Berlin

Air Berlin and United fly direct from the United States to Berlin. Flying time to Berlin is just over 7½ hours from New York, 8½ from Chicago, and 9½ from Miami. There are many options for non-direct flights stopping first at a major European hub such as Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Amsterdam, or London.

Western Berlin's Tegel Airport (TXL) will continue to be used until eastern Berlin's Schönefeld Airport, about 24 km (15 miles) outside the center, has been expanded into BBI "Berlin Brandenburg International." Also known as "Willy Brandt," this international airport of the capital region is expected to open in late 2017. Until then, Schönefeld is mostly used by charter and low-budget airlines. The two working Berlin airports share a central phone number.

Getting into the City

To get into Berlin from Tegel Airport, you can take the X9, 128, or 109 buses that connect to various points and subway stations. A taxi to central Berlin will cost about €25. From Schönefeld, the Airport Express and the slower S-bahn trains travel to the city center. Bus 171 connects to the subway line U7 at the Rudow station. All three options require an ABC zone ticket. A taxi ride from Schönefeld Airport takes about 40 minutes and will cost around €40.

Airport Information

Flughafen Berlin Schönefeld. 030/000–186; www.berlin-airport.de.

Flughafen Berlin Tegel. Berlin, Berlin. 030/000–186; www.berlin-airport.de.

Berlin is a great city for biking. Particularly in summer, you can get just about anywhere you want by bike. The extensive network of bike paths is generally marked by red pavement or white markings on the sidewalks (when you’re walking, try to avoid walking or standing on bike paths if you don’t want to have Berlin cyclists, known for their high speeds, ring their bells at you). Many stores that rent or sell bikes carry the Berlin biker's atlas, and several places offer terrific bike tours of the city. Fat Tire is a well-respected company that runs bike tours in many European cities, including Berlin.

The same traffic laws apply to bicyclists as motorists, and the police have been known to give out tickets to violators.

Bicycle Information

Fahrradstation. Fahrradstation rents bikes for €15 per day (12 hours) or €35 for three days. Bring ID and call for its other locations. Dorotheenstr. 30, Mitte, Berlin, Berlin, 10117. 0180/510–8000; www.fahrradstation.de.

Eurailpasses and German Rail Passes are honored by KD Rhine Line on the Rhine River and on the Mosel River between Trier and Koblenz. (If you use the fast hydrofoil, a supplementary fee is required.) The rail lines follow the Rhine and Mosel rivers most of their length, meaning you can go one way by ship and return by train. Cruises generally operate between April and October. If you are planning to visit Denmark or Sweden after Germany, note that Scandlines ferries offer discounts for Eurailpass owners.

Information

KD Rhine Line. 0221/208–8318; www.k-d.com.

Scandlines. 0381/54350; www.scandlines.de.

Rush hour is relatively mild in Berlin, if you avoid the city's autobahn system, but the public transit system is so efficient here that it's best to leave your car at the hotel altogether (or refrain from renting one in the first place). All cars entering downtown Berlin inside the S-bahn ring need to have an environmental certificate. All major rental cars will have these—if in doubt, ask the rental-car agent, as without one you can be fined €40. Daily parking fees at hotels can run up to €18 per day. Vending machines in the city center dispense timed tickets to display on your dashboard. Thirty minutes will usually cost €0.50–-more in the main tourist areas.

That said, if you're going to drive in Germany, formalities for motorists are few: all you need is proof of insurance; an international car-registration document; and a U.S., Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand driver's license. If you or your car is from an EU country, Norway, or Switzerland, all you need is your domestic license and proof of insurance. All foreign cars must have a country sticker. There are almost no toll roads in Germany, other than a few Alpine mountain passes.

Car Rental

It's easy to rent a car in Germany, but not always cheap. You'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP); it's available from the American Automobile Association and the National Automobile Club. These international permits are universally recognized, and having one in your wallet may save you problems with the local authorities. In Germany you usually must be 21 to rent a car. Nearly all agencies allow you to drive into Germany's neighboring countries (luxury cars, however, usually cannot be booked for rides in many Eastern European countries). It's frequently possible to return the car in another West European country, but not in Poland or the Czech Republic, for example.

Rates with the major car-rental companies begin at about €55 per day and €300 per week for an economy car with a manual transmission and unlimited mileage. It is invariably cheaper to rent a car in advance from home than to do it on the fly in Germany. Many rentals are manual, so if you want an automatic, be sure to request one in advance. If you're traveling with children, don't forget to ask for a car seat when you reserve. Note that in some major cities, even automobile-producing Stuttgart, rental firms are prohibited from placing signs at major pickup and drop-off locations, such as the main train station. If dropping a car off in an unfamiliar city, you might have to guess your way to the station's underground parking garage; once there, look for a generic sign such as Mietwagen (rental cars). The German railway system, Deutsche Bahn, offers discounts on rental cars.

Depending on what you want to see, you may or may not need a car for all or part of your stay. Most parts of Germany are connected by reliable rail service, so it might be a better idea to take a train to the region you plan to visit and rent a car only for side trips to out-of-the-way destinations.

Gasoline

Gasoline costs are around €1.60 per liter—which is higher than in the United States. Some cars use diesel fuel, which is about €0.15 cheaper, so find out which fuel the car takes. Pumps marked "E10" offer a bio gasoline, which is €0.15 cheaper than regular, unleaded gas. Your car manual will say if your car takes it. German filling stations are competitive, and bargains are often available if you shop around, but not at autobahn filling stations. Self-service, or SB-Tanken, stations are cheapest.

Road Conditions

Roads are generally excellent. Bundesstrassen are two-lane state highways, abbreviated "B," as in B-38. Autobahns are high-speed thruways abbreviated with "A," as in A-7. If the autobahn should be blocked for any reason, you can take an exit and follow little signs bearing a "U" followed by a number. These are official detours.

Road Maps

The best-known road maps of Germany are put out by the automobile club ADAC, by Shell, and by the Falk Verlag. They're available at gas stations and bookstores.

Roadside Emergencies

The German automobile clubs ADAC and AvD operate tow trucks on all autobahns. "Notruf" signs every 2 km (1 mile) on autobahns (and country roads) indicate emergency telephones. By picking up the phone, you'll be connected to an operator who can determine your exact location and get you the services you need. Help is always free for ADAC members; minor emergency help is usually free for non-members–-the cost of materials is never included.

