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Berlin Facts
Population: 3.4 million
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour (two hours in summer): Time in Berlin is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in New York. (7 hours ahead of central time in Chicago, etc.) Berlin uses the 24 hour clock, so the numeral 1 on a US watch would be read as 1in the early morning or 13 in the afternoon, etc. Transportation timetables and schedules will use this method of representation of time. (designations of am and pm are unnecessary)
International Dialing Code: The country code for Germany is 49. There is no need to use this prefix when calling within the country. To call Germany from the United States or Canada, omit the first 0 from the German number and add the prefix 011 49.
Telephone area code in Berlin: 030
Weather: For a report on Berlin weather, call 0190/270-641. (There is a per minute charge).
Holidays
The following holidays are observed in Berlin:
January 1 New Year's Day
Good Friday. and Easter Monday. (March or April)
May 1 (Workers' Day)
Late May (Ascension)
Pentecost Monday. (May or June)
October 3 (Reunification Day)
November 1 (All Saints' Day)
December 24-26 (Christmas).
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz Electrical sockets take plugs with two round prongs or sometimes three. American appliances will need a plug adapter and will require a transformer if they do not have a dual voltage capability. Most hotels will supply guests with an ironing board and iron if requested.
Business Hours
Banks & Stores
Banks are usually open weekdays from 8:30 or 9 to 3 or 4 (5 or 6 on Thurs.), sometimes with a lunch break of about an hour at smaller branches. Department stores and larger stores are generally open from 9 or 9:15 to 8 weekdays and until 4 on Sat.
Museums & Sights
Most museums are open from Tues. to Sun. 10-5. Some close for an hour or more at lunch. Many stay open until 8 or 9 on Wed. or Thurs..
Embassies and Consulates
United States (Neustädtische Kirchstr. 4-5, 030/238-5174).
Emergencies
Police 030/110). Ambulance 030/112).
Dentist 030/8900-4333).
Late-Night Pharmacies
Pharmacies in Berlin offer late-night service on a rotating basis. Every pharmacy displays a notice indicating the location of the nearest shop with evening hours. For emergency pharmaceutical assistance, call 030/01189.
Language
German is the primary language. English is spoken and understood in most hotels, restaurants, airports, stations, museums, and other places of interest.
Money
Currency : Since January 1, 1999, Germany's official currency has been the European monetary unit, the euro.
Getting Around
The Berlin-Potsdam Welcome Card gives you 72 hours of free transport on all the buses and trams of the VBB network. Also good for free admission or up to 50% reductions for sightseeing tours, museums and many other tourist attractions.
Public Transportation: The Berlin transport system consists of buses, trams, and U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (elevated) trains. The network is run by the BVG or Public Transport Company Berlin-Brandenburg. Public transportation throughout the city operates from about 4:30am to 12:30am daily (except for 62 night buses and trams, and U-Bahn lines U-9 and U-12). For information about public transport, call tel. 030/29-71-9843 or 030/19-449.
The BVG standard ticket (Einzelfahrschein) costs is valid for 2 hours of transportation in all directions, transfers included. There is also a 24-hour ticket for the whole city. Only standard tickets are sold on buses. Tram tickets must be purchased in advance. Unless you buy a day pass, don't forget to time-punch your ticket into one of the small red boxes prominently posted at the entrance to city buses and underground stations.
If you're going to be in Berlin for 3 days, you can purchase a Berlin-Potsdam WelcomeCard, which entitles holders to 72 free hours on public transportation in Berlin and Brandenburg. You'll also get free admission or a price reduction of up to 50% on sightseeing tours, museums, and other attractions, and a 25% reduction at 10 theaters as well. The card is sold at many hotels, visitor information Centers, and public-transportation sales points. It is valid for one adult and three children under the age of 14.
Getting There
There are hardly any direct flights to Berlin from overseas and, depending on the airline you use, you're likely to fly first into another European city such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris or London and catch a connecting flight from there. Berlin has three airports:
You can reach all three airports by calling the central service phone number 0180/500-0186);
Tegel (TXL) primarily serves destinations within Germany and Europe.
Schönefeld (SXF) mostly operates international flights to/from Europe, Asia, Africa and Central America.
Berlin-Tempelhof (THF) became famous as the main landing hub for Allied airlifts during the Berlin blockade of 1948-49. Today it's the main hub for domestic departures and flights to Central Europe.
Bus: Berlin is well-connected to the rest of Europe by long-distance bus. Most buses arrive at and depart from the Zentraler Omnibus-bahnhof in Charlottenburg, opposite the stately Funkturm radio tower.
Train: Until the opening of the huge new rail center (Lehrter Bahnhof) in 2002, train services to and from Berlin will remain confusing because of the extensive construction that affects several stations. Trains scheduled to leave from or arrive at one station may be spontaneously rerouted to another. Zoo Station is the main station for long-distance travelers going to and from the west.
Bicycles: Berlin is very cycle friendly, and it's a good way to get to know the city - there are specially marked bike lanes everywhere. There are also many bike rental shops.
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