8 Germany

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Cash Is Still Important

Germany is more cash-reliant than many European neighbors. Many smaller shops, bakeries, and some restaurants only accept cash (Bargeld). Always carry EUR 50-100 in cash alongside your cards. While card acceptance has improved, you may encounter 'Nur Barzahlung' (cash only) signs, especially in rural areas, local markets, and smaller establishments.

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Tipping Etiquette

Tipping 10-15% in restaurants is standard for good service. The German way is to tell the server the total amount you want to pay (including tip) when they come to collect payment, rather than leaving money on the table. For example, if your bill is EUR 27, say 'Dreissig' (thirty). In taxis, round up to the nearest euro. No tipping is needed at bars when ordering drinks.

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Public Transport

Germany has an excellent public transport network. The Deutschland-Ticket (D-Ticket) costs EUR 49 per month and provides unlimited travel on all local and regional public transport (buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, regional trains) across the entire country. ICE high-speed trains connect major cities quickly. Book long-distance trains early on bahn.de for the best fares (Sparpreise).

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Sundays Are Quiet

Almost all shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays due to German law (Ladenschlussgesetz). Stock up on groceries and essentials on Saturday. Restaurants, cafes, bakeries, tourist attractions, and some train station shops remain open. Gas station convenience stores are also an option for basic supplies on Sundays.

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Pfand Bottle Deposit System

Germany has a bottle deposit (Pfand) system. You pay a deposit of EUR 0.25 on most plastic bottles and cans when purchasing, and get it back by returning them to reverse vending machines (Pfandautomaten) found in most supermarkets. Glass beer bottles have a EUR 0.08 deposit. Look for the Pfand symbol on bottles.

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Electricity and Plugs

Germany uses Type C and Type F plugs with 230V/50Hz electricity. Travellers from the US, UK, or Australia will need a travel adapter. Most laptops and phone chargers have universal voltage (100-240V), but always verify before plugging in. Adapters are available cheaply at electronics stores like Saturn or MediaMarkt.

1

Berlin - History and Culture

📍 Berlin

Start at the Brandenburg Gate, Germany's most iconic landmark, and walk east along Unter den Linden to Museum Island (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Visit the Pergamon Museum with its reconstructed ancient gates and temples. Walk to Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse to see a preserved section of the wall with watchtower and death strip. Afternoon visit to the Holocaust Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe), a haunting field of 2,711 concrete stelae. Evening currywurst at Konnopke's Imbiss under the U-Bahn tracks in Prenzlauer Berg, then explore the vibrant nightlife scene in Kreuzberg.

2

Berlin - East Side Gallery and Reichstag

📍 Berlin

Morning at the East Side Gallery, the 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals by artists from around the world, including the famous Fraternal Kiss painting. Walk through the trendy Friedrichshain neighborhood. Pre-booked visit to the Reichstag dome for a spiral glass walk with panoramic city views (free but must register online). Afternoon visit to the Topography of Terror museum on the former Gestapo headquarters site. Browse the flea markets at Mauerpark (Sundays) or explore the street food at Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg.

3

Munich - Bavarian Capital

📍 Munich

Take the 4-hour ICE train to Munich. Start at Marienplatz to watch the Glockenspiel performance at the Neues Rathaus (11 AM or noon). Walk through the Viktualienmarkt, a daily open-air food market with over 140 stalls selling sausages, cheeses, and Bavarian specialties. Visit the Residenz, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs, and its ornate Antiquarium hall. Afternoon at the English Garden, one of the world's largest urban parks, where you can watch surfers ride the standing wave on the Eisbach River. Evening at a traditional beer hall like Hofbrauhaus for weisswurst, pretzels, and a Mass (1-liter beer).

4

Cologne Cathedral and Rhine

📍 Cologne

Train to Cologne (4.5 hours from Munich). The twin-spired Cologne Cathedral (Kolner Dom) towers directly beside the train station. Climb the 533 steps to the top of the south tower for views over the Rhine River. The cathedral took 632 years to complete and houses the Shrine of the Three Kings. Walk across the Hohenzollern Bridge, covered in thousands of love locks, to the KolnTriangle observation deck for the best cathedral photo from across the river. Explore the Belgian Quarter for independent shops and cafes. Evening walk along the Rhine promenade and try Kolsch beer, the local top-fermented brew served in small 200 ml glasses at a traditional Brauhaus.

5

Hamburg - Gateway to the World

📍 Hamburg

Train to Hamburg (4 hours). Start at the Speicherstadt warehouse district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of red-brick neo-Gothic warehouses built on timber-pile foundations over the canals. Visit the Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway with incredibly detailed miniature scenes. Walk through the new HafenCity development and visit the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, ascending the curved escalator to the free public plaza for harbour views. Afternoon at the Hamburg Fish Market area and St. Pauli neighborhood. Take a harbor boat tour past container ships, dry docks, and the Elbe Tunnel. Evening walk through the Reeperbahn, Hamburg's famous entertainment boulevard on the Kiez.