Archive-name: german-faq/part5
Last-modified: 1996/09/13
Posting-Frequency: monthly
URL: http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~vogelges/faq.html
Version: 1996/10




http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~vogelges/faq.html (The original !-)
==================================================================

     This is part 5 of the ASCII version of the FAQ list
     for soc.culture.german. Find the WWW version at

     <http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~vogelges/faq.html>


	Table of Contents - Part 5
	==========================


  17 Broadcasting Media
    17.1 German TV and Radio homepages
    17.2 Current TV Programming ("Videotext", etc.)
    17.3 Deutsche Welle
    17.4 Regional German Radio Stations via Shortwave
    17.5 TV via Satellite
    17.6 Swiss Radio; Radio Austria (Shortwave)

  18 Phone System
    18.1 Public Phones / Phone Cards in Germany
    18.2 Nation-Wide Phone-Numbers (Emergency, Information)
    18.3 Getting Phonenumbers via Internet
    18.4 Getting fax Numbers in Germany
    18.5 Importing Phone/Modem/fax to Germany?
    18.6 Adapters
    18.7 Calling Germany Collect from Abroad?
    18.8 Using US Phone Cards in Germany?

  19 German zip codes (Postleitzahlen, PLZ)
    19.1 Finding PLZ's on the Net
    19.2 The New Zip-Code System
    19.3 The Old Zip-Code System

  20 (Public) Transportation in Germany
    20.1 Railways
    20.2 Country-Wide/Continent-Wide Bus Travel like Greyhound?
    20.3 Regional Bus Service
    20.4 Regional Hiking Service ("Mitfahrzentralen")
    20.5 Local Transport (Within Cities)
    20.6 You Mean I *Can* Get Around on My Bicycle?
    20.7 Buying a Car for Short Period instead of EuRail?

  21 Cars and Driving in Germany
    21.1 How much is Gasoline in Germany?
    21.2 What's the typical Mileage of Cars on German Streets?


		*  *  *


Subject: 17 Broadcasting Media
==============================

   Contents: 
    => 17.1 German TV and Radio homepages 
    => 17.2 Current TV Programming ("Videotext", etc.)  
    => 17.3 Deutsche Welle 
    => 17.4 Regional German Radio Stations via Shortwave 
    => 17.5 TV via Satellite 
    => 17.6 Swiss Radio; Radio Austria (Shortwave) 



Subject: 17.1 German TV and Radio homepages
-------------------------------------------


     o Bayerischer Rundfunk [10/95] 
         <http://www.br-online.de/>
     o Radio Hundert,6 (Berlin) [10/95] 
         <http://www.bbtt.com/hundert6/whhome.htm>
     o RTL2 [10/95] 
         <http://www.rtl2.de/>
     o SAT1 
         <http://www.sat1.de/>
     o SWF3 [9/95] 
         <http://swf.ira.uka.de/SWF3/>
     o VH-1derland 
         <http://www.vh1.de/>
     o Westdeutscher Rundfunk 
         <http://www.wdr.com/>
     o ZDF [10/95] 
         <http://www.zdf.de/>



Subject: 17.2 Current TV Programming ("Videotext", etc.)
--------------------------------------------------------

   For the following TV programs try this teletext gateway 
     <http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/~gfi/teletext.html>
   3 SAT, ARD, Bayerntext, Nordtext, ORB/MDR, PRO 7, RTL 2, RTL Plus,
   Suedwestfunk, WDR, ZDF 
   [5/95] 

   Other overviews 

     o Kulturnachrichten [11/95] 
         <http://www.fh-karlsruhe.de/~meto0011/kultur.html>
     o TV Today [11/95] 
         <http://www.tvtoday.de/>
     o TV Movie [11/95] 
         <http://www.tvmovie.de/>



Subject: 17.3 Deutsche Welle
----------------------------

   Contents: 
    => 17.3.1 Satellite TV 
    => 17.3.2 (Shortwave) Radio 

   The official German shortwave station is "Deutsche Welle".  They
   broadcast worldwide in a variety of languages and also TV, using
   various satellites.  This service is there not so much for Germans
   in Germany, but for those people abroad (not only Germans) who
   would like to keep in touch with Germany.  
   Radio Deutsche Welle gladly sends out a monthly magazine with
   times/frequencies and stories on broadcasts.  If you would like to
   subscribe (for free) contact them at: 

     o Deutsche Welle, 
       Oeffentlichkeitsarbeit, 50588 **Koeln**, Germany, tel
       +49(221)389-0 fax 49-221-389-4155 
     o Deutsche Welle 
       Studio Washington P.O.B.  50641 **Washington**, DC 20091-0641
       USA tel +1(202)393-7427 fax +1(202)393-7434 [12/95] 
     o Deutsche Welle 
       190 000 **Sankt Petersburg** Glawpotschtamt Abonentnyj
       jaschtschik 596 Nemezkaja Wolna Russia 



Subject: 17.3.1 Satellite TV
----------------------------

   "Deutsche Welle Nachrichten", News from Germany (not only about
   Germany) DW-TV Berlin is on-line; their internet addresses are
   100144.2133@compuserve.com sendeltg@dwelle.de and for
   WWW-enthusiasts they provide their WWW server.  [ok 10/94] 
     <http://www-dw.gmd.de/>
   Specific items to be ftp-ed: 

     o today's news 
         <ftp://ftp-dw.gmd.de/dw/news/heute>
     o TV program 
         <ftp://ftp-dw.gmd.de/dw/vorschau/tv/>
     o Radio program 
         <ftp://ftp-dw.gmd.de/dw/vorschau/radio/>

   [3/95] 

   Recently, "Journal" and "TV-News" (the English version of the daily
   news broadcasts of DW) have been made available via real-audio com. 
   To receive this internet radio, tune in to
   http://www.dmc.net/dw/dw.html (Real-Audio Player software can be
   downloaded; PC's will need a sound card; Mac's can listen right
   away ;-) [06/96] 

   In North America, there are three major rebroadcaster of DW-tv: 
    => IC ("International Channel") 
       a commericial service from Los Angeles which emphasizes Asian
       programming.  It broadcasts one hour of DW-tv on weekdays
       [15:00 Eastern, 14:00 Central, 12:00 noon Pacific].  
    => ME/U ("Mind-Extension University") 
       a Denver-based educational network broadcasts on cable at
       5:00PM ET, three blocks of 30 minutes: German-English-Spanish. 
       Ask you cable-provider!  
    => SCOLA ("Satellite Communications for Learning Association") 
       SCOLA devotes a greater portion of its schedule to DW-tv than
       the other two rebroadcasters.  Affiliated with Creighton
       University , has monthly schedules for all the DW-tv, ORF and
       SBC programs it broadcasts on each of its channels:
       http://www.creighton.edu/~scola/ 

   [06/96] 



Subject: 17.3.2 (Shortwave) Radio
---------------------------------

   Usually Radio Deutsche Welle comes in loud and clear.  