Emergency Services

Roadside assistance. 01802/222–222.

Rules of the Road

In Germany, road signs give distances in kilometers. Some parts of the autobahns have a speed limit of 130 kph (80 mph) or 110 kph (65 mph) but many sections have no speed limits at all. Signs saying Richtgeschwindigkeit and the speed indicate a recommended speed but not a limit. Slower traffic should always stay in the right lane of the autobahn, but speeds under 80 kph (50 mph) are not permitted. Speed limits on country roads vary from 70 kph to 100 kph (43 mph to 62 mph) and are usually 50 kph (30 mph) through small towns.

Don't enter a street with a signpost bearing a red circle with a white horizontal stripe—it's a one-way street. Blue "Einbahnstrasse" signs indicate you're headed the correct way down a one-way street. The blood-alcohol limit for driving in Germany is very low (.05%), and passengers, but not the driver, are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages in the car. Note that seat belts must be worn at all times by front- and back-seat passengers.

German drivers tend to drive fast and aggressively. Usually, there is no right turn at a red light, but a fixed green arrow next to the light indicates that you may make a right turn, traffic permitting. Though prohibited, tailgating is a national pastime on German roads. Do not react by braking for no reason: this is equally prohibited. You may not use a handheld mobile phone while driving.

Visitors should keep in mind that credit card usage is not as common in Germany as it is elsewhere. Although it's becoming more widely accepted, especially in luxury fashion stores and large international chains, some stores don't accept credit cards and in smaller boutiques and shops, you may have to pay in cash.

Internet

Nearly all hotels have Wi-Fi but the service is not always free. Sometimes you must purchase blocks of time from the front desk or online using a credit card. The cost can be high. Some hotels have an Internet room for guests needing to check their email. Otherwise, Internet cafés are common, and many coffee shops and restaurants let you use Wi-Fi if you make a purchase.

Phones

The good news is that you can make a direct-dial telephone call from Germany to virtually any point on Earth. The bad news? You can't always do so cheaply. Calling from a hotel is almost always the most expensive option; hotels usually add huge surcharges to all calls, particularly international ones. In some countries you can phone from call centers or even the post office. Calling cards usually keep costs to a minimum, but only if you purchase them locally. Because most Germans own mobile phones, finding a telephone booth is becoming increasingly difficult. As expensive as mobile phone calls can be, they are still usually a much cheaper option than calling from your hotel.

The country code for Germany is 49. When dialing a German number from abroad, drop the initial "0" from the local area code.

Many companies have service lines beginning with 0180. The cost of these calls averages €0.12 per minute. Numbers that begin with 0190 can cost €1.85 per minute and more. Free service numbers start with 0800.

Calling Within Germany

The German telephone system is very efficient, so it's unlikely you'll have to use an operator unless you're seeking information. For information in English, dial 11837 for numbers within Germany and 11834 for numbers elsewhere. But first look for the number in the phone book or online (www.teleauskunft.de), because directory assistance is costly. Calls to 11837 and 11834 cost at least €0.50, more if the call lasts more than 30 seconds.

A local call from a telephone booth costs €0.10 per minute. Dial the "0" before the area code when making a long-distance call within Germany. When dialing within a local area code, drop the "0" and the area code.

Telephone booths are no longer a common feature on the streets, so be prepared to walk out of your way to find one. Phone booths have instructions in English as well as German. Most telephone booths in Germany are card-operated, so buy a phone card. Coin-operated phones, which take €0.10, €0.20, €0.50, €1, and €2 coins, don't make change.

Calling Outside Germany

The country code for the United States is 1. As for all international calls from Europe, you need to dial "00" before the country code. If you dial a number for anouther European city from Germany, the "0" from the local area code is usually dropped.

International calls can be made from any telephone booth in Germany. It costs only €0.13 per minute to call the United States, day or night, no matter how long the call lasts. Use a phone card. If you don't have a good deal with a calling card, there are many stores that offer international calls at rates well below what you will pay from a phone booth. At a hotel, rates will be at least double the regular charge.

Access Codes

AT&T Direct. 0800/225–5288.

MCI WorldPhone. 0800/955--0925.

Sprint International Access. 0800/888–0013.

Calling Cards

Post offices, newsstands, and money exchange places sell cards with €5, €10, or €20 worth of credit to use at public pay phones. An advantage of a card: it charges only what the call costs. A €5 card with a good rate for calls to the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada is Go Bananas!

Mobile Phones

You can buy an inexpensive unlocked mobile phone and a SIM card at almost every corner shop and even at the supermarket. All shops require identification to purchase a SIM card. This is the best option if you just want to make local calls. If you bring a phone from abroad, your provider may have to unlock it for you to use a different SIM card and a prepaid service plan in the destination. You'll then have a local number and can make local calls at local rates. If your trip is extensive, you could also simply buy a new cell phone in your destination, as the initial cost will be offset over time.

Many prepaid plans, like Blau World, offer calling plans to the United States and other countries, starting at €0.03 per minute. Many Germans use these SIM cards to call abroad, as the rates are much cheaper than from land lines.

If you have a multiband phone (some countries use different frequencies from what's used in the United States) and your service provider uses the world-standard GSM network (as do T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon), you can probably use your phone abroad. Roaming fees can be steep, however: 99¢ a minute is considered reasonable. And overseas you normally pay the toll charges for incoming calls. It's almost always cheaper to send a text message than to make a call, because text messages have a very low set fee (often less than 5¢).

Cellular Abroad rents and sells GMS phones and sells SIM cards that work in many countries. Mobal rents mobiles and sells GSM phones (starting at $49) that will operate in 140 countries. Planet Fone rents cell phones, but the per-minute rates are expensive.

If you travel internationally frequently, save one of your old mobile phones or buy a cheap one on the Internet; ask your cell phone company to unlock it for you, and take it with you as a travel phone, buying a new SIM card with pay-as-you-go service in each destination.

Contacts

Cellular Abroad. 800/287–5072; www.cellularabroad.com.

Mobal. 888/888–9162; www.mobalrental.com.

Planet Fone. 888/988–4777; www.planetfone.com.

