Collins Gem

Weather

Getting around

Asking the way

FACE TO FACE

Entschuldigung! Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof?

entshooldi-goong! vee kom-e ikh tsoom bahn-hohf? Excuse me! How do I get to the station?

Immer geradeaus. Biegen Sie links ab nach der Kirche

immer grah-de-ows. beegen zee links ap nahkh dehr kir-khe

Straight on. Turn left after the church

Ist es weit?

ist es vyt?

Is it far?

Nein, fünf Minuten

nyn, fuenf minooten

No, five minutes

Bus and coach

If you are using public transport, you can buy a multiple ticket – eine Mehrfahrtenkarte. You have to validate it either on board the bus/tram/underground or at the bus stop. Other options are eine Touristenkarte (tourist pass) or eine Familienkarte (family ticket). Public transport is free for children under 6. Children between 6 and 14 pay half price. The ticketing systems of public transport vary greatly. In some cities, you have to stamp the ticket before boarding trains, trams and buses. In others, the ticket is immediately validated by the ticket machine.

FACE TO FACE

Entschuldigung, gibt es einen Bus nach Bonn?

entshooldi-goong, gipt es yn-en boos nahkh bon?

Excuse me, is there a bus to Bonn?

Ja, die Nummer 15

yah, dee noommer fuenf-tsehn

Yes, number 15

Wo fährt der Bus ab?

voh fehrt dehr boos ap?

Where does the bus leave from?

Neben dem Museum

nehben dehm moo-zeh-oom

Next to the museum

Wo kann ich Fahrscheine kaufen?

voh kann ikh fahr-shyn-e kowfen?

Where can I buy tickets?

Im Bus

im boos

On the bus

Metro

Most German cities operate an integrated transport system. Tickets cover bus, U-Bahn (metro) and S-Bahn (suburban trains). One option is eine Tageskarte (day pass). This allows you to use all transport within city limits from time of purchase until end of service. If you are travelling in a group, eine Gruppenfahrkarte (group ticket) is a good option for up to 5 people.

Train

The ICE (Intercity Express) trains connect major German cities as well as those in other countries. They cost more than the slower IC (Intercity) or Regionalbahnen (regional trains). If you are not pressed for time, a cheap alternative to direct routes are das Deutschlandticket or das Wochenendticket (weekend pass). They allow you to use all intercity trains and S-Bahnen (suburban trains). The ticket and information offices are marked Reisezentrum.

FACE TO FACE

Zwei Rückfahrkarten nach Berlin, bitte

tsvy ruek-fahr-kahrten nahkh ber-leen, bit-e

Two return tickets to Berlin, please

Dreißig Euro, bitte

dry-sikh oyroh, bit-e

Thirty euros, please

Wann geht der nächste Zug?

van geht dehr neh-kste tzook?

When is the next train?

Um zehn Uhr

oom tsehn oo-er

At 10 o’clock

Taxi

In Germany it is practically impossible to flag down a taxi in the street. You have to find a taxi rank, Taxistand, or phone for a taxi. Taxis are marked with a sign on top of the vehicle. Call 22456 from a mobile phone to be put through to a taxi service close by. Restaurants and hotels are usually happy to help you call a taxi if you need one.

Boat and ferry

Air travel

Germany’s major airports are Flughafen Frankfurt am Main, Flughafen München (‘Franz-Josef-Strauß’) and Flughafen Berlin-Tegel (‘Otto Lilienthal’), which will be replaced in 2017 by Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (‘Willy Brandt’). Note that the politicians’ names are hardly ever used when referring to these airports; the city’s name is enough.

Customs control

With the Single European Market, European Union (EU) citizens are subject only to spot checks and can go through the blue or green customs channel when arriving from another EU country.

Car hire

Most companies hire cars to anyone who is 18 or over, but may charge extra for drivers under 21. Some also have restrictions when it comes to certain types of cars, such as sports cars. You may be required to have held your licence for a certain amount of time.

Driving

The speed limits in Germany are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h on ordinary roads. There is no speed restriction on motorways, though 130 km/h is recommended. Be careful though: some sections do have restrictions and these are signposted. Most cities have controlled parking areas: watch out for Zone signs. You cannot park within these zones.

Petrol

Most petrol stations are self-service. Petrol is more expensive at motorway service stations. An Autohof or Rasthof (a truck stop) is a cheaper alternative. These do not have their own motorway exit but are situated a little further away from the motorway and reached by a regular exit. They usually have fairly good restaurant options for the likes of a motorway service station, better than those found at a Raststätte.

Breakdown

If you break down on a German motorway, by law you should place a warning triangle 100 metres behind your vehicle. The main breakdown company is the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club). If you need help, their emergency number is 22 22 22.

Car parts