     o 6075 ( 0:00- 6:00) 
     o 6085 ( 4:00- 6:00) 
     o 6100 ( 0:00- 6:00) 
     o 9700 ( 4:00- 6:00) 
     o 9730 (22:00- 2:00) 
     o 9735 ( 2:00- 4:00) 
     o 11795 ( 0:00- 4:00) 
     o 11810 ( 4:00- 8:00) 
     o 13780 (22:00- 2:00) 
     o 13790 (14:00-16:00) 
     o 15270 ( 0:00- 2:00) 
     o 17715 (12:00-19:00) 
     o 17860 (18:00- 0:00) 

   All times are UTC.  [2/94] 


Subject: 17.4 Regional German Radio Stations via Shortwave
----------------------------------------------------------

   Here are shortwave frequencies for some of Germany's "regional"
   programs.  The stations are nationally operated and mostly serve
   one of the federal states.  

     o 7265 kHz SWF 3 Suedwestfunk / Rheinland-Pfalz and parts of
       Baden- Wuerttemberg 
       **Suedwestfunk**, Postfach 820, 76485 Baden-Baden 
     o 6190 kHz Sender Freies Berlin &amp; Radio Bremen 
       **Radio Bremen**, Heinrich-Hertz-Str.  13, 28211 Bremen
       **Sender Freies Berlin**, Masurenallee 8-14, 14057 Berlin 
     o 6005 kHz RIAS Berlin (100 kW) 
       **RIAS** has gone together with **Deutschlandfunk** to become
       "Deutschland-Radio." There are two stations now; the one that
       used to be RIAS has become "DS-Kultur" [9/94] 
       **Deutschland-Radio**, Hans-Rosenthal-Platz, 10825 Berlin, tel
       +49(30)85030 
     o 6030 kHz Sueddeutscher Rundfunk / Baden-Wuerttemberg (20 kW) 
       **Sueddeutscher Rundfunk**, Neckarstr.  230, 70190 Stuttgart 
     o 6085 kHz Bayerischer Rundfunk (100 kW) 
       **Bayerischer Rundfunk**, Rundfunkplatz 1, 80335 Muenchen 

   Consult the "World Radio and TV Handbook" for a complete listing of
   all shortwave stations.  The book is updated annually and can be
   found in many libraries.  


Subject: 17.5 TV via Satellite
------------------------------

   **Europe**: 
   EUTELSAT II-F1 (13 deg.  East) Transponder 27, 11,163 GHz, vert. 
   pol, 15-05 UTC, PAL., sound: 6.65 MHz 
     <http://www.cdc.polimi.it/~piu1837/doc6.htm>
   This is a low power satellite; Deutsche Welle broadcasts not for
   Germans in Germany and so it broadcasts not on the hot bird ASTRA
   satellite (see below) 

   **German TV in Europe / ASTRA**, 
   There is a hot bird ASTRA TV satellite with nearly all German TV
   programs (public or commercial) but **not** with Deutsche Welle on
   it.  An equipment to get all these German TV programs is much
   cheaper in many areas than an equipment to get Deutsche Welle.  For
   most of Europe a 70cm dish will be sufficient.  With a 200cm dish
   you should expect good reception from Northern Africa to
   Spitzbergen.  A second hot bird is planned to be launched in 1996. 
   Ask local Germans or your satellite dish dealer for ASTRA service. 
   [2/94] 
     <http://www.cdc.polimi.it/~piu1837/doc6.htm>

   **North/South America**: 
   INTELSAT-K (21.4 deg.  West), Transponder H7, 11,605 GHz, North
   America: hor.  pol., South America: vert.  pol., Min.  Dish
   Diameter: 1.3m or 4ft 
   Deutsche Welle TV: 
   16-06 UTC, NTSC-M Sound: 6.8 MHz 
   Deutsche Welle radio: 
   German Program (stereo): a: 7.38/7.56 Mhz Foreign Language
   Programs: b: 7.74 Mhz 

   **North America, Caribbean Sea**: 
   SATCOM C-4 (135 deg.  West) Transponder 5V, 3,8 GHz, pol.  vert., 
   Deutsche Welle TV 
   16-06 UTC, NTSC-M Sound: 6.8 MHz 
   Deutsche Welle radio 
   German Program (stereo): a: 7.38/7.56 Mhz Foreign Language
   Programs: b: 7.74 Mhz 

   A two and a half hour **TV program** (English and German) is
   broadcasted between 20:00 and 22:30 UTC via the following
   satellites: 

     o SPACENET II (69' West) - Transponder 2 - for North-America 
     o INTELSAT 601 (27.5' West) - Transponder 21 - for Europe and
       Africa 
     o INTELSAT 505 (66' East) - Transponder 38 - for Europe, Africa
       and Asia 
     o INTELSAT 508 (180' East) - Transponder 14 - for East Asia,
       Australia and New Zealand 

   [3/95] 

   **Europlus** is Satellite TV: 
   Europlus an inexpensive satellite reception system designed to
   receive **live** European broadcasting.  That broadcasting is
   mainly German and Italian but in the next two years, it is expected
   to carry several other languages, as well.  

   Programming is available as video, radio and teletext to all areas
   of the United States (East of the Mississippi), Central and South
   America by the use of spot beams.  

   The German programming currently consists of Deutsche Welle, ZDF
   and 3SAT.  There are also numerous radio broadcasts and the news
   teletext is a 24 hour service.  The Italian programming consists
   mainly of RAI (radio &amp; TV) and SWF3.  All functions of the
   system such as changing channels, changing languages, audio, video,
   radio, teletext, volume and text control are handily accomplished
   with a 6 button remote control for simplicity.  There are currently
   no subscription charges and none are anticipated for at least a
   year, when they are expected to run @ US$10 per month or US$100 per
   year, per language received.  The costs of buying the hardware run
   around US$900.  

   Good Shephard Marketing, a division of: 
   Atlanta Antenna, Inc., PO Box 76247, Atlanta, GA 30328 
   Cliff Shephard, Compuserve 73667.1502, fax +1(404)843-1465 
   [10/94] 


Subject: 17.6 Swiss Radio; Radio Austria (Shortwave)
----------------------------------------------------

   For Information about Switzerland you might want to listen to
   Schweizer Radio International 
   **Swiss Radio International**, PO Box CH-3000, Bern 15, Switzerland

   For Austria: 
   **Radio Austria**, A-1136, Vienna, Austria 


Subject: 18 Phone System
========================

   Contents: 
    => 18.1 Public Phones / Phone Cards in Germany 
    => 18.2 Nation-Wide Phone-Numbers (Emergency, Information) 
    => 18.3 Getting Phonenumbers via Internet 
    => 18.4 Getting fax Numbers in Germany 
    => 18.5 Importing Phone/Modem/fax to Germany?  
    => 18.6 Adapters 
    => 18.7 Calling Germany Collect from Abroad?  
    => 18.8 Using US Phone Cards in Germany?  

