging is not uncommon in some larger cities, but to no greater extent than in most other major cities and you will rarely encounter aggressive beggars.

If you're staying in certain parts of Berlin or Hamburg around 1 May (Labour Day) expect demonstrations that frequently degenerate into clashes between the police and a minority of the demonstrators. Take the usual precautions and you will most likely not encounter any crime at all while staying in Germany.

Stay healthy

Sanitary and medical facilities in Germany are excellent. See the section on emergencies above if you are in an emergency.

Go next

Germany is an excellent starting point for exploring the rest of Western Europe. From several cities a number of direct high speed rail connections get you to major European capitals within a couple of hours. From the east it is easy to reach Prague in the Czech Republic and Warsaw in Poland From the south west the French cities of Reims and Paris as well as the country and town of Luxembourg would make good first goals. The direct TGV/ICE to Paris stops in Strasbourg, a lovely town at the border with French and German influence alike Belgium and the Netherlands from the west with Leuven and Maastricht being recommended first stopping points; and Denmark in the north west From the south and south west into the mountains of Austria and Switzerland with Salzburg and Lausanne being "must visit" places. By sea in the north east try Cruising the Baltic Sea to access the Baltic states and Nordic Countries.

Frankfurt Airport has direct connections to many major airports around the world.