Travelling from Australia to Germany for the World Cup
Travel Quick Links
Buy World Cup Tickets
Airfare to Germany
Hotels in Germany
Hostels in Germany
Eurail Passes
Car Rental in Europe
Cell Phones/SIM Cards
Travel Insurance
With the country bidding to host the 2022 World Cup, there will be plenty of people watching the Australian team compete in the 2006 World Cup. If you're one of the lucky few heading over to Germany to catch the action in person, there are a few things to figure out before you go.
Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany, however, you must have at least four more months of validity on your passport before entering. Work and resident permits are required if you plan on sticking around after the games. There are no required vaccines for entry into the country.
Like Australia, Germany is on the metric system. The currency is the euro. Exchange rates are approximately 1 dollar to 0.62 euro.
Germany is on Central European time. During the World Cup, the time difference from Sydney, Australia to Berlin, Germany will be -14 hours.
The German Tourism Board has established an English-language website for visitors.
Where to get tickets: You can get tickets to every match Australia plays in the World Cup through World Cup Blog! Find tickets by team, grouping, individual game or city. Buy Australia World Cup tickets.
How to get there: Lufthansa German Airlines offers flights from Sydney to Frankfurt. Flight times are approximately 18 hours. An English guide to Frankfurt airport is located online. Connecting flights to and from a number of other cities in Germany are available. To find the best deals, search our airfare engine. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday. Check out for inter-country flights that cost less than the price of a taxi!
Where to stay: If you're feeling stalkerish, the Socceroos will be staying in a hotel in Zweiflingen. However, you can find accommodation throughout the country with World Cup Blog's hotel database. It allows you to search multiple sites at once for the best deals on rooms in Germany. Use the search box in the right column.
Hostels more your style? Check out these hostels in Germany.
How to get around: The best way to follow the Australian team as they travel across Germany is the World Cup Eurail Pass. This pass allows you flexible days of travel within Germany. Youth under 26 and two or more adults traveling together can also save money. Advantages include not having to deal with traffic or signs in foreign languages, easier navigation from one city to another and increased socialization with other excited World Cup fans!
If you'd rather be on your own schedule, then hiring a car might be a better option. Renting a car in Germany allows you to get off the beaten path and explore small Bavarian towns. Hitting the road can give you a much needed break from other sports enthusiasts and the chance to drive no-holds-barred on the Autobahn!
How to keep in touch: If you own a mobile phone with a removable SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid German SIM card. You can find out your local German number before you arrive, and get free incoming calls while in the country. If you don't have a phone that will work, look into renting a German cell phone, which costs less than you think!
How to protect yourself: Many insurance carriers do not provide coverage overseas. Beat the odds and make the most of your holidays with affordable travel health insurance. In case of trip cancellation, you can also recover your costs with trip protection insurance.
Not gonna be in Germany? Follow the Socceroos' progress online at Australia World Cup Blog.
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