   About how the phone system works and how it could be improved and
   ...we could talk endlessly...  For more complete information get a
   copy of the de-telefon-faq.  
     <ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/de.comm.misc/de.comm.misc_FAQ_Fragen_und_Antworten_rund_ums_telefonieren>

   **The law**: 
   The German phone system is operated by the German telekom.  There
   are no private long-distance or local phone companies.  Every
   phone, fax or modem you connect to a phone line needs to be
   approved by the German telekom.  Approved appliances have a special
   sticker with a BZT number on the back.  

   **The German telekom (Deutsche Telekom)**: 
   They are a state-owned company which split from the German mail
   (Bundespost) a couple of years ago.  They try to act like a private
   company but don't quite measure up because of lacking competition
   and for various historical reasons.  Changes relating to the
   introduction of European Community laws can be expected.  The
   **rates** of the Deutsche Telekom are based on a time-unit system
   with varying periods for the units -- depending on where and when
   you want to call.  Have a look at this nice overview of the current
   rates (in German).[1/96] 
     <http://www.mathematik.uni-ulm.de/info/post/>


Subject: 18.1 Public Phones / Phone Cards in Germany
----------------------------------------------------

   Public phones in Germany work more or less like everywhere, with a
   few exceptions ("of course"): 

   There are now quite a lot of **card phones** in Germany.  Unlike
   American card phones, they use debit cards.  German phone cards can
   be bought at any post office and most money exchanges at major
   train stations.  They have a given value (12 DM for 40 units or 50
   DM for 200 units).  Once you have used up this value you must get a
   new card.  All 0130 numbers are toll free.  At public phones you
   might have to insert 30 Pfennigs (the minimum price for a call)... 
   but you will get your money back.  

   At card phones you **can't use coins**.  If you have neither change
   nor a phone card there are nice public phones at post offices.  You
   ask to make a call and pay at the counter after you are finished. 
   Some of them have a (tiny) desk next to them.  

   There is one special phone card which allows you to have the calls
   you make added to your home phone bill.  You need an account at a
   German bank, however.  The set-up fee for this card is about 10 DM. 



Subject: 18.2 Nation-Wide Phone-Numbers (Emergency, Information)
----------------------------------------------------------------

   There are two nation-wide emergency telephone numbers: 

     o 110 -- Police 
     o 112 -- Ambulance and/or the Fire Fighters 

   The numbers are toll free, in the modern public card-phones you
   should be able to dial them at any time, without the need for
   change or a card.  [04/96] 
   In some older pay-phones, though, you may have to insert coins
   first, but they will be returned after the call.  In some phone
   booths you will find special emergency switch boxes which can be
   used by simply pulling a lever.  [5/94] 

     o 19444 -- city-netz (see Transportation) 
     o 19419 -- railway travel information (see Railways) 
     o 19433 -- touristic information (see Tourism) 



Subject: 18.3 Getting Phonenumbers via Internet
-----------------------------------------------

   (Sorry to disappoint you!)  Not much to tell: only users of
   Btx/DatexJ may call 
   *ETB# 
   and do a local search in the German white&amp;yellow pages, as well
   as the telefax and Datex-J registers.  Current rate: DM
   0.20/minute.  The nation-wide search under *ETV# may also be
   available.  [3/95] 

   If you are looking for an Austrian phone number, you can use the
   following BTX-gateway or this telnet connection (login: etb) 
     <http://www.tu-graz.ac.at/>
     <telnet://etb@fiicmds06.tu-graz.ac.at/>

   For Swiss numbers you may use the following telnet gateway. 
   (login: etv) 
     <telnet://etv@etv.switch.ch/>
   [3/95] 


Subject: 18.4 Getting fax Numbers in Germany
--------------------------------------------

   Frederik Ramm generously offers to provide fax numbers of companies
   and institutes in Germany as they are printed in the official books
   by telekom.  
   Send an email like the following to his address: 

       To: ule3@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
       Subject: FAX request

       Name: Firma Tiny
       Ort: Klein-Hoppenstaedt


Subject: 18.5 Importing Phone/Modem/fax to Germany?
---------------------------------------------------

   You may own any **phone** but you may not connect it to the public
   system unless it has a BZT number (Old phones: ZZF).  You may not
   own radios or cordless phones which are not approved.  The number
   is usually found on a sticker at the back of the case.  
   Problems are possible with **Hong Kong** or **British pulse dial
   phones** because the pulses there are not exactly the same as in
   Germany.  But the phone system is very tolerant and with most of
   these phones you can switch to the other system anyway (same for
   modems).  
   **Tone dial** is not yet available everywhere...gaps narrowing,
   though.  Might be a good idea to get a phone/modem capable of both
   pulse and tone dial.  

   **Cordless phones** are a real problem.  In Germany, cordless
   phones operate on different frequencies (900 MHz) than in most
   other countries.  In the bands that many foreign phones use (80 MHz
   for cheap US-phones) are a number of official channels (police,
   emergencies, radio, TV ...).  It is punishable to own and use an
   illegal cordless phone!  
   Therefore, use only approved cordless phones !!!  or they **will**
   get you !!!  
   On a lighter note: it is possible, for more money, though, to
   obtain a 900 Mhz phone abroad.  In the US, for instance, these are
   about twice as expensive as the 80 MHz phone; however, you may
   expect to still cut a deal, compared to German prices ;-) [1/96] 

   The **wall outlets** for phones in Germany have a different shape
   than the usual modular plug.  Adapters are available in Germany
   (from 2.50 to 20 DM).  These adapters are no problems with phones. 
   But legal and illegal things might not work together on the same
   line.  

   **fax machines** usually work in Germany, too.  Typically you'll
   need a new power adapter, though.  [3/95] 

   If you plan on using a **Modem**, make sure it's at least 14,400! 
   (You'll remember this advice when you get the next telephone bill
   ;-) Soon 28,800 baud will be standard...  
   Watch out for the 16kHz timer signal, which the telekom sends to
   allow for your own tracking of billing periods.  If the modem
   doesn't filter this signal you might lose connection every 90
   seconds (or at multiples thereof.)  If you don't actually use this
   signal for your billing counter you can ask the telekom to switch
   it off.  [5/95] 



Subject: 18.6 Adapters
----------------------

   There are cheap(!)  adapters available (between 2 and 20 DM.)  To
   build one yourself is most likely not cost efficient.  Be aware of
   possible legal conflicts.  Your phone is more likely to be illegal
   than the homemade adapter.  

     connection scheme:

            American plug                     German TAE-F or TAE-N plug
        +-------------                            -----
        |           * yellow      4              /    /
       |            * green       3          4     //    3
       |            * red         2              /    /
        |           * black       1                //    2
        +-------------                           /    /
                                                   //    1
       for regular voice service                 /    /
       connect green/red only!                   -----
       connect them to the two wires that come into
       your house (if you can make out which they are)
       yellow/black are for data transmission devices.
       impedance is no problem.


