Europe Vacation and Travel Guide

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GERMANY

MOVING TO GERMANY

Travel Tips

Browse our Guide to help you with your move to Europe.  We have everything you need to help you with your transition and getting settled in.
 

Money Matters

Military Pay Scale
GS Pay Scale
CONUS COLA Rates
OCONUS COLA Rates
BAH
OHA
Per Diem Rates
Exchange Rates

Military Finance Center
 

Military Communities

USAG Ansbach
USAG Bamberg
USAG Benelux
USAG Grafenwoehr
USAG Heidelberg
USAG Schweinfurt
USAG Stuttgart
USAG Vicenza
USAG Wiesbaden


DOD Installations
 

Entertainment & Recreation

MWR Europe
AFRC Garmisch

AFN TV Schedule
AFN FM Radio
AFN News Radio

 

Useful Links

Where is my POV?
Garmisch Jobs
DOD Jobs

 

Photo Galleries

Germany Photos
Mountain Photos
Christmas Market Photos
Castle
Send an e-Postcard

 

Germany offers a variety of landscapes from the coast in the north to the Bavarian Alps in the south.  The country boasts a multitude of historical towns and cities, romantic castles, and excellent museums.  The tourism infrastructure is well developed and most of the people speak English. 

To learn more about German cities, castles, and festivals, take a look at our Germany map and travelogues.

 

US MILITARY TIPS
US Air Force | US Army | US Navy | US Marine Corps
Berlin | Heidelberg | Frankfurt | Munich | Stuttgart

PCSing or going on TDY to Germany?
Use this page as your guide!


Most US Military Bases in Germany are located in an East-West stretch across Southern Germany from the French border to the Czech Border.  These bases are the remnants of US Occupied Territory after World War II, and the US Army and Air Force maintains these same bases even today.  This East-West swath holds the Frankfurt area bases at its northern most border, and Garmisch-Paternkirchen on its southern most border. 

Each of these bases are grouped into Military Communities, which allows smaller bases to share facilities and housing areas with other nearby posts.  The largest of these military communities centers around Kaiserslautern, on the German-French border.  This joint community is home to upwards of 80,000 Americans and is akin to a small American state within the heart of Europe.

This webpage was designed to introduce you to your new home and to provide you with important information to assist in your relocation and settling in to your community.
 

 

Military in Europe

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
Learn more about your destination.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The military offers Morale, Welfare, and Recreational Facilities to assist service members.

EDELWEISS LODGE AND RESORT
Armed Forces Recreation Center -- Europe features a hotel, ski lodge, cabins, and campground in Garmisch, Germany.

TDY Destinations
Read about your potential TDY destination from those who have already been there!

Military Finance and Allowances

CURRENCY CONVERSION AND BANKING
By following our guide to currency conversion and banking, you can save over $1000 over your tour in Europe.  And you don't have to do anything but use the right ATMs and banks!

PERSONALLY PROCURED MOVING PROGRAM (DITY MOVE)
The Personally Procured Move Program (formerly called the Do-IT-Yourself Move, or DITY Move) is designed to provide servicemembers with an alternative method of moving their household goods. 

DISLOCATION ALLOWANCE (DLA)
Learn about dislocation allowance, which help offset the costs incurred in moving a household during a permanent change of station.

BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH)
BAH compensates servicemembers to allow for housing on the local economy.

OVERSEAS HOUSING ALLOWANCE (OHA)
Those servicemembers stationed in US territories or in overseas countries receive an Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) instead of BAH.

CONUS COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE (CONUS COLA)
The fundamental goal of CONUS COLA is to compensate servicemembers for the high cost of living at certain duty stations.

OVERSEAS COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE (OCONUS COLA)
Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) is an allowance paid to service members stationed overseas in high cost areas (including Alaska and Hawaii). 

Travel to and Arriving in Germany

Arrivals
When you first arrive in Europe, you will have to in-process in Frankfurt.

In-Processing
When you arrive at your Local Military Community, you will have to go through in-processing before you get to your unit.

Jet Lag
Jet lag is a major problem for people arriving in Germany.  Click here to learn more.

Passports
Planning to travel around Europe?  You may need a passport.  Click here to find out!

