Overview

• Language: The official language of Germany is German. The majority of residents also speak English. As English is a Germanic language, I often found it easy to break apart long German words and identify their similar English counterparts.
• Useful phrases: Hello (Hallo), Thank you (Danke).
• Currency: Euro (see current exchange rates here).
• Payment methods: Unlike many other countries in Europe, Germany remains a predominantly cash-driven society. Many restaurants and stores accept major credit cards, but prefer that you pay in cash (and you may get a scowl from a local if you try to pay with card!). Therefore, I always try to have enough cash on me to pay for my meal and a taxi if needed. ATMs are common and the easiest way to get cash upon arrival.
• Electric plugs: Germany uses type C or type F electrical outlet plugs. Standard voltage is 230V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. This voltage is common in Europe, but if you are coming from the Americas, you will likely need a converter. Check out my favorite converter and adaptor!
• Measurement systems: Like most of the world, Germany uses the Metric System, measuring distances in kilometers and temperature in Celsius.
• Weather: Germany is a fairly large country by European standards, and typically experiences all four seasons throughout the year. Winter can be cool, with temperatures just dipping below freezing. Summer is high tourist season and typically in the mid-70s°F, but can spike in heat waves (especially in southern Germany) to the 90s. Summer can also be rainy, so make sure you pack layers and an umbrella!
• Bonus tip: Many people associate German culture with lederhosen and liters of beer – but that is mostly just traditional Bavarian culture. Bavaria is a region in southern Germany that is home to the famous Oktoberfest (which actually starts in late September), but there are many other unique regions to the country that have their own culture (and would never wear lederhosen)!

Logistics

• Visa needs: Germany is part of Europe’s Schengen zone, a group of 26 European countries who have abolished internal borders between member-Schengen countries. Upon entry to any Schengen country, most citizens from Western countries will not need a formal visa, and will instead get a transit visa at the airport. These citizens are allowed to stay a maximum of 90 days for every six month period; therefore, you must have at least three months validity left in your passport upon entry. For additional details and a full listing of countries requiring formal visas, click here.
• Getting there: The Frankfurt airport (FRA) is one of the major international airline hubs in Germany, as it is a hub for Lufthansa, Germany’s primary airline.
• Getting around: Germany has excellent public transportation, and in most cities, you will not need a car to get around and can instead rely on trams, metros, or rideshares. I’ve traveled extensively within Germany and never had an issue with their public transit! You may be able to board some local transit systems (like the Berlin metro) without scanning your ticket. However, don’t be tempted to do this! Officers often come around during the ride to check for valid tickets, and fines can be steep.
• Driving: Residents of Germany drive on the right side of the road. Visitors from the United States and Europe typically do not require an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Germany. However, if you are driving near the border of Austria, an IDP may be helpful; an IDP is required by law in Austria, and it is easy to accidentally drive across borders.

LGBTQ+ Safety

Overall safety ranking: B

Despite having several socially conservative political parties, Germany is fairly progressive when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community. The vast majority of citizens are accepting of queer people. Additionally, cities like Berlin and Cologne are some of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.

• Are same sex relations illegal? No
• Is same sex marriage legal? Yes
• Are there protections against discrimination? Yes
• Is there the right to change physical gender? Yes

Check out this post for more safety tips for queer travelers!