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Accommodation in France
Short term rentals
Travelers should definitely consider short term villa/apartment/stud
Getting around India
India is big and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, few of which could be
Climate in Hongkong
There are four distinct seasons in Hong Kong. Hong Kong can be a little chilly in the winter (1
KEY FACTS TRAVEL GUIDE
World Travel Guide Europe Germany Berlin Key Facts Costs___Visa_in_Berlin
Picture choosen by: Mr.Tino
Costs & Visa in Berlin
The euro has been Germany's official currency since 2002. Euros come in seven notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros) and eight coins (one- and two-euro coins and one-, two-, five-, 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins).
Cash is still king in Germany, so you can't really avoid having at least some notes and coins, say €100 or so, on you at all times. At the time of writing, the euro was a strong and stable currency, although some minor fluctuations are common.
1.ATMs
Usually the easiest and quickest way to obtain cash is by making a withdrawal from your home bank account via an ATM. These are ubiquitous in Berlin and most are linked to international networks such as Cirrus, Plus, Star and Maestro.
Many ATMs also spit out cash if you use a credit card. This method, however, tends to be costlier because, in addition to a service fee, you'll be charged interest immediately (ie there's no grace period as with purchases).
For exact fees, check with your bank or credit-card company.
2.Changing money
The exchange services listed here usually offer among the best rates available, but you can also change money at most banks, post offices and airports. Remember that banks only exchange foreign notes and not coins.
American Express (2045 5721; Friedrichstrasse 172; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat; Französische Strasse)
Cash Express (2045 5096; Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse; 7am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat & Sun; Friedrichstrasse)
Reisebank (881 7117; Hardenbergplatz, Bahnhof Zoo; 7am-10pm; Zoologischer Garten, 100)
Reisebank (296 4393; Ostbahnhof; 7am-10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat & Sun; Ostbahnhof)
Thomas Cook/Travelex(2016 5916; Friedrichstrasse 56; 9am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm Sat; Friedrichstrasse)
3.Credit cards
Germany is still a largely cash-based society. Although major credit cards are becoming more widely accepted in central Berlin, it's best not to assume that you'll be able to use one - enquire first. Even so, a piece of plastic is vital in emergencies and also useful for phone or Internet bookings.
4.Travellers cheques
Travellers cheques, which can be replaced if lost or stolen, are hardly accepted anywhere in Berlin, even if denominated in euros. Usually they must be cashed at a bank or exchange outlet (bring a passport). Cheques issued by American Express can be cashed free of charge at American Express offices. Always keep a record of the cheque numbers separate from the cheques themselves.
5.Tax & refunds
Most German goods and services include a value-added tax (VAT), called Mehrwertsteuer (or MwSt), and currently set at 16%. If your permanent residence is outside the EU, you can have up to 12.7% refunded if you take goods home with you within three months of purchase. The only hitch is that this scheme is only good for items bought at stores displaying the 'tax free shopping' sign.
At the time of purchase (€25 minimum), you must request a global refund cheque from the sales staff. When you get to the airport, show your unused goods, receipts and passport to customs officials before checking in for your flight (with the exception of Frankfurt, where you check in yourself but not your luggage, then go to customs, then check in your luggage). The customs official will stamp your global refund cheques, which you can then take straight to the cash refund office and walk away with a wad of money. Alternatively, you can mail your cheques to the address provided in the envelope for a refund via credit card or bank cheque. For full details, see www.globalrefund.com
COST
Tipping
Restaurant bills always include a service charge, but most people add 5% or 10% unless the service was abhorrent.
It's customary to tip as you're handing over the money, rather than leaving change on the table. For example, say '30, bitte' if your bill comes to €28 and you want to give a €2 tip. If you have the exact amount, just say 'Stimmt so' (that's fine).
At hotels, bellhops are given about €1 per bag and it's also nice to leave a few euros for the room cleaners. Tip bartenders about 5% and taxi drivers around 10%.
VISA
Most EU nationals only need their national identity card or passport to enter, stay and work in Germany. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland and the US are among those countries that need only a valid passport but no visa if entering Germany as tourists for up to three months within a six-month period. Passports must be valid for at least another four months from the planned date of departure from Germany.
Nationals from most other countries need a so-called Schengen Visa, named after the 1995 Schengen Agreement that abolished passport controls between Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. You must apply for the Schengen Visa with the embassy or consulate of the country that is your primary destination. It is valid for stays up to 90 days. Legal residency in any Schengen country makes a visa unnecessary, regardless of your nationality. For full details, see www.auswaertiges-amt.de and check with a German consulate in your country.
Visa applications are usually processed within two to 10 days, but it's always best to start the process as early as possible.