Shipment of Goods

SHipmeNTS
Confused about what to bring, what not to bring, and what to mail to yourself?  We'll tell you what to do!

Claims
Click here to find out what to do if your goods arrive damaged.

MAIL
Learn about Army Post Offices and the Military Postal System.

Lodging

TEMPORARY LODGING
When you first arrive in Germany, you will have to stay in Temporary Lodging.

On Post Housing
Find out what to expect from living on-post.

Off Post Housing
Interested in living off-post on the local economy?  Click here to learn more.

Improve Quarters
Do you want to change the appearance of your living quarters?  There are facilities available which will help you do so...for free!

Government Furniture
Find out what government furniture you are authorized.

Radio and Television

Television/cable/satellite dishes
You can still see many of your favorite American programs and sports games while stationed overseas.

AFN Television Schedules
Click here to get the schedule for your favorite AFN channels.

AFN Antenna and Decoder Setup
Instructions on setting up your AFN Antenna and Decoder.

RADIO
Enjoy listening to your local American news and music stations.

Electricity and Appliances

Electricity
Electricity in Germany and the rest of Europe runs on a different voltage and clock cycle than in the US.  Find out more before you plug anything in!

Telephone and Internet Service
The telephones in Germany run on a different system as well.  Click here to learn more.

Paying your Phone Bill
Having trouble deciphering your phone bill?  We'll let you know what you are looking at.

Cellular Phones
Cellular phone service is generally quite excellent in Europe.

Driving in Germany

SHIPPING YOUR VEHICLE
You must follow the proper procedures when shipping your vehicle overseas.  Learn more about these stringent requirements here.

INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION
There are certain documents you must bring and certain steps to take when registering your vehicle.

INSPECTION OF YOUR VEHICLE
Your vehicle must pass inspection in order to be driven in Germany.  These standards are different than in the US, so make sure you're prepared!

DRIVER'S license
Learn more about obtaining your driver's license and access the Study Booklet.

driving tips
Here are some tips for driving in Germany.

Dining and Shopping in Germany

Selecting a restaurant
Read our travel tips so that you can make the best decisions on where to eat!

Dining OUT
Now that you've selected a restaurant, find out what
to expect inside!

BEER Dictionary
Confounded by the numerous beer types available in Germany?  Read out guide to navigate your path to your favorite type of beer!

Shopping
Planning on doing any shopping in Germany?  Check out our guide on German customs and sizes.

Education and Employment

DoDDS
Learn about what to expect from Department of Defense Dependent Schools.

Colleges and Universities
Interested in higher level education?  Find out more about the opportunities in Europe.

POST 9/11 GI Bill
Learn more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill, which went into effect on August 1, 2009 and includes housing benefits and applies to ROTC and Service Academy officers.

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM
Learn more about the Post 9/11 GI Bill's Yellow Ribbon Program, which provides additional funds to service members who have 100% coverage under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and are attending a Yellow Ribbon School.

VA HEALTH BENEFITS
Learn more about VA health benefits for combat veterans.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for a job?  Find out more about jobs available family members in Germany.

AFRC GARMISCH JOBS
The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort offers applicants a once in a life-time opportunity to work and live in the resort town of Garmisch. 

 

Castles

Heidelberg CastleHeidelberg
Heidelberg is the very image of romantic Germany.  The city's 17th Century red sandstone castle ruin and the old bridge are two of the most majestic sights in all of Germany.

Hohenschwangau
Venture into the Bavarian Alps and visit the castle Bavaria's Mad King Ludwig grew up in.



Neuschwanstein CastleNeuschwanstein
Venture into the Bavarian Alps and visit the fairy tale landmark upon which the Walt Disney based his Disney Land Castle: Mad King Ludwig's Schloss Neuschwanstein.

 

Vacation Tips

Browse our options below to help plan your vacation activities.  Don't miss these sights and activities.  Preview our photos before you go.

Panoramas

Colosseum
Heidelberg
Innsbruck
Lichtenstein
Salzburg

Ulm Cathedral
Vatican City
Vienna
 

Highlights

Sights
Food
UNESCO World Heritage
 

Activities

Castles
Festivals
Hiking
 

Countries

Browse our Travelogues

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
France

Germany
Ireland
Italy
Malta
Northern Ireland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland