Electricity: Electricity in Germany is 230 volts (that means that if you use an American appliance in an outlet, it will get fried). You will need both a voltage converter and plug adapter to make appliances work, unless you have an automatic converter on your device. Remember that an adapter plug alone doesn’t convert the voltage; it just converts the hardware so you can plug the appliance in.
Tipping: In general, tipping is not required in Germany, as service is included in the bill. But it is widely considered appropriate. In restaurants a tip between five and ten percent is acceptable. Do not leave the tip on the table; instead include it in your bill. Ten percent is recommended for taxi drivers. In hotels, you may tip the bell boy one Euro per bag, and the room cleaner one or two Euros per day.
Credit Cards: Bank machines accept a variety of international credit cards. The airports and major railway stations provide electronic currency changing machines that can be used to exchange foreign currency for Euros. Credit cards are not universally accepted, particularly at smaller stores.
Emergency Medical Treatment: If you need urgent medical treatment, call 112. The pharmacies also have a service that covers nights and Sundays.
Store Hours in Germany: Shops generally open between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., although some bakeries and restaurants open earlier. Most do not close for lunch. Shops are closed on Sunday, with the exception of bakeries that generally open on Sunday mornings. Cafes and cake shops are open on Sunday afternoons. Many filling stations have very long opening hours, sometimes around the clock. They often sell food, newspapers, and other basics.
German museums are typically closed on Mondays.
Main page for a Martin Luther Tour
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