Page 558 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

556  SUR VIV AL GUIDE TR A VEL INFORM A TION  557

Travelling by Car and Coach Travelling by Coach
There is a good network of
A fast and comfortable way of travelling around Germany inter-city coach services in
is to use the motorways. The excellent network of toll-free Germany, and journeys tend to
routes guarantees fast progress over longer distances, while a be cheaper than by express train.
well-maintained system of main roads enables you to reach Most towns have a central station
(Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof)
interesting places throughout the country. Motorways have the near the train station. It is here
advantage of regularly sited service stations, where travellers that most bus services originate
can stop for fuel and something to eat. On lesser roads and in A selection of traffic signs one might and where timetables can be
remote areas, petrol stations may be few and far between. encounter on German roads obtained and tickets purchased.
Flixbus is a leading long-
driving without chains when distance coach provider. All
Arriving by Car
and have regularly there is snow. national bus companies have
With the addition of Poland spaced petrol stations A diversion is indicated by the Cars in heavy traffic on the Autobahn A3 near Ratingen websites, making ticket purchases
and the Czech Republic to as well as service areas colour yellow and the word easy. Many local coach services
the Schengen Area, border with parking areas, toilets, Umleitung, while the diversion with a caravan or trailer outside driving licence. Most rental also operate from the central bus
check-points are now restaurants and motels. route is indicated by the letter built-up areas, do not exceed agencies require drivers to station, so it is easy to make a
largely non-existent. Border On the hard shoulder “U” followed by the number of 70 km/h (44 mph), and on be over the age of 21 and to connection on arrival. Reisebus
stations do occasionally there are yellow poles the road. A sign with the word motorways 100 km/h (62 mph). have an international licence. 24 offers a search and reserva tion
check cars and trucks. with emergency buttons, Baustelle always precedes a Drivers will be fined for speeding, portal for bus tours of Germany.
Trains and tourist buses are which can be used to call stretch that is being renovated. tailgating and parking offences. Hitchhiking
sometimes stopped for for help in case of A sign showing a horizontal Note that parking meters may DIRECTORY
passport checks. breakdown or accident. blue arrow with the word be quite far away from where Hitchhiking is popular among
Those wishing to drive to An Autobahn (motorway) Einbahnstrasse indicates a you park. young people, but a safer Breakdown Services
Germany from the UK will is indicated by the letter one-way street. method of finding a lift or a ADAC
need to travel to France, “A” and a number – some travelling companion is through Tel (0180) 222 22 22.
Belgium or the Netherlands also have a letter “E” and a Rules of the Road Breakdown Services ride-share agencies such as
with their vehicle either by number, denoting that the In the event of a breakdown, Blablacar, where drivers offer AVD
ferry or on the Eurotunnel road crosses the German Germans on the whole drive in turn on your flashing emergency spare seats on a journey for an Tel (0800) 990 99 09.
shuttle (see p554). border. A Bundes strasse accordance with the regulations. lights and position a warning agreed fee. You can even catch
Motorway (main road) is indicated They are generally courteous triangle 100 m (100 yd) behind a ride from or to other EU Car Hire
telephone by the letter “B” and but can be a little aggressive, your vehicle. Roadside assistance countries, (including the UK).
What You Need Avis
a number. particularly on motorways. is offered by ADAC and AVD Tel 55 77 55.
Drivers must carry a valid German drivers hurtle along the automobile associations – ∑ avis.com
driving licence as well as their Additional Road Signs outside lane at great speed and although they may insist you Arriving by Coach
vehicle’s registration document get annoyed if they have to become a member. If you Travelling to Germany by coach Hertz
and a valid insurance policy. In addition to internationally slow down because of other breakdown when lost, use one from the UK is not a very Tel (01806) 33 35 35.
Cars must carry a plate understood road signs on drivers. Visitors should be very of the telephones set at intervals attractive option, as the ∑ hertz.com
indicating country of origin, a German roads, there are a few careful if they are not used to along the hard shoulder (see journey times are very long. Sixt Rent-a-Car
first-aid kit and a red warning other signs. On motorways, driving on the right. p556). If a road accident occurs, Routes are operated by Tel (01805) 25 25 25.
triangle in case of breakdown. for example, a yellow triangular Seatbelts are compulsory contact the police immediately. Eurolines, depart at Victoria ∑ sixt.com
If you plan to drive in large warning sign with a row of and children under 12 must Coach Station and arrive at
cities, you will need an environ- cars is a warning about the sit in the back, with babies Car Hire Berlin’s central coach station at Hitchhiking
mental badge (Umweltplakette, possibility of traffic jams, and toddlers in child seats. the Funkturm (ZOB). Other
see p558). which may be accompanied In the event of an accident Car-hire firms such as Avis, routes, also departing from Blablacar
by the word Stau. On on the motorway, or if a traffic Hertz and Sixt Rent-a-Car Victoria Station, terminate in ∑ blablacar.de
mountain roads, a warning sign jam necessitates an abrupt can be found at airports and Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Cologne, or blablacar.com
Roads and Tolls showing a car tyre wrapped reduction in speed, drivers railway stations. Drivers need Dortmund or Munich.
The German motorway network in a chain, accompanied by should turn on their flashing to produce their passport and Coach Companies
is extensive. Roads are toll-free the word Schnee, warns against emergency lights to warn Eurolines
drivers behind of the ∑ eurolines.de
impending danger.
Driving after drinking a glass Flixbus
of beer or wine (50mg/dl) is Tel (030) 300 137 300.
allowed, but if an accident ∑ flixbus.com
occurs, the consequences will Reisebus 24
be more severe if alcohol is (bus tours across Germany)
found in your blood. Tel (030) 2000 7747.
In built-up areas the speed ∑ reisebus24.de
limit is 50 km/h (31 mph);
beyond this it is 100 km/h
(62 mph), and on motorways
Fuel station at a motorway service area there is no limit. When travelling Comfortable, long-distance, Meinfernbus coaches

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm