Tips & Hints

Currency, banks and money exchange
The official currency of Germany is the EURO.
As well as bureaus de change, mostly situated around train stations and airports, there are branches of all major banks across the city. The opening times are convenient with many banks open the whole day, several days a week. Outside banking hours you will find cash machines on nearly every street corner.
It is recommended to change money in a bank or take cash out of ATM machines, which are plentiful in Berlin and every larger town.

Tax
Most German goods and services include a value-added tax (VAT), called Mehrwertsteuer (or MwSt), currently set at 16%.

Weather
Berlin lies between oceanic and continental stamped climate. The weather in October is usually pleasant, with temperatures usually ranging between 9°C and 18°C.

Transportation
Berlin's public transport system is composed of buses, trams, the U-Bahn (subway), the S-Bahn (light rail), Regionalbahn (RB) and Regionalexpress (RE) trains, and ferries.
For further information, please see the following websites:
www.bvg.de
www.bahn.de

Telecommunications

•	Payphones: There are two types of payphones used in Germany: telephone boxes, using telephone cards and Call shops, where you can make international calls at reasonable prices. Both types of payphones can be found easily at many locations in any town or city.
•	Mobile Phones: There are four main providers in Germany. Germany operates on a GSM network, as most of other European countries.
•	Calling Abroad: To call abroad, dial 00 + country code + national number of the line being called abroad E.g. to call a number in the United States, dial 00 + 1 + area code + local number
•	Internet Cafés: Internet cafés with high-speed connection Internet are plentiful in Germany. You will find one at almost every corner inBerlin. Prices and opening hours vary.

Timezone
CET/ GMT+1

Tipping
Tipping is not a requirement. However if you had good service a 5% to 10% tip would be considered polite.

Dialing Code
International code +49
City code- 30

Electrical Guide
Voltage:230 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Plug: C & F