Subject: 18.7 Calling Germany Collect from Abroad?
--------------------------------------------------

   The most convenient way for German tourists to call home is the
   **Deutschland direkt** Line.  You can reach it toll-free from the
   US at 

     o 1-800-292-0049 
     o 1-800-766-0049 
     o 1-800-927-0049 

   From Canada it is 

     o 1-800-465-0049 

   Note that this service is very expensive.  The cost is supposedly
   around DM 2.10 per minute, plus a flat fee of DM 3.00.  Collect
   calls are possible.  It is also possible to use a special phone
   card and password.  Ask your local 'telefonladen' for details. 
   [3/95] 

   If you want to call a German **'130' number** from the US, you need
   to call either the above mentioned service or your long distance
   operator.  '130' numbers are Germany's version of the US '800'
   numbers.  But if you call them from another country you will have
   to pay the usual fee for operator assisted long distance calls. 
   Some of the German '130' numbers are linked to US '800' numbers so
   you can actually call them for free in the US.  

   It is also **not possible to reach US '800' numbers** from Germany. 
   You will have to use an operator.  If you own a US phone card use
   one of the numbers listed (see Using US Phone Cards) Otherwise use
   the German long distance operator.  


Subject: 18.8 Using US Phone Cards in Germany?
----------------------------------------------

   If you have an American phone card you can get connected to an
   English speaking operator from any phone by dialing: 

     o AT&amp;T Direct: 

        + 0130-0010 (operator) 
        + 0130-0011 (phone cards) 
        + 0130-850 058 (customer assistance) 

     o MCI Direct: 0130-0012 
     o US Sprint: 0130-0013 
     o Canada Direct: 0130-0014 

   The following countries offer an equivalent service by dialing: 
   0130-800-### (### is the international access code.  For two digit
   access codes dial 0##.  Example: Australia 0130-800-061) 

   Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iceland,
   Israel, Italy, Japan, Rep.  of Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New
   Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
   Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Finland, France,
   Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark 

   Many other international long distance companies provide the same
   service.  Ask your long distance carrier for the right number.  


Subject: 19 German zip codes (Postleitzahlen, PLZ)
==================================================

   Contents: 
    => 19.1 Finding PLZ's on the Net 
    => 19.2 The New Zip-Code System 
    => 19.3 The Old Zip-Code System 



Subject: 19.1 Finding PLZ's on the Net
--------------------------------------

   There are really a lot of possibilities: 

   **mailservers** 


     o Arthur Teschler's server gives you not only the PLZ's but also
       information about municipal government, about topological maps
       for the area, and more.  See Internet/Search Engines for more. 
       [02/96] Send email: 

                 To: Arthur.Teschler@uni-giessen.de
            Subject: _GEO_
           1st line: INFO

     o Thomas Bullinger has written a very handy mail server.  To get
       a zip code send a mail message 
           To: mrbulli@btoy1.rochester.ny.us
           Subject: #PLZ# <NAME-OF-TOWN>
       Features: 

        + case-insensitive town names 
        + may be abbreviated 
        + no umlauts, hyphens, etc.  
        + only one town per email!  

       Examples: 
        => From: hugo@fiktive.site.de 
           To: mrbulli@btoy1.rochester.ny.us 
           Subject: #PLZ# stuttgart 
           This extracts all known PLZ's for Stuttgart (sorted
           according to street names) and sends it in 5 pieces of max. 
           1000 lines each to hugo@fiktive.site.de.  

        => Subject: #PLZ# aach 
           All known PLZ's fuer Aach und Aachen.  

        => Subject: #PLZ# badhomburg 
           All known PLZ's for Bad Homburg 


     o [Another mail server is plz@plz.uni-forst.gwdg.de.  This one
       seems particularly suited for numerous address conversions! 
       Send a mail that uses the following syntax: 

        + 1st line: Adresse: <optional identifier> 
        + 2nd line: <street and number> 
        + 3rd line: <old zip codes> (including the letter O or W)
          <name of the town and old post office number> (for larger
          cities) 
        + 4th line: <like 1st line> or QUIT at the end of the mail.  

       You don't need the old zip code if there is only one town with
       this name.  Example: 
           Adresse: 1
           Hauptstrasse 5
           W-1234 Stadtdorf 5
           Adresse: 2
           Testweg 123
           O-7890 Althausen
           QUIT
       [OK 1/94] 


   **WWW** 


     o PLZ server of U Dortmund [3/95] 
         <http://tommy.informatik.uni-dortmund.de/WWW/PLZ.html>
     o PLZ server at U Frankfurt [OK 2/94] 
         <http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/plz/plzrequest.html>
     o You can get the new ZIP codes via the quantum server.  [10/95] 
         <http://www.quantum.de/zahlen/>
     o Das Postleitzahlenbuch [02/96] 
         <http://www.nads.de/WWW/PLZ.html>

   **ftp** 

   You can retrieve the original databases from various sites: PLZ
   data at U Stuttgart 
     <ftp://info2.rus.uni-stuttgart.de/pub/misc/datasets/PLZ/>
   PLZ data at U Muenster 
     <ftp://ftp.uni-muenster.de/pub/PLZ/>

   **gopher** 

   The easiest way to get the new zip codes are Gopher servers.  They
   are offered at: 

   PLZ gopher at TH Aachen (They have also a list of car license plate
   codes and the phone area codes).  [OK 1/94] 
     <gopher://gopher.rog.rwth-aachen.de/>

   **telnet** 

   If you prefer telnet try: 

   PLZ server at U Stuttgart login: PLZ [OK 1/94] 
     <telnet://PLZ@PLZ.ISR.UNI-Stuttgart.de/>

   **telephone** 

   The German "telekom" also maintains a toll free number (0130-55555)
   to ask for a zip code.  The number is open from 08:00 to 22:00
   only.  [2/94] 

   **don't know at all** 

   The old 4 digit zip codes should still work.  (Even letters with no
   zip code at all "should" -in principle- make it through.)  No
   guarantee, though!  Letters will definitely take longer compared to
   those that use the new code -- if they arrive at all.  Some people
   have already lost mail because of this.  [3/94] 


Subject: 19.2 The New Zip-Code System
-------------------------------------

   All zip codes have been changed (effective 7/93).  The new zip
   codes have 5 digits.  No more additional numbers following city
   names.  

   There is no easy way to convert between old and new zip codes.  

   One **city** might now have more than one zip code.  Then you need
   the name of the **street** to find the zip code, but long streets
   have more than one zip code, you need the **house number**; odd
   numbers or even numbers have not the same zip code in many cases.  
   In some big towns there are streets with the same name.  So you
   need to know where the street really is, look at the old number of
   post office behind the name of the town.  
   The zip codes for **post boxes** are different, still.  

