Trying to figure out some great places to visit either in or near Germany without needing to speak German.
So I'm going to Berlin next week, which I am so excited about! I plan on visiting friends who are living in Berlin and Dresden. I'll be in Germany for a month and a half, so I have plenty of time to visit other areas.
I'm excited to take advantage of all Germany and nearby areas have to offer. But I feel a little nervous about not being able to speak Germany. I hate the idea of being the jerky American who thinks she can go anywhere without knowing the language. I want to be respectful, but at this point it's not as if I'll pick up German over night.
Where can I go in and around Germany without too much trouble not knowing the language?
I was thinking between Budapest, Prague, Salzburg, Austria, Munich.
What do you folks think? Can I travel safely alone in these areas without knowing the native tongue? And where do you recommend?
Thank you so much for your help and advice Travel Bloggers!
Also, is it easy to pick up some odd jobs here and there to make some extra cash? How is it done?
Reply to this Hi there, no need to worry, English is widely spoken. You can learn a few phrases before you go, like good morning and so on. Germany is very well organized and safe for travelling around as a single woman, if, of course, you take the normal precautions. Berlin and Dresden are both fantastic, and there are many other places in Germany which are lovely. The Alps are majestic, the Rhine valley which its castles is very romantic. The other cities you mention (maybe you mean Vienna, btw, Austria is a country and Salzburg another town in Austria) are fairly close by, and you could make a trip visiting all those, supposedly Prague and Budapest are cheaper then Germany. Travel by train, it is very easy and comfortable. You won't be able to work legally, if you are not a citizen of an country in the EU. Enjoy your stay
Reply to this let us know how it went,i would also like to go there,and i also don't speak german very well.
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Thanks for the advice! I leave Tuesday and can't wait. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes
Reply to this Hey Megan, if you stick to big cities you'll definitely be fine. Using basic phrases like hello and thanks will make you sound politer and more respectful than the average American tourist. And you can cram basic phrases before you leave, that's the best way! Beyond this try to talk to younger people, they're more likely to know English.
If you're going to Dresden then you should definitely come to Prague, it's only 2 hours away and definitely worth it. It's also on the way to all the other places you mentioned, so you could do a longer trip and see a couple of those cities. I especially recommend Budapest, it's quite far but you can travel by night train from Berlin or Dresden.
have a nice trip!
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