Travelling anywhere on holiday can be stressful, with lots to learn and think about, depending on the destination.
But if you’re planning on visiting Germany in 2025, experts at neuschwansteincastletickets.tours have you covered on the do’s and don’ts of visiting the home of the bratwurst.
- Take cash with you everywhere
Though many countries around the world have become ‘cashless,’ it is still common to use physical money in Germany.
Many public toilets in the country aren’t free and lots of businesses don’t take card payments at all, though this is usually indicated by signs outside or communicated by staff.
However, in the last couple of years, electronic methods like Apple and Google Pay have become more and more popular – so you may want to prepare for either scenario.
- Be prepared for direct communication
Unlike in the UK, where the ‘stiff upper lip’ prevails, in Germany, it is not unusual for people to be direct.
For example, if you are asked if you would like more food and reject the offer to seem polite, they may take your answer at face value and not ask again.
- Be punctual
In Germany, punctuality is highly valued.
It might be acceptable to be a few minutes late, but not much more than that. If you are going to be any later, you should let the person or people you are meeting know as soon as possible.
Being late without good reason is seen as rude in German culture.
- Be mindful when it comes to eating
There are a couple of etiquette rules you should be aware of when it comes to eating and drinking in the country.
Resting your elbows on the table is considered rude, as is keeping your hands out of sight.
You may also want to wait for hosts to say the phrase, ‘Guten Appetit.’ This is usually said by the person who prepared the meal and will indicate being able to tuck into your food.
- Understand the etiquette regarding hands
Shaking hands with each other is seen as very polite in Germany and is a common greeting, and this may even occur when saying goodbye.
However, something you should avoid doing is putting your hands in your pockets. This is seen as rude by those in Germany.
- Make sure to knock before entering a room
As with other countries, German people expect others to knock on a closed door before entering the room. However, it is seen as exceptionally rude in the country not to follow this custom.
- Learn some basic German
Learning some basic German such as hello, goodbye, please, and thank you will help you quite a lot with conversing in the country. You shouldn’t expect others to know English and if you begin by speaking English without attempting even a little German, you may not be received too warmly.
- Take advantage of Germany’s public transport
In Germany, traveling on public transport is very convenient and can be relatively cheap. For example, it is possible to buy a ticket that allows travel on trains, buses, and trams.
Tickets are usually available from multilingual ticket machines, but with newer technology, you can now also purchase tickets via smartphone apps and online.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
Germany is a very eco-friendly country, and like other countries, has a system to separate its waste. For example, they will put their rubbish such as glass and plastics into different bins. Germans also like to reuse materials as much as they can to minimise waste.
- Avoid being loud in public
Unlike in some other countries, being loud while out and about in Germany is frowned upon. Actions such as talking loudly on the phone are considered impolite.
