Get your checklist ready and take down lots of notes so as you will not forget the things that you need to prepare for before you depart for Berlin. It is best that you write the things down rather than printing it from your computer since this will stimulate the brain to remember the things that you have written by your hand.
- Entry requirements for Germany depends on which country you are from. Generally the immigration office will ask for your passport with visa in it. For the US citizens, they will need their valid passport and can stay up to 90 days within the country without the visa.
- Security in Berlin is safe and you rarely see any street crimes in this city but there is no harm in taking the necessary precautions like stashing your valuables in the safe of the hotel you are staying at and even keeping close contact with your personal belongings. When you encounter an emergency, dial 110 to contact the local police.
- The currency used in Germany is euro.
- The area code of Berlin is 030. Check out in your country how you can make international calls from this city. For US citizens, dialing 011-49-30 then the local number will get them connected. Phoning from Berlin to US should dial 001 then followed with area code and the local number.
- The best time for a visit to Berlin would be around the months between May and October when local life moves to the outdoors. The days during these months are warm, reaching between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, perfect for people who do not like the hotness of summer or the coldness of winter. Rain is possible in this city any time of the year but frequently occurs between the months of November to April.
- There are 2 international airports in Berlin which are served with several international carriers. They are Schonefeld and Tegel. The direct flights from US are in New York. Other cities require change of aircrafts in other European cities which includes London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
- To get around Berlin, the driving is on the right but exploring the city is best done using public transportation which is a combination of trams, buses, light rail and subways.
Keep in mind that credit cards are not widely used in Berlin so it is best to carry cash around with you to use for purchases or paying for other fees.