Berlin Warning or Danger Tips by JourneyOf1

When you see the pink paving along side the normal walking cobbles, know that it is the bike path! Do not walk on the bike path if you can help it! It's just for bikes of course. :-) If you happen to be on it and here a bell ring, don't run or move especially if the sound was close! Someone on a fast moving bike is just about to pass or hit you! As a friend described to me, "If you hear the bell, prepare for impact!"

Berlin bicyclers can get up to tremendous speed, and follow the traffic signals for cars also. In main street traffic, this is not so difficult to understand, because they have to stop and let you cross just like cars and buses do, but on neighborhood streets for example, one has to really watch for bicyclers. They have the right of way just like cars. Look before you cross the street, just because you don't see or hear a car, doesn't mean you can go. You need to stop for bikers as well and let them pass.

Again be aware of your placement when stopping at corners, walking along, etc. its an interactive thing. Bicyclers are trusting you to keep your path, and stay clear of their designated area. If you do get into a situation where another person is blocking your way to get off a bike path, or a bicycler is having to circumnavigate others, its best to keep your place. Stay still, and let the biker go around you, than you trying to jump out of the way. More likely you will cause an accident that way.

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For tourists and visitors, if you have purchased items and the store provides these, see the attendant at the "tax-free" office or ask a sales associate for a tax refund cheque . If you have your passport or a picture ID like a driver's license they will print out and sign a Global Refund Cheque for to refund the tax on your purchases. No cash refunds in the store but you must have your cheque stamped before you check your baggage at the airport.

From the brochure they give you: "On leaving the EU show your purchases to Customs officials and have your Global refund cheque stamped within 3 months of purchase. By air, before baggage check-in, by rail ask for information about stamp formailities."

You have to have the customs stamp to get a refund. You can also mail your stamped cheque to Global Refund and get a bank draft sent to you or direct deposit to your card or bank account.

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Jumping trains that is, without buying a ticket. Alright, I will admit that in the past, I've been a "jumper" on occasion. If I were going a relatively short distance from point A to point B, I would take the chance to hop aboard and get off at my stop, no problem. There was a smaller risk in the past, because BVG workers uniformed, and those undercover in plain clothes seemed to be few and far between. Not anymore, believe me.

In the past, some Berliners have given the opinion that young, pretty woman didn't get ticketed as much as others, older people didn't, etc. Yet honestly, on a simple journey lasting about 45 minutes through a few stops, especially in morning and afternoon rush times, I see at least 2 people get ticketed regularly. Pretty girls, business men, older people, doesn't matter. If you are going to take the train, go ahead and buy a ticket for the day (5,80€) or regular fare (2,10€), or if you are going to be staying in Berlin longer, go for the monthly ticket (varies). It will save you money in the end.

Trams also get policed this way, same advise is applicable. On buses, not so much the same, one has to pass the driver to enter, and if you try to slip on through one of the backdoors, it is ever so embarassing for the driver to leave his cockpit and come back and put you off.

Another newer change to the public transportation system one needs to be aware of is DIRECTION. Before, one could use the same ticket to go to a place, then return from it. Now, you must buy a ticket each way or direction, or you can also be ticketed and have to appear in "court". Beware the "train police"! They move in tandem in just a certain way: one to each end of the car, usually no backpack or baggage, then as soon as the doors close they announce themselves, and everyone starts scrambling for their tickets. Make sure you have yours!

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Website: http://www.bvg.de