Major airlines and airports: link
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===Electricity===
===Electricity===
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Electricity is supplied at 230 V and 50 Hz and power failures are very rare. Almost all outlets use the Schuko plug, and most appliances have a thinner but compatible Europlug. Adapters for other plugs are widely available in electronics stores.
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Electricity is supplied at 230 V and 50 Hz and power failures are very rare
, totaling less than 15 minutes per year per end-user on average
. Almost all outlets use the Schuko plug, and most appliances have a thinner but compatible Europlug. Adapters for other plugs are widely available in electronics stores.
==Regions==
==Regions==
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<!-- IMPORTANT!!!!! Please do not add any German cities in this top listing without discussion on the talk page, smaller places go into the subdirectories in the country section -->
<!-- IMPORTANT!!!!! Please do not add any German cities in this top listing without discussion on the talk page, smaller places go into the subdirectories in the country section -->
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*[[Berlin]] – The reunified and reinvigorated capital of Germany; known for its division during the Cold War, the Berlin Wall. Today a metropolis of diversity with some of the world's best clubs, shops, galleries and restaurants. The suburb of [[Potsdam]] with its royal palaces and gardens shouldn't be missed when in Berlin.
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*[[Berlin]] – The reunified and reinvigorated capital of Germany; known for its division during the Cold War, the Berlin Wall. Today a metropolis of diversity with some of the world's best clubs, shops, galleries and restaurants
. Due to its long status as a divided city, Berlin also boosts more operas and museums per capita than most other places in the world
. The suburb of [[Potsdam]] with its royal palaces and gardens shouldn't be missed when in Berlin.
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*[[Bremen]] – One of the most important cities in northern Germany, its old market, the ''Schnoor'', the Böttcherstrasse, the ''Viertel'' and the maritime flair of Bremen and its
harbour
Bremerhaven (together forming the ''Bundesland'' of Bremen, the smallest in both size and population) make up a great urban experience.
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*[[Bremen]] – One of the most important cities in northern Germany, its old market, the ''Schnoor'', the Böttcherstrasse, the ''Viertel'' and the maritime flair of Bremen and its
harbor
Bremerhaven (together forming the ''Bundesland'' of Bremen, the smallest in both size and population) make up a great urban experience.
*[[Cologne]] (''Köln'') – This city was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago and is known for its huge cathedral (second largest in the world), Romanesque churches, archaeological sites and the lively old town quarter. The Cologne Carnival is a major draw around February.
*[[Cologne]] (''Köln'') – This city was founded by the Romans 2000 years ago and is known for its huge cathedral (second largest in the world), Romanesque churches, archaeological sites and the lively old town quarter. The Cologne Carnival is a major draw around February.
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*[[Dresden]] – Once called 'Florence on the Elbe', world-famous for its Frauenkirche and its rebuilt historic ''Altstadt'' that was destroyed during the war. Dresden's museums like Zwinger and Residenzschloss are unmatched in the world.
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*[[Dresden]] – Once called 'Florence on the Elbe', world-famous for its Frauenkirche
(destroyed in the war rebuilt with donations in 2005)
and its rebuilt historic ''Altstadt'' that was destroyed during the war. Dresden's museums like Zwinger and Residenzschloss are unmatched in the world.
*[[Düsseldorf]] – Germany's capital of shopping that also offers a wide scale of fascinating new architecture. The "Altstadt" quarter and the Rhine embankments have a vibrant nightlife.
*[[Düsseldorf]] – Germany's capital of shopping that also offers a wide scale of fascinating new architecture. The "Altstadt" quarter and the Rhine embankments have a vibrant nightlife.
*[[Frankfurt]] – Alpha metropolis of Germany with a magnificent skyline, financial and transportation hub of the European continent with the seat of the European Central Bank (ECB) and an important trade fair. Small reconstructed centre with timbered houses, important museums and galleries around the ''Museumsufer'' like the ''Schirn'' Art Hall, the ''Städel'' and the ''Senckenberg'' Natural Museum.
*[[Frankfurt]] – Alpha metropolis of Germany with a magnificent skyline, financial and transportation hub of the European continent with the seat of the European Central Bank (ECB) and an important trade fair. Small reconstructed centre with timbered houses, important museums and galleries around the ''Museumsufer'' like the ''Schirn'' Art Hall, the ''Städel'' and the ''Senckenberg'' Natural Museum.
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*[[Hamburg]] – Germany's second-largest city, with a metropolitan character second only to Berlin, famous for its harbour as well as its liberal culture. Don't miss the bustling nightlife around St. Pauli with the Reeperbahn and its night clubs and entertainment venues.
