Page 542 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

540  GERM AN Y , A USTRIA , AND SWITZERLAND

Travel Information accident. The two automobile
associations Allgemeiner
Traveling to and around Germany is fast and easy. In every large Deutscher Automobil Club
city there is an airport, and most of these offer international (ADAC) and Automobilclub
connections. The whole of Germany is linked by a dense network von Deutschland (AvD) offer
of highways, while the main roads are of a high standard and roadside assistance.
well signposted. Train travel throughout the country is
comfortable and reliable; for longer journeys, it is worth taking Rules of the Road
advantage of the fast connections offered by InterCityExpress In Germany, the same road
(ICE). Buses are also comfortable and efficient and can be traffic regulations apply as
essential in rural areas that cannot be reached by train. Large in most European countries.
cities have tram, bus, and sometimes subway services. The car must carry a plate
indicating country of origin,
and be equipped with a red
warning triangle for use in
Arriving by Air experience a minimum of delay case of breakdown.
Germany’s most important and formalities at the border. The wearing of seatbelts
airports are Berlin, Frankfurt am There are limits on the amount is compulsory and children
Main, Munich and Düsseldorf. of duty-free items that can be under 12 must sit in the back,
You can get connecting flights brought in by non-EU citizens with babies and toddlers
from these to other cities such (see p21). secured in child-seats.
as Hamburg and Stuttgart. The Driving after drinking a small
country’s national airline is Traveling by Car amount of alcohol is allowed,
Lufthansa, which flies between but if you have an accident,
Germany and most of the The fastest and most the consequences will be
world’s major destinations. From comfortable way to travel more severe if a breathalyzer
the UK, flights are operated by around the country is by road. shows alcohol in your blood.
BA and BMI. Ryanair, Air Berlin, Germany’s excellent network In built-up areas, the speed
easyJet, and Germanwings all of toll-free highway routes limit is 50 km/h (31 mph);
offer cheaper alternatives as well. guarantees fast journeys over beyond this it is 100 km/h
There are frequent flights long distances, while a well- (62 mph), and on highways
from the US to Germany, mainly maintained system of good there is no limit, of which many
to Munich and Frankfurt, which smaller roads means that many drivers take full advantage.
is Germany’s largest airport and interesting places throughout When traveling with a caravan
one of the busiest in Europe. the country are within easy or camping trailer outside built-
Direct flights are available reach. On smaller roads and in up areas, drivers should not
from many major US cities. remote areas, filling stations exceed 70 km/h (44 mph), and
Although Canada does not may be few and far between. on highways 100 km/h (62
have many direct flights to The German Autobahn mph). Road traffic police are
Germany, Air Canada operates (highway) network is extensive. strict about imposing fines for
regular flights to Frankfurt from An Autobahn is indicated by speeding. Drivers can also be
Toronto and Vancouver. Qantas the letter “A” followed by a fined for driving too close to
connects to Frankfurt from number – some also have a the vehicle in front and for
many Australian cities. letter “E” and a number, parking in prohibited areas.
denoting that the road crosses
the German border. They are
Domestic Flights Parking in Towns
all toll-free and have regularly
In addition to Lufthansa, there spaced filling stations, as well Finding a place to park is not
are a number of smaller airlines as parking lots with restrooms, easy; it is often best to use a
in Germany including Air Berlin, restaurants, and motels. A multi-level parking lot, which is
which may offer cheaper fares Bundesstraße (main road) has indicated by “Parkhaus”; a sign
than Lufthansa on internal the letter “B” and a number. with the word “Frei” indicates
routes, as well as providing air In the event of an accident on that spaces are available. It is
links with small airports, such as an Autobahn, or if sudden traffic never worth leaving your car in
Augsburg, Dortmund, and Erfurt. congestion means you have to a prohibited area. If you do risk
brake hard, drivers should turn it, a traffic warden may find your
on their flashing emergency car, immediately impose a fine
Border Crossing lights to warn drivers behind and arrange for the car to be
There are many crossings into of the danger. Along the hard towed away. Retrieving your car
Germany and provided that you shoulder there are yellow poles is then expensive and difficult.
carry the necessary documents with emergency buttons, which Cars left in a parking zone
and your car does not look can be used to call for help if must either display a parking
disreputable, you should you have a breakdown or an ticket or be at a meter.

540-541_EW_Europe.indd 540 14/07/16 10:18 am