Traveling to Germany: things you need to know

All about travelling to Germany

There are many reasons why you should visit Germany: idyllic Alps with romantic villages, flower-filled meadows, green hills and wild forests, rivers and lakes, wild islands, castles and churches, lively cities, significant museums, buzzing night life, wide cultural offers and amazing food. From north to south, from east to west, you’ll never be tired to discover countless interesting places.

How to travel to Germany

Traveling from city to city in Germany is easy. You can rent a car or go by train. You can save by traveling in a group and using regional trains: German Trains (D Bahn) have many special offers and you’ll be able to spend little money when travelling in federal states or at the weekend. You can find information on the D-Bahn website or directly at the train station, the staff will help you to find the best option for you. Rail passes are also a good option if you plan to use the train frequently. Germans also use to share a car, with BlaBlaCar.com for example you can book a seat in a car traveling to the same destination where you’re headed. It is safe and ecological, and also the cheapest way to move from city to city in Germany.

Where to sleep

The biggest cities in Germany have many low cost hostels with high standards of quality and services. At HostelsClub.com you’ll find a huge offer of hostels for every taste and budget! From boutique hostels in Munich to graffiti hostels in Berlin, ecological houses in Dresden and design hotels in Hamburg. Check out also our special deals and discounts for HostelsClub.com Membership Card holders

Events in Germany

If you would like to learn more about German culture, you have to plan a trip around a festival. There are many interesting events, fairs and festivals but some of them are really unique in the world. During Cologne Carnival you will see the funniest side of Germany and realize that Germans do party hard, unlike what you may expect. There’s no need to mention Oktoberfest, the biggest beer festival which is famous in the whole world which is perfect to discover Munich and the Bavarian culture. Summer time is music festivals time in Germany, and there are many world famous music festivals, such as Rock am Ring, Hurricane and Wacken. December is the best time to discover Germany's most beautiful Christmas markets and learn more about German history and traditions.


Credit cards vs Cash in Germany

In Germany it is always better to have some cash for daily purchases, as many small shops don't accept card payments. Although credit cards are accepted at hotels, big shops, restaurants and car-rental agencies, smaller purchases, for example a ticket for a museum or a cathedral, can only be paid in cash.

German Food

If you are looking for traditional food, get ready to put on some kilos during your holiday. Germans start their day with a rich breakfast, with bread, cheese and salami, salmon and eggs, müseli, fruit and some sweets. All that including a “latte macchiato” and orange juice. For lunch you can enjoy a fast food offer: from curry wurst in the street, to the döner kebab or some sandwich with phrikadele. There is also an amazing offer of international food. If you would like to go a traditional German restaurant to try a typical German meal you will be surprised by the variety of sour herings in Norgen and white sausages in the south.

Drinks

Germany is proud for its beer and it belongs to the German culture. Germans don't order beer by brand, but by brewing style. So you can have a Pils, an Alt, a Kölsch, a Weissbier, a Helles or a Dunkel: the country is known as the birthplace of a number of beer varieties. In the summer you can also order an Alster or Radler (a drink with beer and lemon soda) or Altbierbowle (beer with fruit). The best place where to enjoy a beer or another drink is a beer garden, an outdoor area with wooden tables and benches.


Customs and Traditions

The most important things in Germany are privacy and punctuality. It is not easy to get the number or email address of a German person, they will ask for your contact details and call you if they are interested. Punctuality is really important, so if you have a meeting with a German, be on time! It is also typical that after dinner Germans pay only their own part, so you have to count how many beers you had and you will get a separately bill. In Germany you also have to leave some tip directly to the waiter.

Enjoy your trip to Germany and be inspired by our desktop pictures!

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