Tourist information

Climate and clothing

In autumn the wheather in Berlin can be quite cold (around 14 degree Celsius on average) and rainy. Please take this into account when choosing your clothes. We suggest you to bring warm clothes and a raincoat.

Currency, banking and exchange facilities

In Germany the EURO is the official currency. Besides many exchange offices, which are often located close to railway-stations and airports, banks can be found all over the city. Opening-hours are consumer friendly, many banks are open until the evening on several days. Outside the opening-hours, many cash dispensers are ready to serve you. You either need an EC-card or a credit card.

Current credit cards are accepted in most of the hotels, restaurants and shops.

Electricity

Electric sockets in Germany carry 220 V and conform to the standard continental type. Travel adaptors may be useful for electric appliances with other standards.

Insurances

We would like to recommend travel insurance for cancellation charges and loss of personal baggage to all participants/delegates.

Health insurance is just as important to cover medical expenses in case of emergency/illness.

Medical treatment

Citizens of the EU need a special form to cover medical treatment. Addresses for doctors and specialists can be found in the “Yellow Pages“. In case of sudden illness at night or on Sundays, there is an emergency service.

Post office

The nearest post office is at Grenzallee 4–6, about a 10 min walk away from the Estrel Hotel.

The opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (as at July 2008).

Tax

The Federal Republic of Germany raises a value added tax (VAT) of 19% (reduced 7%) on all products and services, which is already included in the price.

Tax-Free

If you buy non-edible goods in Berlin you are entitled to a VAT-refund unless you are citizen of another EU-country. If you enter a shop with a Tax-Free sign outside, ask for a special form. This form must be stamped when you get through customs – but be prepared to show your goods, which must still be in their original packing.

The tax is refunded either at the border or sent to the address on the envelope containing the cheque.

Telephone

Public phone booths stand on every street corner. There are different types of public phone booths. The older ones are coin-operated with 20 ct as minimum to make a call. The most public booths require a telephone card, which are sold at post-offices, press-shops as well as in the Tourist Info Centres. International phone calls can be made from all public telephones.

Time

Berlin is in the Central-European time zone, which means one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Additionally, Berlin has a summer time (MESZ), meaning that during spring and summer (from March to October 2009) the clocks are put forward one hour.

Tourist information

Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH
Am Karlsbad 11, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)30 – 25 00 25
Website: www.visitberlin.de