Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Some places require a minimum purchase with credit card use.
Tipping
Restaurant bills always include a
Bedienung
(service charge), but most people add 5% or
10% unless the service was truly abhorrent. The same tip applies for bar tabs.
It's considered rude to leave the tip on the table. Instead, tell the server the total amount you
want to pay (for instance, if the bill is €28, say €30). If you don't want change back, say
'
Stimmt so
' (that's fine).
Tip hotel cleaning staff €1 to €2 per day, and porters the same amount per bag. Toilet attend-
ants expect €0.20 to €0.50.
Tip taxi drivers 10%, always rounding off to a full euro.
Opening Hours
Standard opening hours:
Banks
9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri, some to 1pm Sat
Bars
6pm-1am or later
Boutiques
11am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm Sat
Cafes
8am-8pm
Clubs
11pm-5am or later
Post Offices
9am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 1pm Sat
Shops
10am-8pm Mon-Sat
Restaurants
11am-11pm
Supermarkets
8am-8pm or later, some 24hr
