Travelling in Germany is super fun! Explore cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Köln or München to get an idea about the diversity of Germany. There are different options how to get around and how to get an accommodation. So go ahead, explore Germany – wir wünschen eine schöne Reise (we wish you a good trip)!
1) Renting a car
In order to rent a car in Germany or Europe, non-Europeans need a valid driver’s licensefrom their home state or province. Although the legal driving age is 18, drivers usually must be over 21 (sometimes even older) to rent a car. As of July 1, 2011 foreign drivers must also be at least 18 years old to drive any car in Germany. Before renting a car in Germany, it is useful to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), which is a German translation of your Indian license (see below). The most prominent Car Rental companies are the following:
- Europcar
- Avis
- Hertz
- enterprise – rent a car
- sixt
You can search for car rentals here.
2) International Driving Permit
You may drive in Germany with your valid full Indian license for the period of up to six months if you intend to stay only temporarily. You are not obliged to obtain an international drivers license (IDP) for that period of time.
However it can be useful to have an IDP, if police asks for it, or if you want to rent a car. Also if you plan to drive a lot outside of Germany, you may want to get an IDP, which is valid in over 150 countries. The minimum age for the IDP is 18.
The IDP is a translation of the original license from India or any other home country. You can obtain it prior to your stay in Germany: http://www.wiaaindia.com/international-driving-permit
Once you have stayed in Germany longer than 6 months, you are required to apply for a German drivers license. Indian licenses are not simply exchanged for German ones, you will be asked to pass a full theoretical and practical driving test, there is no license waiver agreement between Germany and India.
3) Parking
When parking in an urban area (business or residential) in Germany, always look for a sign that says “Parkscheine” (“Parking tickets”) and the machine that dispenses them. Never just assume that parking is free.
You can pay for your parking time with either coins or an EC card (but not a credit card!). You insert coins to pay for the amount of parking time you want, then place your ticket on the car’s dashboard in plain sight.
Although you will seldom see a parking meter in Germany and much of Europe, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay for parking! Hence watch out for any sign or machine for payable parking.
You can also use a parking garage or parking deck, if you do not find any free parking slots. Usually you just drive in, receive a ticket from a ticket machine. After finishing your stay, you have to put the ticket in a pay and display machine (Parkscheinautomat). There you have to pay for the amount of time you parked, before leaving the parking deck.
4) Ride-/ Journey sharing (Mitfahrgelegenheit)
Since 2012 ride-/ journey sharing has become very popular in Germany. In particular, it is the sharing of a ticket or a car by a few people with the same destination. It can be a train- or busticket, which is valid for more people, but most often it is a shared car.
Usually the driver offers a ride from one to the other city via a website. The online platform “Blablacar.de” has become widely accepted throughout students and young adults because it is the cheapest way to travel. At the same time it is nice for getting to know new people and to Blabla. (BlaBla means sth. like chatting and talking nonsense).
Before planning your first trip you have to sign up online with the homepage www.Blablacar.de, while giving your credentials as well as mobile phone number. In 2013 this platform has won an innovation award, for innovative and creative services. If you are a woman and want to travel alone, you can make sure that you go with a female driver and travel during the day.
5) Accomodation
5.1.) German Youth Hostel Association (Jugendherberge)
Throughout Germany there is a wide network (500 Youth Hostels) of the German Youth Hostel Association, where you can stay for a relatively low rate, while exploring Germany.
The conditions are good and simple – it is a good and safe place to stay. The name already tells us – Youth Hostel – a hostel for the young. Many clubs and associations book youth hostels for a weekend, so that when you stay there, you will see many young people, backpackers, pupils, sport clubs, music clubs as well as many international people.
Before checking into a “Jugendherberge” you have to sign up as a member. This is very easy to do. Basically you just ask at the reception of a Jugendherberge for the documents, while bringing along your passport, residence permit and cash.
- DJH Membership (according to information of 2016)
Germans and foreigners with a permanent residence in Germany can become members of the German Youth Hostel Association DJH.- You pay the membership fee once a year:
- Junior fee (up to 26 years): 7,00 €
- Families/27 plus: 22,50 €
- Your membership is valid in more than 4.000 Youth Hostels in over 80 countries, spread out over all continents.
- You pay the membership fee once a year:
- International Guest Card
If you do not hold a membership card, you can purchase an International Guest Card instead.- You then have to buy a welcome stamp for each night of your stay at the cost of 3,50 €.
- When you have collected 6 welcome stamps, the guest card becomes valid in all hostels worldwide or entitles you to reduced rates for your stay.
- Validity is 12 months from the date of issue.
- Alternatively, a guest card with immediate international validity can be obtained at 18,00 €.
Usually the youth hostels are situated a little outside of the city center. However, there is always public transfer, so that you can go easily from one to the other destination. You can visit their English-speaking site using the following link:
Here you can check the availability for rooms and make reservations online. Once you have found your “Jugendherberge” in your desired city, you select the date of your stay and book the room.
5.2) AirBnB
While travelling different cities in Germany you can of course also make use of AirBnB, which is an online platform that connects private people offering an apartment or a room with travelers. On a basis of a common win-win situation you can book a room from e.g. Sandra from Munich for a low rate. This way you can get to know Germans, other internationals, families and many different people, while saving money. Have a look on the entire article under acommodation.
5.3) Hotels
Hotels in Germany can be both expensive and also cheap, depending on the destination, the date of travel or the required comfort. There are a few online sites that provide various useful filters that give you a good overview about the available options. As for example www.hrs.de, you can set the language option to English in the upper right corner of the homepage. On the page itself, you type in the destination, the arrival and departure date and the number of travelers. You can also add other search criteria like proximity.
4) Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing.com is an online hospitality exchange platform where you can search for free accommodation in the whole world. First it was a non-profit organization, now it is a for-profit organization. As a guest you can “surf”on the couch of your host, which means that you are given a place to sleep over. Thereby you can get to know different people and their homes. It’s also a nice way to learn the German culture. Of course you can take over the role as a host and invite people to stay at your home.
In order to use the services on the homepage you have to register and pay a minor, annual fee. You also have to give credentials like information about yourself, a photo. By filling out your information you increase the chances that you are invited to be a guest or that people visit you if you decide to be a host.
When you become a member and start looking for an accommodation, you can search for hosts using several parameters such as age, location, and gender. As a guest you discuss the duration, the nature, and terms of your stay in advance with your host. Happy couchsurfing everyone!