Getting Around

Once in Germany you can travel by train, car, bus, or air. Keep in mind that tickets with flexible schedules cost more but may be well worth it.

Travel by train is the most relaxing and often fastest way to go. The Deutsche Bahn (German Railroad) serves most destinations with relative frequency, speed, and comfort. Train stations are in the city center, and served by extensive intercity public transportation networks. Domestic air travel can be cheaper than the train, especially between bigger cities. Air Berlin and Germanwings offer very low fares on inter-German routes.

All major car-rental companies are represented in Germany. Gasoline is expensive (about €5.96 per gallon), and parking in major cities can be difficult. Nevertheless, Germany has one of the world's best maintained and most extensive highway systems, and a car gives you the flexibility to explore on your own, particularly in less densely populated areas. Most cars in Germany have manual transmission. A few rules of the road to remember: Large German cities like Berlin require all cars to meet environmental standards before entering the city center—rental cars and foreign visitors are not exempt. Always obey speed limits—although some stretches of the autobahn have no speed limit, speeds are restricted approaching towns.