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Car Hire in Germany - Tips for Travellers

Customs

Travellers are not required to pay duty on an appropriate amount of items for their personal use during their visit. In addition, the following duty-free allowances apply: no more than 2 litres of liquor and 2 litres of wine; and 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

Banking & Currency

Banks provide the most favourable rate of exchange, second to ATM withdrawals. German banks are open from 8:30am to 12:30pm and then from 1:30pm to 4.00pm weekdays. Most banks will have extended hours until 5:30pm on Thursdays, but all are closed on Saturday and Sunday. Money exchange bureaus, located at airports, border crossings and major railway stations, are generally open from 6.00am to 10.00pm.

Tipping

Hotels and restaurants automatically add a service charge of 10 to 12 %, but excellent service may warrant an additional tip. Customarily you may round up to the nearest denomination of €5 or €10. Bartenders also expect a small tip in recognition of their service. In smaller establishments where a service charge is not previously applied, 10% is acceptable. Taxi drivers customarily receive 10 % of the fare; hoPhone porters and doormen, €1 per bag; hoPhone maids, €1-2 per day; coatroom attendants or gas station attendants (when they do more than fill the tank), €0.50 - €1.

General Business Hours

Museums: Typical hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm Tuesday through Sunday.

Shopping: As of 1996 German law extended hours of operation to no later than 8.00pm weekdays and 4.00pm Saturday. Some stores will still close at 5.00pm - 6.00pm, but operation hours are monitored closely by the government.

Pharmacies: most pharmacies observe normal business hours, but they post locations of pharmacies that are open nights, Sundays and holidays.

Post Offices: typical hours are 8.00am to 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm weekdays, and 8.00am to 12.00pm Saturdays. Post offices at air and rail terminals keep longer hours.

Restaurants: Mealtimes parallel those at home. Dinner generally is served after 6.00pm and many Germans have their most substantial meal at midday.

Local Tax

VAT in Germany is 16%.

With your car hire in Germany and these practical tips will help your holiday go as planned.

*Rates shown are per day, based upon a 7-day car hire. Taxes and additional surcharges may apply.

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