Calling to Germany
Making Calls while in Germany
Other Information about Long Distance Calling To/From Germany
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Information About Germany’s Telephone System
Germany is a global leader in technologically advanced telecommunications. Since reunification, eastern Germany has become highly modernized and integrated with the western portion of the country. Germany is served by an extensive system of telephone exchanges that rely on networks of microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, and a domestic satellite system.
As of August 2006, Germany had more than 46 million land lines and 86 million cell phones in use.
Important Phone Numbers To Know if Traveling to Germany
The United States Embassy is in Berlin in Dahlem at Clayallee 170 (tel. 030/8329233; U-Bahn: Dahlem-Dorf). Hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 3pm. There is a U.S. Consulate in Hamburg at Alsterufer 27-28 (tel. 040/41171100), open Monday through Friday, 9am to 12pm. Frankfurt’s U.S. Consulate is at Siesmayerstraße 21, 60323 (tel. 069/7535-0), open Monday through Friday, 8am to 12pm. In Munich, a U.S. Consulate is located at Königstrasse 5, D-80539 München (tel. 089/2-88-80) and open Monday through Friday from 8am to 11am. The U.S. Consulate in Düsseldorf is located at Willi-Becker-Allee 10, 40227, Federal Republic of Germany (tel. 0211/788-8927), hours Monday through Friday, 9am to 12pm, and Leipzig’s U.S. Consulate can be found at Wilhelm-Seyfferth-Straße 4, 04107 (tel. 0341/213-840), open Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
Other Important Information to Know About Germany
Time Zone:
GMT + 2.00 hours (late March to late October). Otherwise, GMT + 1.00 hour. Current time in Berlin.
Currency:
One euro is equivalent to about 1.34 U.S. dollars. Current exchange rates.
Population:
In 2006, Germany’s population was estimated to be 83,310,000 (81% native-born and 19% of foreign or partially foreign descent).
Holidays:
Germans celebrate Christian holidays such as Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, All Saints Day, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day. Other public holidays include New Year’s Day and German Unity Day (early October). Only German Unity Day is a national holiday. State governments determine all other public holidays.
Germany’s most famous holiday is Oktoberfest. It is actually a two-week festival held in the southern city of Munich. A special beer is brewed for the occasion, and roughly six million people attend each year.
Language:
German is the official language in Germany, and it is the first language of over 95% of Germans. The second most commonly spoken language is Turkish, used by 1.8% of the country’s population.
Climate:
Germany's climate varies widely depending upon region. Northern winters are often cold and rainy while summers are quite pleasant. In the south and in the Alps, winter can be quite cold, especially in January. Though summers are often very warm, cool and rainy days are not unusual in July and August in the south. In most parts of the country, fall and spring are rather long.
Fun Facts About Germany
- Most tourists visit Germany between May and October when the weather is at its best. Not surprisingly, major cities and tourist areas have increased traffic at this time. For fewer crowds—and lower prices—visit during the winter and spring months.
- Though there is no official speed limit on the Autobahns (German highways), police do stop drivers using excessive speed.
- The German Alps, Black Forest, and Harz Mountains are home to more than 300 winter-sport resorts. Beyond the typical winter sports, many offer activities like bobsledding and ice boating.
- Traditional German dishes include dumplings, sausages, beer, and pastries, but health food stores and vegetarian restaurants also abound.
- German cruise ships travel many of the country’s beautiful rivers, among them the Rhine, the Danube, the Mosel, and the Main.
- Germany has a thriving music scene. Most every city has its own orchestra and opera house, and affordable tickets can be found.
- Over twenty million Germans belong to sports clubs where they pursue sports like soccer and handball. This athletic interest extends to the professional level: Germany had the sixth highest number of medals earned in the 2006 Olympics.
- Germany has a highly developed spa culture. There are essentially four types of spas: mineral and thermal spas and springs, climatic health resorts, seaside spas and health resorts, and hydropathic spas and health resorts. All offer opportunities to relax in beautiful settings.
- If you visit in winter, try Glühwein, a hot, spicy mulled wine that is sure to warm you up.
- Germany has the largest economy in Europe and the third-largest economy in the World, after the United States and Japan.
- If you’re traveling with children and renting a car, remember that children cannot legally ride in the front seat anywhere in the country.
- Germany is very safe for travelers. Women should feel comfortable walking and dining alone even in urban areas.
- Germany’s high-speed rail network is among the fastest in Europe. Some trains reach speeds of 280kmph (174mph).
- Budget travelers might want to visit the Black Forest region where costs are significantly lower than elsewhere in Germany.
- American consulates usually have lists of English-speaking doctors for your convenience. Don’t worry: German medical facilities are among the best in the world.
- Women's toilets are usually marked with an "F" for Frauen, and men's toilets with an "H" for Herren.
- Service charges are often added directly to bills at German restaurants. If you see Bedienung, on your check, gratuity is included. Otherwise, tip 10% to 15%.