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My company recently sent me to Germany on assignment. I’ve always wanted to visit Germany – or anywhere overseas for that matter – but for one reason or another I never had the chance. Now that I’ve done it, I know how easy and fun it can be to travel abroad.
Here’s how to get started:
Get a passport…it’s easy
The first step in foreign travel is getting your passport. You can’t go anywhere without a passport these days. Not even Canada or Mexico. Passport information can be obtained online at: travel.state.gov/passport. If you’re planning a trip, factor in the time it will take to receive your passport. It could take several weeks to receive it after submitting your application. If you’re under 16 years of age, the current cost is $82. If you are 16 years of age or older, the cost is $97. For an additional cost, you can arrange for overnight delivery of the application to speed up the process.
Make sure you have shots…
The next step is making sure you have the necessary shots to travel. Different countries may have different germs and you’ll need shots to protect yourself from them. Most European countries don’t necessarily require any different shots than what the U.S. requires to live here. Be sure to have those shots up-to-date. Consult your doctor to find out if there are any additional shots you’ll need for the country you are visiting. You don’t want to get sick in an unfamiliar land.
Booking the right flight…
The next step is to book your flight arrangements. Different airlines fly to different countries and booking a flight is easy to do online, even without a travel agent. Try searching Google for “cheap tickets to…”. You’ll find lots of agencies that will compare prices for you. Once you’ve done that, don’t book your flight with an agency immediately. Go to the airline that you’ve found to be the cheapest and see if they have any specials or savings for your destination. The cost can be affected by the day of the week you fly, time of year, gas prices, you name it. Some sites don’t update their information as fast as the actual airline. Give yourself some time to make your travel arrangements. This will allow you to find the cheapest fares. Booking at least 21 days in advance may also allow for cheaper fares. Try cheaptickets.com.
Find a place to stay…
After you have arranged the length of your stay, you will need to have a place to stay. There are many options, but the safest is to find a hotel that is rated at least three stars. If you don’t have friends there or much money, there are hostels available in most cities, but if you’re concerned with safety or your possessions, look for a hotel.
Be prepared with a travel book…
Once you have a passport, the next step is to make plans for when you land. For this, you will have to do research on the portion of the country you will want to travel within. Inside will be lots of information about what you are about to see. Examples of travel books can be seen at ricksteves.com or lonelyplanet.com. If you don’t purchase a book, print out information from the internet for your destination.
Pack smart, pack light…
The best advice I can give you: pack as lightly as you possibly can. This means, don’t bring four pairs of jeans when you can just as easily wear two pairs for a week. You may want to bring only four shirts and a sweater/jacket for a week-long stay, but plan on washing at some point. Most things you can purchase there, such as tooth paste, lotion, sun screen, etc. Also, bring a backpack or something to hold items in. I always have my backpack with me to hold souvenirs, camera, lunch, etc. It’s also great as a carry-on for your flight. Some people put a change of clothes in their backpack just in case their luggage is somehow lost by the airline. It happens.
And remember to bring a light jacket to accompany your travel wardrobe. You never know what the weather will be like in a foreign place. For more information on the weather in a particular area during the time you plan to travel, visit bbc.co.uk/weather/.
TRAVEL TIPS:
1. If you’re going alone, make sure you are in areas that you feel are safe…usually those with many tourists wondering about.
2. Don’t carry a lot of cash. If you have a credit card, bring it. Most restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard. Make a copy of your card (front and back) in case it is lost or stolen, you can call them to report it immediately. If you need cash, there is usually an ATM around.
3. Most appreciate it when you try to speak the native language, so by all means… try it. When they realize you can’t speak it well, they will probably speak in English.
4. Pack lightly. You don’t need your whole wardrobe or every pair of shoes you own. Think and pack sensibly. Bring a jacket.
5. Purchase a map of the city that you’re most interested in or print one out from the internet.
6. If you’re going to take pictures, I’d suggest a digital camera with lots of memory and extra batteries. You’re going to need it.
7. If there is any medication you need, be sure to pack it and any medical information that someone may need to know.
8. Purchase a phrase book/language dictionary for those times you will want to communicate with someone.
9. Be friendly, understanding and take it all in. Have an open mind. Remember, it’s not the United States and they don’t want to be the United States.
