Money
The official currency in Germany is Euro. You can exchange money at most banks, post offices and airports (banks only exchange foreign notes). When you arrive, we recommend you to have some cash. However, major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in central Berlin as well. Most German goods and services include a value-added tax (VAT) of 16%.
Prices
Alcohol and Soft Drinks
Price for alcohol differs in pubs, bars, and clubs. It also depends on location of the venue. But generally, beer is cheaper than soft drinks. The range of prices for beer and spirits are as follows:
- 0,5 l bottle of beer starts at 0,60 Eur in groceries (plus you will be charge a refundable bottle deposit)
- cocktails are offered from 7,50 Eur, however classy venues charge more and on the good side during happy hour you may find pay one get two deals
- regular cappuccino can be found for 3,00 Eur
- a 0,33 l bottle of Coke or Pepsi is available from 3,50 Eur
- a bottle of water (0,33 l) can be purchased from 2,50 Eur
- in bars and pubs a pint of beer costs 4 Eur / GBP 3,5 - 8 Eur / GBP 7,0
- in clubs a 0,33 l of beer is from 5 Eur / GBP 4,3 to 10 Eur / GBP 8,50
Meal
In Berlin, the cuisine is multicultural. It offers a big variety of different culture's cuisines which are modified to German's tastes. The restaurants and dining services are incredibly inexpensive compared to any other Western European capital or other German cities. Average prices for meal are for example:
- breakfast or brunch (sometimes including coffee, tea, juice) varies from 4,50 Eur to 12 Eur
- a quick pizza starts from 3,0 Eur for a small version
- the typical curry-wurst starts at 3,0 Eur
- cheap lunch menu costs from 8 Eur to 12 Eur and is available from Monday to Friday.
- three course meal for 2 persons in middle range restaurant is around 35 Eur
- steaks are more expensive from 28 Eur up to 45 Eur
Taxi
There are over 7 000 taxis in Berlin, which can be hailed in the street, or picked up at a taxi stand across the city. Taxis in Berlin are comfortable, known to be safe, and a quite economic choice, compared to other European cities. They are easy to recognise and for reasonable price. Taxi drivers also generally speak English (at least to some extent).
- the basic fee starts at €4.00
- the kilometer price is between €2.00 and €2.80
- surcharges apply for waiting, on busy days and sometimes during late night
All Berlin taxis tend to use the taximeter; fixed prices are rare.
Public Transport
There is also an opportunity to travel by bus, train (U-bahn, S-bahn), tram, trolley bus or ferry; if you wish to get to your final destination quickly. Another preferable way how to get around city is to take a bike.
Weather
Berlin has a humid continental climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Summers are warm and sometimes humid with average temperatures around 24°C, while winters are relatively cold - the average temperatures are around 2°C.
Time difference
Berlin (and the whole Germany as well) is in Central European time zone, that is a time difference of +1 hour comparing to UK and due to daylight saving it is +2 hours.
Visa
UK and EU nationals do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.
Embassies
British Embassy
Address: Wilhelmstrasse 70 D-10117 Berlin
Phone: 0049 (0)30 20457-0
Office hours: Local Time Mon-Fri: 9:00-13:00 / 14:00-17:30 GMT Mon-Fri: 8:00-12:00 / 13:00-16:30
US Embassy
Address:Clayallee 170 14195 Berlin
Phone: (030) 8305-1200
Office hours: Monday through Thursday between 14:00 and 16:00 (2:00 p.m.and 4:00 p.m.)
Public Holidays
- 1st January - New Year's Day
- 6th January - Epiphany
- 1st May - International Workers' Day
- 8th August - Peace Festival
- 15th August - Assumption Day
- 3rd October - German Unity Day
- 31st October - Reformation Day
- 1st November - All Saint's Day
- Wed before 23rd November - Day of Repentance and Prayer
- 25th December - Christmas Day
- 26th December - St Stephen's Day / Boxing Day
Language
German is the official and predominant spoken language in Germany. Recognised native minority languages in Germany are Danish, Sorbian, Romany. The most used immigrant languages are Turkish, Kurdish, Polish, the Balkan languages, and Russian. The majority of the Germans are able to speak English very well, due to the high multiculturalism in Berlin and Germany.
Voltage
The voltage in Germany is 230 V with frequency of 50 Hz. The plug that is used in Germany is the same as in most of European countries. The travellers from The United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland or Denmark will have to use the appropriate adaptor.
Telephone
The international telephone code to Germany is 49.
Berlin Travel Guide
Germany is a federation of 16 states. It is one of the most influential nations in European culture, and one of the world's main economic powers. In other words Germany means quality and hard work. What you may not know that well is its "fun side". There are loads of things to do when in Germany - cultural differences vary from region to region and you have a chance to discover the local diversity on your own
When in Germany, the highlight of your trip would definitely be a visit of the capital - Berlin. It is considered being a place which never gets stuck in a routine. Location in Eastern Germany makes it easy accessible for travelers from all over the Europe. Hotels are very comfortable, ranging from two star hotels and studios to five-star hotels with in-built jacuzzi and even saunas.
Berlin is a city of many forms - as for cultural life it is home to around 420 art galleries, 153 museums and 50 theaters. It also reveals its history hidden behind the "imaginary" Berlin Wall (which fell down in 1989). Such sights as Brandenburg Gate, Berlin City Hall, Gendarmenmarkt, Charlottenburg Palace, Postdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin TV Tower, and many others are worth seeing.
Concerning social life, there is no doubt that Berlin's nightlife is one of the most diverse and vibrant of its kind in Europe. The nights are well catered for a full range of night clubs, bars, and casinos. Berlin is notable for the length of its parties. Clubs are not required to close at a fixed time on the weekends, and many parties last well into the morning, or all weekend.
Diverse gastronomy scene reflects the immigrant history of the city with its wide variety of cafes and restaurants catering for every taste. The speciality, that is worth tasting, is "curry wurst" served with ketchup and spicy Curry powder.
Berlin will definitely surprise you with the internationalism - it is considered being on of the most multicultural cities in Europe. Welcome in Berlin!