The American-owned Viking River Cruises company tours the Rhine, Main, Elbe, and Danube rivers, with four- to eight-day itineraries that include walking tours at ports of call. The longer cruises (up to 18 days) on the Danube (Donau, in German), which go to the Black Sea and back, are in great demand, so reserve six months in advance. The company normally books American passengers on ships that cater exclusively to Americans. If you prefer to travel on a European ship, specify so when booking. Köln–Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt (KD Rhine Line) offers trips of one day or less on the Rhine and Mosel. Between Easter and October there's Rhine service between Köln and Mainz, and between May and October, Mosel service between Koblenz and Cochem. Check the website for special winter tours. Many offer a free trip on your birthday if you bring a document verifying your date of birth.

Cruise Lines

KD Rhine Line. 0221/208–8318; www.k-d.com.

Viking River Cruises. 0800/258–4666; 800/1887–10033; 800/319–6660; www.vikingrivercruises.com.

German Customs and Border Control is fairly simple and straightforward. The system works efficiently and professionally, and 99% of all travelers will have no real cause to interact with them.

You're always allowed to bring goods of a certain value back home without having to pay any duty or import tax. But there's a limit on the amount of tobacco and liquor you can bring back duty-free, and some countries have separate limits for perfumes; for exact figures, check with your customs department. The values of so-called duty-free goods are included in these amounts. When you shop abroad, save all your receipts, as customs inspectors may ask to see them as well as the items you purchased. If the total value of your goods is more than the duty-free limit, you'll have to pay a tax (most often a flat percentage) on the value of everything beyond that limit.

For anyone entering Germany from outside the EU, the following limitations apply: (1) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; (2) 2 liters of still table wine; (3) 1 liter of spirits over 22% volume or 2 liters of spirits under 22% volume (fortified and sparkling wines) or 2 more liters of table wine; (4) 50 grams of perfume and 250 milliliters of eau de toilette; (5) 500 grams of roasted coffee or 200 grams of instant coffee; (6) other goods to the value of €175. If you carry more than €10.000 in cash, you need to report the money to Customs, even when traveling between EU countries.

If you have questions regarding customs or bringing a pet into the country, contact the Zoll-Infocenter.

Information in Germany

Zoll-Infocenter. 0351/4483–4510; www.zoll.de.

U.S. Information

U.S. Customs and Border Protection. www.cbp.gov.

Almost every street in Germany has its Gaststätte, a sort of combination restaurant and pub, and every village its Gasthof, or inn. The emphasis in either is on simple food at reasonable prices. A Bierstube (pub) or Weinstube (wine cellar) may also serve light snacks or meals.

Service can be slow, but you'll never be rushed out of your seat. Something else that may seem jarring at first: people can, and do, join other parties at a table in a casual restaurant if seating is tight. It's common courtesy to ask first, though.

Since Germans don’t generally drink from the tap, water always costs extra and comes as still or sparkling mineral water.

Budget Eating Tips

Imbiss (snack) stands can be found in almost every busy shopping street, in parking lots, train stations, and near markets. They serve Würstchen (sausages), grilled, roasted, or boiled, and rolls filled with cheese, cold meat, or fish. Many stands sell Turkish-style wraps called döner kebab. Prices range from €1.50 to €2.50 per portion. It's acceptable to bring sandwich fixings to a beer garden so long as you order a beer there, just be sure not to sit at a table with a tablecloth.

Butcher shops, known as Metzgereien, often serve warm snacks or very good sandwiches. Try Warmer Leberkäs mit Kartoffelsalat, a typical Bavarian specialty, which is a sort of baked meat loaf with mustard and potato salad. In northern Germany try Bouletten, small meatballs, or Currywurst, a Berlin classic, sausages in a piquant curry sauce. Thuringia has a reputation for its bratwurst, which is usually broken in two and packed into a roll with mustard. Up north, the specialty snack is a herring sandwich with onions.

Restaurants in Kaufhof and Karstadt department stores are especially recommended for appetizing and inexpensive lunches. The 6th-floor food hall in Berlin's luxury KaDeWe department store offers an excellent choice of upscale catering stands. Germany's vast numbers of Turkish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and Balkan restaurants are often inexpensive.

Meals and Mealtimes

Most hotels serve a buffet-style breakfast (Frühstück) of rolls, cheese, cold cuts, eggs, cereals, yogurt, and spreads, which is often included in the price of a room. Cafés, especially the more trendy ones, offer breakfast menus sometimes including pancakes, omelets, muesli, or even Thai rice soup. By American standards, a cup (Tasse) of coffee in Germany is very petite, and you don't get free refills. Order a Pot or Kännchen if you want a larger portion.

For lunch (Mittagessen), you can get sandwiches from most cafés and bakeries, and many fine restaurants have special lunch menus that make the gourmet experience much more affordable. For most Germans, a warm lunch is still the main meal of the day. Dinner (Abendessen) is usually accompanied by a potato, rice, pasta, or (in South Germany) spätzle side dish. A salad sometimes comes with the main dish.

Gaststätten normally serve hot meals from 11:30 am to 9 pm; in smaller cities, many places stop serving hot meals between 2 pm and 6 pm, although you can still order cold dishes. If you want a hot meal, look for a restaurant advertising durchgehend geöffnet, or look for a pizza parlor.

Once most restaurants have closed, your options are limited. Take-out pizza parlors and Turkish eateries often stay open later. In Berlin and other big cities, grocery stores in the city center are sometimes open until 10 pm or even midnight. Failing that, your best option is a train station or a gas station with a convenience store. Many bars serve snacks.

Unless otherwise noted, the restaurants listed are open daily for lunch and dinner.

Paying

Credit cards are generally accepted only in moderate to expensive restaurants, so check before sitting down. You will need to ask for the bill (say "Die Rechnung, bitte") in order to get it from the waiter, the idea being that the table is yours for the evening. Round up the bill 5% to 10% and pay the waiter directly rather than leaving any money or tip on the table. The waiter will likely wait at the table for you to pay after he has brought the check. He will also wear a money pouch and make change at the table. If you don’t need change, say "Stimmt so, danke" ("keep the change"), otherwise tell the waiter how much change you want back, adding in the tip. Meals are subject to 19% tax (abbreviated as "MwSt" on your bill).

Reservations and Dress

Regardless of where you are, it's a good idea to make a reservation if you can. In most fine-dining establishments it's expected. We only mention them specifically when reservations are essential (there's no other way you'll ever get a table) or when they're not accepted. For popular restaurants, book as far ahead as you can (often 30 days), and reconfirm as soon as you arrive. (Parties of more than four should always call ahead to check the reservations policy.) We mention dress only when men are required to wear a jacket or a jacket and tie.

