destination information

germany
general information
currency

Euros (dm)

time difference
1 hour ahead of gmt
bank opening time
generally open mon - wed and fri 0900 - 1200 and 1430 - 1600, thurs 0900 - 1200 and 1430 - 1730
public holidays 2008

1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension.
12 May Whit Monday.
22 May* Corpus Christi.
15 Aug* Assumption.
3 Oct Day of German Unity.
31 Oct* Day of Reformation.
1 Nov* All Saints' Day.
19 Nov* Repentance Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

driving rules
speed limits
Built-up areas: 50kmh/31mph residential areas: 30kmh is common, major roads outside towns: 100kmh/62 mph motorway: although some sections of the autobahn have no restrictions 130kmh/80mph is recommended.
drink and driving
Blood alcohol limit is 80 mg.
general driving

Drive on the right, overtake on the left.

It is compulsory to carry an emergency triangle, first aid kit and spare bulb kit.

A parking disc system operates in major towns. Discs are available from police, tourist offices and tobacconists.

Always give way to vehicles on the right unless advised otherwise.

Driving licence and vehicle documents should be carried at all times.

On-the-spot fines of up to dm75 can be charged. Offences may include: speeding, parking and running out of fuel on a
motorway.

It is compulsory to wear seatbelts in the front and in the rear if fitted.

Buses have right of way when leaving bus stops.

Use dipped headlights in poor visibility.

In built-up areas, the use of horns is only permitted for emergencies.

In cities, give way to trams and do not pass them at official stops.

It is an offence to park facing oncoming traffic.

It is prohibited to overtake or pass a school bus, which has stopped outside a built-up area, when red lights are flashing.

tourist office
For the official German tourism website click here
travel tips

The Federal Republic of Germany borders, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. It has a diversity of landscapes which include the famous Rhine, Bavaria and Black Forest. The country is divided into 16 states known as Bundesländer which include the city of Berlin. Each region has its own distinctive character, dialect, traditional dress and food.

In the East, river basins cover a major part of the landscape and the South is well known for its beer halls, Black Forest and Lake Constance. Along the Rhine and Moselle are steep terraced vineyards and beautiful castles. The North is best known for its seafaring cities of Hamburg and Bremen and its health resorts.