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*[[Hamburg]] – Germany's second-largest city, with a metropolitan character second only to Berlin, famous for its harbour as well as its liberal culture. Don't miss the bustling nightlife around St. Pauli with the Reeperbahn and its night clubs and entertainment venues.
Historically one of the cities of the Hanse and a leading trade center after that, it remains one of three German "city states" i.e. a city that is its own ''Bundesland''
*[[Munich]] (''München'') – Bavaria's beautiful capital city, calling itself 'world city with a heart', the site of the famous [[Munich#Festivals|Oktoberfest]], Hofbräuhaus, several beer gardens and the gateway to the Alps.
*[[Munich]] (''München'') – Bavaria's beautiful capital city, calling itself 'world city with a heart', the site of the famous [[Munich#Festivals|Oktoberfest]], Hofbräuhaus, several beer gardens and the gateway to the Alps.
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*[[Nuremberg]] (''Nürnberg'') – Retaining a medieval touch as a former ''Reichsstadt'', its old town has been partly reconstructed after being severely bombed in World War II, including the Gothic ''Kaiserburg'' and the major churches, and you can also visit the Nazi party rally grounds, the Documentation
Centre
and Courtroom 600 (the venue of the Nuremberg war crime trials).
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*[[Nuremberg]] (''Nürnberg'') – Retaining a medieval touch as a former ''Reichsstadt'', its old town has been partly reconstructed after being severely bombed in World War II, including the Gothic ''Kaiserburg'' and the major churches, and you can also visit the Nazi party rally grounds, the Documentation
Center
and Courtroom 600 (the venue of the Nuremberg war crime trials).
==Other destinations==
==Other destinations==
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===Entry requirements===
===Entry requirements===
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[[File:Scholtenpad Dutch-German border .jpg|thumb|The Dutch–German border, near [[Winterswijk]]. The crossings to the western
neighbours
of Germany hardly look different from any other path.]]
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[[File:Scholtenpad Dutch-German border .jpg|thumb|The Dutch–German border, near [[Winterswijk]]. The crossings to the western
neighbors
of Germany hardly look different from any other path.]]
{{Schengen}}
{{Schengen}}
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Recognised
refugees and stateless persons in possession of a valid travel document issued by the government of any one of the above countries/territories (e.g. Canada) are exempt from obtaining a visa for Germany (but '''no''' other Schengen country, except [[Hungary]], [[The Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], and for refugees, [[Slovakia]]) for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period.
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Recognized
refugees and stateless persons in possession of a valid travel document issued by the government of any one of the above countries/territories (e.g. Canada) are exempt from obtaining a visa for Germany (but '''no''' other Schengen country, except [[Hungary]], [[The Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]], and for refugees, [[Slovakia]]) for a maximum stay of 90 days in a 180-day period.
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Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the US are eligible to obtain a residence permit, or '''Aufenthaltstitel''' (
authorising
a stay of more than 90 days and permission to work), upon arrival in Germany, but before the end of the initial 90 day period of visa-free entry. Before obtaining such status, they are not allowed to work, with the exception of some specific occupations (such as artists). Nationals of Honduras, Monaco and San Marino can also obtain such a permit, but this is issued only if they may not work on the residence permit. Other nationals will need to obtain a visa before if they intend to stay in Germany for longer than the 90-day period, even if they are visa-free for that period for a stay in the Schengen area, or if they intend to work.
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Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the US are eligible to obtain a residence permit, or '''Aufenthaltstitel''' (
authorizing
a stay of more than 90 days and permission to work), upon arrival in Germany, but before the end of the initial 90 day period of visa-free entry. Before obtaining such status, they are not allowed to work, with the exception of some specific occupations (such as artists). Nationals of Honduras, Monaco and San Marino can also obtain such a permit, but this is issued only if they may not work on the residence permit. Other nationals will need to obtain a visa before if they intend to stay in Germany for longer than the 90-day period, even if they are visa-free for that period for a stay in the Schengen area, or if they intend to work.
Authorized members of the British and US military need to possess only a copy of their duty orders (NATO Travel Order) and their ID card to be authorized entry into Germany. The passport requirement, though, applies to spouses and dependants of military personnel, and they must obtain a stamp in their passports to show that they are sponsored by a person in Germany under the Status of Forces Agreement.
Authorized members of the British and US military need to possess only a copy of their duty orders (NATO Travel Order) and their ID card to be authorized entry into Germany. The passport requirement, though, applies to spouses and dependants of military personnel, and they must obtain a stamp in their passports to show that they are sponsored by a person in Germany under the Status of Forces Agreement.
