Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

14 BACK ROADS GERMANY

Communications Banks and Money
Postal and telecommunications The Euro (€) has been Germany’s
services are very well developed currency since 2002. There are seven
in Germany. German phone numbers denominations of Euro banknote:
have area codes up to six digits long, the grey €5, the pink €10, the blue
beginning with 0 followed by a €20, the orange €50, the green €100,
local number of five to nine digits, the yellow €200 and the purple €500.
depending on the region. When There are eight coins: €2 and €1,
dialling within the country, use 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5,
the full area code. 2 and 1 cents. The 2- and 1-Euro Above Old clock face on half-timbered
Public telephones are serviced coins, are both silver and gold in building, Limburg an der Lahn, Hesse
by Deutsche Telekom. Some accept colour. The 50-, 20- and 10-cent
coins, others require credit cards, coins are gold. The 5-, 2- and 1-cent when travelling in Germany, even
or phonecards, which can be coins are bronze. though taking money out at ATMs is
purchased at post offices. Coins ATM machines can be found more popular. One can cash cheques
of smaller denominations are not all over the country, but it is best at banks and exchange bureaus.
accepted; unused coins are returned, to check with your bank Credit cards are widely
but no change is given. Card-operated or credit card company accepted; however, be
phones are located at central locations for fees. Travellers can aware that some smaller
in cities as well as at airports and change foreign currency shops, restaurants and
train stations. It might be useful to at a bank or at exchange supermarkets may lack the
have a mobile phone when travelling bureaus called facilities to process credit
in Germany, especially in remote Wechselstuben. There card transactions.
areas. Travellers should discuss their are no restrictions on Credit card companies
requirements with their domestic the amount of foreign and banks are increasingly
network provider beforehand. Charges currency that can be vigilant against fraud, so
vary according to the facilities and brought into Germany. Sign for Photography it is wise to let them know
coverage offered. Be aware that When changing cash, Museum, Deidesheim that you will be using the
roaming charges are higher than at a commission may be card abroad, so that they
home. If from an EU country, tariffs charged for the transaction. It is best do not put a block on further use. It
should be less than 50 cents per to check this before undertaking is also a good idea to carry another
minute; outside the EU, they may an exchange. card as a backup.
be substantially higher. A money- Most banks are open Monday to
saving option would be to buy a Friday from 9am to 3:30 pm with a Tourist Information
local SIM card in Germany. lunch break from noon to 1pm. A very well-developed network
Deutsche Post operates most postal However, in larger cities they may of tourist information centres
services in Germany. Post offices are keep longer opening hours. exists in Germany. These are usually
usually open Monday to Friday from Exchange bureaus are located at run by the city or regional tourist
8am to 6pm and 8am to noon on airports and train stations as well as authority and can be found all
Saturdays. Internet cafés can be at many places that are frequented over the country. Tourist infor mation
found in all bigger cities and most by tourists. It is advisable to take centres have different names in
hotels offer Internet services to their advantage of the services of the Germany, such as Touristeninformation,
guests. An increasing number of Reise Bank, which has branches at Fremdenverkehrsamt or
hotels, restau rants and cafés provide airports and railway stations. It is still Fremdenverkehrszentrale. They
Wi-Fi access to their customers. possible to use travellers’ cheques provide information on opening

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