10. Be SAFE and Have FUN!
Off to Germany
Getting around the country…
Most of Europe is set up with easy transportation systems. Germany is no exception. If you plan on traveling only within Germany, get a German Rail Pass. You can order one online or go to a train station within the city. To order online, go to bahn.de
and select international guests for the English version of the site. You may get a discount if you’re under the age of 26. You may also get a discount for being from outside of the country or a student. Be sure to ask before purchasing.
The German Rail Pass will allow you to travel 10 full days to almost anywhere within the country. I had a home base in Hannover, Germany. On the weekends, I would often wake up early to travel to another city and then go back to Hannover that night. Sometimes I would stay the night in the other city if it was far away. I wanted to maximize my time, money and number of train rides. The trains also have sleeper cabins.
The train stations typically have several modes of transportation: Subway Trams, Trains, and Buses. Buses are for regional, trams are also sort of regional, but faster than buses, and trains will get you from one part of the country to another quickly. You can purchase a seat reservation before you catch your train, but you must do it several hours in advance and it is only useful for the train that you schedule to catch. The trains are scheduled at the same times throughout the year, so all you need is a timetable and to check the monitors to see if the train is arriving on time. You’ll need to show your passport and rail pass to the person checking tickets on the train once you’ve boarded.
On the trams, you’ll need a pass which is either purchased daily (you must put these tickets into a machine that stamps it each day you use one) or you can purchase a month-long pass. These passes are good for any regional form of transportation, such as buses, trams, subways, etc. When the transportation police show up on the trams, you are required to show them your pass. It’s very random when they show up, but that’s no reason to risk getting caught without a pass. Who knows what they will do if you don’t have one? Also make sure that the tickets/pass covers the zone that you’ll be exploring.
Also, most of Europe is bike friendly and some areas will rent bikes as if you were renting a car for the day.
When you arrive at a city, there will most likely be a tourist center. Go there to get the scoop on what’s going on during the time you’ll be there. Just like in your city, there is always entertainment if you’re looking for it. It’s best to have an open mind while you’re in another country. Otherwise, why travel if you’re not willing to open up to other cultures and ideas?
Popular destinations in Germany
Berlin: A must see. With the rebuilding of the city after World War II, everything seems massive. They have a very Roman-like architecture throughout the city. There are also lots of monuments that are devoted to the holocaust. I would suggest taking a tour.
Hamburg: A beautiful port city with a culture sort of like New Orleans. There is great food and the people are really friendly.
München (Munich): Seems like a place where a lot of shopping is done. There are nice cathedrals and city halls. The German museum is huge and fantastic. I can’t think of any subject that isn’t covered in the German museum. Munich is also famous for its October Festivals and large beer houses.
Köln (Cologne): This place is great. I would highly recommend Cologne over any other city. It actually reminds me more of New Orleans than Hamburg did. Take a boat tour along the river, then go to some museums, including a sports museum and chocolate museum. Give it at least 2-3 days to discover everything you can.
Trier: There are many Roman ruins still left there. It’s a beautiful city with large hills to drive through.
Celle: A very unique city with a very old-town feel. You could possibly spend a day there, but don’t waste time there if you don’t have much to waste.
You’re also allowed to travel to Salzburg, Austria with the German Rail pass. This is the place where “The Sound of Music” was filmed and Mozart was born. If you go, seek the ice cave tours, visit some of the castles and walk along the river.
For more information on tourism in Germany, visit cometogermany.com.
If you’re a student, there are travel agencies that will make arrangements for student travelers. You may also want to spend a summer there, study for a semester, volunteer for something or even find a job. Whatever it takes to get there cheaply and maximize your stay time, do it. Search the internet for student travel information. Here are a few sites to get you started*:
syta.org
aboutwysetc.org/Communications.aspx
istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=student_travel
studenttraveler.com
grouptraveldirectory.com
Travel insurance:
internationalstudentinsurance.com
*These websites within this article are not in affiliation with MOTHboy.org or endorsed by the respective companies and there are no guarantees of their legitimacy. Always research websites thoroughly before giving personal information and/or money to any website.
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