| Air
Berlin has three major airports: Tegel, Tempelhof and Schönefeld.
Tegel Airport is situated in northwest Berlin, approximately
eight kilometers (five miles) from the city center. This airport primarily
serves Western European destinations and North American destinations.
Buses to various destinations leave every 5 to 10 minutes. A taxi rank
is situated immediately outside the arrivals' hall. The travelling time
for the bus as well as a taxi is around 30 minutes.
Tempelhof Airport is located five kilometers (three miles) from
the city. The airport is adjacent to the U-Bahn station (the station
is called Platz der Luftbrücke and not Tempelhof.) with quick connections
of 10 to 20 minutes to the city center. Day buses stop near the airport,
and night buses depart from Platz der Luftbrücke. Taxis are available
in front of the main hall.
Schönefeld Airport lies 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the city.
Schönefeld used to be the primary airport for East Berlin and now handles
flights mainly to Eastern Europe and Asia, as well as many charter flights
to sun destinations.
The easiest way to get to the city is with the AirportExpress Schönefeld
train. The train departs every 30 minutes (from Monday to Friday between
05.10 and 01.40 and on Saturday and Sunday between 05.40 and 01.40)
and stops at four stations in East Berlin before terminating at Bahnhof
Zoo. A free shuttle bus, departing daily from 04.30 to 23.30, connects
the airport and the station. The station is also served by S-Bahn trains
and some mainline and local rail services. Taxis are available 24 hours
a day. The journey time for trains and taxis is approximately 30 minutes.
Flights from various international destinations take the following times
(in hours):
New York 9.50; London 2.55; Paris 1.40; Geneva 2.55
Madrid 2.55; Brussels 1.20; Amsterdam 1.15 ;
Los Angeles 14.50
Public Transport
Berlin is a city of great distances, making the U-Bahn (subway) and
S-Bahn (commuter rail) ideal ways to travel. Most of the lines operate
between 05.00-00.30, with some running throughout the night. Day tickets
are available for frequent use. It is important to stamp your ticket
before travelling by inserting it in a validating machine found on all
platforms. These tickets can also be used on buses. Walking around Berlin
is possible, but the main tourist attractions are often miles apart,
so public transport is necessary to get around.
Train
The main and busiest station in Berlin is the Bahnhof Berlin Zoologischer
Garten (Bahnhof Zoo), which is located at Hardenbergplatz 11, in the
Western center of the city. Facilities include a travel centre (open
daily from 06.00 to 22.00), tourist information, post office, bank,
restaurant, buffet, café, shops, florist, newsagents and left-luggage.
The other major mainline stations are Bahnhof Lichtenberg, Weitlingstrasse
22 and Ostbahnhof, Am Ostbahnhof 9 in East Berlin.
Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) runs comprehensive and efficient rail
services, including high-speed InterCityExpress (ICE) trains. Berlin
is part of this InterCityExpress (ICE) network, with fast trains to
various destinations. Supplements are payable on ICE, IC and EC trains.
Daily, there are 60 different connections to the neighboring European
countries which originate in Germany. Train travel can be cheaper than
flying, especially if a youth or adult fare Interrail card is purchased.
Length of train journeys from Berlin:
From Amsterdam around 6.15 hours; From Paris 12 hours (overnight sleeper);
From Brussels around 8 hours
From Zurich 8.20 hours; Prague 4.45 hours
Warsaw 6.10 hours; Vienna 7.20 hours
For international tickets www.europe-train-ticket.com
Customs clearance usually takes place on the train once it has left
the station.
Information about the Deutsche Bahn AG can be obtained in all travel
agencies or by calling the Federal German Railways telephone number:
+49 (0) 18 05-99 66 33.
Web site: reiseauskunft.bahn.de
allows online booking of train tickets in English
Otherwise, try www.bahn.de (In
German)
Specific day passes for travel in Germany can be bought before you go
from Rail to Europe or ZD ER Travel Service, telephone 020 772901111
in London. If you are aged 60 or over and have they senior cards you
may be able to get a Rail Europe Senior Card for around 6 pounds which
gives discounts of approximately 30 percent on cross-border train and
sea travel in Germany.
Children travel free on trains up to the age of 6 and family discounts
are available.
Car
Germany is covered by an excellent and extensive system of motorways
(named 'A' for Autobahn) and major roads (prefixed 'B'). There are no
tolls or speed limits on the Autobahnen but a maximum of 130kph (81mph)
is recommended. The main roads leading to Berlin fare the A24 (from
Hamburg), A2 (from Hanover), A9 (from Leipzig and Munich), A13 (from
Dresden) and A12 (from the Polish border). Autobahn 10 is an orbital
motorway that circles the entire city. Parking can be problematic on
Saturday, particularly in the shopping areas. Leaded petrol is unavailable;
unleaded petrol with a lead additive can be found at some petrol stations.