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There are no land border controls, making travel between Germany and other Schengen states easier with the accession of Switzerland to the Schengen area in 2008. However, plain-clothes officers of the German border police are known to ask travellers for their ID especially on the border between Bavaria and Austria.
There are no land border controls, making travel between Germany and other Schengen states easier with the accession of Switzerland to the Schengen area in 2008. However, plain-clothes officers of the German border police are known to ask travellers for their ID especially on the border between Bavaria and Austria.
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There
are
a
number
of
ways
to
get
into
Germany.
From neighbouring European countries, a drive with
the
car
or
a
train
ride
are
feasible; visitors from further away will
probably
be
using
air
travel
.
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When
crossing
a
border
in
an
international
Eurocity
train
(especially
to/from
the
Czech
Republic
and
Poland)
you
will
almost
always
be
asked
for
ID
.
+
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There are a number of ways to get into Germany. From neighboring European countries, a drive with the car or a train ride are feasible; visitors from further away will probably be using air travel.
===By plane===
===By plane===
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Frankfurt is Germany's main hub – one of Europe's four major hubs – and the destination of most intercontinental flights. Munich is a growing secondary hub. Travellers can easily fly in from most places of the world and then connect with Germany's biggest and most respected airline '''[http://www.lufthansa.com Lufthansa]''' which is a member of the [[Star Alliance]]. Germany's second largest airline is '''[http://www.airberlin.com Air Berlin]''', a member of [[oneworld]] and also an associate of Etihad Airways, which also serves lots of destinations throughout Germany, Europe and North America from several airports.
Frankfurt is Germany's main hub – one of Europe's four major hubs – and the destination of most intercontinental flights. Munich is a growing secondary hub. Travellers can easily fly in from most places of the world and then connect with Germany's biggest and most respected airline '''[http://www.lufthansa.com Lufthansa]''' which is a member of the [[Star Alliance]]. Germany's second largest airline is '''[http://www.airberlin.com Air Berlin]''', a member of [[oneworld]] and also an associate of Etihad Airways, which also serves lots of destinations throughout Germany, Europe and North America from several airports.
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The airports of Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Köln/Bonn are connected to the ''InterCityExpress'' high-speed rail lines. Most other airports are either connected via the urban public transport network or have their own commuter rail station. This is however not always the case with lesser "regional" airports, frequently used by no frills airlines with "Frankfurt"-Hahn being a particular example having no rail connection and a bus that takes about 2 hours to Frankfurt as the only mode of public transport. Lufthansa's passengers traveling from Frankfurt Airport have the option to check in in Cologne or Stuttgart train stations and connect to Frankfurt airport by ICE, dropping of their luggage immediately at the Frankfurt airport long distance railway station. If doing so, be sure to book the train journey like a Lufthansa connecting flight (i.e. in advance together with the flight), otherwise ''you'' are regarded responsible for a missed connection. All major German airports and most airlines also offer rail&fly, a program that allows you to get a ticket to/from the airport and any place that is connected to the German rail network. Most of the time this has to be bought together with the plane-ticket as well, but some airlines allow you to buy it in addition to the plane ticket later on. For more on this topic see [[rail air alliances]]
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The airports of Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Köln/Bonn are connected to the ''InterCityExpress'' high-speed rail lines. Most other airports are either connected via the urban public transport network or have their own commuter rail station. This is however not always the case with lesser "regional" airports, frequently used by no frills airlines with "Frankfurt"-Hahn being a particular example having no rail connection and a bus that takes about 2 hours to Frankfurt as the only mode of public transport. Lufthansa's passengers traveling from Frankfurt Airport have the option to check in in Cologne or Stuttgart train stations and connect to Frankfurt airport by ICE, dropping of their luggage immediately at the Frankfurt airport long distance railway station. If doing so, be sure to book the train journey like a Lufthansa connecting flight (i.e. in advance together with the flight), otherwise ''you'' are regarded responsible for a missed connection. All major German airports and most airlines also offer
[http://www.bahn.de/p/view/service/flug/rail_und_fly.shtml
rail&fly
]
, a program that allows you to get a ticket to/from the airport and any place that is connected to the German rail network. Most of the time this has to be bought together with the plane-ticket as well, but some airlines allow you to buy it in addition to the plane ticket later on. For more on this topic see [[rail air alliances]]
====Budget travel and minor airlines====
====Budget travel and minor airlines====