BERLIN TRAVEL GUIDE

Berlin Travel Guide
8
Secretarial Services
If your hotel does not offer secretarial services, you
could use an independent service. Details of such
services are listed in the “Yellow Pages” of the
telephone directory.
9
Travellers’ Cheques
Travellers’ cheques made out in euros or any other
currency can be exchanged at all larger banks or at
branches of the issuers. Most banks charge a fee.
10
Important Numbers
Important Deutsche Telekom helpline numbers are
as follows:
➤ national directory enquiries 118 33
➤ international directory enquiries 118 34
➤ operator (0180) 200 10 33
Security & Health Tips
1 Emergencies
As elsewhere in
Germany, the emergency
phone numbers are 112 for
ambulance and fire brigade,
and 110 for the police. These
can be dialled free of charge from public phone boxes.
2 Safety
Berlin is a fairly safe city. As in any other metropolis,
however, you are advised to follow a few golden rules.
Keep an eye on your valuables, such as your wallet or
handbag, at all times, especially on U- and S-Bahn trains
and on buses. At night, the following areas are best
avoided: the area behind the Gedächtnis-Kirche, U-Bahn
line U9 north of the Zoo, the districts Lichtenberg
(especially the station) and Friedrichshain. Eastern areas
can be less safe; black or openly homosexual visitors are
also advised not to take the S-Bahn at night east of
Alexanderplatz or to Brandenburg.
3 Theft
Ask the hotel to place your documents and valuables
in a safe if possible, or carry them close to your body.
Even if you are making a short visit, it is worth taking out
insurance unless you are already covered by your
household insurance. Be sure to inform the police
immediately of any theft; you’ll usually easily find police
officers patrolling the streets in the centre.
➤ Polizeipräsidium Platz5 der Luftbrücke 6 • (030) 69
93 64 44
4
Lost Property
The Zentrales Fundbüro (central lost-property office)
keeps anything that has been lost and found anywhere
in Berlin. If you have lost an item on public transport,
enquire with the Fundbüro der BVG. The Fundbüro der
Deutschen Bahn AG is responsible for all items lost on
the S-Bahn or the railways.
➤ Zentrales Fundbüro Platz der Luftbrücke 6 • (030) 69
95
➤ Fundbüro der BVG Potsdamer Str. 182 • (030) 25 62
30 40
traveldk.com
➤ Fundbüro der DB (01805) 99 05 99
5 Hospitals
Visitors from EU countries are covered for
emergency treatment, but British visitors should obtain
form E111 from a post office before leaving home.
Non-EU visitors should buy special travel insurance to
cover medical emergencies.
6 Chemists
There are numerous Apotheken (chemists or
pharmacies) all over town. After 8pm, an emergency
phone line will give you information on where to find the
nearest open chemist.
➤ (030) 31 00 31
7 Dentists
The dental emergency phone line will refer you to
the nearest dentist for treatment.
➤ (030) 89 00 43 33
8
Emergency Services
There are several other important numbers for
emergencies, which usually operate throughout the night.
These will provide telephone advice or inform you of
other emergency services if necessary.
➤ Doctors on call (030) 310 031
➤ German Red Cross Rescue Service (030) 85 00 52
08
➤ Emergency Poison Helpline (030) 192 40
➤ Narcotics Emergencies (030) 192 37
➤ 0800 111 0 111 • 0800 111 0 222 (spiritual help)
9 Embassies
Foreign visitors who have lost their passport or need
legal advice or help with their visa should contact their
embassy (see Planning your Trip) .
10
Women travelling on their own
Berlin is quite safe for women on their own, but
avoid parks and dark, quiet streets at night, as well as
the outer districts of East Berlin.
➤ Confidential helpline for women (030) 615 42 43
26
Getting there