   Big companies (companies with more than 1000 letters every day) get
   their own codes (as in the US zip code system).  If you just look
   for the address of one of these companies you will get the wrong
   zip code.  It seems that these company zip codes were in fact kept
   secret at first.  
     <http://www.quantum.de/zahlen/plz-gross.html>
   Only after people started collecting their own listings, the "Post"
   published a special phone book.  
   An electronic file can be found at some of the zip-code gopher
   sites (see Finding PLZ's ).  

   The German Mail service has distributed a (big!)  book containing
   all new zip codes to each German household in May/93.  But this
   book neither contains PO boxes nor the big companies' zip codes... 
   [2/94] 


Subject: 19.3 The Old Zip-Code System
-------------------------------------

   Every zip code had one letter, a dash and four digits.  The letter
   was a "W" for former West Germany and an "O" for East Germany.  

   You can get these zip codes via gopher at the infoserver of the
   RWTH Aachen.  They also have them as a file for ftp.  

   Examples: 

     o O-1155 Berlin 
     o W-1000 Berlin 33 

   Many bigger cities in the West had a number following the city name
   for reasons of further differentiation.  

   Mail without the O/W letter took/takes significantly longer
   (weeks!)  [Fall 1993] 



Subject: 20 (Public) Transportation in Germany
==============================================

   Contents: 
    => 20.1 Railways 
    => 20.2 Country-Wide/Continent-Wide Bus Travel like Greyhound?  
    => 20.3 Regional Bus Service 
    => 20.4 Regional Hiking Service ("Mitfahrzentralen") 
    => 20.5 Local Transport (Within Cities) 
    => 20.6 You Mean I *Can* Get Around on My Bicycle?  
    => 20.7 Buying a Car for Short Period instead of EuRail?  



Subject: 20.1 Railways
----------------------

   Contents: 
    => 20.1.1 Deutsche Bahn AG 
    => 20.1.2 Which Train to Use 
    => 20.1.3 Ticket Prices 
    => 20.1.4 International Addresses for Railway Travelers 
    => 20.1.5 Timetables; Travel Information 
    => 20.1.6 Railservers: Free Access to Timetables on the Internet 
    => 20.1.7 The Poor Man's Version of the Kursbuch 
    => 20.1.8 Fly and Ride (a Train) 
    => 20.1.9 Trains and Bicycles 

   The last major change of timetables was on May/27/1995 

   Trains play a special role in Germany (and in Europe in general.) 
   In terms of traffic they have top priority.  They have right of way
   before any other vehicle.  There are lots of tunnels and bridges
   for trains and therefore they don't have to stop anywhere between
   railway stations and can go at rather high speeds...  120km/h
   (75mph) for regular trains, up to 250km/h (120mph) for the high
   speed trains.  

   Statistics: 

     o former Western: 

        + 31,443 km total; 
        + 4,022 km non government owned, 
        + 27,421 km government owned, 12,491 km double track 11,501 km
          electrified 

     o former Eastern: 

        + 14,025 km total; 3,830 km double track 3,475 km electrified 

       [1988] 

   On a typical day an average of about 32,000 trains are scheduled.  

   The railroad system in Germany is currently under constant change. 
   Most important: there is a program to change the German railroads
   from a government owned and operated system to a free market.  

   Private and foreign companies are now free to operate on the German
   railroad net.  
   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.1 Deutsche Bahn AG
--------------------------------

   "Deutsche Bundesbahn" (former Western) and "Deutsche Reichsbahn"
   (former Eastern) joined to become "Deutsche Bahn AG".  Despite
   unification there are still price differences between East and
   West!  

   The Deutsche Bahn AG is forced to split into several branches (and
   later into several companies): 

     o "Fernverkehr" (Long-distance travel) runs all ICE, EC, IC, EN,
       IR and D trains.  
     o "Nahverkehr" (Short-distance travel) runs all the other trains. 
     o "Personenbahnhoefe" (Railway stations) runs the railways
       stations for all railway companies; rents shops in railway
       stations.  (Remember: It is forbidden by German law to open
       shops in the evening and on Sundays.  But it is legal to sell
       goods to passengers in airports and railway stations...)  
     o "Ladungsverkehr" (Big freight service) 
     o "Stueckgutverkehr" (Small freight service) 
     o "Netz" (Net) sells the right to travel to railroad companies 
     o "Bahnbau" (Track repair etc) 
     o "Traktion" (Traction) Rents out locomotives to railways 
     o "Werke" Repair of rolling stock material 

   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.2 Which Train to Use
----------------------------------

   For the last couple years the "Deutsche (Bundes-/)Bahn" has been
   implementing a new philosophy in train travel.  One very obvious
   sign of its modernization are the new cars, which have defined new
   colors outside and better seats inside.  As this modernization is
   not quite completed, frequently mixed trains of old and new cars
   can be seen.  

   All modern trains have special color codes: 

     o red-white = High speed trains (ICE, EC, IC) 
     o blue-white = long distance trains (IR, Talgo) 
     o green-white = regional trains (RSB, CB, RB) 
     o orange-white = urban train (S) 

   It is a good idea to use these if possible.  Foreign cars are also
   nice.  Check the label outside!  Only the silver cars
   ("Silberlinge") are real bad.  

   Most trains have some cars where smoking is allowed...  There are
   also first class cars in most trains.  You don't really need
   reservation in most trains.  If you found no seat you can ride
   without a seat or, if you think the train is to full, take another
   train an hour later...  There is no reservation possible for any
   short-distance trains.  

   Brief overview: **Long-distance trains** 
    => ICE 
       "InterCityExpress"; the German high speed train.  These trains
       are integrated in the IC network, but have higher prices than
       other IC.  Ticket prices depend on ICE speed and the speed of
       other trains at the same distance.  
    => EC 
       "EuroCity"; an international high quality train.  In Germany
       most EC's are integrated in the IC net.  
    => IC 
       "InterCity"; a national high quality train.  Nearly all IC's
       run in the IC net.  On most lines there is one IC every hour.  
    => ICN 
       "InterCityNight"; a high quality night train; more silent
       rolling, "leans" into curves, you can sleep in even after
       arrival.  
    => EN 
       "EuroNight"; a night train, there were only 4 such trains in
       1994/1995.  
    => IR 
       "Interregio"; similar to IC.  The IR net is much longer and
       IR's stop at more stations IC's.  On most lines there is one IR
       every other hour.  
    => D 
       "Schnellzug"; a long-distance train which is not good enough
       for to be qualified as ICE, EC, IC, EN, IR.  In May 1994 most
       of them will get modernized and become InterRegios.  Some night
       trains or trains with foreign destinations will remain D
       trains.  