Note that even when Germans dress casually, their look is generally crisp and neat. Jeans are acceptable for most social occasions.

Smoking

For such an otherwise health-conscious nation, Germans smoke. A lot. Anti-smoking laws came into effect in 2008, effectively banning smoking in all restaurants and many pubs, but many Germans, particularly in Berlin and Hamburg, tend to ignore them. Many hotels have no-smoking rooms and even no-smoking floors. However, a smoker will find it intrusive if you request him or her to refrain.

Wines, Beer, and Spirits

The "Wines of Germany" website promotes the wines of all 13 German wine regions and can supply you with information on wine festivals and visitor-friendly wineries. It also arranges six-day guided winery tours in spring and fall in conjunction with the German Wine Academy.

It's legal to drink beer from open containers in public (even in the passenger seat of a car), and having a beer at one's midday break is not something that raises eyebrows. Bavaria is not the only place to try beer. While Munich's beers have achieved world fame—Löwenbräu and Paulaner, for example—beer connoisseurs will really want to travel to places farther north like Alpirsbach, Bamberg, Erfurt, Cologne, or Görlitz, where smaller breweries produce top-notch brews.

Wine Information

German Wine Academy. 06131/28290; www.germanwines.de.

Wines of Germany. 212/994–7523; www.germanwineusa.org.

The electrical current in Germany is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC); wall outlets take Continental-type plugs, with two round prongs.

Consider making a small investment in a universal adapter, which has several types of plugs in one lightweight, compact unit. Most laptops and mobile phone chargers are dual voltage (i.e., they operate equally well on 110 and 220 volts) so require only an adapter. These days the same is true of small appliances such as hair dryers. Always check labels and manufacturer instructions to be sure. Don't use 110-volt outlets marked "for shavers only" for high-wattage appliances such as hair dryers.

Contacts

Walkabout Travel Gear. www.walkabouttravelgear.com.

Throughout Germany call 110 for police, 112 for an ambulance or the fire department.

Foreign Embassies

U.S. Embassy. Pariser Pl. 2, Berlin, Berlin, D–10117. 030/83050; 030/8305–1200; www.usembassy.de.

Customs of the Country

Being on time for appointments, even casual social ones, is very important. There is no "fashionably late" in Germany. Germans are more formal in addressing each other than Americans. Always address acquaintances as Herr (Mr.) or Frau (Mrs.) plus their last name; do not call them by their first name unless invited to do so. The German language has an informal and formal pronoun for "you": formal is Sie, and informal is du. Even if adults are on a first-name basis with one another, they may still keep to the Sie form.

Germans are less formal when it comes to nudity: a sign that reads "Freikörper" or "FKK" indicates a park or beach that allows nude sunbathing. In almost all saunas or steam baths, you will have to remove all clothing or might be asked to leave.

Greetings

The standard "Guten Tag" is the way to greet people throughout the country. When you depart, say "Auf Wiedersehen." "Hallo" is also used frequently, as is "Hi" among the younger crowd. A less formal leave-taking is "Tschüss" or "ciao." You will also hear regional differences in greetings.

Language

English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, airports, museums, and other places of interest. However, English is not widely spoken in East Germany or by people over 70. Learning the basics before going is always a good idea, especially bitte (please) and danke (thank you). Apologizing for your poor German before asking a question in English will make locals feel respected and begins all communication on the right foot.

A phrase book and language-tape set can help get you started.

Under no circumstances use profanity or pejoratives. Germans take these very seriously, and a slip of the tongue can result in expensive criminal and civil penalties. Calling a police officer a "Nazi" or using vulgar finger gestures can cost you up to €10,000 and two years in jail.

For the latest information on Berlin's house, electro, and hip-hop club scene, pick up (030), a free weekly. For more general information on performing arts and nightlife, the weekly Berlin magazines Zitty and Tip are good resources.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

All over-the-counter medicines, even aspirin, are only available at an Apotheke (pharmacy): the German term Drogerie or drugstore is a shop for sundry items.

Apotheken are open during normal business hours, with those in train stations or airports open later and on weekends. Apotheken are plentiful, and there is invariably one within a few blocks. Every district has an emergency pharmacy that is open after hours. These are listed as Apotheken-Notdienst or Apotheken-Bereitschaftsdienst on the window of every pharmacy in town, often with directions for how to get there. Pharmacies will have a bell you must ring to enter. Most pharmacists in larger cities speak enough English to help. Some drugs have different names: acetaminophen—or Tylenol—is called Paracetomol.

Business hours are inconsistent throughout the country and vary from state to state and even from city to city. Banks are generally open weekdays from 9 or 10 am to 3 or 4 pm (5 or 6 pm on Thursday), sometimes with a lunch break of about an hour at smaller branches. Some banks close by 2:30 on Friday afternoon. Banks at airports and main train stations open as early as 6:30 am and close as late as 10:30 pm.

Most museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday 10–6. Some close for an hour or more at lunch. Many stay open until 8 pm or later one day a week, usually Thursday. In smaller towns or in rural areas, museums may be open only on weekends or just a few hours a day.

Almost all stores are closed Sunday, with the exception of those in or near train stations. Larger stores are generally open from 9:30 or 10 am to 8 or 9 pm on weekdays and close between 6 and 8 pm on Saturday. Smaller shops and some department stores in smaller towns close at 6 or 6:30 on weekdays and as early as 4 on Saturday. In the downtown areas of Berlin, some grocery stores are open until midnight. German shop owners take their closing times seriously. If you come in five minutes before closing, you may not be treated like royalty. Apologizing profusely and making a speedy purchase will help.

Along the autobahn and major highways, as well as in larger cities, gas stations and their small convenience shops are often open late, if not around the clock.

Holidays

The following national holidays are observed in Germany: January 1; January 6 (Epiphany—Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and Baden-Württemberg only); Good Friday; Easter Monday; May 1 (Workers' Day); Ascension; Pentecost Monday; Corpus Christi (southern Germany only); Assumption Day (Bavaria and Saarland only); October 3 (German Unity Day); October 31 (Reformation Day—Brandenburg); November 1 (All Saints' Day—Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Pfalz, and Saarland); December 24–26 (Christmas).

