Germany is great, but I won’t go back because honestly…
this “Germany is great, but I won’t go back” guide to avoiding pitfalls is full of hard truths. It’s great because of its unfiltered sense of order and scenery; I won’t go back because of the endless rules, food, and daily “surprises” that you can only handle once.
🚂 Transportation: You’ll never understand the “German-style romance” of Deutsche Bahn
The biggest uncertainty when traveling in Germany is the transportation itself.
· DB (Deutsche Bahn) delays are the norm: If you take a train in Germany without encountering delays or cancellations, that’s probably a rare event. Even more confusing, the same train might split mid-route to different cities. Always check the destination on the carriage screen before boarding, or you might wake up in another country.
· Ticket checks based on trust, with painful fines: Subway stations have no turnstiles, so you’re expected to buy tickets on your own. But ticket inspectors can appear anytime, and fare evasion fines start at €60. Remember to bring your passport, as inspectors will verify your identity.
· The unspoken rule of seat reservations: Buying a ticket doesn’t guarantee a seat. For popular ICE trains, it’s best to pay a few euros to reserve a seat in advance, or you’ll likely have to stand the whole way. If you don’t reserve, look for seats without electronic screens or route info.
🏔️ Attractions: The top traps that are “regrettable if you don’t go, even more regrettable if you do”
Many landmarks receive overwhelming online complaints, truly “not living up to their reputation.”
· Neuschwanstein Castle: Known as a fairy-tale castle, but only a few rooms are open inside. It’s far less magnificent than imagined and packed with tourists, leading many to call it a “scam.” Actually, taking a panorama photo from the opposite shore of Lake Forggensee is much more enjoyable—and free.
· Brandenburg Gate & Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin: Criticized as “huge tourist traps,” once you check in, it’s really just a gate. The heavy history is completely diluted by the noisy crowds.
· Cologne Cathedral: For non-believers, it’s grand but “boring.” The dark interior might make you want to leave after 20 minutes.
· Heidelberg Old Town: Some tourists reported unfriendly treatment toward Asian faces. If you go, don’t buy the castle combo ticket; €7 to see the ruins is enough.
🍺 Food: The “extreme tug-of-war” between German cuisine and Asian palates
German food is famous, but it takes courage to try.
· Pork knuckle & sausages: Weißwurst (white sausage) should be gently boiled in hot water and peeled before eating. Boiling it directly makes it powdery and strange. A crispy pork knuckle is almost impossible for women to finish.
· Supermarket pitfalls: “German” foods can be tricky. Rye bread (Schwarzbrot) is sour and hard like compressed biscuits; salted licorice (Salzlakritz) tastes like “salted herbal medicine,” a German version of an acquired taste.
· McDonald’s quirks: German McDonald’s charges for restroom use (€0.3–0.5), you have to ask for ketchup, clear your own tray after eating, and they even sell beer.
🏨 Accommodation: German precision can sometimes mean “ruthlessness”
When staying at hotels, be prepared to be ruled by regulations.
· City tax: Not all accommodations include tax. The front desk will expressionlessly ask you to pay on the spot, either per person or as a percentage of the room rate. Rules vary by city.
· “Floor 0” is the first floor: Germany’s Erdgeschoss (E or 0 floor) is the first floor, while the floor marked “1” is actually the second floor. Dragging heavy luggage to the wrong floor can be frustrating.
· No disposable toiletries, fines for late checkout: Bring your own toothpaste, toothbrush, and slippers. Even being one minute late checking out can cost you. The front desk will coldly tell you “you must pay” with no leniency.
💡 Ultimate tips to avoid pitfalls
1. Carry cash and watch Sundays: Many small shops only accept cash. Remember that supermarkets are closed on Sundays, so if you don’t stock up in advance, you’ll go hungry.
2. DM is the shopping paradise: For “German specialties,” go to DM stores! Iron supplements and small chamomile hand creams are much cheaper than at airports or tourist spots. The 4711 cologne flagship store near Cologne Cathedral charges nearly twice the price of the train station supermarket.
3. Be cautious with car rentals: City parking fees are shockingly expensive, and it’s easy to get lost in multi-level parking garages.
4. English + gestures: English works in big cities, but in small towns, you’ll rely on gestures. The offline Google Translate package is a lifesaver.
In short, Germany is a country where you need to be fully prepared, follow the rules, and lower your expectations. Its beauty is real, but its pitfalls are raw. After a trip, you might share my feeling: Germany is great, very German, but once is enough.