   **Short-distance trains** 
    => RSB 
       "RegionalSchnellBahn"; a semi-fast train with good material
       like a VT 610 (German pendolinio), VT 628 or other modern cars. 
       Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others stop at every
       station.  
    => E 
       "Eilzug"; a semi-fast train not good enough to be classified as
       RSB.  Some of these trains are as fast as IC, others are slower
       and stop at every station.  
    => RE 
       "RegionalExpress"; an E-train with modern cars, runs
       periodically.  
    => SE 
       "StadtExpress"; a local train with modern cars, runs
       periodically.  
    => CB 
       "CityBahn"; a local train with qualified good rolling material,
       runs periodically.  
    => S 
       "S-Bahn"; an urban train in areas like Hamburg, Berlin,
       Frankfurt, Munich,...  
    => RB 
       "RegionalBahn"; a local train with qualified good rolling
       material.  
    => () 
       (no letter marking) "Nahverkehrszug"; local train with rather
       poor rolling material 

   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.3 Ticket Prices
-----------------------------

   2nd class West 0.24 DM/km 
   2nd class East 0.17 DM/km 
   1st class is 150 percent of 2nd class price.  
   ICE price is a little more in 2nd and 1st class.  
   There are special short-distance prices in many areas.  In that
   case the ticket includes local bus and subway, but you can use all
   short- distance trains with a railroad ticket like Interail etc or
   a long- distance train ticket.  
   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.4 International Addresses for Railway Travelers
-------------------------------------------------------------


     o Australia 
       Thomas Cook Limited, Ground Floor, 257 Collins Street,
       Melbourne VIC 2000, tel (03) 6502442, fax (03) 6507050 
     o Canada 
       German Rail/DER Tours, 904 The East Mail, Etobicoke, ONT.  M93
       6K2, tel +1(416)695-1209, fax +1(416)695-1210 
     o England 

        + DER Travel Service, German Rail Sales, 18 Conduit Street,
          London W1Y 7PE, tel 071-499 0577 / 0578 
        + German Rail Distribution, 18 Chertsey Road, Woking, Surrey
          GU21 5AB 
          Travel Planner: A 38-pade guide to services and fares to and
          within in Germany.  
        + Continental Rail Agents Consortium (CRAC), c/o 424 Chester
          Road, Little Sutton, Cheshire L98 RB, 051-339 6171 
          A group of retail travel agents throughout the country
          offering a specialist service for the continental rail
          traveler.  
        + German Tourist Office, Nightingale House, 65 Curzon Street,
          London W 1Y, 7PE.  071-495 3990 

     o USA 
       German Rail/DER Tours, 11933 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
       90025, tel +1(310)479-41140, fax +1(310)479-2239 

   [6/94] 


Subject: 20.1.5 Timetables; Travel Information
----------------------------------------------

   There are many timetables you can buy or get for free in Germany. 
   Prices will not be a real problem for travelers, but weight may be
   a concern, unless you are interested in transporting just
   timetables...  
    => "Kursbuch Gesamtausgabe" 
       15 DM; 3000 g All trains in Germany, no subways, no busses.  
    => "Auslandskursbuch" 
       10 DM; 800 g A selection of long-distance trains in Europe
       outside Germany.  
    => "Fernfahrplan" 
       7 DM; 800 g All long-distance trains in Germany.  
    => "Regionalkursbuecher" 
       7 DM; 800 g (each) 12 books with timetables.  
    => "Regionalfahrplaene" 
       5 DM; 300 g (each) 30 books with all trains and all federal
       bus.  (But no local bus etc!)  
    => "Staedteverbindungen" 
       0 DM; 300 g Trains from big towns to other big towns.  
    => "Staedteverbindungen von ...  und nach ..." 
       0 DM; 150 g 160 booklets about trains from the 160 most
       important stations to 60 even more most important stations ;-)
       Available only at local railway stations.  
    => "Streckenfahrplan Strecke ..." 
       0 DM; 10 g Specialized table of all trains on just one line;
       hundreds of these papers exist.  Available only at local
       railway stations.  At some place also available for street cars
       and/or busses.  
    => "Oertlicher Fahrplan" 
       X DM; X g In all towns you can buy local timetables with all
       the local bus and subway and local trains and all trains from
       the main local station.  Buy it if you plan on staying any
       longer than just a few hours in an area.  

   In every major city you should be able to call the travel
   information service of the Bahn under 
   [possible area code prefix to be used] 19419 [6/94] Additionally,
   electronic timetables for MSDOS/Windows are available.  There are
   two versions: 
    => "Elektronische Staedteverbindungen" 
       comes on 3HD floppies, requires 7MB of hard disk space, 80386,
       2MB RAM; includes 1000 Stations, 24000 Trains, covers about 90%
       of all inquiries, DM 29,80 
    => "Elektronisches Kursbuch" 
       comes on CD-ROM, requires 80386, 4MB RAM; includes **all**
       trains in Germany.  Price is DM 50.  

   They can be ordered at Deutsche Bahn AG, Postfach 1157, 53821
   Troisdorf [6/94] 


Subject: 20.1.6 Railservers: Free Access to Timetables on the Internet
----------------------------------------------------------------------

   **Austrian timetables**...  
   TU Graz offers an http server, as well as a telnet site.  (login:
   obb) 
     <http://www.tu-graz.ac.at/>
     <telnet://obb@fiicmds06.tu-graz.ac.at/>

   For the **German** part...  
   Frederik Ramm has sedulously and diligently in pursuit (yip, I
   enjoy using my thesaurus ;) set up an access to the electronic
   timetables of the Deutsche Bahn AG.  Vielen Dank, Frederik.  
   He offers: 
     : The RailServer, a mail server for German railway
     : connections, has all German railway stations and
     : connections available, as well as about 4.000 other
     : European stations (almost all large cities and the trains
     : that run between them an Germany).  The RailServer is not
     : [not yet :-)] an online service; you have to send your
     : queries by mail.  However, there is a WWW gateway that not
     : only allows to send requests but also contains lots of
     : info on the server and on railroading in Germany in
     : general.  Use your favorite WWW-browser to look up the
     : RailServer main page.  
     :   <http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~rail/>
     : [4/95] 

     : The RailServer email address is rail@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
     : The commands you can use to query the database all begin
     : with a number sign (#).  A simple query looks like this: 

     :     #FROM Munich
     :     #TO Berlin
     :     #DATE 06-30-94
     :     #TIME 12:00

     : You can also specify more details, time ranges, arrival
     : time, and you can order various lists.  But the most
     : important command might be 

     :     #HELP

     : which sends you the RailServer help file (about 300
     : lines).  The RailServer is my (a student's) hobby project
     : and does not have commercial goals.  If you have any
     : suggestions for improvement, feel free to drop me a line :
     : (Frederik Ramm).  If you maintain any FAQ's or resource
     : lists or other information documents that are
     : traffic-related, I'd be glad to see a note about the
     : RailServer included there.  "(Frederik Ramm, June/94)" 
   [end quote]

   Bahnverbindungen in Deutschland Notice, however, that this is just
   an interface to a mail-based server, requests are answered only
   **twice a day**.  [5/95] 
     <http://rzstud1.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de/~ule3/railserv.html>