Pre-Lenten celebrations in Cologne and the Rhineland are known as Karneval, and for several days before Ash Wednesday work grinds to a halt as people celebrate with parades, banquets, and general debauchery. Farther south, in the state of Baden-Württenburg, the festivities are called Fasching, and tend to be more traditional. In either area, expect businesses to be closed both before and after "Fat Tuesday."

If you plan on staying out late, just know that after 1 am on a weeknight (Sunday–Thursday), Berlin’s U-bahn and S-bahn trains shut down. To get back to where you're staying, you'll have to catch one of the 24-hour Metrotrams or a night bus (designated by "N" before the number, which often corresponds to the subway line it replaces). These buses come infrequently (every 30 minutes) and often don’t stop directly at a station entrance, so be prepared to do some searching. On Friday and Saturday nights all subway lines (except U4 and U55) run every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the night.

A post office in Germany (Postamt) is recognizable by the postal symbol, a black bugle on a yellow background. In some villages you will find one in the local supermarket. Stamps (Briefmarken) can also be bought at some news agencies and souvenir shops. Post offices are generally open weekdays from 9 to 6 or 7, Saturdays 9–1 or 2 pm.

Airmail letters and postcards to international destinations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe cost €0.80. Letters within Germany are €0.62. These rates apply to standard-size envelopes. Letters take approximately 3–4 days to reach the United Kingdom, 5–7 days to the United States, and 7–10 days to Australia and New Zealand.

You can arrange to have mail (letters only) sent to you in care of any German post office; have the envelope marked "Postlagernd." This service is free, and the mail will be held for seven days. Or you can have mail sent to any American Express office in Germany. There's no charge to cardholders, holders of American Express traveler's checks, or anyone who has booked a vacation with American Express.

Shipping Packages

Most major stores that cater to tourists will also ship your purchases home. You should check your insurance for coverage of possible damage.

The Deutsche Post has an express international service (DHL) that will deliver your letter or package the next day to countries within the EU, within one to two days to the United States, and slightly longer to Australia. A letter or package to the United States weighing less than 200 grams costs €48.57. You can drop off your mail at any post office, or it can be picked up for an extra fee. Deutsche Post works in cooperation with DHL. International carriers tend to be slightly cheaper (€35–€45 for the same letter) and provide more services.

Express Services

Deutsche Post. 0228/1820; www.deutschepost.de.

DHL. 0800/225–5345; www.dhl.de.

FedEx. 0800/123–0800; www.fedex.com.

UPS. 0800/882–6630; www.ups.com.

Berlin’s many antique- and flea markets offer another option when looking for vintage, secondhand, and unique items. Along with brunch, flea markets are another perennial Sunday staple in Berlin, and this town has one of them to suit every disposition.

Credit cards are welcomed by most large businesses, so you probably won't have to use cash for payment in high-end hotels and restaurants. Many businesses on the other end of the spectrum don't accept them, however. It's a good idea to check in advance if you're staying in a budget lodging or eating in a simple country inn.

Prices are given for adults. Substantially reduced fees are almost always available for children, students, and senior citizens.

Banks almost never have every foreign currency on hand, and it may take as long as a week to order. If you're planning to exchange funds before leaving home, don't wait until the last minute.

ATMs and Banks

Twenty-four-hour ATMs (Geldautomaten) can be accessed with Plus or Cirrus credit and banking cards. Your own bank will probably charge a fee for using ATMs abroad, and most German banks exact €3–€5 fees for use of their ATMs when using cards not issued by them. Nevertheless, you'll usually get a better rate of exchange via an ATM than you will at a currency-exchange office or even when changing money in a bank. And extracting funds as you need them is a safer option than carrying around a large amount of cash. Since some ATM keypads show no letters, know the numeric equivalent of your PIN. Always use ATMs inside the bank.

PINs with more than four digits are not recognized at ATMs in many countries. If yours has five or more, remember to change it before you leave.

Credit Cards

All major U.S. credit cards are accepted in Germany. The most frequently used are MasterCard and Visa. American Express is used less frequently, and Diners Club even less. Since the credit-card companies demand fairly substantial fees, some businesses will not accept credit cards for small purchases. Cheaper restaurants and lodgings often do not accept credit cards.

It's a good idea to inform your credit-card company before you travel, especially if you're going abroad and don't travel internationally very often. Otherwise, the credit-card company might put a hold on your card owing to unusual activity—not a good thing halfway through your trip. Record all your credit-card numbers—as well as the phone numbers to call if your cards are lost or stolen—in a safe place, so you're prepared should something go wrong.

If you plan to use your credit card for cash advances, you'll need to apply for a PIN at least two weeks before your trip. Although it's usually cheaper (and safer) to use a credit card abroad for large purchases (so you can cancel payments or be reimbursed if there's a problem), note that some credit-card companies and the banks that issue them add substantial percentages to all foreign transactions, whether they're in a foreign currency or not. Check on these fees before leaving home, so there won't be any surprises when you get the bill.

Before you charge something, ask the merchant whether he or she plans to do a dynamic currency conversion (DCC). In such a transaction the credit-card processor (shop, restaurant, or hotel, not Visa or MasterCard) converts the currency and charges you in dollars. In most cases you'll pay the merchant a 3% fee for this service in addition to any credit-card company and issuing-bank foreign-transaction surcharges.

Dynamic currency conversion programs are becoming increasingly widespread. Merchants who participate in them are supposed to ask whether you want to be charged in dollars or the local currency, but they don't always do so. And even if they do offer you a choice, they may well avoid mentioning the additional surcharges. The good news is that you do have a choice. And if this practice really gets your goat, you can avoid it entirely thanks to American Express; with its cards, DCC simply isn't an option.

Reporting Lost Cards

American Express. 800/333–2639; 715/343–7977; www.americanexpress.com.

Diners Club. 800/234–6377; 303/799–1504; www.dinersclub.com.

MasterCard. 800/627–8372; 636/722–7111; www.mastercard.com.

Visa. 800/847–2911; 410/581–9994; www.visa.com.

Currency and Exchange

Germany shares a common currency, the euro (€), with 16 other countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Spain. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are bills of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 euros and coins of €1 and €2, and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. Many businesses and restaurants do not accept €200 and €500 notes. It is not possible to pay for anything in U.S. dollars, but you should have no problem exchanging currency. The large number of banks and exchange services means that you can shop around for the best rate, if you're so inclined. But the cheapest and easiest way to go is using your ATM card.

