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Germany has an excellent network of roads and motorways. Generally, there are no speed limits on much of the motorway network, but individually marked speed limits appear on a large percentage of motorway miles. A maximum of 130kph (81mph) is recommended.
On normal roads, speed limits are 100kph (62mph) outside built-up areas, and 50kph (31mph) or 30kph (19mph) in built-up areas. Traffic drives on the right. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Foreign drivers require their national driving licence and proof of insurance âEuro“ third-party insurance is mandatory, but a Green Card is strongly recommended. A country identification sticker or national license plate must be displayed on the vehicle. Mitfahrzentrale are 'car sharing' agencies that link drivers with travellers heading to the same destination. Search the Mitfahrgelegenheit website (www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de) for possible car pooling opportunities. Frankfurt now has an Umweltzone, a Low Emission Zone, which covers the area enclosed by the orbital motorway. Only vehicles displaying the green badge on their windscreen can travel within this zone. Badges can be obtained from recognised test centres, garages and the vehicle registration authorities. General information on travelling by car in Germany can be obtained from the Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club (ADAC) (tel: (0800) 510 1112; www.adac.de). Emergency breakdown services ADAC (tel: (0180) 222 2222). Routes to the city The Frankfurter Kreuz (near the airport, to the south of the city) is the most important junction in the German Autobahn network, where the A5 and A3 motorways connect. The A5 is the motorway to Frankfurt from the north (Hanover and Berlin) and the south (Karlsruhe and from across the border in Basel). The A3 connects Frankfurt with the east (Nürnberg) and west (Düsseldorf and Cologne). Driving times to the city From Munich - 3 hours 40 minutes; Hanover - 3 hours 20 minutes; Berlin âEuro“ 5 hours. Coach services Deutsche Touring GmbH, Am Römerhof 17 (tel: (069) 790 3501; www.touring.de), part of the Eurolines coach organisation, operates international services between Frankfurt and numerous destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Copenhagen and Budapest. It also operates regional services, including destinations on the 'Romantic Road' route. From Frankfurt coaches go to Munich, Würzburg, Augsburg and Schwangau. All buses depart from the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof Omnibusbahnhof, at the main railway station. Tickets can be purchased via the website or at the station. |