Subject: 20.1.7 The Poor Man's Version of the Kursbuch
------------------------------------------------------

   The German "Kursbuch" exists on CD-ROM; but even without it one
   still gets along quite well, following these simple basic rules: 

     o The service in the West is better than in the East.  
     o You can rely on the backbone of the ICE/EC/IC/IR inner net with
       trains running at least every other hour, usually every one! 
       (In some highly frequented areas three times an hour.)  
     o Some ICE/EC/IC/IR may also connect to less important cities
       (outer net).  
     o They always run at the same minute after the hour and they are
       very punctual.  
     o On more than 90 percent of the railway lines there are more
       than just a few trains every day.  Almost certainly there is a
       service of at least one train every other hour, usually there's
       better service.  
     o Missed a train?  You may or may not be well-advised to take the
       very next.  On many lines there are different trains stopping
       not at the same stations.  (Typically one train may stop at
       many stations and an hour later the next train stops at fewer
       stations and the next train after that one stops again
       *everywhere*...  Because of this mixed service it is good
       advice to check if using a short-distance train is an option
       when you missed a long-distance train.  Check first!  Many
       short-distance trains stop at rural stations and wait to let a
       long-distance train pass.  In that case it would be better to
       wait for the faster long-distance train...  
     o Short-distance service is somewhat limited on Saturdays and
       Sundays and public holidays (no rush hour back-up trains; usual
       trains run less frequently.)  Nevertheless, nearly all
       long-distance trains usually do run on these days.  Check
       before traveling on less important lines on weekends!  

   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.8 Fly and Ride (a Train)
--------------------------------------

   Airports with railway stations near or under the terminals: 

     o Duesseldorf: S-trains to Duesseldorf und Duisburg and other
       towns in the area.  
     o Frankfurt: S-trains to Frankfurt, Mainz and Wiesbaden and other
       towns in the area.  IC/EC Service to many German towns.  
     o Stuttgart: S-trains to Stuttgart and other towns in the area.  
     o Muenchen: S-trains to Muenchen.  It is a good advice for
       travelers to the North to check the bus shuttle via Freising 

   Be ready to have German coins.  It is not legal to enter an S-train
   without a valid ticket.  So you might want to use the ticket
   vending machines.  Other airports can be reached by local public
   transport.  Taxis cost a lot in all areas and may also be time
   consuming in some areas.  [2/94] 


Subject: 20.1.9 Trains and Bicycles
-----------------------------------

   Take your bike along on a train!  

   It costs 8.60 DM to transport a bike in an IR TRAIN with
   reservation and self service, but costs double price without
   reservation.  
   **Note**: It is not possible to transport a bike in 95 percent of
   all ** long-distance, non-IR trains**!  Only the InterCityNights do
   carry bicycles.  It costs 8.60 DM or less to transport a bike in
   any **short-distance** train; no reservation necessary (or even
   possible).  
   It is possible to transport a bike in 95 percent of all
   short-distance trains.  Some of the RSB and E trains are real
   semi-fast trains.  It is very easy to take a bike across Germany's
   border by train.  Take a train to the last station before the
   border.  Than ride across the border to the next station...  It
   might be possible that there is another method...  :-O ask!  :-) 
   In tourist areas it is possible to rent bikes at railway stations
   or from private.  [2/94] 


Subject: 20.2 Country-Wide/Continent-Wide Bus Travel like Greyhound?
--------------------------------------------------------------------

   There is no national or private bus company like greyhound.  There
   are, nevertheless, a few lines run by the European railroads or
   private companies.  Some of the lines you can find in the
   **Kursbuch**.  On many lines there is only one bus every day or
   even week.  Some airport bus lines have real service.  A return
   ticket Hamburg-Paris costs about DM 150.  
   In towns with many foreign workers there might also be some bus
   services to the South, but you have to be a local to know about it. 
   [2/94] 


Subject: 20.3 Regional Bus Service
----------------------------------

   There are regional bus services run by bus companies of the federal
   railroad.  Ask at a railway station about the service.  
   **Exception**: In some areas, mostly in the Eastern, there is no
   regional bus service run by any railway related company.  Ask for
   the local transport company.  [2/94] 


Subject: 20.4 Regional Hiking Service ("Mitfahrzentralen")
----------------------------------------------------------

   Hitch-hiking is not encouraged.  It may or may not be more or less
   dangerous than in other parts of the world.  Do it on your own
   risk.  
   There is a very reasonable alternative; the network of so-called
   "Mitfahrzentralen" ("centers for getting a ride.") Based on the
   idea that single drivers and hikers "just need some place where
   they can meet" these centers charge hikers a little fee for a
   successful "match." Drivers don't get charged, because these
   centers live on their offers.  The service bureaus usually note
   down the names, addresses, phone numbers and license plate numbers
   of the involved parties -- big plus, compared to conventional
   hitch-hiking!  
   The general procedure is: 

     o You call them and say what you want 
     o They tell you what they've got, with an option to reserve a
       ride 
     o You show up, pay the (modest) fee and get the name, phone # and
       license # of the driver and the meeting time and place, plus a
       copy of the insurance that is included in the fee.  
     o You show up at the rendezvous and pay the driver your share of
       the gas costs after he brought you to your destination.  In the
       office they will tell you how much the driver may charge at
       maximum.  

   All in all, you pay about 1/3 to 1/2 of the train fare.  [5/94] 

   Quite a number of the Mitfahrzentralen are connected by the
   so-called "Citynetz".  The general phone number for all member
   centers of the Citynetz is 
   19444 
   It is available in the following cities (followed by area code
   prefix): 
   Berlin(030) Bonn(0228) Braunschweig(0531) Bremen(0421)
   Dortmund(0231) Duesseldorf(0211) Erlangen(09131)
   Frankfurt/Main(069) Freiburg(0761) Goettingen(0551) Hamburg(040)
   Hannover(0511) Heidelberg(06221) Kassel(0561) Kiel(0431)
   Koeln(0221) Mannheim(0621) Muenchen(089) Muenster(0251)
   Nuernberg(0911) Osnabrueck(0541) Wuppertal(0202) 

   Your requests are handled on a computer network...return/continuing
   trip requests can automatically be forwarded; you may pay by
   "Bankeinzug" (only from German accounts) examples of price totals
   (including fee; VAT; gas share) 

     o Cologne - Paris DM 46 
     o Munich - Frankfurt DM 41 
     o Berlin Duesseldorf DM 51 

   [from a brochure 3/94] 

   There is also an internet address for the Mitfahrzentrale at the
   university of Stuttgart (non commercial!)  also accessible via
   telnet login&amp;passwd: mfg 
     <http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/Mfg/mfg.html>
     <telnet://mfg:mfg@www.uni-stuttgart.de/>
   [10/94] 


Subject: 20.5 Local Transport (Within Cities)
---------------------------------------------

   In all German towns there are local bus service or streetcars or
   subways.  To get information about it ask local Germans.  If that's
   not possible call the local railway station and ask them for the
   name and phone number of the local transport company.  Then call
   the local transport.  
   If you stay longer than a day in an area, it's a good idea to buy a
   local transport timetable and get a map of their local net.  [2/94]


Subject: 20.6 You Mean I *Can* Get Around on My Bicycle?
--------------------------------------------------------

   You may or may not be used to cycling at home - in Germany cycling
   is definitely worth considering: for your daily commuting, for
   short-distance errands, for pastime, or for longer vacation tours. 
   Bring along your bicycle, or buy one in Germany.  Prices range from
   under 100 DM on the fleamarket to several thousand DM.  