At this writing, the exchange rate was €0.75 for a U.S. dollar. But the exchange rate changes daily.

Even if a currency-exchange booth has a sign promising no commission, rest assured that there's some kind of huge, hidden fee. (Oh . . . that's right. The sign didn't say no fee.) And as for rates, you're almost always better off getting foreign currency at an ATM or exchanging money at a bank.

Exchange Rates

There are a number of handy websites that can help you find out how much your money is worth. Google does currency conversion; just type in the amount and how you want it converted (e.g., "100 dollars in euros"), and voilà. Onada allows you to print out a handy table with the current day's conversion rates. XE also does currency conversion.

Conversion Sites

Google. www.google.com.

Oanda. www.oanda.com.

XE. www.xe.com.

Don’t expect round-the-clock shopping in Germany; most shops are only open until 8 pm, and nearly all of the major shops, excluding restaurants, tourist retailers, and transportation operators are closed on Sunday. There are the occasional Sunday shopping days—on two Advent Sundays and near important events—when the stores open on Sunday afternoon for several hours.

For visits to Berlin, pack as you would for an American city: dressy outfits for formal restaurants and nightclubs, casual clothes elsewhere. Jeans are as popular in Germany as anywhere else, and are perfectly acceptable for sightseeing and informal dining. In the evening, men will probably feel more comfortable wearing a jacket in more expensive restaurants, although it's almost never required. Many German women wear stylish outfits to restaurants and the theater. Note that Berlin is windy, which can be quite pleasant in summer but a complete bear in winter, so pack warm clothes in for the latter.

To discourage purse snatchers and pickpockets, carry a handbag with long straps that you can sling across your body bandolier style and with a zippered compartment for money and other valuables.

For stays in budget hotels, pack your own soap. Many provide no shampoo or soap at all or only a small bar.

Visitors from the United States and Canada, including children, are required to have a passport to enter the EU for a period of up to 90 days. There are no official passport controls at any of Germany's land borders, although customs checks are becoming more frequent. Most travelers will only show their documents on entering and leaving the EU. Your passport should be valid for up to six months after your trip ends or this will raise questions at the border. EU citizens can enter Germany with a national identity card or passport. Traveling with children can be problematic. Single parents traveling with their own children rarely face any hassle, but overzealous border guards have been known to ask children about their relationship with the other parent. If you are a parent or grandparent traveling with a child, it helps to have a signed and notarized power of attorney in order to dispel any questions.

Berlin has a very efficient public transportation system with a smoothly integrated network of subway (U-bahn) and suburban (S-bahn) train lines, as well as buses and trams (almost exclusively in eastern Berlin). Get a map from any information booth. Don't be afraid to try buses and trams—in addition to being well marked, they often cut the most direct path to your destination.

From Sunday through Thursday, U-bahn service stops at around 12:45 am and S-bahn trains stop by 1:30 am. All-night bus and tram service operates seven nights a week (indicated by the letter N next to bus route numbers). On Friday and Saturday nights some S-bahn lines and all but one U-bahn line run all night; the U4 does not. Buses and trams marked with an M for Metro mostly serve destinations without an S-bahn or U-bahn link.

Most visitor destinations are in the broad reach of the fare zones A and B. The €2.70 ticket (fare zones A and B) and the €3.30 ticket (fare zones A, B, and C) allow you to make a one-way trip with an unlimited number of changes between trains, buses, and trams. There are reduced rates for children ages 6–13. Buy a Kurzstreckentarif ticket (€1.60) for short rides of up to six bus or tram stops or three U-bahn or S-bahn stops. The best deal if you plan to travel around the city extensively is the Tageskarte (day card for zones A and B), for €6.90, good on all transportation until 3 am (€7.40 for A, B, and C zones). A 7-Tage-Karte (seven-day ticket) costs €29.50 and allows unlimited travel for fare zones A and B; €36.50 buys all three fare zones.

Tickets are available from vending machines at U-bahn and S-bahn stations. After you purchase a ticket, you are responsible for validating it when you board the train or bus. Both Einzelfahrt and Kurzstreckentarif tickets are good for 120 minutes after validation. If you're caught without a ticket or with an unvalidated one, the fine is €60.

The BVG website makes planning trips on public transportation easy. Enter your origin and destination point into the"Journey Planner" to see a list of best routes and a schedule of the next three departure times. If you’re not sure which station is closest to you, simply type in your current address and the system will tell you (along with the time it takes to walk there).

Public Transit Information

Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe. 030/19449; www.bvg.de.

S-Bahn Berlin GmbH. 030/2974–3333; www.s-bahn-berlin.de.

Public restrooms are found in large cities, although you are not guaranteed to find one in an emergency. If you are in need, there are several options. You can enter the next café or restaurant and ask very politely to use the facilities. You can find a department store and look for the "WC" sign. Museums are also a good place to find facilities.

Train stations are increasingly turning to McClean, a privately run enterprise that demands €0.50 to €1.10 for admission to its restrooms. These facilities, staffed by attendants who clean almost constantly, sparkle. You won't find them in smaller stations, however. Their restrooms are usually adequate.

On the highways, the vast majority of gas stations have public restrooms, though you may have to ask for a key—we won't vouch for their cleanliness. You might want to wait until you see a sign for a restaurant.

Restrooms almost always cost money. It's customary to pay €0.20–€0.70 to the bathroom attendant.

To read up on restrooms in advance of your trip in Germany, the website www.lootogo.de is flush with sanitized info on restrooms across the country.

Germany has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe. There are some areas, such as the neighborhoods around train stations and the streets surrounding red-light districts, where you should keep an eye out for potential dangers. The best advice is to take the usual precautions. In Berlin, stay away from Alexanderplatz and the districts of Lichtenberg, Marzahn, and Hohenschönhausen at night. Secure your valuables in the hotel safe. Don't wear flashy jewelry, and keep expensive electronics out of sight when you are not using them. Carry shoulder bags or purses so that they can't be easily snatched, and never leave them hanging on the back of a chair at a café or restaurant. Avoid walking alone at night, even in relatively safe neighborhoods. Due to increasing incidents of violence in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, use caution late at night in the subway.

