<h2><strong>What is the local currency in Germany?</strong></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The currency of Germany is the Euro (EUR.) One Euro is 0.90 GBP (as of July 3 2020).</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><h2><strong>Do I tip whilst in Germany?</strong></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Germany, tipping is accepted and appreciated for exceptional service. However, on most occasions, a ‘round-up’ to the nearest Euro will suffice.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caxton conducted a study on Tipping etiquette, results for Germany show that a guideline expectation for tipping hotel staff is approximately 3-5 euro tip per day, any tour guides would be an additional 10% added on to the bill, but for bars, restaurants or taxis, a rounding up to the nearest 1, 5 or 10 euros will be enough.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">View our </span><a rel="noopener" href="/travel-money/what-you-need-to-know-about-tipping-on-holiday/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">tipping guide</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for more advice on tipping abroad.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><h2><strong>Using cash in Germany</strong></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When travelling, our experts would recommend always bringing a small amount of cash with you on every trip, for initial taxi transfers or hotel deposits etc. The rest of your travel money should be put onto a </span><a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Caxton multi-currency card</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, for safe and secure spending.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cash is no longer king in Germany (even more so after COVID-19,) and almost all establishments accept credit/debit cards.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Most international banks and money outlets now charge a fee for using ATM machines, as do most card providers. Taking a travel pre-paid card and a credit card is recommended as Caxton does not charge for international ATM use regardless of sum or number of times, (but check with your card provider about charges.)</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We would recommend still bringing your bank card on your trip as a backup option. However, if you decide to take your bank card, we recommend telling your bank before you go so the transaction isn’t identified as fraudulent, but be prepared for fees and high exchange rates.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">All major cards are accepted widely in Germany at key tourist hubs.</span></p><p></p><h2><strong>The price of food and drink in Germany</strong></h2><p>As a rough guideline, we’ve put together a list of the costs of spending an average day in Germany:</p><p>Domestic beer =<span> €2.50</span></p><p>One-way ticket on local transport = one<span>-</span>way fare<span>is approx. €2.80</span></p><p>Meal, inexpensive restaurant =<span> €10.00</span></p><p>Bottle of wine (mid-range) =<span>€5.00</span></p><p>Bottle of water =<span>€2.00</span><span></span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><br />What happens if I have my wallet stolen whilst in Germany?</strong></span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Germany is known to be a safe country with friendly and helpful people, but this shouldn’t stop you from being smart whilst you travel. If the majority of your cash is on a </span><a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/caxton-currency-account/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">prepaid card</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, this will be automatically protected. However, in case the worse happens, here are the list of major debit/credit card ‘lost and stolen’ numbers:</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">HSBC/First Direct - +44 1442 422929</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Natwest - +44 1268 500 813</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lloyds - +44 1702 278270</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Barclays - +442476842099</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Santander - +44 1908 237 963</span></p><p></p><p><img style="width: 500px; height: 235.33333333333331px;" src="https://media.caxtonfx.com/img/1100401/germany-travel-money-markets.jpg?width=500&height=235.33333333333331" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a637cf2dfefc476a8a56a8bf70d9f709" /></p><h2><strong>The cost of tourist attractions in Germany</strong></h2><p>Some examples of Germany's most popular tourist attractions are:</p><p><u>Cologne Cathedral:</u>entrance fee €4, concessions €2.</p><p><u>Oktoberfest:</u> Germany's most popular annual beer festival doesn't have an entrance fee, it's free to wander around. However, a particular part of the festival - <span>The “Oide Wiesn”, is separated from the main Wiesn and costs 3 euros entry.</span></p><p><u>Brandenburg Gate:</u><span>Undoubtedly Berlin's most iconic landmark, it's free to see so worth adding to your Berlin bucket-list.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><h2><strong>What can I do with spare currency in Germany?</strong></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whilst in Germany, you may as well spend any remaining Euro, if only small amount, on some traditional German souvenirs, such as:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Beer stein</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sauerkraut</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dirndl or Lederhosen</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bratwurst sausage</span></li></ul><p></p><h2><strong>History of the Euro</strong></h2><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Euro came into existence on 1 January 1999 - though it had been a goal of the European Union since the 1960s. Notes and coins didn’t begin circulation until 2002.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today the euro is the sole currency of 19 EU member states, with the original dozen being joined by: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. These countries constitute the "eurozone".</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rise of the Euro in its short lifespan is remarkable with it now being the second-largest reserve currency as well as the second-most traded currency in the world after the United States dollar.</span></li>
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Check out our Travel Money Guides for around the world:
- Travel Money in Europe: Travel Money in France, Travel Money in Spain, Travel Money in Sweden, Travel Money in Denmark, Travel Money in Austria, Travel Money in Finland, Travel Money in Germany, Travel Money in Greece, Travel Money in Italy, Travel Money in Norway, Travel Money in Portugal, Travel Money in Switzerland, Travel Money in Turkey.
- Travel Money in North America: Travel Money in the USA, Travel Money in Canada.
- Travel Money in South America: Travel Money in Argentina.
- Travel Money in Asia: Travel Money in Thailand, Travel Money in Japan, Travel Money in Oman.
- Travel Money in Australia and Oceania: Travel Money in Australia.
- Travel Money in Africa: Travel Money in Cape Verde.
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alternatively, if lederhosen isn’t your thing, you can use Caxton’s </span><a rel="noopener" href="/currency-cards/buy-back-guarantee/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">buy back guarantee</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to get rid of any unused Euro. By doing this you ensure that if the exchange rate moves against you, you won't lose out.</span></p><p><a rel="noopener" href="/the-best-prepaid-currency-card-and-account/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 125px;" src="https://mediaumbraco.blob.core.windows.net/img/1099354/caxtoncard-promo-banner-02.png?width=500&height=125" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d2ce56b6d4dd46298f0dcafd9c58b9d8" /></span></a></p>