   Cycling conditions in the cities vary between comfortable
   (Muenster) and horrible (?.)  Ask your German colleagues for
   advice.  

   Cycling is probably more regulated in Germany than in your country
   - which has both advantages and disadvantages.  It's a good idea to
   know about German traffic rules regarding cycling and the required
   equipment of your bicycle!  

   All kind of advice on cycling in Germany (among other: cycling
   maps) have the various bicycle clubs and traffic clubs.  
   See also: Trains and Bicycles, and the newsgroup de.rec.fahrrad
   (see The Internet) with their very informative FAQ list 
     <http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/de-rec-fahrrad-faq/.html>
   ( a second source.)  [6/94, mw] 
     <ftp://speckled.mpifr-bonn.mpg.de/pub/de.rec.fahrrad>


Subject: 20.7 Buying a Car for Short Period instead of EuRail?
--------------------------------------------------------------

   [Summary of a thread from Fall 1993.] The overall tone of the
   responses was pessimistic.  In particular: 

     o **Registration** and **insurance** are difficult to arrange for
       **foreigners** without residency 
     o **Gas** is expensive 
     o **Parking** can be a hassle.  

   Here are selected parts of the responses: 
     : Driving in Germany is not cheap!  A tank of **gas** that
     : would cost you about US$12 (~20 DM) in the USA would cost
     : you about US$50 there (~80 DM) in Germany (Assuming a rate
     : of 1.60 DM per US$1.)  
   [end quote]

     : If you don't buy a car from a dealer you do not pay
     : **vat** anyway.  For that kind of money [DM 2000-2500, US$
     : 1200-1500] don't bother about **shipping** it to the
     : States.  It would be so old that it wouldn't have a
     : catalytic converter.  
   [end quote]

     : Your **Insurance** will be astronomical just because
     : you're a foreigner.  [...] You've also got to pay property
     : **taxes** on the car.  That means you must have an address
     : in Germany where you are "angemeldet" [residency].  There
     : also may be some legal hang-ups against buying a car if
     : you're just using it to travel.  In addition to these
     : thoughts, the **buying** process is also quite different. 
     : You can't just walk into a car dealer and come out with a
     : car -- like you can in America.  There's quite a bit of
     : paper work that needs to be done before you can even test
     : drive the car.  You'll have to come back a couple of days
     : later to do that and then afterwards you can negotiate the
     : transaction.  
   [end quote]

     : Primarily central parts of the **cities** are closed for
     : cars.  
   [end quote]

     : **Parking** can be a hassle.  
   [end quote]

     : To my knowledge, you have to be **resident** of the Fed. 
     : Rep.  of Germany in order to **register** a car.  [...]
     : **re-selling** the car can be quite a hassle.  There are
     : times (not particular seasons, though) when the market is
     : not really in favor for sellers.  [...] **Renting** a car
     : might be worth considering.  
   [end quote]

     : It should be no problem to get a car which is still
     : running for this price.  Make sure it has some state
     : inspection time left, otherwise it will not be
     : **registered**.  [...] You will need **insurance**, of
     : course.  This is based on the hp of the car.  For 40 hp it
     : will be about 100 DM per month.  You must also pay car
     : **tax**, this is based on the cc of the engine.  For 1
     : liter is it about DM 200 per year.  You get a refund, if
     : you sell the car earlier for the unused time.  
   [end quote]

     : I personally would not recommend buying a very cheap car,
     : because it will likely **break down**.  
   [end quote]

     : I would look for a **really cheap car** (<1000 DM), which
     : will last for the time you are in Germany.  
   [end quote]

     : Q: Are there Mercedes diesels from the 70s that are
     : reasonably priced?  A: They are about DM 2000-6000 [US$
     : 1200-4000] ...  maybe more if in very good shape.  
   [end quote]

     : I lived in Germany for over a year and one of the nicer
     : things [...] about living there is the fact that you
     : **don't need** a car.  
   [end quote]

   Addendum: In July/94 the insurance market became more liberal
   (following an EU guide-line.)  Whatever the consequences are --
   it's very likely more diverse now and less transparent to the
   customers.  


Subject: 21 Cars and Driving in Germany
=======================================

   Contents: 
    => 21.1 How much is Gasoline in Germany?  
    => 21.2 What's the typical Mileage of Cars on German Streets?  

   Some general information.  For questions regarding moving to or
   from Germany and taking your car along, pleas look at the Moving
   chapter.  [06/96] 


Subject: 21.1 How much is Gasoline in Germany?
----------------------------------------------

   Expect prices around 

     Diesel                                   ~DM 1,15/Liter
     Benzin bleifrei     91 octane unleaded   ~DM 1,49/Liter
     Super bleifrei      95 octane unleaded   ~DM 1,55/Liter
     Super plus bleifrei 98 octane unleaded   ~DM 1,59/Liter
     Super verbleit      98 octane leaded     ~DM 1,68/Liter
   (Assume a range of about 0.10DM more or less throughout Germany.) 
   [5/94] 
   ...these are among the highest in Europe, and about 3x of what you
   might find in the USA.  


Subject: 21.2 What's the typical Mileage of Cars on German Streets?
-------------------------------------------------------------------

   Actually, "kilometerage" would be more accurate.  

   The typical German car runs at below 7 liters/100km; (roughly
   22mi/gal and more, if I did my math right here.  To get a first
   estimate of miles per gallon, divide 150 by the number of liters
   per 100.)  If you want to meet about average costs for driving,
   your car will have to match at least that consumption.  Many
   (many!)  cars, though, get to a low consumption of less than 5 or
   even 4l/100; i.e.  more than 33 or 39 mi/gal...  no surprise when
   considering the many diesel engines in use even for small cars.  

   An annual kilometerage of 12,000km/year is considered typical (less
   than the 10,000 mi/year average in the US; possibly because Europe
   is smaller;-) If you estimate costs for gas at around 1.60DM per
   liter times 12,000 km times 6 liters/100km, you end up with some
   DM1150 per year [06/96] 


--
         *  *      ralf <mailto:vogelges@physics.purdue.edu>
          *Q *
        *_/|- 	   maintainer of the soc.culture.german FAQ:
          / ! 	   <http://www.physics.purdue.edu/~vogelges/faq.html>