Driving Information
Legalities - Legal Information
It is an offence to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
therefore the best policy is not to drive if you intend to drink or
take medicinal barbiturates (or illegal substances).
In most German states the maximum blood alcohol level permitted by law
is 80 mg/100 ml.
Drivers found exceeding the limit have their licenses confiscated on
the spot and a court decides whether or not to withhold this permanently.
Police Stop Checks
German traffic police are very courteous, but will expect you to prove
your identity by showing them a passport or national driving license
and International Driving Permit, if requested. Proof of identity is
required by law. Not all police officers will speak English, so it is
worth carrying a phrase book.
If requested to stop, switch off the engine, wind down the window and
wait for the officer to approach you. Fines for offences such as speeding
and driving under the influence are administered on the spot and strictly
enforced. If you are fined, you should ask for a receipt.
Speed Limits
When driving in built-up areas the maximum speed limit is 50 kph (31
mph), which comes into effect the moment you pass the yellow name sign
for the city, town or village you're driving into. The limit ends on
passing the yellow name sign as you leave which will have a red diagonal
line through it.
The speed limit on non-autobahn roads is 100 kph (62 mph) and occasionally
80 kph. The Autobahnen are not restricted although there is a recommended
speed of 130 kph (80 mph), and the possibility that these speeds might
be further reduced is under review.
Seat Belts
German law requires the wearing of seat belts front and rear. Children
12 years and under are not allowed to travel in the front passenger
seat(s) of family cars.
Driving with Lights
By law, drivers must use dipped headlights during the hours of darkness
or poor visibility caused by rain, fog or snow. It is an offence to
drive using only side or parking lights.
Emergency Numbers
· Police - telephone: 110 or dial Auskunft (information) 118 or 0118
· Ambulance - telephone: 115
· Fire Brigade - telephone: 112
In the Event of an Accident
If you involved in a minor accident, the advice is to switch on the
car's hazard warning lights and place a warning triangle(s) at a safe
distance from the scene. Call the police. You must not leave the scene
of the accident until the police have arrived and taken statements.
Exchange names and addresses with the other parties involved and ask
independent witnesses if they are willing to give their details, too.
Under German law, you must call the police if someone has been injured.
Entry Regulations for Cars
If you intend to drive to Germany from other parts of Europe, you should
be in possession of:
· Your national driving license
· The vehicle registration documents
· Green Card insurance cover
· Written permission from the vehicle's owner (if borrowed)*
· National identity sticker affixed to the rear of the vehicle
· First Aid kit
· A warning triangle (compulsory in Germany) in case of breakdown or
accident
· Replacement bulbs for all lights
· Small triangular stickers to deflect the beam of the headlights
* A signed letter from the owner and authenticated by a recognised auto
association such as the AAA, AA or RAC.
Cycling
In Germany you can travel by train and rent a bike at the station
when you get arrive. Therefore, there are plenty of places to hire bicycles:
The DB Station & Service AG company and its associates throughout Germany
operate a total of more than 220 cycle hire centres at stations or very
close by. The centres are mostly in popular tourist regions which offer
the most scenic cycle tours.
Hire prices are generally between €6.00 and €25.00 per day, depending
on the type of bike.
It is advisable to telephone the cycle hire points in advance to find
out opening times, available bike types, prices and hire terms. You
can then reserve the bikes you require. The telephone numbers of the
individual cycle hire stations are listed in the Train & Bike Brochure,
which is available free of charge from all Deutsche Bahn sales outlets
and Service Points.
Cycling in Berlin differs whether you are in the former East or West.
There are clearly marked cycle routes in the former West and no trams
to contend with, but in the former East, you have to avoid cobbles and
electric trams and there are no specified bike lanes.
Travellers with disabilities
It is relatively easy to access buildings and find facilities that
make life for travellers with disabilities easier. In Germany there
is plenty of information available and all IC, ICE and EC trains are
adapted for wheelchair access, as are all regional trains, double decker
buses and many of the suburban S-Bahns. You can also book a free seat
on the trains if you have a disability. In cities the modern trams and
U Bahns tend to have low entrance platforms, which are suitable for
wheelchair use, and you can identify these trams from the timetables
posted besides stops. Lookout for the useful word Niedrig (low), which
indicates that the vehicle will have a low entrance. You can get also
help at railway stations if this is requested in advance. Museums and
public buildings are usually equipped with ramps.
Travelling with children
Children aged under six travel for free while those aged between six
and eleven travel for half the adult price. Long-distance trains usually
have a special compartment for mothers and toddlers.
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