Difference between revisions of "Germany"

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'''Germany''' is a great country for hitchhiking. Just make sure you get on the ''Autobahn'' (motorway)! There it is best to get to a ''Raststätte'' (service area[?]) where drivers can legally stop and get from one to another. There you also often find helpful maps with the motorways and the service areas along them.
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'''Germany''' is a great country for hitchhiking. Just make sure you get on the ''Autobahn'' (motorway)! There it is best to get to a ''Raststätte'' (service area) where drivers can legally stop and get from one to another. You will often find maps with the motorways and the service areas along them.
  
In Germany there are no speed limits on many highways. So you might first want to try to get a ride with fast cars before asking truck drivers! Trucks are great during nighttime, but they aren't allowed to drive on sunday.
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In Germany there are no speed limits on many highways. So you might first want to try to get a ride with fast cars before asking truck drivers! Trucks are great during nighttime, but like in [[France]], they aren't allowed to drive on Sundays.
  
 
==License plates==
 
==License plates==
In Germany license plates start with an abbreviation of the region where the car is registered. So look out for number plates starting with '''B''' if you're hitching to Berlin!
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In Germany license plates start with an abbreviation of the region where the car is registered. So look out for number plates starting with '''B''' if you're hitching to [[Berlin]]!
  
 
:''See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_car_number_plates German car number plates] and [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Kfz-Kennzeichen_in_Deutschland List of abbreviations used] (in German) on Wikipedia for more information.''
 
:''See [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_car_number_plates German car number plates] and [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Kfz-Kennzeichen_in_Deutschland List of abbreviations used] (in German) on Wikipedia for more information.''
  
 
==Border crossings==
 
==Border crossings==
Germany is in Schengen treaty. So, in theory the borders are open. But in practice the German custom officers or sometimes police will start demonstrating the sad traditions of their country to you if you are walking or riding a train with a suitcase or backpack somewhere near the border areas. Specially if you are not mainstream dressed. If you belong to these people, it could be of these searches if crossing the border from Switzerland. If coming in with a commuter train, they easily take you out of your train to search your belongings, while your train continues without you.
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Germany implemented the Schengen Agreement. So, in theory the borders are open. But in practice the German custom officers or sometimes police will start demonstrating the sad traditions of their country to you if you are walking or riding a train with a suitcase or backpack somewhere near the border areas. Specially if you don't like very mainstream when crossing the border from [[Switzerland]]. If coming in with a commuter train, they easily take you out of your train to search your belongings, while your train continues without you.
  
 
==Federal states==
 
==Federal states==

Revision as of 16:17, 19 June 2006

Germany is a great country for hitchhiking. Just make sure you get on the Autobahn (motorway)! There it is best to get to a Raststätte (service area) where drivers can legally stop and get from one to another. You will often find maps with the motorways and the service areas along them.

In Germany there are no speed limits on many highways. So you might first want to try to get a ride with fast cars before asking truck drivers! Trucks are great during nighttime, but like in France, they aren't allowed to drive on Sundays.

License plates

In Germany license plates start with an abbreviation of the region where the car is registered. So look out for number plates starting with B if you're hitching to Berlin!

See German car number plates and List of abbreviations used (in German) on Wikipedia for more information.

Border crossings

Germany implemented the Schengen Agreement. So, in theory the borders are open. But in practice the German custom officers or sometimes police will start demonstrating the sad traditions of their country to you if you are walking or riding a train with a suitcase or backpack somewhere near the border areas. Specially if you don't like very mainstream when crossing the border from Switzerland. If coming in with a commuter train, they easily take you out of your train to search your belongings, while your train continues without you.

Federal states

Biggest cities

Cities

Practical links


Applications-office.png This article is a stub. This means that the information available to us is obviously insufficient. In these places little information is available or the description is severely outdated. If you have been there, whether hitchhiking, for travel or as part of an organized tour − be sure to extend this article!