When withdrawing cash, don't use an ATM in a deserted area or one that is outside. It is best to avoid freestanding ATMs in subway stations and other locations away from a bank. Make sure that no one is looking over your shoulder when you enter your PIN. And never use a machine that appears to have been tampered with.

Distribute your cash, credit cards, IDs, and other valuables between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pocket, and a hidden money pouch. Don't reach for the money pouch once you're in public.

Contacts

Transportation Security Administration. www.tsa.gov.

All prices you see on items already include Germany's 19% value-added tax (V.A.T.). Some goods, such as food, books, and antiquities, carry a 7% V.A.T. as a percentage of the purchase price. An item must cost at least €25 to qualify for a V.A.T. refund.

When making a purchase, ask for a V.A.T. refund form and find out whether the merchant gives refunds—not all stores do, nor are they required to. Have the form stamped like any customs form by customs officials when you leave the country or, if you're visiting several European Union countries, when you leave the EU. After you're through passport control, take the form to a refund-service counter for an on-the-spot refund (which is usually the quickest and easiest option), or mail it to the address on the form (or the envelope with it) after you arrive home. You receive the total refund stated on the form, but the processing time can be long, especially if you request a credit-card adjustment.

Global Refund is a Europe-wide service with 225,000 affiliated stores and more than 700 refund counters at major airports and border crossings. Its refund form, called a Tax Free Check, is the most common across the European continent. The service issues refunds in the form of cash, check, or credit-card adjustment.

V.A.T. Refunds

Global Refund. 800/566–9828; www.globalblue.com.

In Berlin, the base rate for taxis is €3.90, after which prices vary according to a complex tariff system. Figure on paying around €8 to €10 for a ride the length of the Ku'damm. If you've hailed a cab on the street and are taking a short ride of up to 2 km (1 mile), ask the driver as soon as you start off for a special fare (€4) called Kurzstreckentarif. You can also get cabs at taxi stands or order one by calling; there's no additional fee if you call a cab by phone. U-bahn employees will call a taxi for passengers after 8 pm.

BikeTaxi, or Velotaxis are rickshawlike bicycle taxis: they pedal along Kurfürstendamm, Friedrichstrasse, and Unter den Linden, and in Tiergarten. Hail one on the street along the boulevards mentioned. The fare is €5 for up to 1 km (½ mile) and €3 for each additional kilometer, and €22.50 to €30 for longer tours. Velotaxis operate April–October, daily noon–7. Despite these fixed prices, make sure to agree on the fare before starting the tour.

Taxi Information

Taxis. 030/210–101; 030/443–322; 030/261–026.

All of Germany is on Central European Time, which is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. Timeanddate.com can help you figure out the correct time anywhere.

Germans use the 24-hour clock, or military time (1 pm is indicated as 13:00), and write the date before the month, so October 3 will appear as 03.10.

Time Zones

Timeanddate.com. www.timeanddate.com/worldclock.

Waiters, bartenders, and taxi drivers will expect a tip.

Service charges are included in all restaurant checks, as is tax (listed as MwSt), but it is also customary to round up to the next highest euro for bills under €10. Above that sum you should add a little more, generally about 5%–10% of the bill. Give it to the waitstaff as you pay the bill; don't leave it on the table, as that's considered rude.

Favorite souvenirs to buy in Berlin include anything with the Brandenburger Tor or Fernsehturm motif; Buddy Bears, which come painted in a variety of colors and themes; and items decorated with the Monopoly-look-alike red and green Ampelmännchen. And always looking to reinvent itself, the city sponsored a souvenir competition contest in 2013, encouraging creative designs to represent the city’s unique spirit. For something with a bit more historical weight, look for GDR-era souvenirs from one of the few shops that still stocks items made in the former East.

All long-distance trains stop at Berlin's huge and modern central station, Hauptbahnhof, which lies at the northern edge of the government district in central Berlin. Regional trains also stop at the two former "main" stations: Bahnhof Zoo (in the West) and Ostbahnhof (in the East), as well as at the central-eastern stations Friedrichstrasse and Alexanderplatz.

Deutsche Bahn (DB—German Rail) is a very efficient, semi-privatized railway. Its high-speed InterCity Express (ICE), InterCity (IC), and EuroCity (EC) trains make journeys between the centers of many cities—Munich–Frankfurt, for example—faster by rail than by air. All InterCity and InterCity Express trains have restaurant cars and trolley service. RE, RB, and IRE trains are regional trains. It's also possible to book a night train and save a day of your trip. CityNightLine (CNL) trains serving domestic destinations and neighboring countries have sleepers, couches, and recliners.

Once on your platform or Bahnsteig—the area between two tracks—you can check the notice boards that give details of the layout of trains (Wagenstandanzeiger) arriving on that track (Gleis). They show the locations of first- and second-class cars and the restaurant car, as well as where they will stop along the platform. Large railroad stations have English-speaking staff handling information inquiries.

For fare and schedule information, the Deutsche Bahn information line connects you to a live operator; you may have to wait a few moments before someone can help you in English. The automated number is toll-free and gives schedule information. On the DB website (www.bahn.de), click on "English." To calculate the fare, enter your departure and arrival points, any town you wish to pass through, and whether you have a bike.

If you would like to work out an itinerary beforehand, the Deutsche Bahn website can do that in English. It will even tell you which type of train you'll be riding on—which could be important if you suffer from motion sickness. The ICE, the French TGV, the Swiss ICN, and the Italian Cisalpino all use "tilt technology" for a less jerky ride. One side effect, however, is that some passengers might feel queasy, especially if the track is curvy. An over-the-counter drug for motion sickness should help.

Baggage

Most major train stations have luggage lockers (in four sizes). By inserting exact change into a storage unit, you release the unit's key. Prices range from €1 for a small locker to €3 for a "jumbo" one. Smaller towns' train stations may not have any storage options.

Throughout Germany, Deutsche Bahn can deliver your baggage from a private residence or hotel to another or even to one of six airports: Berlin, Frankfurt, Leipzig-Halle, Munich, Hamburg, or Hannover. You must have a valid rail ticket. Buy a Kuriergepäck ticket at any DB ticket counter, at which time you must schedule a pickup three workdays before your flight. The service costs €13.80 for each of the first two suitcases and €15.80 for each suitcase thereafter.

