Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ostern
(Easter) March/April; Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
Christi Himmelfahrt
(Ascension Day) Forty days after Easter, always on a Thursday
Maifeiertag
(Labour Day) 1 May
Pfingsten
(Whitsun/Pentecost Sunday and Monday) May/June
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
(Day of German Unity) 3 October
Reformationstag
(Reformation Day; Brandenburg state only) 31 October
Weihnachtstag
(Christmas Day) 25 December
Zweiter Weihnachtstag
(Boxing Day) 26 December
Safe Travel
Travellers will rarely get tricked, cheated or conned simply because they're tourists. In fact,
Berlin is one of the safest and most tolerant of European cities. Walking about at night, even
for a woman alone, is not usually dangerous. Of course, you should keep your wits about
you, just as you would at home. Always carry enough cash for a cab ride back to wherever
you're staying.
If people on the street approach you for cash, they are generally not dangerous - just ignore
them. The same goes for the hard-up types standing near U-Bahn entrances trying to sell
you used tickets for a few cents. Don't fall for it - it's illegal and most likely the ticket is no
longer valid.
On the U-Bahn or S-Bahn, you'll encounter homeless folks selling street newspapers (called
Motz
or
Strassenfeger
) or asking for a small donation. Buskers are also quite common.
You're free to give or not to give.