Discounts

Deutsche Bahn offers many discount options with specific conditions, so do your homework on its website or ask about options at the counter before paying for a full-price ticket. For round-trip travel you can save 25% if you book at least three days in advance, 50% if you stay over a Saturday night and book at least three to seven days in advance. However, there's a limited number of seats sold at any of these discount prices, so book as early as possible, at least a week in advance, to get the savings. A discounted rate is called a Sparpreis. If you change your travel plans after booking, you will have to pay a fee. The surcharge for tickets bought on board is 10% of the ticket cost, or a minimum of €5. Most local, RE, and RB services do not allow for purchasing tickets on board. Not having a ticket is considered Schwarzfahren (riding black) and is usually subject to a €60 fine. Tickets booked at a counter always cost more than over the Internet or from an automated ticket machine.

The good news for families is that children under 15 travel free when accompanied by a parent or relative on normal, discounted, and some, but not all, special-fare tickets. However, you must indicate the number of children traveling with you when you purchase the ticket; to ride free, the child (or children) must be listed on the ticket. If you have a ticket with 25% or 50% off, a Mitfahrer-Rabatt allows a second person to travel with you for a 50% discount (minimum of €29 for a second-class ticket). The Schönes -Wochenende-Ticket (Happy Weekend Ticket) provides unlimited travel on regional trains on weekends for one to five persons for €42–€58 (€40–€56 if purchased online or at a vending machine). Groups of six or more should inquire about Gruppen & Spar (group) savings. Each German state, or Land, has its own Länder-Ticket, which lets up to five people travel from 9 am to 3 am for €23–€43.

If you plan to travel by train within a day after your flight arrives, purchase a heavily discounted "Rail and Fly" ticket for DB trains at the same time you book your flight. Trains connect with 14 German airports and two airports outside Germany: Basel and Amsterdam.

Fares

A first-class seat is approximately 55% more than a second-class seat. For this premium you get a bit more legroom and the convenience of having meals (price not included) delivered directly to your seat. Most people find second class entirely adequate and first class not worth the cost. However, many regional trains offer an upgrade to first class for as little as €4. This is especially helpful on weekends when local trains are stuffed with cyclists and day-tripping locals. ICs and the later-generation ICE trains are equipped with electrical outlets for laptops and other gadgets.

Tickets purchased through Deutsche Bahn's website can be retrieved from station vending machines. Always check that your ticket is valid for the type of train you are planning to take, not just for the destination served. If you have the wrong type of ticket, you will have to pay the difference on the train, in cash or by credit card. If you book an online ticket and print it yourself, you must present the credit card used to pay for the ticket to the conductor for the ticket to be valid.

The ReisePacket service is for travelers who are inexperienced, elderly, disabled, or just appreciative of extra help. It costs €11 and provides, among other things, help boarding, disembarking, and transferring on certain trains that serve major cities and vacation areas. It also includes a seat reservation and a voucher for an onboard snack. Purchase the service at least one day before travel.

Passes

If Germany is your only destination in Europe, consider purchasing a German Rail Pass, which allows 4 to 10 days of unlimited first- or second-class travel within a one-month period on any DB train, up to and including the ICE. A Twin Pass saves two people traveling together 50% off one person's fare. A Youth Pass, sold to those 12–25, is much the same but for second-class travel only. You can also use these passes aboard KD Rhine Line along certain sections of the Rhine and Mosel rivers. Prices begin at $257 per person in second class. Twin Passes begin at $380 for two people in second class, and Youth Passes begin at $205. Additional days may be added to either pass, but only at the time of purchase and not once the pass has been issued. Extensions of the German Rail Pass to Brussels, Venice, Verona, Prague, and Innsbruck are also available.

Rail ’n’ Drive combines train travel and car rental. For instance, two people pay $207 each for two rail-travel days and two car-rental days within a month. You can add up to three more rail days ($66 each), and each additional car-rental day is $63.

Germany is one of 21 countries in which you can use a Eurailpass, which provides unlimited first-class rail travel in all participating countries for the duration of the pass. Two adults traveling together can pay either €482 each for 15 consecutive days of travel or €622 each for 21 consecutive days of travel. The youth fare is €369 for 15 consecutive days and €435 for 10 days within two months. Eurailpasses are available from most travel agents and directly from www.eurail.com.

Eurailpasses and some of the German Rail Passes should be purchased before you leave for Europe. You can purchase a Eurailpass and 5- or 10-day German Rail Passes at the Frankfurt airport and at some major German train stations, but the cost will be higher . When you buy your pass, consider purchasing rail pass insurance in case you lose it during your travels.

In order to comply with the strict rules about validating tickets before you begin travel, read the instructions carefully. Some tickets require that a train official validate your pass, while others require you to write in the first date of travel.

Many travelers assume that rail passes guarantee them seats on the trains they wish to ride. Not so. You need to book seats ahead even if you're using a rail pass; seat reservations are required on some European trains, particularly high-speed trains, and are a good idea in summer, on national holidays, and on popular routes. If you board the train without a reserved seat, you risk having to stand. You'll also need a reservation if you purchase sleeping accommodations. Seat reservations on InterCity trains cost €6, and a reservation is absolutely necessary for the ICE-Sprinter trains (€12 for second class). There are no reservations on regional trains.

Contacts

Deutsche Bahn. 0800/150–7090; 11861; 491805/996–633; www.bahn.de.

Eurail. www.eurail.com.

Eurostar. 0870/518–6186; www.eurostar.com.

Rail Europe. 0870/241–5415; www.raileurope.co.uk.

The main information office of Berlin Tourismus Marketing is in the Neues Kranzler Eck, a short walk from Zoo Station. There are branches in the south wing of the Brandenburg Gate, at Hauptbahnhof (Level 0), and in a pavilion opposite the Reichstag that are open daily 10–6. These tourist information centers have longer hours April–October.

Visitor Information

German National Tourist Office. New York, New York. 212/661–7200; www.germany.travel.

Visit Berlin. There are several locations of the tourist office around Berlin. Berlin, Berlin. 030/250–025; www.visitberlin.de.

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Charlottenburg, Berlin, Berlin. 030/2664–24242; www.smb.museum. Weekdays 9--4.

Tourist-Information Center in Prenzlauer Berg. Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Berlin, 10435. 030/4435–2170; www.tic-berlin.de. Daily 11--7.